Chapter 3

My tears just wouldn't stop, falling one after another down my face.

Andrew reached out to wipe my tears, but Samuel grabbed his hand and yanked it away, rough and forceful.

Samuel was suddenly right in front of me, his voice cold as ice.

"Sophie, you better tell me who this guy is."

I saw the threat in Samuel's eyes, panic rising in my chest as I stammered, "Samuel, please. I swear, I don't know him! Don't hurt him, it's my fault! I really don't know him!"

Samuel's eyes turned even colder as he stared me down. Then, out of nowhere, he let out a cold, mocking chuckle.

"Alright, Sophie. Go ahead. Tell him what you're doing here. And tell him who I am to you."

Andrew frowned, watching me closely, his gaze searching my face.

I stared back at him, biting my lip so hard it nearly drew blood, my voice choked as I forced out the words.

"I'm just working here as a—"

Andrew suddenly cut me off.

"Don't say anything else, Emily. I don't know why you disappeared six years ago. Maybe you had your own reasons. This isn't the right time to talk. I'll come find you."

Andrew shot Samuel a look, then turned and walked away.

Samuel didn't say a word. He bent down, grabbed me by the waist, slung me over his shoulder, and tossed me into the car in a few quick moves.

He floored the gas, and the car shot off down the road.

Samuel shoved me into the bathroom, slammed his hand down on the faucet, and icy water gushed over me.

He grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking me up violently, forcing my gaze to meet his.

"Sophie, you'd better have a damn good explanation. Why did he call you Emily? And what the hell happened six years ago?"

I stared Samuel right in the eye and laughed out loud, almost hysterical.

'You really want to know, Samuel?' I shot back. 'I've already told you. I'm not Sophie Lane. I'm not the one who destroyed your sister!'

Samuel stared at me, his eyes shadowed and bottomless, impossible to read.

We locked eyes, the silence broken only by the roar of water all around us.

After a long, tense silence, Samuel let out a cold, mocking laugh. He grabbed my hand and pinned it hard against the wall.

With each rough push, pain shot through me, making me gasp.

"Sophie, what makes you think I'd ever believe you?"

Of course I knew he wouldn't believe me.

But after five years by his side, I knew him just as well as he knew me.

Samuel was always careful, always doubting everyone.

Once something got stuck in his head, he'd hunt down the answer himself.

Honestly, I couldn't wait for the day he uncovered the truth.

That night, after Samuel had his way with me, he just got dressed and walked out, not even a word.

The next day, I put on the skimpiest outfit I could find and headed back to the Velvet Lounge for work.

Sure enough, I ran into Andrew again.

I knelt at his side, pouring him a drink. My face stayed blank, but my hands wouldn't stop shaking.

He caught sight of the bruises Samuel had left on my neck, his eyes clouding over. He reached out and grabbed my hand.

"Emily, what are you hiding from me? Do you even like him? Do you really think he treats you well? If he actually cared about you, would he let you work in a place like this?"

I put on my best poker face, pretending I didn't care at all.

"It's all about the money. Whoever pays, gets me."

Andrew was clearly pissed off. He stopped looking at me, got up fast, and headed straight for the door.

Midway there, he paused, struggling with himself for a moment, then spun around and came back.

"Alright, if money's all you care about, hell, I'll pay you. Quit this job and come with me!"

I gave a bitter laugh, stood up, and smoothed out my skirt.

"So, where to? The hotel, or are you taking me home?"

Andrew took a deep breath, his gaze heavy as he stared at me.

"What I mean is, will you marry me?"

I just stood there, completely stunned.

Samuel showed up.

He'd been standing there for who knows how long, a sneer playing at his lips as he leaned in and murmured right in my ear.

"Look at you, Sophie. After five years of selling your used-up body, there's actually some idiot out there who wants to take you home as his wife."