Chapter 2

Half an hour later, the lights in the villa went out again.

A bright jock showed up.

Over three years, the cute dresses in the closet kept getting swapped out and torn up again and again.

*****

Marcus was right. I was simply a poor girl from a small town.

I only managed to marry him because I got lucky. His mom liked me, his grandparents liked me, and they said my natal chart was favorable. They promised me shares if I married him.

Of course, being too popular was also a kind of ability.

I admitted that I was the real deal.

Honestly, at first, I didn't want to marry him. It was not that I had anything against him personally. I just thought rich guys were always up to something shady.

I had never believed a word of his claims about living a life of restraint and turning away from temptations.

For a man, self-restraint was his most valuable asset.

Back then, Jessica wanted to slap some sense into me. "Are you a virgin?"

I shook my head.

I'd only had four or five boyfriends.

"Then why are you being so hypocritical?" she'd said lightly. "Anyway, it's all about sleeping around. Why don't you go sleep with Marcus?

"He's rich, has a great body, and a handsome face. His family likes you. Sleep with him for a few years, and if it doesn't work out, get a divorce.

"If he really wants to live a life of restraint, wouldn't that be even better? Your in-laws love you, your wallet is full, and your husband doesn't come home to bother you. Only a fool like you would refuse.

"Isn't a Trust Fund better than your full employee benefits?"

Just like that, I, a poor girl, climbed straight into high society.

I put up with everyone's odd stares, ate expensive meals that left me still hungry, wore shoes I couldn't get wet, and watched seven-digit figures stack up in my bank account daily.

My life was bleak and hopeless.

I was really miserable.

I was already this miserable, so it was only right for him to send a few friends my way.

I slept with them without a second thought.

Marcus had seven close friends, and in three years, I slept with six of them.

I spread my favors evenly, keeping each one for about six months on average.

Just as I was getting bored and thinking about how to move on to the next one, my mother-in-law's birthday arrived.

I was called back to the Daltons' family house for a gathering.

My mother-in-law, Fiona Dalton, stared at my belly and sighed, "Three years and still nothing. Marcus really isn't up to the task."

"It's mainly because we're using protection," I replied.

"You're still using protection?"

I nodded.

High society circles might be wild, but they wouldn't go so far as to risk a pregnancy.

Marcus rarely appeared in public with me. To be precise, we hardly ever saw each other.

The living room on the first floor was crowded, so I happily carried coffee upstairs, wanting to hide in Marcus's study for some peace and quiet.

Unexpectedly, a mocking laugh came from inside the room.

"That silly girl from the small town is still so naive after three years. She never noticed anything wrong? Marcus, your family picked you a good wife, so pure," a man said.

I recognized that voice. It was one of Marcus's friends.

I used to love hearing that voice whispering in my ear.

"The older generation really has a sharp eye. This little thing makes me want to marry one too," another chimed in.

Nine men were talking in the study. Some were leaning against the wall, some were sitting on the sofa with their legs crossed, and others were leaning on the long table with their hands.

Long legs filled the room, and every face was stunning.

"Who do you think she likes the most among us?" someone else asked.

I held my breath, gripping the tray tightly.

How lucky I was. All the men I slept with were drop-dead handsome.

I thought they were discussing who'd be next in line for me.

I guessed it would be the youngest one, named Ryan Pierce.

He was still a student, a naive, unworldly boy who'd never had a girlfriend. He grew compliant in my presence, and even brief conversation was enough to make his ears burn red.

I could make him cry in three minutes.

But unexpectedly, Marcus, who had been silent, sat up and flicked his cigarette ash. His face darkened. "You guys don't need to come over anymore. My mom is hoping she and I will start a family soon."

His friends were shocked. "So you're giving in? Didn't you say you'd never be with a woman?" one of them said.

"My mom has a heart condition and doesn't have much time left. She wants a grandchild."

That was really sad news.

*****

I didn't get to hook up with Ryan, and my restrained husband Marcus actually came home.

Two misfortunes struck at once.