Chapter 2

2.

Her name was Daisy, a college student.

Today happened to be her twentieth birthday.

I rested my chin on my hand, looking at her. She had a sweet name that matched her youthful face.

"How many times have you slept with Caleb?"

Daisy stopped crying. She looked at me, shocked, her face turning bright red. "Ten... ten times."

I nodded and took a note.

I asked a few more seemingly trivial but important details.

Finally, I typed a number into my phone and showed it to her.

"The price for one night with Caleb is two hundred thousand dollars. Ten times equals two million."

I paused, looking at her stunned expression.

"Since he seemed particularly satisfied with you during your time together, I'll make it three million total."

Daisy was speechless, paralyzed by my business-like tone.

"You're his wife... why are you doing this?"

"Why am I so calm about handling my husband's side-piece?" I finished for her with a faint smile.

Before I could answer, Caleb came charging down the stairs in a rage.

He grabbed Daisy by the arm and shoved her toward the door. "Get out!"

By the time I stood up, he was standing behind me, his face twisted in anger.

I frowned. "Caleb, that was unnecessary. I hadn't finished the payment..."

Caleb's eyes were bloodshot. He grabbed my wrist and yanked me against his chest.

"Aria Vance, what the hell do you think I am? A gigolo? You actually put a price tag on me!"

He saw the tears prickling my eyes from the pain and loosened his grip in a panic.

He looked down and saw the bruise forming on my wrist.

"Who did this?"

Thinking of how Daisy had shoved me earlier, his gaze turned lethal. "Was it Daisy? I'm going to make her pay."

I caught his arm, sighing at his sudden change in temperament. "It's over. Just sign the papers."

Caleb stopped and stared at me, his lips pressed thin.

Seeing my persistence, he let out a frustrated breath and pulled me toward the sofa.

He forced me down onto his lap.

I jumped, trying to get away, but he pinned me down with his heavy arms.

"Do you want those papers signed or not?" he warned.

I sat there, stiff as a board, forced to endure his sudden attention.

As he applied ointment to my bruise, he spoke.

"There's a charity gala tonight. You're coming with me."

I opened my mouth to refuse.

"There's a little waitress there who needs to be handled," he said, looking down at me. "Finish that, and I'll let you go."

I looked at him, my expression blank. I agreed.

I had just buried my parents today. I hadn't had time to grieve or rest.

I felt like a spinning top, constantly being pushed by Caleb.

I wore a matching gown and played the part of the doting wife at the gala.

"Mr. and Mrs. Sterling are so in love. It's truly envious," the guests whispered.

I offered them a fake, practiced smile.

I even leaned in to adjust Caleb's collar, hiding the fresh hickey on his neck.

By the end of the night, my face felt frozen from all the smiling.

When the guests finally cleared out, I looked around.

"Where is the waitress you mentioned?"