When I woke up, I was in a strange room.

"You're awake?"

Matthew stood in the doorway, a document in hand.

He walked to the side of the bed, his eyes briefly lingering on my face, his expression unreadable.

Without a word, he tossed the document onto the bed.

"Take a look. If everything's fine, sign it."

I reached out, noticing the bandage wrapped around my arm.

Memories from last night rushed back, and I couldn't help but laugh bitterly.

It was a contract for keeping me as his mistress.

He'd pay me, and I'd sell my body.

"Ten million dollars a month. I'm sure you'll be more than happy with that, Amelie. You need the money, don't you?"

Matthew pulled out the chair beside the bed and sat down, looking at me with cold indifference.

"With Scott Group in the state it's in, there's no way you'll get a loan now."

My hand trembled as I held the contract, his voice icy in my ears.

"If you don't sign this, you'll regret it."

He paused before adding, "Oh, by the way, Scott Group's stock just crashed today."

It was like lightning had struck. I turned my head sharply to stare at him.

And then, my phone rang.

It was Tom, my father's secretary.

"Miss, you need to get to First Hospital right away. Your father had a heart attack. They're trying to save him."

By the time I stumbled into the hospital, my father had already been moved to the ICU.

Through the window, I could see him lying in the hospital bed, hooked up to countless tubes, looking older than his years.

Tom handed me a tablet, his voice filled with pity.

"Miss…"

[Scott Group's stock plummets. Sources suggest MG Group may be planning a takeover.]

Not far away, Matthew stood holding the contract, waving it at me with a smirk.

I shoved the tablet back into Tom's hands and marched over to Matthew.

"You did this, didn't you?"

My eyes burned with unshed tears, and my heart was heavy, but I couldn't cry.

Matthew slapped the contract against my chest.

"Sign it!"

I stared at him, my hand flying up as I slapped him hard across the face.

"Matthew Graham, what do you want from me?!

"What will it take for you to finally leave me alone?"

The salty taste on my lips reminded me that my tears had already started falling.

Matthew lifted his hand, gripping my chin tightly.

"Be a good girl, do what I say, and maybe I'll consider letting you go..."

"Matthew Graham!"

"Yes, I'm listening."

He smiled softly, the way he used to when we were still in love.

In the end, I signed the contract, selling myself to him.

And I let myself sink into a hope that I knew I shouldn't have.

The next morning, Matthew and I were sitting at the table, having breakfast.

Georgia burst into the room, fuming.

She grabbed the hot milk from the table and threw it at me.

"Amelie Scott, have you no shame?!"

The scorching milk soaked through my clothes, and I flinched as the heat hit my skin.

But Matthew, sitting across from me, barely lifted an eyelid.

"Georgia, come here."

She shot me a hateful look and then walked over to Matthew.

"Matthew, did you forget how she treated you before?"

Matthew took a napkin and gently wiped the milk off her hand.

"Did you burn yourself?"

Georgia's expression didn't soften.

"What's she doing living here? Did she seduce you or something?"

Matthew chuckled, tightening his grip on her hand.

"I'm keeping her around because she's useful."

Then he glanced at me, his eyes cold.

"What are you standing there for? Go change. We have someone to meet."

When Matthew squeezed Georgia's hand, it felt like an invisible fist had wrapped around my heart, squeezing the air out of my lungs.

I turned and walked toward the dressing room like a puppet on strings.