1. Sparks of Desire and Wounds

“Today is our third wedding anniversary. I’m going to give him a surprise. Daren will surely be happy.”

Then, Liora pushed open the door to her husband’s office—but it was only half open.

Thump!

The world seemed to shatter. Liora instinctively covered her mouth when her eyes caught a sight she would never be able to forget for the rest of her life.

Camelia—her own best friend—was sitting on Daren’s lap. Meanwhile, Daren’s hands—her husband’s hands—were gripping the woman’s waist, their lips locked in a heated kiss. Completely unaware of her presence.

“Ca—Camelia?” Liora whispered, trembling, her voice caught in her throat.

“Daren .…?”

The gift box slipped from Liora’s hands and fell to the floor. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

“Ah, Daren! When will you divorce Liora?” Camelia asked, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the man’s touch.

“Wait for the right time! Don’t worry, I only love you. Liora is just a replacement! I married her because her face looks almost like yours. For three years, I’ve guarded my body, my heart—only for you, Camelia ….”

It felt like a bolt of lightning struck Liora in broad daylight as she heard her husband’s words.

“So … I’m just a replacement?” Liora said to herself. How cruel they are, she whispered, barely audible. Liora shook her head, stepped back, then turned and ran toward the elevator.

The moment the elevator doors closed—her legs gave way. Her sobs broke free, her chest tightening as if being crushed from the inside.

When she reached the ground floor, Liora ran out of the building aimlessly until she reached the main road. Not long after, a taxi passed by, and she stopped it.

Throughout the ride, she cried silently.

“How could you be so heartless, Daren?” she murmured.

“So this is your excuse—saying you were busy at the office!” Her hands clenched tightly.

“And you, Camelia. All this time, I treated you like my own sister. I confided everything in you. But you stabbed me in the back!” Liora seethed, unwilling to accept it. But now, she had lost them both.

When she arrived home, the door had barely closed when Martina’s voice greeted her from the living room.

“Where have you been? Coming home this late?!”

Liora turned, her eyes red.

“Mom … I don’t want to argue right now.”

“What did you say?!” Martina scoffed. “You’re a useless daughter-in-law! You’re a barren woman! You can’t even give us a grandchild, yet you’re out roaming around!”

The word barren struck Liora square in the chest once again.

“I am not barren, Mom,” she said, her voice trembling, yet she felt certain.

“Then why is it that after three years of marriage to my son, you still haven’t given us a grandchild?!” Martina pointed at her sharply.

Liora couldn’t answer. She ran to her room, locked the door, and collapsed onto the floor.

Her crying broke free, and without realizing it, time passed quickly. Outside, dusk had turned into night.

Several hours later, Liora was inside a nightclub. Dim lights, pounding music. Young men and women were dancing freely on the dance floor—but not Liora.

Liora downed her drink, the kind that would get her drunk.

“I really am stupid—too blinded by that bastard of a man.”

Her head started to spin, and she held it. Then she walked with blurred vision, unknowingly heading in the wrong direction.

The door she opened was not the restroom.

It was a VIP room.

Inside the VVIP room, a man sat casually, swirling a shot glass in his hand, exuding a cold and commanding aura—Ethan William. A young, successful businessman with a beautiful wife.

Ethan’s gaze sharpened as he saw the uninvited woman walking closer toward him.

Dare to touch me, and I’ll throw that insolent woman out, Ethan thought, watching Liora’s steps as she drew nearer.

Liora almost fell when her foot hit the edge of the table. Out of reflex, he caught her, and moments later her body landed right on Ethan’s lap.

“Hey—” Ethan reflexively held Liora by the waist.

Liora lifted her face. Her eyes were wet, her cheeks flushed.

“You’re drunk,” he whispered.

Without warning—Liora’s hand brushed Ethan’s cheek, slowly, with a trembling motion.

“Hey, you’re very handsome! What’s your rate for one night?”

Then her small hand stopped at his lips. Ethan froze, staring intently into Liora’s beautiful eyes.

“Do you know who I am?” he said lowly, his hand starting to circle her waist.

Strangely, Ethan’s body responded to the woman’s touch. He didn’t resist at all. Could this be something special?

Once the door closed, Ethan took a deep breath. The scent of lavender from Liora’s body filled his senses—warm and calming.

For the first time, something stirred within him. His grip tightened on Liora’s waist. And that night, without them realizing it, fate began to shift its course.

“Do you know who I am?” Ethan whispered again, low and dangerous, his gaze filled with desire.

Liora shook her head slowly. Her hair brushed her cheeks, her eyes gleaming wildly.

“I don’t need to know who you are.”

Her hand gripped Ethan’s suit, her fingers curling as if afraid of losing her hold. Her body leaned closer, their breaths mingling.

“What I want …,” she said softly, almost whispering, “is for you to satisfy me.”

Ethan held his breath. His gaze dropped—to Liora’s slightly trembling lips, to her eyes that challenged him without shame.

“Do you realize what you’re saying?”

His voice was heavy, controlled, as if trying to remind—himself.

Liora let out a small laugh.

“If I weren’t aware, I wouldn’t be here.” She lifted her chin, looking up. “I’m tired of being a good woman.”

Ethan brushed Liora’s cheek, his thumb stopping at the corner of her lips.

Liora leaned in again, almost touching. Then she kissed Ethan first. A small smile curved her lips.

“Just tonight.”

Ethan could no longer control himself. He pulled Liora by the nape, his kiss far deeper, making Liora gasp softly. His hand tightened at the back of her neck, holding her steady so she wouldn’t fall.

“Is this what you want?” he whispered between breaths.

Ethan stood up, lifting Liora with one decisive movement. Liora gasped, then laughed softly, hiding her face in Ethan’s neck.

“Tonight, I will fulfill your request,” Ethan said lowly.

Liora nodded.

“Do it now. I want you.”