CRAZIER THAN YOU THINK

Emily glanced toward me.

She knew how much I loved her son—how deeply, how painfully this introduction was.

I had thought he, of all people, would understand me. After all, he knew the truth. He knew I never had a choice. That I was forced—trapped into being nothing more than a pet slut for Lord Vince.

But clearly, I was wrong.

Now, at least, I had a reason to stay focused—on my mission—and quit trying to please a man who never wanted me to begin with.

A man who only saw filth where I carried scars.

It was time to stop dreaming of a normal life... because this life was all I would ever have.

And yet…

Beneath this wounded twenty-one-year-old exterior still lived a child—a child who only wanted to be loved, like everyone else.

A child who longed for the warmth of a family… and genuine affection.

"She's so beautiful, Dan. But you could’ve brought her home instead of this place," Emily said softly.

I wasn’t sure if she felt sorry for me… or just worried that Betty might be uncomfortable surrounded by Lord Vince’s men.

“She insisted on visiting your workplace,” Daniel replied stiffly.

“You are welcome once again, Betty,” Emily added.

Betty gave a polite nod and then looked at me, curious, as if trying to figure me out.

Daniel quickly stepped in.

“This is Aria. She owns the house.”

“Right,” Betty said, extending a hand toward me. “Nice to meet you, Aria. You’re so pretty.”

“You too, Betty,” I replied, accepting her handshake with a bright smile, even though my insides were like a storm of pain and rage.

“I can’t believe you’re real,” she said. “Seriously… you look so much like a real-life elf.”

I giggled.

“Oh, please stop already. You’re making me blush.”

Daniel reached out and pulled Betty back, like she might get tainted just from touching me.

“Don’t get too close to her,” he whispered, half-joking, half-serious. “She’s crazier than you think.”

“Oh, Daniel, get over it,” I replied with a small laugh before turning to Betty.

“Even if it’s a threesome, just let me have him for one round.”

Betty gasped, her face flushing as she turned to Daniel in shock.

“Aria!” Daniel barked. “Stop it. Don’t poison her—she’s not like you.”

His words struck harder than a slap.

He glared at me with pure disgust.

“Must you always show that you’re nothing but a disgusting cum bucket?”

“Daniel!” Emily snapped, clearly horrified.

But I just smiled wider, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“Disgusting cum bucket,” I repeated softly. “Is that because you saw me getting gangbanged, Daniel?”

“What?” Betty whispered, clearly overwhelmed.

Daniel frowned tightly.

“Can you please mind your words? There’s a visitor here.”

“Oh please, Dan. Don’t be so dramatic. She’s not a child. She’ll be fine.”

I giggled again.

Emily cleared her throat, easing the tension.

“Daniel, can I see you and Betty outside for a minute?” she said, already walking toward the door.

“Sure,” Daniel replied curtly—but not without glaring at me one last time.

I laughed.

Emily stepped out first. Betty followed closely behind, but just before she crossed the threshold, I leaned in and gave her a playful slap on the ass, winking. “Soft. Lucky!”

“Stop it, Aria…” Daniel snapped.

“What?” I shrugged, teasing. “I’m not going to steal your girl.”

He hated it when I acted like that. And maybe that’s why I did it. Because why pretend to be decent, when he had already chosen to see me as nothing but filth?

I watched him open the door for Betty, watched him glare at me one more time before slamming it shut behind them.

My first and only love—the only man I had ever let see the real me—saw me as nothing more than a disgusting cum bucket.

And he was right.

Because that’s what I had become.