Chapter 2

"You're my maid, remember? When your master's in bed, you stand by and wait to serve him."

I stood off to the side in humiliation, forced to watch Sebastian and the woman twist into every position imaginable. His ragged breathing and her breathy moans felt like they were drilling straight into my eardrums.

Sebastian even had the nerve to add, "Pay attention. You'll be using these moves yourself soon enough."

I blinked back the tears burning in my eyes and made myself endure it. Dad had said he just needed one year. In a year, he would find a way to get me out and take me home.

It was only one year. I just had to grit my teeth and get through it.

Sebastian and the woman kept going until late into the night. When they were finally done, I cleaned up all the mess they left behind and straightened the room. Only then did he let me go back to my room.

I lay in bed, but sleep wouldn't come. My brain kept circling back to what Sebastian had said. What did he mean, I'd be using those moves very soon?

I got my answer three days later.

…

That afternoon, Sebastian's secretary suddenly showed up with a custom designer gown. He said Sebastian wanted me dressed up for the night so I could go to a dinner party with him.

I was at Sebastian's mercy and had nowhere else to go, so I had no choice but to do as I was told. Even so, a sick feeling twisted in my gut.

Had Sebastian found a new way to torture me?

Half an hour later, I was standing in front of the VIP private room at The Phantom. Laughter and rowdy teasing spilled through the door, confirming every ugly guess in my head.

"Seb, you're really okay with letting your wife have fun with us?"

"She's not worthy of being called my wife."

"Still, she used to be the Lockhart family's heiress."

"Key words—used to be. Now, she's just my dog."

"Well, that puts me at ease. So, we can really go all out tonight, right?"

"As long as you guys are happy."

"You're the best, Seb!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, stopping me in my tracks.

Sebastian's subordinate saw me hesitate and shoved me hard from behind, sending me stumbling into the private room.

The moment I walked in, the room fell silent. The men's leering eyes roamed over me openly; they didn't even pretend to be subtle.

Dread coiled in my stomach at what I knew was coming. I turned to Sebastian and pleaded, "Sebastian, I'm really not feeling well today. Can I please go home?"

He looked up at me, his eyes devoid of warmth. His lips curled mockingly. "Get off your high horse, Calista. Do you still think you're a high-and-mighty heiress? The guys are in a good mood tonight and wanna have some fun with you. Know your place."

With that, he turned to the man beside him and jerked his chin. "Chuck, why don't you explain tonight's rules to Ms. Lockhart here?"

The guy he called Chuck gave me a lewd grin and said, "You're going to be our wager for tonight, Ms. Lockhart. Every round one of us wins, we strip one piece of your clothing. Whoever takes off the last thing you're wearing gets to take you into the room in the back. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?"

My face burned with humiliation. A crushing sense of helplessness wrapped around me so tight I could barely breathe.

The men ignored me after that, all of them wearing devilish grins as they sat back down at the table.

After the first round, someone yanked my shawl off. After the second, they tore my gown to shreds amid their jeers and laughter. After the third, my bra was ripped away and tossed to the floor, baring my chest to the room.