Chapter 5: The Morning After Consequences

As the morning sunlight streamed into the room, casting a soft glow over the disheveled sheets.

Sarah slowly opened her eyes, blinking as she took in her surroundings. The second was the time glowing on the digital clock across the hotel room.

10:07 A.M.

A warm ache filled her body as the memories of last night resurfaced, her cheeks heating as she noticed the red and purple marks scattered across her skin.

She had slept with her neighbor!

“Oh, God,” she shrieked, dragging a hand over her face. Her voice sounded hoarse. Her body, however, told a different story. She feels so sore under there, and she couldn't help but remember how shameless she had last night.

At first, it was painful, but after that part, the satisfaction she felt from the pleasure was immense and she even begged him not to stop.

Her face flushed red and Sarah felt satisfied. She had lost her virginity in vain. At least the man knew how to handle her well.

Although it was Sarah’s first time, that doesn't mean she hadn't read racy novels or secretly watched...

Her head throbbed as she sat up, clutching the blanket against her chest. A trail of discarded clothing marked the floor like evidence at a crime scene. She groaned, forced herself upright, and began gathering her things. If she was fast enough, she could vanish before the morning—after awkwardness set in.

She had just hooked her bra when the bathroom door swung open.

Nathan emerged, steam curling around him. A towel slung low around his hips revealed far too much skin for her foggy brain to handle. His dark hair was damp, a single droplet tracing down his chest.

Sarah almost wanted to remove that towel. She couldn't remember what it looked like.

Just once and your mind is already muddled

Sarah scolded herself.

She nearly dropped her gown in her hand. “Oh. Uh. You’re… awake.”

He arched a brow, amused. “That makes two of us.”

She tried to laugh, but it came out awkwardly: “Right. Well. I’ll just… be out of your way in a minute.”

“Sarah,” he said, his tone firm and steady. “We need to talk.”

Her stomach flipped. Of course. Here it came. The ‘don’t get attached’ speech. The gentle warning that this had been fun, but not serious.

She slipped her gown on, then turned to him. "Listen. Last night was… impulsive and reckless. But I’m not the type to confuse amazing sex with some kind of future. I take full responsibility for dragging you into my mess. No strings attached. No expectations. ”

For a moment, he just stared at her, towel still knotted casually at his waist. Then he laughed. A low, melodious sound. Sarah was lost in his eyes because that was so damn sexy.

“You think I’m worried about you being clingy?”

Her cheeks flamed red, turning crimson. “Aren’t you?”

“Not even close.” He stepped closer, his presence filling the room. His gaze locked onto hers, sharp enough to pin her where she stood. “What I’m worried about is whether you remember me.”

Her brow furrowed. “Remember you? Of course, I do. You’re my neighbor. The one who helped me when I...”

“No,” he cut in, a flicker of disappointment darkening his eyes. “Not that. Before then.”

Sarah blinked, utterly lost. Her hangover brain searched for answers, but nothing surfaced. “I… don’t know what you mean.”

He exhaled, shoulders tense as though he’d been hoping for a different response.

Then he dropped a bombshell.

“Marry me.”

“What?”

Sarah's eyeballs widened as she looked at him suspiciously from head to toe. Was he crazy?

Or had he hit his head in the bathroom?

“You heard me,” he said calmly, as though he had asked for something absolutely normal. “Marry me. It would benefit us both. I need to be married to inherit my family’s company. And you…” His gaze lingered on her, assessing, seeing too much. “ And I'll protect you from those who make you suffer. "

Sarah’s laugh was sharp, almost hysterical. “You’re insane.”

“Just as you are,” he admitted, pointing to the obvious red-stained bed.

Sarah moved closer, glaring at him. "Well you obviously enjoyed it."

Nathan stepped closer, closing in the little space left between them.

He moved his head closer to her ears and he whispered. "Just Marry me, okay." Not forgetting to lick her earlobes.

Sarah almost moaned out loud but managed to push him away.

She inhaled softly, before glaring at him angrily.

His low and melodious laughter sounded again that caused Sarah to lose her focus again. “But I’m offering you power and safety. A chance to rewrite the story they’re all telling about you.”

His words slid through her defenses.

Power and safety?

Her pulse hammered. For one dangerous moment, she wanted to say yes.

But then Jasper’s face flooded her memory. The way he had smiled at her once, promising forever.

The way he would lean close, whispering reassurances.

But he was secretly dismantling her reputation piece by piece.

Her throat tightened. No. She couldn’t do it again. Not at all!

“No,” she said firmly, shaking her head. “I won’t do it again. Not another loveless arrangement. I’d rather claw my way out alone than chain myself to another man who sees me as convenient.”

Nathan’s gaze turned cold and icy. It seems that gaze wants to bore into her.

Sarah felt he was angry but she really didn't want to know why. 

Sarah felt the way he was looking at things differently.  

Who gets married to a random stranger they slept with?

Her phone buzzed violently on the nightstand, interrupting her thoughts.

Sarah snatched it up, already dreading the name flashing across the screen.

"Mom."

It was her stepmother.

She winced, deliberating whether to pick it up or not.

“Answer it,” Nathan said quietly.

“I can’t.”

“You’ll have to.”

She stared at the phone, her chest heavy. Because she knew whatever waited at the other end of that call would not be forgiveness. It would be a punishment.

Her thumb hovered, then pressed on.

“Sarah.” Her stepmother's voice was sharp and commanding. “Get home now!.”

The line went dead.

Sarah swallowed hard, shoved the phone into her bag, and forced herself toward the door. She didn’t look back at Nathan, though every cell in her body screamed at her too.

Whatever awaited her at home, it would be worse than a hangover.

But she had no choice.

She had to face this sooner or later.