Chapter 9

Eudora has been staying at the hospital for the past two days, caring for her daughter. Then, she receives a call from Ryan.

Fearing he will discover Donna's existence, she rushes out of the hospital and takes a taxi back to her cramped boarding house. Her daughter means everything to her; losing her would be unbearable. She can't risk Ryan finding out about her.

Ryan is already waiting outside the rundown slum. His custom-made suit, limited-edition watch, and sleek SUV stand in stark contrast to the poverty surrounding him. He looks even more imposing than usual.

As soon as he sees Eudora, his annoyance is palpable.

“Where were you? Why are you only just getting back?”

Eudora lowers her head, avoiding his intense gaze. Her heart pounds in her chest.

“I went out to buy some things,” she manages, her voice barely a whisper. “What do you need?”

Ryan's command cuts through the air like a knife:

“Pack your things. Move out with me.”

Eudora's breath hitches. Her mind races, trying to process the implications. Moving in with Ryan means risking Donna's safety, but refusing him… she knows the consequences of defying him. A silent battle rages within her, fear and desperation warring with a desperate hope for a better future for her daughter. Her hands tremble slightly as she fights back tears, the weight of her impossible choice pressing down on her.

The thing is, Ryan isn’t a guy who likes to compromise. When he sees her trying to back out of his deal, he’s furious.

“I’m your boss, woman! Do I have to crawl into this goddamn, rat-infested dump every time I want to see you?!”

He doesn’t just say it; he’s practically screaming at her, his voice dripping with contempt:

“What the hell are you waiting for?! Get your damn things packed! Or are you hiding some other guy in here, hoping I won’t find out?!”

Eudora can’t explain; she just goes along with it. She packs her things and leaves with him.

Driving Eudora away from the slums, Ryan’s face is as dark as a thundercloud. When they met at the club, he’d figured her life wasn’t great, but he hadn’t expected it to be this bad. The place is falling apart, covered in moss, the room is tiny, damp, and barely habitable. It’s a freakin’ slum.

Is this the price she pays for betraying him? He feels no satisfaction, only bitter, burning anger. Does she ever regret trading her feelings for him for this kind of life?

With Ryan's intimidating presence, Eudora is too scared to even breathe deeply. She just keeps her head down and follows him, her debt still hanging over her. But she has a plan of her own. Ryan is rich, and Donna's surgery wouldn't be a big deal for him. Maybe she can use this to get money for her daughter's treatment. Even if it means being called a shameless hussy, she'll do it. For her daughter, she'd even become a prostitute, so pleasing a man wouldn't be a big deal.

Ryan takes Eudora to a fancy high-rise apartment, modern and beautiful, a world away from the place she'd just left. It's like heaven and hell.

“You're staying here from now on,” Ryan says, his voice low and dangerous. “No more contact with Katy's people. If I catch you messing around with anyone else, you'll regret it.”

Eudora remains stubbornly silent. The constant accusations of infidelity sting; she can't fathom why Ryan seems so convinced she is promiscuous. Is this truly how he sees her? The implication is infuriating, a bitter pill to swallow, especially considering her current circumstances. His judgment feels like a cruel twist of the knife, adding insult to injury.

Ryan's impatience finally snaps. He roughly cups her chin, his fingers digging in slightly, forcing her gaze to meet his. The action is jarring, a stark display of his power and control. His eyes, usually sharp and calculating, now hold a simmering anger.

“Speak,” he demands, his voice low and dangerous, the word hanging heavy in the air between them. The unspoken threat vibrates with unspoken consequences.

Eudora winces, not just from the physical pressure, but from the emotional weight of his accusation. A tear threatens to escape, but she blinks it back, her pride a fragile shield against his harsh judgment. She knows arguing would be futile. She knows resistance would only invite further punishment.

“I get it,” she mumbles, her voice low. Finally, Ryan releases her.

Seeing the red mark of his fingers on Eudora's chin, Ryan frowns, trying to ignore it. He tells himself she isn't worth getting upset over.

Ryan grunts, grabs his coat, and heads for the door. Eudora puts her suitcase down and watches him go, standing still in the living room.

“Aren't you staying tonight?” she asks.

“I'm busy,” he says, turning and leaving without another word. His back is cold and unforgiving.

Eudora finally breathes a sigh of relief. Good. He isn't staying. She needs to get to the hospital and find someone to look after Donna while she's gone. It's expensive in this big city, but she has no other choice. Looking at her dwindling bank account, she grits her teeth and pays for two months of care for her daughter.

So, not long after Ryan leaves, she quietly slips out as well.