Chapter One

Sera 

A throbbing pain hammered behind my eyelids, sharp and relentless.

I groaned, turning my head as I opened my eyes. The blinding morning light filtered through heavy velvet curtains, cutting through the dim room. My brain felt heavy, soaked in a thick fog that made every thought feel like crawling through mud.

Where am I?

I tried to sit up, but a sudden, sharp ache between my thighs made me freeze. A quiet gasp escaped my throat. The sensation was raw and completely unfamiliar, sending a cold shiver straight down my spine.

I pulled the heavy duvet up to my collarbone, my pulse quickening. Beneath the covers, I was completely bare.

My heart began to hammer against my ribs. I looked around the lavish room—the dark mahogany paneling, the expensive leather furniture, and the clothes scattered carelessly across the plush carpet. My crimson silk gala dress was lying crumpled near the foot of the bed, right beside a pair of tailored men’s trousers and a white dress shirt with missing buttons.

I slowly turned my head toward the other side of the bed.

A man was lying there facedown, his broad back exposed, his dark hair messy, and one muscular arm thrown over his head, hiding his face completely.

Panic seized my chest, choking the breath right out of me.

Oh God. What did I do? What happened last night?

I squeezed my eyes shut, pressing my palms against my throbbing temples, desperately trying to force my mind back to yesterday evening.

Flashback

The crystal chandeliers of the Grand Palace Hotel cast a brilliant golden light over the crowd of elite figures gathered in the grand ballroom. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume, aged wine, and the quiet hum of high-stakes corporate power.

"Keep your head up, Sera," my sister, Isabella, whispered sweetly beside me as she adjusted the strap of my crimson dress. She gave me a warm, reassuring smile. "Everyone is watching us tonight. The Alcantara name needs to shine."

"I know," I murmured, taking a sip of sparkling water from my glass. "It’s just… overwhelming without Mama here."

Isabella’s expression softened, and she gently placed a hand over mine. "I miss her too, sister. But we have each other now, right? Father is relying on us. You don't have to worry about a thing tonight. Just enjoy yourself."

"Thank you, Isabella," I said, offering her a genuine smile. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

We moved toward the grand buffet and networking lounge, where several prominent business owners immediately turned to greet us.

"Ah, the Alcantara sisters!" Mr. Lee, an older board director, smiled warmly as he raised his wine glass. "Your father must be very proud. The Alcantara empire is stronger than ever."

"You're far too kind, Mr. Lee," Isabella replied smoothly, her smile flawless. "We’re just doing our part to uphold our family's legacy."

"Speaking of powerhouses," another investor chimed in, leaning closer to our small circle, "have either of you seen Xander Montenegro tonight? I heard Montenegro Global Holdings just finalized their takeover of the Asian shipping corridor."

Isabella’s eyes lit up with a sudden, intense interest. "Alexander Montenegro is here?"

"Supposedly," the investor nodded. "Though he rarely stays long at these public gatherings. He prefers keeping to himself in the private executive suites upstairs."

Isabella turned to me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Xander Montenegro is twenty-seven and already running the most powerful conglomerate in the region, Sera. They say he’s ruthless in business, but undeniably brilliant. I’m really looking forward to meeting him tonight. An alliance with Montenegro Global would secure our family’s future forever."

"He sounds intimidating," I remarked lightly, picking up a fruit skewer from the platter.

"Intimidating men are the ones worth winning over," Isabella chuckled softly, taking a glass of red wine from a passing waiter's tray. She handed a delicate champagne flute filled with amber liquid to me. "Here, drink up. You look a bit tense."

"I shouldn't… you know I don't handle alcohol well," I hesitated, looking at the bubbling drink.

"It’s just a light cocktail, Sera. It will help you relax," she urged, giving my arm a playful nudge. "To us? To the future of Alcantara?"

I smiled back, touched by her sisterly warmth. "To us."

I took a small sip, then another. It tasted sweet, almost fruity, masking whatever was mixed inside.

Ten minutes later, a strange heat started crept into my neck. My head felt light, and a dull ache began building behind my eyes.

"Isabella…" I gasped softly, holding onto the edge of the glass table as the room tilted slightly. "I… I don't feel so good."

"Are you okay?" Isabella asked, her face filled with instant concern. "You look flushed, Sera."

"My body feels like it's burning up," I whispered, clutching my throat. "I think I need to sit down... or get some air."

"Go find a quiet room upstairs to rest for a bit," Isabella suggested gently, patting my shoulder. "I'll handle the guests here and tell Father you just went to refresh yourself."

"Okay… thank you…"

I turned away from the crowd, my legs feeling heavy and numb as I stumbled toward the elevators. The rest of the night dissolved into a terrifying blur—the flickering lights of the hallway, a heavy wooden door, an suffocating heat consuming my blood, and then… absolute darkness.

End of Flashback

A low murmur escaped the man beside me. He shifted in his sleep, his shoulder turning slightly toward me.

The sudden movement snapped me out of my memory.

Panic! Pure, wild panic!

I threw the duvet off and scrambled out of the bed, ignoring the sharp sting between my thighs. My hands shook violently as I grabbed my crumpled crimson gown from the floor, pulling it over my head in a desperate hurry. I didn't care about the tangled zipper or my messy hair.

I dropped to my knees, searching frantically under the bed and beside the nightstand for my belongings.

My clutch... my shoes...

I found my heels near the armchair and shoved my feet into them. But as I reached for my purse on the side table, my eyes darted around the wooden surface.

Where is it?

The silk handkerchief embroidered with a sunflower—the last gift my mother gave me before she died—was missing. I always kept it tucked inside my sleeve or beside my clutch.

I looked back at the bed. The man groaned again, his fingers twitching against the sheets.

Tears of frustration prickled my eyes, but fear won over. I couldn't stay a second longer. If someone caught me in this room—if the press or my father found out—my family’s reputation would be ruined forever.

Leaving the handkerchief behind, I quietly unlocked the suite door, slipped out into the empty hallway, and ran toward the service stairs as fast as my trembling legs could carry me.

When I finally reached home, the sun was fully up. I let myself in through the side entrance, hoping to creep up to my room unnoticed, but a voice halted me at the base of the staircase.

"Sera?"

I froze, my hand clutching the banister tight. I turned slowly to see Isabella standing near the living room, wearing a silk robe, a mug of coffee in her hand.

"Where have you been?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowed in sweet worry as she walked toward me. "I was looking everywhere for you last night after the gala! Father was asking where you went."

"I… I was…" My voice cracked, raspy and weak. I pulled my coat tighter around my dress to hide the rumpled silk. "I felt really sick last night, Isabella. I stayed in one of the hotel's guest lounge rooms and fell asleep. I just got a cab home."

Isabella stepped closer, her eyes scanning my messy hair and pale face. "Are you sure? You look exhausted. Come sit down, tell me what happened—"

"No, I really need to get upstairs," I interrupted quickly, backing away up the stairs. "I just need to shower and sleep, Isabella. Please."

She hesitated, then gave me a sympathetic smile. "Alright. Go rest. I'll make sure Father doesn't disturb you."

"Thank you," I breathed, turning around and sprinting up the rest of the steps.

I slammed my bedroom door shut, locked it, and collapsed onto the edge of my bed. My entire body was shaking. I buried my face in my hands as the reality of what had happened finally crashed down on me.

I had given away my innocence to a complete stranger. A man whose name I didn't know. A man whose face I hadn't even seen.

What have I done? I cried quietly into the empty room, clutching my knees to my chest. God, what have I done?