Chapter 2

Hotel, top-floor hallway

Henry Jonas felt scorching heat tearing through his entire body. A strange, violent rush burned through his veins, threatening to swallow the last of his sanity.

He braced one hand against the wall. His knuckles turned white from the force, blue veins standing out across the back of his hand.

That old bastard.

He really pulled something this dirty.

Henry’s breath came rough and heavy. Sweat slid down his sharp jawline. He fumbled for his phone.

The call connected instantly.

“Hello? Uncle Henry? Where did you ru—”

Henry clenched his teeth and growled, “Come get me. I’ve been drugged.”

There was a beat of stunned silence. “What?!”

No wonder his father had warned him not to go anywhere tonight.

Nick Jonas sighed helplessly. “Uncle Henry, even if I rush over, it’s useless. I overheard something. Grandpa already gave the order. The entire top floor of your hotel is sealed off. No one’s allowed up.”

Another wave of heat surged through Henry’s body. His mind felt like it was about to explode.

Nick kept talking. “Stop resisting. Grandpa is dead set on making sure he holds your child this year. Just accept your fate.”

“Accept your ass.” Henry’s temple throbbed violently. Rage came off him like sparks hitting gasoline. “Get lost!”

As if his fury could travel through the phone line, Nick froze just as he was about to hang up.

Crap. The living devil is actually mad now.

“Wait wait wait! Uncle Henry, of course I’m helping you! Listen. I already planned ahead. I swapped the room card you’re holding.”

“That card unlocks every room on the top floor. They should all be empty. Just hide in one and I’ll find a way to get to you.”

Henry hung up without another word.

He gasped, using the room card to open the nearest room.

In the darkness, the thick, unyielding scent of alcohol hit him.

Henry stumbled, the heat in his body feeling like a million ants gnawing at his bones, blood, and nerves, driving him almost insane.

He had intended to grope his way to the bed and lie down, waiting for Nick to arrive.

But by the light filtering through the curtain gap, he noticed a woman lying on the bed. The moonlight, like a thin veil, gently shrouded her. She was wearing a slip nightgown, delicate straps barely hanging on her shoulders. The hem of the skirt just covered her upper thighs, revealing a pair of long, well-proportioned legs that now looked even more alluring.

With just one glance, Henry's blood rushed to his head.

The string of reason completely snapped.

His Adam's apple bobbed heavily, and the beast within him, unleashed by the drugs, could no longer be contained.

Desire tore at him. Knowing it was a trap, he still, as if by some strange impulse, pressed down on her. The closer he got, the clearer the sweet, cool fragrance beneath the scent of alcohol became. That scent felt like a tranquilizer, calming his almost explosive nerves, yet it also made him want to get closer and possess her even more intensely.

He leaned down, his burning breath fanning the woman's neck. The person beneath him seemed to feel something in her sleep, stirring restlessly and gently pushing him away. This soft push, however, felt more like an invitation.

Henry kissed her directly. The moment their lips met, that sweet fragrance utterly captivated him. His hands began to wander restlessly over her body; the skin beneath his palms was delicate and smooth, like fine silk.

Jennie's mind was a blur. The alcohol fermented in her body, dragging her into a half-dream, half-wake abyss. She felt like a lone boat, tossed and turned in stormy seas.

His kiss was dominant and fervent, spreading like wildfire, easily prying open her teeth.

A strange tremor was stirred deep within her body, and she slowly succumbed. Suppressed moans escaped her lips. She felt her dress being roughly pulled down, followed by a hot, burning chest pressing tightly against her. The heat almost scorched her.

But like a moth to a flame, she craved more.

Her eyes, alluring as silk, softly uttered, "...Give it to me."

The man on top of her seemed intent on devouring her, possessing her to the extreme. Jennie floated between chaos and consciousness, her fingertips weakly clutching the bedsheet, her body swept by wave after wave of heat.

The night deepened.

---

Summerview Apartment

Wendy tucked her daughter into bed, quietly closed the door, and walked into the living room.

William sat on the sofa, blazer draped over a chair, shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows as he read through a document. The warm yellow lamplight cast soft shadows across his cold, handsome profile.

Wendy didn’t say anything. She walked straight over and straddled his lap.

William frowned slightly, but before he could speak, she grabbed his face and kissed him.

He froze, returned the kiss twice, and then pushed her away.

Wendy’s expression darkened. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

William didn’t answer right away. His eyes drifted toward her neck, where faint marks were visible.

His face turned colder. “What happened to your neck?”

Wendy tilted her chin and laughed lightly. “Being a single mom isn’t easy. I have to look out for myself. You’re married. I can look for a man too.”

Before she could finish, he grabbed her waist and crushed his mouth against hers.

His hand slid beneath her skirt.

“Still planning to look?”

His breath brushed her ear.

Wendy softened instantly, breath shaky. She bit her lip.

William didn’t stop. “Are you still looking? Tell me.”

Cornered, Wendy wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered against his ear, “William, I only want you.”

Satisfied, he tightened his grip around her, lifted her, and carried her toward the bedroom.

---

The next morning

Henry opened his eyes.

The woman lying beside him was curled up, her long black hair spilling across the pillow like dark silk. Her neck was pale and slender.

He always made sure to avoid trouble. That meant never leaving marks, never being careless.

But the moment he saw her face, every muscle in his body locked up.

Jennie Lawson?

His pupils constricted sharply.

What the hell.

He slept with Jennie?

Before he could process that disaster, his phone lit up.

Nick calling.

Henry snatched it up and kept his voice low. “What.”

“Uncle Henry! Thank God you finally picked up. Are you okay? Last night—”

“Get to the point,” Henry rasped.

Nick cleared his throat. “Grandpa had a heart attack early this morning. He’s in the hospital. Dad and the others went ahead. You need to go too.”

Henry’s brows knit. “Which hospital?”

He threw the covers aside and swung his legs out of bed. His chest and waist were covered with faint scratches, proof of the chaos from the night before.

After getting the address, Henry hung up and got dressed quickly.

He paused at the edge of the bed.

Jennie slept quietly, unaware of anything. Henry’s expression grew complicated.

He finally turned and left without waking her.

---

Half an hour later

Jennie woke with a sharp, tearing ache.

Her hangover was nothing compared to the stabbing pain that made her whole body feel wrung out. She could barely move.

She opened her eyes slowly. Fragments of last night began surfacing in her mind.

She froze.

Last night… she and William…?

A soft beep came from the door.

The lock clicked.

William walked in.

He frowned slightly, sensing something off in the room’s scent. But when he saw the empty liquor bottles on the floor, he remembered he had ignored Jennie last night to accompany Wendy.

The thought that she had gotten drunk out of hurt gave him a strange sense of satisfaction.

He walked in calmly with breakfast in hand.

When he saw Jennie awake in bed, his expression softened into his usual gentle smile.

He set the breakfast on the nightstand, leaned down, and brushed aside her messy hair with affection.

“You’re awake? Did you sleep well last night?”