Once sold, Forever mine

Elena pov,

“Sleep with him.”

For a moment, I thought Matteo was joking.

The clinking sounds of dishes in the restaurant faded into the background, and the air between us became painfully still.

“What?” I asked, maybe I had misheard.

Matteo leaned forward, lowering his voice like someone discussing a business transaction instead of shattering a life.

“Just one night,” he repeated.

My chest tightened so violently it felt like my heart had skipped a beat.

Across the table, the candlelight flickered over his face–the same face I had loved for five years.

The same man who had proposed to me three months ago with trembling hands along with his promises of forever.

Now he wouldn't even meet my eyes.

“Matteo,” I said slowly, “tell me you didn't just ask me to sleep with another man.”

He ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated that I was making it more difficult for him.

“It's not like that.”

“Not like that–huh.”

My fingers curled against the edge of the table.

“Then what exactly is it like?”

He exhaled heavily, as though I were the unreasonable one.

“The investor who wants to fund the company has a condition.”

Just then, a sick feeling began to form in my stomach.

“And does that condition mean me?” I asked.

Matteo nodded, just like that. Like he was discussing some kind of office paperwork.

My mouth went dry.

“Are you insane?” I whispered.

People at nearby tables laughed and chatted, completely unaware that my world had just been turned upside down.

Matteo reached across the table and grabbed my hand.

His grip was warm, familiar and suddenly my feeling began to feel like a lie.

“Listen to me,” he said urgently. “This deal is worth ten million dollars.”

The numbers meant nothing to me.

Instead, what mattered was the betrayal sitting across from me.

“So are you asking me to sell myself?”

“It's not selling,” he snapped quickly. “It's a sacrifice.”

The word hung in the air between us.

“Did you just say, sacrifice ?” I asked again.

As if my dignity were some kind of noble offering.

“You said you believe in me,” Matteo continued, his voice softened. “You said we were building a future together.”

“We are,” I said automatically.

“Then prove it.”

I almost choked on my breath.

“Prove it?” I repeated.

He nodded, “This investment will change everything. Once the company takes off, we'll get married immediately. We'll have the life we always talked about.”

I stared at him as my thoughts flooded abruptly, from the small apartment, the struggles and even the late nights when I helped him prepare his presentations.

The countless times I believed in his dreams even when nobody else did.

And this…

This was my reward.

“You want me to sleep with some stranger,” I said quietly.

“just one night.”

“Matteo—”

“Please, Elsa. Please…”

The desperation in his voice made me hesitate.

He looked exhausted.

His company really was on a brink of collapse and if this deal failed, everything he had worked for would disappear.

Everything we had worked for.

“It doesn't mean anything,” he insisted. “It's just business.”

Just business.

The words echoed inside my chest.

“What kind of man asks his fiancée to do this?” I asked.

Matteo’s expression hardened without remorse.

“The kind of man who is about to lose everything.”

Silence fell between us again. The waiter passed by, asking if we needed anything else, but neither of us answered.

My heart was pounding so loudly I could hear it in my ears.

“Who is he?” I finally asked, breaking the awkward silence.

Matteo hesitated, then he finally said a name which made my stomach twist.

“Adrian Laurent.”

The name sounded familiar, powerful and dangerous all at the same time.

I had heard it before from the morning business news.

Adrian Laurent, Billionaire investor and a ruthless businessman.

A man whose company had destroyed so many competitors overnight.

My eyes gnawed with shock as I rushed to browse him up.

“You want me to spend the night with him?” I said.

Matteo nodded.

“He specifically asked for you.”

A cold chill slid down my spine.

“How does he know me?” I asked.

“He saw you once at the company event,” Matteo said quickly.

Something about his answer utterly felt rushed. But my mind was too overwhelmed to question it.

“Please,” Matteo whispered again. “You are the only person who can help me.”

I looked at the diamond ring on my finger.

Three months ago, Matteo had slipped it onto my hand with a smile, promising never to hurt me.

The memory made my chest ache.

“You swear this is the only way?” I asked quietly.

Matteo’s eyes lit up with hope as he responded immediately.

“Yes.”

“And once the deal is done…”

“We will get married immediately.” He answered, squeezing my hand.

“I love you, Elena. I would never ask this if there were another option.”

‘Love’

That word rang repeatedly in my head, it should have comforted me. Instead, it felt heavy and strange.

I had given five years to this man, believing and building our dreams together. Could I really say no and allow everything to fall apart now?

My throat tightened.

“Just one night,” I whispered.

Matteo nodded eagerly. 

“Yes.”

“And after that, we move forward like this never happened.”

“Exactly.”

For a brief moment, I wondered if this was the biggest mistake of my life.

But I pushed the thought away.

Because I loved him and love meant sacrifice.

Right?

When I opened my eyes again, Matteo was smiling in relief.

“Thank you,” he said softly.

His gratitude should have warmed my heart. Instead, a strange coldness settled inside me.