CHAPTER 1: SOLD FOR A NIGHT

Lilianna

I wear a beautiful, daring black nightwear I think will catch his attention. It was Anita, my best friend’s wedding gift to me, but I never had the courage to wear it before. It always seemed too revealing. I was shy about what Robert would think if I ever put it on. But now feels like the right time to find out.

I can feel my husband slipping away from me more and more every day. I’m willing to do anything to save my marriage, even if it means wearing this transparent dress that clings to my skin, so tight I can barely breathe.

I spray perfume around my neck. It smells sweet, like the lily flower I was named after.

I stand in front of the mirror, smoothing the thin straps and brushing my fingers along the lace. I look different. It makes me feel nervous. The bruises from Robert’s last thrashing are still fresh. They peek out from the sides, but I try to ignore them. Maybe he won’t notice them tonight.

Suddenly, there’s a knock at the front door.

My heart jumps.

It’s Robert.

I rush out of the bedroom and down to the living room, hoping he’ll be pleased.

I open the door.

Before I can say a word, his palm lands hard on my cheek, sending me crashing to the floor. My head slams against the cold tiles.

I gasp.

My hand flies to my face. My cheek burns. My ears ring.

“Why did you leave me knocking for so long?” Robert barks from above me, his voice harsh and full of disgust.

“I… I’m sorry. It was only a few seconds,” I whisper, trembling.

He crouches, grabs my chin, and jerks it up roughly. “You dare talk back to me, huh? You barren thing.”

The tears come on their own.

He stands and circles me, like I’m some object he’s deciding whether to throw away. “And what is this you’re wearing? What a waste. It’s not like you have a fabulous body like your friend Anita.”

“I wanted to surprise you.”

He laughs, mocking me. “You’re pathetic. And apparently dumb too. I don’t even know why I married you,” he spits. “I should’ve married someone who’s worth more. Like Anita, she’s beautiful, perfect… not covered in bruises like you.”

His words are so hurtful? How could he insult me for the very bruises he put there?

But I stay quiet. He hates it when I challenge him, even when I’m right. If I speak up, I’ll only have myself to blame when he hits me again.

Yes, five years. That’s how long I’ve been drinking from his cup of cruelty.

But I’ve known Robert for longer. I was eighteen when he found me on the streets. A homeless orphan with no family or future. He gave me food, clothes, and a roof over my head. I thought he was a blessing. I thought I was lucky. I was wrong.

What he gave, he now uses to chain me, to remind me that without him, I am nothing.

He seizes my hands and drags me into the bedroom, dropping a boutique bag on the bed. The contents spill out, a blue sequin dress with a high slit and open back, matching heels, and a glittering silver face mask.

“What’s this?” My fingers tremble as I touch the dress.

He flashes his brown teeth. “That’s what you’re wearing tonight.”

My brows knit in confusion. “Where… where are we going?” I stutter, afraid to ask.

He smirks, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “You’ll see.”

Has he planned a surprise date for us? My heart leaps for a moment, but the excitement dies just as quickly. I know better than to think Robert is capable of doing anything romantic.

“Please, Robert, just tell me.”

He lets out a dry laugh. “I’ve got something better for you tonight, and you should be grateful.”

“Grateful?” I whisper.

“Since you can’t give me children, at least tonight you’ll give me something.”

I blink at him, confused. “I… I don’t understand.”

He steps closer, the smell of alcohol clinging to his breath. His eyes are almost gleaming with excitement.

“Profit in the club isn’t what it used to be,” he mutters, sounding disappointed. “We’ve barely been meeting our targets for months. The tips I get off my girls aren’t enough anymore. Bills are piling up, rent’s behind, electricity’s about to get cut. My gambling debts are drowning us, Liliana.”

I stay silent, too scared to speak.

“But tonight, I hit the jackpot,” he grins. “I met a big client today, but his boss is the real deal. Some successful billionaire who wants to stay private but needs a woman for the night. Only problem? The girl he picked from the escort agency called in sick at the last minute. And the man didn’t want to piss his boss off. So I took advantage and offered my girls, smart, right?”

He laughs hysterically. “They sent his boss their photos, but he didn’t want any of them. The man’s so hard to please. But I couldn’t lose such a client.” His eyes shine with desperation. “The man said it’s some masked party, so no one will recognize anyone.”

He pauses, staring down at me. “So I pitched you. Gave them your picture and told them you were willing.”

My mouth falls open.

“And guess what?” he laughs. “Apparently, he chose you. You, Liliana. Who knew a nobody like you would be worth something?”

I press my hand over my mouth. “What are you saying?”

“I sold you,” he spits, without a trace of shame. “It’s just for one night. That’s all. For one million dollars.”

I feel dizzy, like I’m going to faint. “You… you sold me?”

He glares. “I had to think on my feet to pay off the gambling debt and our other bills,” he says, defending his vile action. “I’m the only family you have Liliana. Without me, you’d be out on the streets. So if I can’t get a child from you, I should at least get something useful from your body.”

I frown, swallowing the pain in my chest. As if I don’t already hurt every day he reminds me that I can’t have a child.

“Well, I refuse to be used like that. If you had any dignity at all, you’d cancel whatever agreement you have with them.”

He steps forward, his eyes burning into mine as his hand clamps around my jaw. “You will sleep with him tonight, or this marriage is over.”

My hands tremble. “No. You can’t leave me. I have nothing outside our marriage.” My eyes brim with tears. “Please, Robert. Don’t make me go.”

“You’re lucky I even let you live here. If I hadn’t taken you in when I did, you’d be dead by now,” he snaps. “You think I care about your tears? You barren fool.”

He snatches a boutique bag and throws it at me. “Unless you want those dangerous men that I owe to kill me. Use your body to make me good money for once. I’ll be waiting outside.”

He storms out, slamming the bedroom door behind him.

I sink to the floor, crying into my palms.

Then, like a robot, I pick up the dress and put it on. It fits perfectly. The heels feel too high as I step into them.

I stare at myself in the mirror, running a brush through my hair before letting it fall over my shoulders. It doesn’t matter how I think I look, my body will belong to another man tonight, used like an object, all because of money.

I pick up the mask, place it over my eyes, and tie the rope behind my head.

A slow breath escapes me before I step out to Robert. He looks me over without emotion.

“Now that’s better.”

He opens the door and drags me to the car. I sit beside him like a statue as we drive off into the night.

The car stops in front of a tall building. A large banner above the doors reads: “Private Masked Party.”

Robert yanks the door open, pulls me out, and pushes me toward the entrance. Guests in gowns and tuxedos, all wearing masks, walk past us. Robert is the only one bare-faced.

“Is she the one?” A man in a tuxedo and black mask steps toward us.

“Yes, sir. She’s the girl, and she’s all yours,” Robert says flatly.

The man scans me from head to toe before glaring at Robert. “Now get lost.”

I shake my head at Robert, eyes pleading with him not to leave me.

He shoots me a warning look to behave before walking away, leaving me alone.

The masked man turns back to me. “Follow me. The boss doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

I hesitate, but my feet obey. Fear of Robert and what’s waiting ahead keeps me moving.

We pass through the crowd of rich people in elegant gowns, masked couples dancing, waiters gliding past with trays of wine.

The man pushes open a small side door, leading me down a quiet hallway to a private balcony.

And that’s when I see him.

A man.

Tall. Dark hair. Broad shoulders stretching a perfectly tailored black tuxedo. One hand in his pocket, standing still, staring out into the night sky.

The man beside me clears his throat. “Boss, she’s here.”

He turns from the railing, his gaze finding me.

I stop breathing.

His mask hides his eyes, but the force of his gaze chills me as it holds mine.

Then his scent envelops me, expensive, masculine, the most intoxicating thing I’ve ever breathed.

“Leave us,” he commands, not looking away.

The other man disappears down the hallway, leaving me alone with him.

His gaze stays fixed on me, devouring every inch as if my body already belongs to him.

My hands tremble. My lips are dry. My heart is a frantic drum in my chest.

And in the silence between us, I can’t help but wonder.

Who is the man behind the mask?

And what will he do to me?