3.The offer

"If hell was a real place, I'd have shoved him into it myself."

The hatred in my voice surprised even me.

Gigi searched my face for a long second before looking away, chewing the inside of her cheek.

"You're gonna hate me for saying this," she muttered with a groan. "But I can't just sit here knowing what that asshole is doing this to you."

I swallowed. "Just tell me."

She drew in a slow breath and leaned closer.

"There's a man willing to pay twenty grand for a one-night stand." She lowered her voice until it was barely above a whisper. "I was supposed to be the one meeting him... but I can send you instead."

I just stared at her. Twenty thousand dollars. Fuck. I hadn't seen that much money in... God, I couldn't even remember how long.

But sleeping with a complete stranger? That was the part I couldn't wrap my head around.

Matthew hadn't touched me in almost two years now. Not that I wanted him to. Still...

I'd never imagined myself with another man. So how the hell was I supposed to do something like this?

"You're asking me to cheat on my husband."

Gigi barked out a humorless laugh.

"Your husband?" she shot back. "The same husband who brings women into the club every other goddamn week?"

I didn't answer. Because what the hell was I supposed to say? She wasn't wrong. If I walked away now...I'd still be trapped with Matthew..And honestly? Only God knew how much longer I'd survive it.

Gigi watched me carefully.

"So?" Her voice was quiet this time. "Are you in... or are you out?”

I stared at the ground, my fingers curling into my palms so tightly my nails bit into my skin.

My heart was pounding so damn hard I could hear it over the bass thumping from the club behind us.

The money… It was enough for our flight, cover Lily's school fees and give us a chance at a fresh start.

I closed my eyes for a second and drew in a shaky breath.

It was just one night. One fucking night. That was all.

My mind drifted to Lily. Her smile. The way she'd throw her tiny arms around me like I was her whole world.

If one night could give my daughter the life she deserved…Then maybe it was worth sacrificing. Even if it meant selling my body.

I fucking hated that it had come to this..But hating it wasn't going to change a damn thing.

I opened my eyes and looked at Gigi.

"I'm in," I whispered, giving her a small nod.

***

Gigi worked some kind of miracle on me. Seriously, I didn't even know it was possible to change someone this much.

She handed me a dark crop top and a fitted pink leather mini skirt that barely covered my thighs.

"You're kidding." I said, staring at it.

"I'm not." Gigi shrugged, a small smile on her face.

And, apparently, I wasn't winning that argument.

She made me put on a dark wig, hazel contact lenses, a fake nose, and enough makeup that I barely recognized the woman staring back at me.

When she finally stepped away, I looked at my reflection.

It had been so long since I'd looked at myself without seeing the tired, worn-out woman life had turned me into that I'd almost forgotten I could look like... this.

The red lipstick made my lips look fuller. My eyes looked brighter. My skin almost glowed beneath the lights.

Hell, I couldn't remember the last time I'd worn makeup. Or a skirt this fucking short.

"Wow.".I caught Gigi watching me through the mirror. "You're stunning."

Heat crept into my cheeks.

"Thank you." I turned sideways, studying myself.

The leather clung to every curve, and the cool material felt weird against my skin. I couldn't stop tugging at the hem, trying to convince it to cover just a little more of my thighs.

"Isn't this too short?" I asked, scrunching my nose.

"Nope." She swatted my hand away before I could pull it down again and fixed the skirt.

"He likes his women sexy."

I let out a slow breath. I still wasn't okay with what I was about to do.

Not even close. But what the hell was I supposed to do? Walk away? Go home?.Pretend Lily and I didn't need the money?

Yeah.. That wasn't an option.

"Take this." Gigi held out a silver mask. "This club values exclusivity."

"Oh... thank you." I took it from her and tied it around my face. The cool metal rested against my skin, covering everything from my forehead to the bridge of my nose.

I felt a little better almost instantly. Even if I somehow ran into this guy again after tonight—which, let's be honest, wasn't fucking likely—he wouldn't recognize me.

"Don't be shy," Gigi whispered as she squeezed my hand. "You've got this, okay?"

I nodded and forced a small smile.

The second we started walking down the hallway, though, my heart completely betrayed me..It pounded so hard I was convinced everyone could hear it.

I kept saying silent prayers in my head..Please let this go well..Please let me get through this one night.

Gigi explained how this place worked.

The club hosted private gatherings for ridiculously wealthy men. They drank, laughed, made business deals... and when the night was over, each of them disappeared into a private suite with the woman he'd chosen.

Just thinking about it made my stomach churn.

So yeah… The man I was supposed to meet would be inside the VIP room with his friends.

When we stopped outside the door, Gigi leaned toward the guards and whispered something.

Jesus. Those men were huge. Built like brick walls with shoulders wide enough to block out the hallway.

One of them looked me over like he was trying to decide whether I was trouble.

On instinct, I gave him a tiny wink..To my surprise, the corner of his mouth twitched into a faint smirk.

Huh.

Maybe flirting wasn't as impossible as I'd convinced myself it was..Or maybe he was just being nice..Either way, I'd take it.

The guards stepped aside. "Remember to act natural," Gigi whispered.

Natural. Right. Because walking into a room full of rich strangers to sell my body was such a normal thing to do.

I nodded anyway. She gave my hand one last squeeze before stepping back, leaving me to walk in alone.

I stared at the door for a moment, as if whatever waited behind it would change the course of my life. My feet refused to move. Maybe I should turn back. This was a terrible idea.

I drew in a deep breath and stepped inside.

The moment I crossed the doorway, the air felt different. Colder.

The lights were dimmer, washed in soft amber, while a slow, heavy bass pulsed through the room, vibrating beneath my feet. The scent of expensive whiskey hung in the air, tangled with stale cigarette smoke and cologne so expensive it made my head spin.

I looked around and regret slammed into me so hard it nearly knocked the breath from my lungs.

There were only four men in the room, spread out like they owned the place. Each of them had women draped over them, dressed in little more than bras and bikini bottoms, laughing at things that probably weren't even funny.

For one stupid second, I wondered if I should turn around and leave.

Maybe we'd figure something else out..Anything but this.

But then, my eyes landed on one of the men and my entire body went rigid.

No..No... no, no, no.

My heart dropped so fast it felt like it crashed straight into my stomach.