Chapter 6

Summer lowered her eyes to the marks covering her body.

Ian had left every one of them during their night together.

She shrank back and instinctively raised her hands to cover herself.

But before she could, Ian slapped her hands away. He grabbed her chin and forced her head back against the wall, making her look up into his bloodshot eyes.

“What are these marks? Huh? Tell me!”

Summer bit down hard on her lip and said nothing.

The coldness in his eyes was so unfamiliar that it frightened her.

“You went looking for those other guys again? Are you really that desperate for sex? Have you got no shame at all?”

“Ian, please. Just let me go.”

Ian suddenly laughed, his eyes glistening.

“I'm sorry.”

Summer clenched her fists.

She'd never seen Ian, a man who'd always been so proud and confident, look so utterly defeated.

“Everything was fine before I left on that business trip. We were happy. Tell me, Summer, what happened? How did things end up like this?”

Summer couldn't bear the intensity of his gaze.

“It's my fault. I've gotten addicted to sleeping around. If we stay together, people will only laugh at you behind your back.”

“Then come to me! If that's what you want, I'll give it to you. I'll stop working if I have to. I'll stay home and spend every day with you.”

His eyes were red, and his fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles cracked.

Yet his voice was almost pleading.

“Ian, you're not as good as those other men. You can't give me what they can. We should just let each other go and end things now.”

Every word cut into him.

And every word hurt her just as much.

No man wanted to hear that he wasn't good enough in bed, especially someone as proud as Ian.

Just as she'd expected, he let go of her.

Then he turned and walked away without looking back.

Summer sank to the hardwood floor.

She felt completely hollow inside.

For the next month, Summer refused to see anyone.

She stayed shut inside her apartment, calling her mother at the same time every day to let her know she was safe.

The rest of the time, she hid away from the world.

A month later, Moira showed up at her door.

Summer could refuse to see anyone else.

But she couldn't refuse Moira.

Moira stood before her, looking down at her with her usual arrogance.

“Ian's been away on business for over a month. He's coming back today.”

Summer pressed her lips together and said nothing.

“I want you to put on another show. Something even more convincing than last time. I need Ian to be so disgusted with you that he'll finally give up on you and come to me.”

“Moira.”

“Of course, you can refuse. But then I'll have no choice but to send your mother to prison. And those photos will end up all over the internet.

“Do you really want the whole world laughing at Ian? Imagine everyone finding out that his girlfriend was violated by her own father.”

“Shut up!”

Summer grabbed Moira by the front of her clothes.

“I said shut up!”

“Summer, I think you've forgotten something. You're the one begging me for help.”

Summer slowly loosened her grip.

“Don't try to intimidate me. You're in no position to do that.”

Moira raised her hand and lightly patted Summer's cheek a few times.

“Here's a little reminder. When you're nothing but an insect, you'd better get used to being stepped on.”

Summer clenched her fists, struggling to contain her anger.

She turned her head away, refusing to let Moira humiliate her any further.

“What do you want me to do?”

“Simple. You'll be in a hotel room with another man, looking like you've just had sex. I'll bring Ian there to catch you.”

“Where?”

“The Twilight Hotel. Room 1006. I've already arranged for a man to be there, and the room is booked under your name. Eight tonight. If you don't show up, you know what'll happen.”

“Fine. I'll go. But you have to promise me one thing.”

“What?”

“I want to know who gave you those photos.”

Moira scoffed.

“You think you're in any position to negotiate with me?”

Summer clenched her jaw so tightly that her cheeks ached.

“There's no one in this world I hate more than the person who gave you those photos.”

“And why should I care who you hate? If you do a good enough job tonight, maybe I'll be generous and tell you who it was.”

Moira turned and walked away, her heels clicking against the floor.

She looked thoroughly pleased with herself.

But just as she reached the door, she stopped and glanced back.

A cruel smile spread across her lips.

“One more thing, Summer. I'm not asking you to actually sleep with the guy this time. But you do need to take your clothes off. Otherwise, Ian might still think there's something worth holding on to.”

At eight that evening, Summer arrived at Room 1006 of the Twilight Hotel.

A muscular man was waiting inside, shirtless.

He gave her an approving smile.

“I'm just here for the money, but I have to say, you're pretty good-looking.”

Summer struggled to keep herself composed and walked over to sit in front of him.

“Our client said to get started as soon as you arrived. You look a little pale, though. Have some water. It'll help you calm down.”

He pushed a glass of water toward her, then picked up his own glass and took a drink.

“Go ahead and get undressed and lie down. I'll join you once I've finished my water.”

“Okay.”

After the man walked away, Summer set her glass down without taking a sip.

Just thinking about what Moira was making her do sent a chill through her entire body.

She sat there for a long time before finally taking a deep breath.

Then she stood up, walked over to the bed, and took off her shirt.

But when it came to removing the thin camisole underneath, she couldn't bring herself to do it.

No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't.

In the end, she pulled back the covers and lay down on the bed, leaving her camisole on.