Chapter 2
I came home late that night. For once, Brandon didn’t meet me with cold indifference. There was something different in his eyes–an almost imperceptible glimmer of desire.
But the lipstick on his teacup wasn’t mine, and the lacy lingerie wedged between the couch cushions hit me like a slap across the face. “You’ve been craving to touch me for five years, haven’t you?” he said in a low, almost mocking voice. “Don’t pretend you never wanted
it.”
I turned, startled by his tone–and saw the flush of desire rising in his eyes, slow and dangerous..
But then I remembered the things he’d said to his friends–the filthy jokes, the auction, the laughter. Whatever flicker there had been between us vanished instantly.
The illusion shattered like glass.
“I’m tired,” I said flatly. “I’d like to rest.”
Brandon’s brief spark of interest vanished, replaced by the usual irritation.
“You used to beg me to touch you. What’s with the attitude now? You’re my wife. Just behave.”
He shoved me hard against the wall, stripping every piece of clothing from my body until I stood there completely exposed.
A sharp gasp escaped me before I could stop it. But before I could react, he pushed me into the master bedroom, shut the door behind me–and locked it.
“I’ve got work to finish,” he said, tone casual. “You’ll be fine on your own tonight.”
I searched the entire room–not a single stitch of clothing, not even a sheet or curtain left.
Just when I thought maybe it didn’t matter anymore, a harsh beam of light hit the window–coming from across the estate. Binoculars. A lens. Cameras trained across the estate.
Voices followed, muffled but sickeningly clear.
“That’s her–Valerie Greene. The virgin for auction. Bran gave us a sneak peek–helps us judge the price tag.”
“Let me see! Damn, not bad at all. Wonder if I can outbid the big shots. All the heavy hitters will be at the auction.”
“Doesn’t matter if we win. We’re getting one hell of a preview. What a show!”
I froze.
Their filthy laughter pierced through me like knives. There was nowhere to hide. Every mocking stare, every word, slashed across my
skin.
I curled into a corner, trembling, arms wrapped tightly around myself.
Downstairs, I could hear Brandon’s voice.
“She actually thought I wanted to touch her? You didn’t see the way she looked at me—like she was ready to devour me. What a desperate slut.”
The hiss of disinfectant filled the air.
“Don’t worry, Clarissa. You’re the only one I let touch me. I’m not about to let myself get tainted.”
Their moans and laughter grew louder.
Upstairs, I shut my eyes and held myself tighter. Numb. Hollow. Humiliated.
It was hours before the lock clicked open. Brandon strolled in like nothing had happened, tossed a robe at me like he was tossing away
trash.
Chapter 2
22.22%
“I must’ve gotten too wrapped up in work and forgot you were in here,” he said lightly. “Put something on. You’ll catch a cold.”
He didn’t even look at me as I fumbled into the robe.
But the chill in my bones wouldn’t go away.
He glanced at his phone, mumbling to himself, “Weird. Grandma’s still sick–why’d she check herself out of the hospital?”
I kept my voice neutral. “Maybe she needed some air.”
His phone dinged again. I happened to catch a glimpse of the screen–and my stomach turned.
“Bran! The nude footage worked! Some old billionaire already offered three mil. Nearly seventy, but hey–Valerie’s first night’s in for a
treat. LOL!”
And that’s when it hit me-
There was a camera in the bedroom.
Streaming. Live.
