ANASTASIA POV
There are moments in life when you believe you've made the best decision—moments when you throw everything away for that one choice, for that one person, driven solely by love. But in return, what do you get?
Your husband, trading your body to one of his business partners, all for the sake of a deal.
"You're saying you want me to sleep with your business partner?" I stared at my husband, William, in shock, unable to believe the words coming out of his mouth.
I had braced myself for his laughter at my question, maybe even a snort, but instead, he had the audacity to nod, watching me with expressionless eyes, devoid of any trace of the love he once held for me.
"You're not deaf. You heard me the first time, didn't you?" He sneered, taking a slow sip of his whiskey.
I staggered back, blinking in disbelief, my eyes widening as tears streamed uncontrollably down my face. The ache in my chest was unbearable, like a dagger had been plunged directly into my heart.
William, my husband of three years, used to love me—or so I believed, until recently when he began to grow distant, leaving me to wonder what had changed.
For years, I had stood by him when he had nothing, when his company was just a dream. I was the one who supported him, the one who believed in us when we had nothing but each other. But now that he had everything, the first thing he did was throw me aside. And as if that wasn't enough, he wanted to use my body to secure one of his contracts.
Earlier today, when William told me to wear something nice, I had foolishly assumed it was for a date, excited by the thought. But walking into this kind of place should've been the first clue that something was terribly wrong.
"Are you out of your mind?! Do you even hear yourself, or have you had too much to drink to say something like this?" I finally found my voice and blurted out in shock.
"Watch your tone, Anastasia," he growled, his voice low and threatening, but I was too furious to care.
"Don't tell me to watch my tone, William. You bring me to this club, drop this bomb on me, and then have the nerve to tell me to watch my tone? You're out of your damn mind!" I shot at him but the moment the words left my mouth, his eyes hardened, narrowing into a deadly glare.
Before I could even react, his hand moved in a blur, hurling the glass in his grip at the wall behind me, the shattering sound making me flinch.
I blinked, standing there in disbelief as William abruptly stood up and yanked me toward him by the wrist. "Dammit, Anastasia! You always have to make everything so damn difficult, don't you?"
He grabbed my face roughly, pulling me closer, his grip so tight I was certain it would leave a bruise.
"Do you think I want to do this?" he hissed, his voice laced with venom. "If you hadn't been throwing yourself at that bastard, I wouldn't have had to agree to this!"
Throwing myself? What the hell was he talking about?
"I've been working on this project for months, Anastasia, months! And now, that bastard wants to cancel the deal unless I let him fuck my wife. So, tell me, what the hell am I supposed to do?"
I sucked in a shaky breath at his words, staring at the man before me. Who was this man? The one who would hold me and whisper that he would love and protect me until the day we took our last breath—was he really the same person standing before me now?
"So, you think that's reason enough to do this? After everything I've done for you, you're just going to throw me under the bus to secure a business deal?" I tried to yell, but all that escaped my lips was a breathless whimper as his grip tightened, holding me firmly in place.
"Stop it!" he hissed through gritted teeth. "Stop reminding me every waking second of what you've done for me, especially when you're nothing more than an orphan. Is it because of the little money you gave me to start my business? Is that why you think you're some kind of savior or something?"
I shook my head, wanting to disagree, but before I could utter a word, he shoved me roughly to the ground. My body hit the floor with a thud, and I winced at the impact.
I watched in dread as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small pill, his eyes cold as he stepped toward me.
I gasped, scrambling backward in panic as I desperately tried to put some distance between us as the realization of his intentions hit me.
"W-William, what are you trying to do?" I asked, my heart sinking as he smirked at my question before gripping my leg and pulling me toward him.
"Relax, it's just an aphrodisiac. Lucas wants you… well, active enough," he said, forcing the drug into my mouth despite my resistance before grabbing the bottle of whiskey on the table, making me drink down the bitter burn of the alcohol.
When he released me, I instinctively reached for my throat, wanting to gag out the drug, but he held me closer, stopping my movements as he pressed his body against mine, a sickening smirk on his face.
"William… why—" I breathed out, trying to ignore the unfamiliar warmth spreading through me, especially the ache growing between my legs. But as the seconds stretched on, it became harder to push it back.
"Shhh, princess. It will be over soon," he whispered, his breath hot against my neck.
"W-why…" I tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come. My vision blurred, and before I knew it, I found myself slumping against him, weak and disoriented.
"Seems like the aphrodisiac worked," I heard someone say behind me through my haze, followed by a cruel laugh.
"Of course, it worked. I always keep my end of the bargain"
"Mhm, I trust you, William. Take the key card and bring her to the room. I'll be there shortly."
Before anyone could touch me, I felt William's grip tighten around me, his hand suddenly firm on my shoulder, pulling me away from whoever was standing behind me.
"Wait," William said, and I sighed in relief, closing my eyes as I stayed in his grip. William would protect me; he wouldn't let these people do anything to me. Or at least, that's what I thought—until his next words shattered any sense of safety I had.
"I need you to sign the contract before you take her with you."