Chapter 2 A Passionate Night

Every rainy season, Elena would end up drenched—either because she had to work in the pouring rain or because the leaking roof of her home left her shivering through sleepless nights.

She had never imagined that after finally returning to the prestigious Campbell family, she would still be soaked to the bone like this... like a rat chased into the storm.

Her tears mingled with the rain as they streamed down her cheeks.

She didn't even know how long she had been running. All she knew was that her legs ached, and waves of bitter cold coursed through her entire body.

Seeing an upscale bar ahead, Elena staggered inside.

Fortunately, the bank card Ashton had once given her as a gift still had enough money for her to afford a seat there.

Only after ordering a glass of liquor did she realize how insignificant the balance on that card really was compared to the wealth and status of people like them. Yet back then, she had been overjoyed, as though Ashton had handed her his entire fortune.

How ridiculous.

How utterly ridiculous.

Perhaps Ashton had thought she was pitifully naive all along.

No...

Perhaps it wasn't just Ashton.

Perhaps the entire Campbell family had thought the same.

Elena lowered her gaze to the single high heel lying on the floor beside her. Remembering the maid's words, she let out a faint, self-mocking smile as fresh tears rolled down her face.

She thought of Vivian.

How breathtaking she had looked.

How dazzling her gown had been.

Vivian had stood at the center of the crowd, surrounded by admirers, with people eagerly stepping forward to present her with gifts.

Only now did Elena finally realize...

She had never been the heroine of today's celebration.

Without another thought, she tilted back her head and drained the entire glass in one gulp.

A few crimson drops escaped the corner of her lips, trailing slowly down her chin, gliding along her slender white neck before coming to rest in the hollow of her collarbone.

Countless eyes turned toward the lost little doe that had wandered into a den of wolves.

Seeing the heartbroken young woman already drunk, several men began making their way toward her.

But before anyone could reach her, Elena pushed herself to her feet.

She felt terrible.

She needed to find the restroom.

"Why..."

"Why..."

"Why did you betray me?!"

Elena had no idea how long she had been walking.

She couldn't even remember where she was going.

All she could feel was that her heart had shattered, while pain and resentment surged endlessly within her.

With a choked cry, she suddenly kicked the wall beside her.

Except...

The "wall" moved.

Elena stared blankly as a door slowly swung open before her.

"The restroom..."

"That's right... I need to use the restroom."

Even though she didn't really know why she wanted to go there.

Perhaps just to hide herself away and cry.

"You're so pathetic... such a loser... haha... Elena..."

Click.

The door suddenly shut behind her.

Only then did Elena groggily realize that the room was almost completely dark. The only light came from the moon outside the window, blurred by the relentless rain.

"This isn't... the restroom..."

she murmured hazily.

The moment she turned around, however, she collided with what felt like a solid wall of warm muscle—its scorching heat a stark contrast to her own ice-cold body.

The man's breathing was ragged and heavy.

Even cloaked in darkness, his presence radiated danger.

For a split second, Elena's mind cleared.

She hurriedly stepped back.

Too late.

In an instant, powerful arms wrapped tightly around her.

The man's large hands slid over her rain-soaked body, instinctively searching for the lingering chill clinging to her skin.

Elena's face was pressed firmly against his broad chest.

His powerful embrace, combined with a strength that seemed intent on pulling her completely into him, filled her with fear.

And yet...

All she wanted was to remain surrounded by that desperately needed warmth a little longer.

Christian could feel her soft hands endlessly fumbling all over his body, like a harmless kitten, yet it felt like an outright provocation. Combined with the lingering, pure fragrance in the air, it seemed to entangle what little remained of his sanity.

The potent aphrodisiac inside his body made him feel as if he were about to explode. His eyes turned bloodshot as he scooped Elena up and threw her directly onto the large bed nearby.

The soft mattress caused Elena to bounce slightly.

Christian pinned both of her hands above her head with just one of his, while his other hand slowly slid down her body. The scorching heat made Elena tremble, so sensitive that she let out a soft whimpering sound.

She instinctively moaned, "Ashton... mgh..."

But before she could finish her sentence, a searing kiss blocked her beautiful lips. The man’s voice rasped, "You dare mention another man's name while you're with me? I'll make sure you know exactly who I am."

The man's dominant force brought Elena a mix of pain and pleasure. At first, she practically sobbed from the pain. However, as he moved rhythmically, a different, unfamiliar sensation began to wash over her.

It wasn't pain, but it was far more agonizing. She couldn't help but wrap her legs around Christian's firm waist, instinctively swaying her body as she cried out and begged, "More... give me more, please... ah!"

Looking at the fair thighs wrapped around him, Christian completely lost control, immediately driving into her like a pile driver. Elena's entire body jolted relentlessly; if Christian hadn't been holding her in place, she might have been thrust right off the bed.

In the endless darkness, their heavy pants mingled with the sound of the rain falling outside the window, dictating that this would be a fierce night—and this was only the beginning...