Chapter 2

Willow POV

I stopped struggling.

Actually—I kissed him back.

I felt his body stiffen.

Then he kissed me deeper. Dominating. Fervent.

His hand slid from the back of my neck down to my waist, lifting me entirely, pressing me against the wall.

The robe's tie came loose. His hand slipped inside.

His burning fingertips touched my skin, making me tremble.

"Crying?" He pulled his lips away, voice low and breathless. "Sorry. My sex addiction flared up. If you don't want this, you can leave now."

I said nothing. Instead, I hooked my arms around his neck.

"Been hurt?" He bit my earlobe. "Want revenge?"

How did he know?

"Use me," he said. "I don't mind."

His hand covered my thigh.

"But you need to be sure."

"Once this starts," his thumb stroked my lips, "I won't stop halfway."

"I'm sure." I heard my own voice, eerily calm.

"Then don't regret it."

He swept me into his arms and strode toward the bed.

My nightgown was pushed to my waist. His burning lips traveled down from my collarbone.

"Don't think about anything else." When I lost focus, his voice sounded in my ear. "Tonight, think only of me."

"Remember my name… I'll marry you."

I didn't catch what he said. Then everything spiraled out of control.

Our bodies fit perfectly, touching something deep in my soul. Climax after climax, until dawn broke.

Feeling the man's deep breathing, I didn't sleep. My legs shaking, I got out of bed, dressed, and tried to leave quietly.

As for Charles—he was probably still in Rachel's bed.

No one except me would ever know about tonight.

When I opened the door to leave, I glanced back.

That one look made my eyes go wide!

How could it be him?

The man was devastatingly handsome.

Strong brows, striking eyes, features so sculpted they resembled an ancient Greek statue.

Even ordinary people knew his name—he was always in the financial news.

Sterling Lancaster—the current head of the Lancaster family!

Also Charles's cousin!

He was stunningly attractive, extraordinarily capable, brilliant, and ruthless.

Countless women lined up wanting to marry him, but he was cold-natured and merciless toward women.

Rumor had it a rich girl once stripped naked trying to seduce him. He threw her into the street without a second thought. Not long after, her family's business went bankrupt.

I couldn't afford to provoke a man like that.

If he found out I was the woman from last night…

I shivered, not even daring to cry.

No matter what, I couldn't let him discover it was me.

I hurried back to my room, not noticing that in a shadowy corner, a pair of eyes watched me with resentment.

A woman emerged from that corner, a cold smile on her face. She removed the necklace she wore and slipped it through the door crack.

Back in my room, I finally let my emotions explode, sobbing silently.

What kind of mess was this?

On our wedding night, my husband cheated with his ex-fiancée, and I had a one-night stand with his cousin?

Before long, Charles returned.

"Wife…" Seeing me, his expression looked unnatural.

"It's still early. Why aren't you sleeping?"

His concerned act made me sick.

If he loved me, why sleep with another woman?

"Where did you go?"

"Couldn't sleep. Went for a walk. Why? Can't you sleep without me?" Desire flared in his eyes as he tried to hold me. "It's still early. Let's finish what we didn't get to last night."

His reaching hand met only air. Charles's expression soured.

"Willow, what's wrong with you? Since yesterday, you won't let me touch you."

I felt disgusted. He just climbed out of another woman's bed, and he had the nerve to touch me?

I said calmly, "Charles, I want to go back to the company."

Three years ago, when Grandma got sick—and because Charles didn't like me being around other men—I left the company to care for her full-time.

Now, after this betrayal, I finally understood how important it was for a woman to have a career and financial independence.

Not just that.

I also needed to understand the company's finances and profits. Those were our joint assets—assets I could split in a divorce.

Charles didn't take it seriously, assuming I was throwing a tantrum. "Willow, don't be upset. I was wrong just now. Are you hungry? I'll get you breakfast."

I gave a mocking smile. Whenever key issues came up, Charles always deflected with fake concern.

Soon Charles returned with a sandwich and hot milk.

The sandwich had a crying face drawn on it in ketchup.

Charles's usual trick.

"I was too impatient. I didn't consider your feelings. I'm sorry, honey."

Charles reached for my hand, seriously reminding me, "You can throw whatever tantrum you want in private, but at the family banquet later, don't act like this. We need to make a good impression on the elders."

I drank my milk without responding.

Which of those high-and-mighty Lancaster elders truly respected me?

The wedding was held at a Lancaster-owned hotel. Every prominent family in high society attended.

The family banquet was at the Lancaster estate—family members only.

The whole drive, I was distracted.

Charles assumed I was just nervous and kept reassuring me.

The car stopped at the entrance. We got out, just as another man stepped from his vehicle.

Polished leather shoes. Suit pants on long legs. Six-foot-three and intensely commanding.

Sterling looked like he'd just left a negotiation, his cold, austere face slightly stern, naturally radiating an aura of authority.

The moment he got out, he looked at me.

I met his emotionless eyes—deep emerald green, dangerously mesmerizing.

My heart jumped to my throat.

"Sterling." Charles greeted him casually.

I felt Sterling's icy gaze settle on me.

My heart clenched.

Would he recognize me?