I couldn't stand to listen anymore and ran from the hotel without looking back.

The drug in my own system was starting to kick in.

In my past life, half the reason I couldn't push Ethan away was because it had completely stripped me of my sanity.

While I still had a sliver of control, I stopped in front of an exclusive-looking club downtown and stumbled inside.

A young, fresh-faced host smiled at me. "Miss, how can I help you?"

I shook my head, trying to clear it. "I need to hire a guy."

He blinked, then led me to a private room and left to get someone.

I don't know how long I waited, but the door finally opened and a man in a sharp suit walked in.

His eyes fell on my torn and disheveled clothes, and he froze.

Before he could speak, I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him. "I've been drugged," I gasped. "Help me..."

The man stiffened.

He seemed to frown, grabbing my hands to push me away.

"You want money, right? I'll pay you anything!"

I fumbled in my pocket, pulled out a credit card, and shoved it into his hand before reaching for his belt.

In a daze, I thought I heard him say my name.

"Sadie, don't do this…"

So annoying.

I shut him up by kissing him again.

No wonder this place was so popular.

The escorts weren't just handsome; they knew how to play hard to get.

Finally, I heard a sigh from above me.

"Alright. You started this. Don't you dare regret it."

In the next second, he flipped me over, pinning me beneath him as his lips came crashing down on mine like a storm.

After a night of tangled limbs and whispered words, I woke up with a jolt before dawn.

It took me a moment to realize I’d just slept with a stranger.

An escort from a club.

The man was still asleep.

I quietly dressed and slipped out.

Walking past the large glass window of a storefront, I saw my reflection.

My clothes were torn, and my neck was covered in a series of bright red, incriminating marks.

I tiptoed back home, hoping to cover them with concealer before Leo woke up, but as soon as I stepped inside, a cold voice came from above.

"Where were you last night?"

Ethan was leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, watching me.

I froze.

Wasn't he supposed to be with Nora at the hotel?

His own neck was decorated with a noticeable ring of hickeys.

His gaze was lazy, indifferent.

I felt a pang of guilt and lowered my head.

I thought after last night, Ethan and I would be done for good, that I could finally just see him as my brother's friend.

"I was just… out for a walk. Why are you back so soon?"

Ethan’s new condo was being renovated, so thanks to Leo, he'd been staying with us for the past few months.

I glanced around. "Where's Nora? Didn't she come back with you?"

In the next second, Ethan's gaze turned dark and fell on me.

"Sadie, where the hell were you last night? And who did this to you?"

I finally realized he was talking about the marks on my neck.

I instinctively pulled up my collar to hide them. "It's nothing. Just some mosquito bites."

Ethan let out a cold laugh. "Don't think I don't know. Leo didn't just drug me last night; he put something in your drink, too."

"What, you conspired with your brother, and when you couldn't sleep with me, you ran out to sleep with some other guy?"

"Sadie, did you really think calling Nora over and then disappearing all night would make me worry? That little game of playing hard to get was a mistake!"

I was stunned.

Why was Ethan so angry?

I did him a favor by getting Nora for him.

When it finally sank in, a sharp, sour feeling twisted in my gut.

He thought my gesture of goodwill was just me playing games with him.

His cool, detached voice continued.

"As you can see, Nora and I were together last night. I'm going to marry her. So let me give you some advice: whatever little tricks you're planning, you can stop now."

I lowered my eyes and gave a small smile. "Okay."

"I'm sorry about my brother drugging you, but..."

"I really don't like you anymore."

Ethan looked up and stared at me, his brow furrowing in disbelief.

Everyone in our circle knew I had a massive crush on Ethan.

I refused to date anyone else, turned down countless setups, and cut off any potential romance for his sake.

But now, I knew I was wrong.

I didn't want to repeat the last life, watching my daughter be born with so much hope only to die in such despair.

Just as Ethan was about to speak, my brother's horrified scream came from behind us.

"Ah! A ghost! Why is there an extra person in our house?"

He ran over, pointing a trembling finger toward the upstairs bedroom.

"Nora… when did she end up sleeping in our house?"

Ethan, looking serious, closed the bedroom door and explained calmly.

"I brought her here last night. She was exhausted and doesn't like hotels, so I brought her back here to rest properly."

"What?!"

Leo shot him a complicated look, then glanced at me. "You two... last night, you didn't?"

His suspicious gaze darted between our necks.