At eighteen, my family "gifted" me to Sebastian Vance. He indulged in me, silently allowing my presence in his life. I stayed with him for three whole years, yet remained his dirty little secret. Driven by pride, I told him: Publicly claim me, or I walk. Sebastian leaned back, a lazy smile playing on his lips. "Suit yourself." So, I cut all ties and vanished. Three years later, I met Liam Vance. He fell for me at first sight and insisted I meet his family. "My uncle runs the family business. His approval is all that matters." I nodded and followed him quietly. But when the heavy mahogany doors swung open, I froze. 1 I never imagined that Liam’s uncle would be Sebastian Vance. Before I could react, Liam pulled me into the banquet hall. He walked towards Sebastian, introducing me with a bright smile. "Uncle Seb, this is my girlfriend, Chloe." Sebastian’s gaze drifted from the clinking champagne glasses to me. I gripped the hem of my dress, heart pounding. He gave me a cursory glance, offering a noncommittal "Hmm." His face was calm, his tone indifferent. Like he was looking at a stranger. "Uncle Seb is just reserved. Don't mind him," Liam whispered to me. He pulled out a chair for me, seating me directly to Sebastian’s right. The plates were already set. On each one lay a massive prawn. Word was, Sebastian caught them himself off the coast of Maine and cooked them personally. "Chloe, try it." Liam expertly peeled the prawn for me, removing the vein. I stared at the pink flesh, frowning. Liam knew I was severely allergic to shellfish. One bite, and I’d be covered in hives. That’s how we met—I accidentally ate shrimp, and he rushed me to the ER. I pressed my lips together and shook my head slightly at Liam. "I can't eat..." Before I could finish, Liam lowered his voice, interrupting me. "Chloe, everyone is eating. It’s rude if you don’t." "This is your first time meeting my uncle. You need to make a good impression." "If you get a reaction, I'll take you to the hospital immediately. Don't worry." He poured me a glass of champagne. "Toast to Uncle Seb first, then eat the prawn. Compliment his cooking." "Be good." I pressed my lips together, silent. Although Liam and I were dating, our relationship wasn't pure. When I met him, I was broke, working three jobs a day. So when a wealthy heir like him pursued me, I said yes quickly. Not out of love, but out of necessity. Liam was generous. Gifts were expensive, dinners were my choice, and holidays came with fat checks. In a way, he was more like my sugar daddy than my boyfriend. I looked at the bubbling champagne and finally nodded. Turning to Sebastian, I raised my glass, my voice steady. "Uncle Seb, a toast to you." Sebastian’s eyes were dark pools. His expression was unreadable as he watched me down the drink. Liam’s chopsticks, holding the prawn, moved towards my lips. Just as it was about to touch my mouth, Sebastian, who had been sitting still, suddenly reached out and swatted the chopsticks away. The prawn fell to the floor. He leaned back, looking at Liam. "Didn't I tell you? Seafood tastes fishy when it gets cold." "Clear the table." 2 After Sebastian spoke, Liam didn't push me further. But a man sitting down the table stared at me, then let out a soft "Huh." "Liam, your girlfriend looks exactly like Seb’s old flame." The table went quiet. Curiosity ignited instantly. "Just an old story," the man continued. "Years ago, there was this girl. Chased Seb like crazy. Shameless. Even stripped naked to climb into his bed." "I forgot her name, but I remember her face. Looks just like Liam’s girl." He chuckled, "Seb, take a look. It’s not the same person, is it?" Everyone turned to stare at me, whispering. Liam held my hand, frowning in displeasure but staying silent. It was Sebastian who spoke. His cold gaze fixed on the man. "Are you blind?" Then, he grabbed a wine glass and splashed the contents onto the man’s expensive suit. "Guests, I treat with respect." "Troublemakers? Get out. Don't dirty my floor." Two security guards appeared instantly and dragged the man out. Only then did Liam pat my head soothingly. "Don't worry. I know you're not like that." "Chloe, let's dance. I'll lead." I didn't want to stay under Sebastian’s watch, so I agreed. He led me to the dance floor, one hand on my waist, the other holding mine. He had taught me the waltz, rehearsing twice before we came. But for some reason, my steps were messy today. I kept stepping on his toes. I felt a gaze, heavy with suppressed anger, burning into my back. Like it was trying to X-ray my soul. But when I turned, everything was normal. Sebastian was talking to a friend, not looking my way at all. In my daze, Liam pulled me closer, his hand tightening on my waist. "Chloe, you're distracted." "Did my uncle scare you?" He tucked a stray hair behind my ear. "Don't be afraid. He looks fierce, but he's actually quite nice." "Especially to my future aunt. He listens to her. If she says go east, he won't go west." I froze slightly. "He's married?" "No, engaged. But the wedding is soon." Liam smiled, his fingers tracing the edge of my backless dress, slowly dipping lower. That gaze was back. Thick, sticky, displeased. I turned my head slowly and looked at Sebastian. This time, his eyes met mine. But the next second, Liam shifted, blocking him from my view completely. He smiled at me. "Chloe, focus on the dance I taught you." I rested my hand on his shoulder, silent. Liam didn't know that I already knew how to waltz. Sebastian taught me himself, step by step, years ago. 3 My family used to be well-off. Not "Vance wealthy," but comfortable. Everything changed when I was eighteen. My stepfather's business was on the brink of bankruptcy. He begged everyone, but no one helped. So, he turned to me. He showed me photos of four men and told me to pick one. I chose Sebastian Vance immediately. He had great bone structure, handsome features, and at twenty-something, he kept fit. Compared to the middle-aged men with beer bellies, he stood out. My stepfather nodded. Knowing Sebastian was going on a yacht trip, he pulled strings to get me into his cabin. That night, I was terrified. But I had no choice. If I failed, my stepfather would send me to someone else—maybe someone married, maybe someone cruel. So, I took off my clothes and, trembling, wrapped my arms around Sebastian’s neck. He resisted at first, trying to throw me out. I cried and begged him, kissing his lips, his neck, clumsy and scared. He had never been with a woman before. He froze. After a long pause, he cupped my face, wiping away my tears with his thumb. "Stop crying. I'll try to be gentle." I still remember that night vividly. He wanted me again and again, pushing aside my sweaty hair, placing soft kisses all over my skin. The next morning, I woke up in his arms. He had already investigated me. He knew I was the foster daughter of the Wei family, and he knew why I was there. He asked calmly, "Chloe, do you want to be with me?" "For three years. In return, I'll invest in your stepfather's company. Enough to save him." I had no reason to refuse. I just sighed in relief, forgetting that his phrasing was "be with," not "date." Those three years with Sebastian were actually good. We were compatible, in bed and out. He liked to blindfold me with his tie, leaning down to bite my ear. Every time he returned from a business trip, he brought luxury gifts and kept me in bed until dawn. Once, he was invited to a gala. I begged him to take me. Reluctantly, he agreed, practicing dancing with me in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows late into the night. I went to the gala, wearing a gown that matched his suit perfectly, holding his arm. But when people asked, he introduced me as his "dance partner." Just a partner. That night, I threw a tantrum for the first time. Sebastian didn't get angry. He lounged on the sofa, looking at me calmly. "Chloe, what are you mad about?" "You know how you came to me. Did you really expect to be my girlfriend?" By then, I had been with him for three years. A lot had happened. My stepfather died in a car crash, the Wei family fell apart, and I lost contact with them. I was young and proud. I told Sebastian I wanted a title. If he wouldn't acknowledge me publicly, I would leave. He looked surprised, then nodded indifferently. "Stay or leave. Suit yourself." So, I cut all contact, moved to a new city, and started over. I grew up rich. Leaving the Wei family and Sebastian taught me the value of money. I lived in a damp basement. I faced rejection and bullying. My pride was ground down by poverty. That’s why I accepted Liam so easily. In many quiet nights, I thought of Sebastian. I asked myself, if I could do it over, would I leave him? Yes. Whatever the beginning, the result was that I fell in love with him. Because I loved him, I was strict with the relationship. I had delusions I shouldn't have had. Liam’s voice broke my reverie. He looked at me with a smile, sighing softly. "Chloe, you look so beautiful tonight." Ignoring the guests, he grabbed my chin and kissed me. The music swelled. The crowd noise vanished. Then, cheers erupted. Liam was usually polite. Tonight, he was aggressive, holding my head, prying open my lips, biting until I tasted blood. In the suffocating kiss, I opened my eyes. I locked eyes with Sebastian. He sat a few feet away, watching us coldly. His face was calm, but the veins on his hand gripping the glass bulged. He turned away, stood up, and left amidst the cheers. 4 I didn't know how long Liam kissed me. He only let go when I was gasping for air. He had to socialize. He couldn't stay with me all night. "I need to say hi to some people. I'll find you later." I nodded and sat in a corner. People nearby were discussing Sebastian’s fiancée. Victoria Vanderbilt, a blue-blooded heiress. Sebastian was very satisfied with her. They appeared together often. Elders said the wedding would be by the end of the year. I felt bored and suffocated. I got up to walk in the hallway. The air was fresher outside. As I passed a room, the door opened. A hand grabbed my wrist and dragged me in. The room was pitch black. He pinned me against the door, looking down at me. His bangs brushed my forehead. His voice was cool and familiar. "Chloe."
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