Chapter 6

The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast shadows around Ethan Roscente's imposing figure. He lounged casually against the headboard, his tailored slacks accentuating the long legs bent at the knees. One hand rested idly on his thigh, exuding an aura of suffocating dominance.

This was a man who could make debutantes swoon across the city. With his chiseled jawline and obsidian-dark eyes, every movement radiated aristocratic refinement. No wonder even Isabella Valentine—that haughty Shanghai socialite—had fallen hopelessly for him.

Sophia Lowell's lips twisted into a bitter smile at the recent engagement rumors between the Roscentes and Valentines. Another wave of broken hearts was inevitable.

"Come here." Ethan's voice was glacial as he patted his thigh.

Sophia's breath hitched. This was about the dowry—the one she'd accepted from the Clementsons. Otherwise, why would the Roscente heir abandon his fiancée at the main reception to seek her out in the back quarters?

Steeling herself, she approached. His iron grip seized her waist instantly. Dark eyes raked over her, turning frostier by the second. "A million dollars buys you? Then my twenty million was clearly overpaying."

The words stabbed like daggers. Her nails dug into her palms. "Is that all I'm worth to you?"

"Prove me wrong." His mocking eyebrow lift said everything.

Acid rose in her throat. She'd brought this on herself—climbing into his bed drunk for money. Deserved every ounce of contempt.

Tears burned behind her eyelids as she lifted her chin defiantly. "If I repay the twenty million, are we square?"

Ethan suddenly gripped her jaw, fury swirling in his gaze. "Seems today's lesson wasn't harsh enough."

Pain unleashed the tears, scalding against his fingers. "What if I'm pregnant?" she whispered.

"There is no what if."

"But if—"

"Termination."

The clinical response turned her blood to ice.

"Because I'm unworthy?" Her laugh was hollow.

His eyes darkened. "If that's how you see it."

Her heart tore in two. Wiping her face, she forced a smile. "You're right—I'm desperate! Any man with money can have me!"

Meeting his thunderous glare, she spat, "Better to be someone's wife than your dirty secret. Twenty million? You'll have it with interest in thirty days. Now get out!"

A vein pulsed at Ethan's temple. He slammed her onto the mattress, voice dangerous. "Brave words, Sophia."

"We've already slept together. Drop the act." Her laugh was brittle.

"Good." His grip turned punishing, leaving angry red marks on her porcelain skin. She gasped at the sting.

"Think you can walk away?" He bit her earlobe hard. "Pay the interest first."

His mouth crashed down in a punitive kiss. Copper flooded her tongue as her lip split. She shoved against him. "Stop! Ethan, you—"

"Sophia?" Emily Laurent's worried knock interrupted. "Who are you talking to?"

Sophia froze. "It's Aunt Emily... please..."

He ignored her, branding her neck with fresh marks. Terror sent tremors through her body.

"Sophia!" The doorknob turned. The door burst open—

"Sophia!"