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Chapter 2 The Cost of the Deal

Standing in front of John's mansion, Emily felt super uneasy. The place was so grand, it made her feel like she was suffocating. She knew that once she stepped inside, everything would change, but she didn't have any other options.

John was waiting for her in the living room, his eyes piercing like he could see right through her.

"Ms. Johnson, you're here," John said, his voice calm and commanding.

Emily nodded, staying silent as she followed him into the living room. Her heart was a mess. She was grateful for John's help, but terrified of the freedom she was about to lose.

John got straight to the point. "Ms. Johnson, I can save your brother, but you need to sell yourself to me."

Emily's heart skipped a beat. She knew exactly what that meant. She'd lose her freedom and become John's possession.

"I agree," Emily said, her voice weak but without hesitation. This was her only shot to save James, and she couldn't let it slip away.

John gave a faint smile, his eyes showing a mix of emotions. "Ms. Johnson, you'll soon see that my help comes at a high price."

With John's help, James's surgery was covered, and expertly planned by the best medical team, leaving Emily feeling grateful but uneasy as his condition improved.

Thanks to John, James's leg, which was supposed to be amputated, was saved. Though he still had trouble walking, there was hope for recovery with regular check-ups. Emily knew all of this was because of John.

So, Emily stayed by John's side for seven years. During those years, she was at his beck and call. She fulfilled his sexual needs, while he took care of all of James's medical bills and paid for her college tuition and living expenses. To outsiders, it seemed like John had done more than enough for her.

Last night, moonlight filtered through the curtains into the bedroom, casting a soft glow on John and Emily. The scattered clothes on the floor, the creaking mattress, the man's heavy breathing, the woman's moans—all of it spoke of their intense struggle. After a low growl from John, everything went silent. They lay quietly, catching their breath, the room filled only with the sound of their breathing.

John's fingers gently caressed Emily's cheek. She closed her eyes, feeling his tenderness. Their emotions were a complicated mix of dependence and detachment.

After their intimacy, John lay quietly beside Emily, breaking the silence. "I'm getting engaged."

Emily's body stiffened. She didn't respond immediately, then turned to face John, her gaze resolute. "Mr. Williams, I think it's time to end this arrangement."

John didn't reply, just gave her a meaningful look. He took a stack of money and a box of birth control pills from the bedside drawer, placing them on the nightstand before heading into the bathroom.

Listening to the sound of running water, Emily sighed, picked up the box of pills, and swallowed one dry.

The next day, Emily woke up to an empty bed. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a blinding glare on the money strewn across the nightstand.

Emily gave a bitter smile. For the past seven years, every time they had sex, John would leave her a substantial amount of money. She needed it to support James and herself, but it was also John's way of reminding her of their relationship.

She wanted to tell John that she understood—they were from different worlds, and their relationship was bound to end.

Without taking the money, Emily quietly got dressed, packed her things, and got ready to leave.

She stood at the bedroom door, taking one last look at the space that had once been hers and John's. It was filled with memories of the past seven years, but it was also where she lost herself. She took a deep breath, then walked out of the bedroom, leaving the mansion without looking back.

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