Don't Mind Loneliness, It's Better Than Loving You

Amidst the flashing neon lights and dizzying nightlife, the grand highlight of the night was unfolding at the top floor of the 33-story Thunder Nightclub.

Juliana Palmer stood on the stage like merchandise, waiting for bids.

Hungry eyes roamed over her body, making her fight the urge to vomit as she kept her head down.

"One dollar." A man swirled the wine in his glass. "She's just a vicious woman who's been to prison and isn't even a virgin, filthy from the inside out. That's all she's worth."

Juliana's eyes reddened as she looked up, and she met Bradley Mccarty's piercing gaze.

With Bradley's bid, no one dared to offer more, not even for a dollar.

Wrapped in a thin white cloth, Juliana was delivered to Bradley's room.

Dressed in a sleek black suit, Bradley stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a crystal-clear wine glass. His eyes were cold, like a predator eyeing its prey. "Juliana, three years without a man, and now you're in such a rush to find someone to screw you?"

A sneer played on his lips. Juliana clutched the thin blanket to her chest as her gaze dimmed. "Bradley, I've already served three years in prison. I have no home to return to. Can't you let me go, and spare my brother and his family?"

"No!" His cold words cut through the air. "You'll never be able to repay your debt."

Juliana gasped.

Bradley still hated her.

When she and her elder brother Lawson Palmer were young, their parents died in a tragic plane crash. Tyrese Palmer had taken them in. Tyrese's daughter, Kianna Palmer, was his only biological child, and he treated her and Lawson like his own. So how could she have harmed Kianna?

Juliana had explained countless times, but Bradley never believed her. Later, Bradley proposed to marry her. She thought he had let go of his hatred, but what awaited her was revenge.

It had been three years.

During that period, she had lost her child, been sent to prison, and could no longer be reunited with her family.

She had told herself that she would bury her feelings during those three years and that from now on, they would owe each other nothing, destined to remain strangers.

But Bradley still wouldn't let her go.

"Bradley, you're insane! I didn't cause Kianna's death. I've explained to you so many times."

Juliana shook off Bradley's hand and turned to leave.

Bradley sneered, his icy voice cutting through the air behind her. "You've signed a contract with Thunder Nightclub. Can you afford the penalty if you break it?"

Juliana froze in place.

She had come here to raise money, for her nephew Ayden Palmer needed the money.

"What do you want?"

Bradley flicked a drop of wine from his pants. "You knocked over my wine glass and spilled it on my pants. Now, clean it up."

Juliana's pale cheeks flushed.

"Ten thousand dollars, Juliana. Weren't you willing to sell yourself for money? Why are you pretending now?"

She trembled. The figure of ten thousand dollars echoed in her mind like a curse. Finally, she slowly knelt.

Those few short minutes felt like a lifetime, as she painstakingly wiped the last of the stain.

"You were just trying to seduce me, right?" Bradley dragged her.