It was nighttime when Bella arrived at her dump.

Her heart dropped the moment she pushed the door open.

The place was turned upside down.

“What is this… who did this?” she asked rhetorically.

She had been fired, and now even the miserable place she called home had been raided by thieves.

Her mind flew to the little money she had kept.

She rushed to the spot where she had hidden it, her hands already trembling even before she got there.

She found nothing, not even a penny.

Her chest tightened.

She checked again, fingers digging into the corner, moving things aside, hoping she was wrong. But there was still nothing. The money she had saved for rent was gone.

Then she looked toward the pot.

It was empty.

Even the little food she had kept for herself was gone too.

Bella’s knees gave out. She dropped to the floor, her body shaking violently as the tears she had been holding back finally broke free.

A scream tore out of her chest, as she cried like something inside her had snapped.

“I hate this place… I hate this life,” she sobbed. “I am exhausted, Father. I am exhausted, Mother. Why did you have to leave me? Your daughter is in pain. I am a woman with no livelihood.”

Her laughter came out broken, soaked in tears.

“The rich have it easy.”

For a moment, her mind drifted back to the man she had turned down earlier.

“Maybe I should have gone with him,” she whispered bitterly. “A night for money doesn’t sound so bad anymore. Maybe it’s time I go extreme—because if I keep living like this, I might starve to death.

She scoffed weakly.

Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, the way she always did, Bella forced herself to stand and walked into the bathroom.

She turned on the water and stepped under it, letting it run over her skin as if it could wash away everything she was feeling.

The water was a little itchy against her skin, but she had no choice.

She endured it in silence, then shut it off and returned to her room. Bella lay down on her makeshift bed, staring up at the ceiling, her mind circling the few options she had left.

Nothing good came to her.

Then, slowly, an idea formed.

“I’ll go back to Manhattan. I won’t give up,” she murmured.

She pulled out the money she had left and counted it carefully.

“This should be enough… enough for the train that’ll take me there tomorrow,” she told herself. “I can sleep on the streets if I have to. Beg for jobs. If I’m asked how much for a night, I’ll take whatever I can. I don’t care anymore.”

She nodded in finality, but her heart refused to settle.

Her eyes drifted toward the door, fear creeping in—the fear that someone might break in while she slept.

Suddenly restless, Bella got up and rushed to the door, dragging her heavy water gallons across the floor and placing them against it. She checked the lock twice, then a third time, just to be sure.

Only then did she return to her bed.

Despite the fear still coiled tight in her chest, exhaustion claimed her, and she drifted into sleep.

********

(HOTEL)

In the blue light of the hotel room, Lucian’s naked body loomed, his face hidden behind a black mask as he fucked a stripper's pussy mercilessly.

He had the woman pinned against the wall, thrusting into her with relentless force. Her weak attempts to move with him faltered; she wasn't bouncing as he demanded.

"Take that cock like the bitch you are. Bounce on that dick," Lucian growled, slapping her ass hard. The sharp impact drew a scream of pain from her lips.

"ohh...shit, fuck ahhh"

He took a slow drag from the cigarette dangling between his fingers, then exhaled a cloud of smoke directly into her face. She choked, coughing violently as the harsh fumes burned her lungs.

"T-that's enough, sir," she stammered, her voice trembling. Fear overshadowed any trace of enjoyment…she was genuinely terrified.

But Lucian didn't care. To him, she was nothing more than an object for his pleasure, a rag to be used at his whim. She had no right to dictate when he was done.

He dropped the cigarette to the floor, crushing it under his heel, then effortlessly lifted her and carried her to the bed.

Throwing her down, he resumed his brutal pace, pounding into her raw. His hands clamped around her throat, squeezing just enough to make her eyes roll back in a mix of fear and reluctant pleasure.

"Pathetic slut," he sneered, his voice laced with disdain. "I was told you were the best at this. Why are you so fucking dull?"

He didn't slow down, driving into her mercilessly until tears streamed down her cheeks.

As his release built, he pulled out abruptly—he wasn't repeating past mistakes. With a low groan, he spilled his thick, milky load across her stomach and onto her pink nipples, rubbing the tip of his cock to ride out the final spasms.

Satisfied, he climbed off the bed, lit another cigarette, and took a long, satisfied drag before exhaling slowly. Opening his cupboard, he pulled out thick bundles of cash and tossed them onto her battered body.

She weakly pushed herself up, heading toward the bathroom.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" His voice cut through the air, cold and dangerous, laced with the haze of smoke.

"I... I need to clean up," she whispered.

"In my room, sluts don't get to bathe." He said it casually, as if it were the most ordinary rule. "Get dressed and leave. Let my cum dry on your skin. Let everyone know you were fucked by a billionaire."

Disgust flashed across her face, but his menacing aura left no room for defiance. She obeyed, pulling on her clothes with trembling hands and limping out of the room.

Lucian picked up the phone and called room service to clean up the mess, then headed to the shower.

*******

It was morning, and Bella was already dressed, ready to leave, when she heard a knock on the door.

The knock turned into loud, aggressive bangs.

“Bella, open this door right now!”

Her heart skipped. It was the stupid landlord.

“Fuck. The money… How do I explain?”

“I said open the door, Bella. You are leaving. I’ve had enough of your rubbish.” he banged the door harder.

Before she could react, the lock gave way, and the landlord stepped inside. He scowled in anger, his big belly peeking out, his face as shrewd as he was.

“Good morning, Mr. Andrew,” she greeted, swallowing hard.

“Save your greetings, bitch,” he snapped. “Pay up. I’ve given you enough grace.”

“The price is too high for this place,” Bella shot back angrily, which only worsened things. “It’s unfair to collect that much for this… this dump.”

“What should it be then? A five-star resort?” he mocked. “Oh, I see, you don’t have the money. Then pay with your body. I’ve heard stories of how slutty you are, roaming the streets sucking cocks for cash. Give me more than that, and you’ll never worry about rent again.”

Disgust churned in Bella’s stomach. It was true, she did what she had to survive… but this time, losing the dump felt better than giving him that.

“I will never give you that pleasure,” she said coldly. “You hear me? I will leave this place. You can have it. I may be hopeless , a common slut , but I won’t do what I don’t want to do. You won’t get that satisfaction from me. Just give me until tomorrow, and I’ll be gone.”

The man laughed. “Then give me some money if you want to stay today and leave tomorrow or lose the fucking ego.”

Bella stared at him, then fished out the little money left in her bag and handed it to him. “I promise. Tomorrow morning, I’ll leave.”

The landlord smirked as he took the money, his hand grazing hers. She jerked away immediately.

“You better not be here by ten a.m. tomorrow,” he warned, dragging his eyes over her body. “Or I’ll do worse.”

He slammed the door behind him.

Bella left immediately after, determined to get her hands on anything or anyone that could help her survive.

******

It was afternoon. Bella was exhausted. Every place she tried had turned her away…even as a waiter, they said they had enough staff. She glanced at a nearby park and noticed children laughing and playing, obviously with wealthy parents.

She entered the park and sat on a bench, dropping her “Help me, I need a job” poster beside her. She watched the kids, letting their laughter, their innocence, their complete cluelessness about the world, bring her a small measure of peace. She closed her eyes, trying to breathe, trying to forget her own troubles, but sleep pulled her under before she could fight it.

In a far corner, Lucian’s nanny pushed a stroller. She thought maybe if the baby saw other children, she would calm down. It worked, the baby quieted as other kids played peek-a-boo with her.

Suddenly, the nanny’s phone rang.

“Are you serious?… Okay, I’m coming!” she exclaimed.

Without looking back, she rushed off, hailed a taxi, and left the child behind.

When Bella opened her eyes again, it was getting dark. A loud wail had woke her, and despite everything, she felt thankful…otherwise, she might have slept straight into the night. She realized she had accomplished nothing, yet she had slept like a fool.

“But wait… if every other child is gone, whose baby is crying?” she whispered, fear creeping in.

She stood, a little uneasy.

Could it be a ghost? she wondered. Impossible, she told herself, trying to reason. Looking at the sky, she guessed it was around six, what ghost would come out by this time?.

The cries grew louder, insistent. Bella’s heart thudded as she spotted a stroller, and a man approaching it. He didn’t look like the child’s father… something felt wrong.

She grabbed a wooden baseball bat from the corner and stepped closer, ready to defend the child.

“Is that your child?” she asked, making the man turn, startled.

“Yes… she is my child,” he said, scooping the girl up. But the baby continued to cry.

“You’re lying,” Bella said. “If she were yours, she wouldn’t be crying like that.”

The man’s eyes flashed with anger. Before she could do anything, he pushed her to the ground and ran off with the child.

Bella rose quickly, running after him like a fierce mother hen protecting her chick.

"Stop!" she screamed.

Suddenly, a police siren wailed nearby.

The man dropped the child and fled, terrified of getting caught.

Bella caught up immediately and scooped up the crying girl, her eyes stinging with pain.

"Stupid man... you could've killed her," she muttered looking in the direction he had ran to.

"Shhh... shhh, it's okay," she tried to calm her down but it was failing, the baby was too scared.

Bella stared closely at the girl now, her eyes widened in recognition

"She's the baby I saw at the restaurant..."

Bella walked around in search of her parents, but they were nowhere in sight.

The crying was hurting her heart, she couldn't just leave the child there. Her apartment too wasn't fit for a baby, and the train ride would take over an hour-but she had no choice. She had to get her home.

Her plans for sleeping on the streets were now postponed; survival had a new, urgent priority.

******

(BELLA'S APARTMENT)

Bella opened the door and pushed the stroller inside, then scooped the baby into her arms. The crying was so intense that Bella feared she might lose her breath or even pass out.

"Shh... shh, baby, don't cry. I'll find your parents," she whispered, rocking her gently.

The baby tugged at her clothes, instinctively reaching for her breast.

Bella felt a pang of guilt, she couldn't give the child what she needed. There was nothing; her body was dry.

She placed the baby on a pillow and shuffled to the corner of the apartment she called her kitchen. The milk she had was meant for adults, but the baby was hungry. Bella had no choice...it was all she could offer.

She warmed the milk and poured a little onto a small plate, then grabbed a tiny spoon from her sugar container to feed the baby.

Cradling the child, Bella sat down and tried to offer a small spoonful to her mouth...but the baby refused, tugging insistently at Bella's chest. Her cries were sharp and frantic, veins standing out on her forehead as she screamed.

Frustration welled up within her. Tomorrow, she would have nowhere to live, and the baby's persistent crying only made her feel worse.

Bella thought hard, biting her lip as a wild, desperate idea formed. It felt insane, but she couldn't let the baby starve.

Even if it didn't satisfy her, at least it would stop the crying.

She placed the child on the pillow and rushed to the shower. There was no way she could do this with a dirty, sweaty body.

Once she was done, she didn't put on a top. Cradling the baby in her arms, she sat down and carefully scooped some milk, letting it drip onto her breast.

The baby latched on instantly. Relief washed over Bella as the crying finally stopped. She carefully continued to offer the milk until the baby's movements slowed, signaling she had fallen asleep.

Gently, Bella placed her back in the stroller, it was more comfortable that way.

She took a moment to search through the stroller, hoping to find something that could help her locate the baby's parents.

She picked up a rattle and caught a glimpse of a name engraved on it.

"Rodriguez," she murmured.

Anger surged through her. "So the man in shades... and they actually left this girl here like some forgotten piece of trash?" she fumed. But she paused, thinking.

Then a sly thought crossed her mind. In a way... this could work to my advantage.

All she knew was wealth, and this could be her chance. This baby might be a blessing...a way out of poverty. Bella smiled as she looked down at the child's soft, sleeping face, feeling as if she had just hit the jackpot.

*****

(RODRIGUEZ MANSION)

The nanny knelt on the floor, shivering.

"Where is the baby I gave you to take care of?" he asked, calm and unbothered.

"Sir... I... I'm sorry. I... I forgot..." she stammered.

He narrowed his eyes, his calmness making it worse. "You forgot a child? Are you mad? Do you realize what would happen if the press found out I lost my daughter in the most ridiculous way possible?"

He turned to his bodyguards.

"Find the child and bring her back," he said coldly. Then he pointed at the nanny. "Make sure she's silenced. I don't want my reputation touched."

"Yes, sir."

"No,no, please!" the nanny sobbed, crawling toward him. "I won't say anything! I swear! Please, I'll find your daughter. Please don't hurt me, I beg you!"

She clutched at Lucian's legs. Irritated, he kicked her away without a second glance.

The guards stepped in. One pressed a cloth over her mouth. Her struggles weakened within seconds, and she went limp. They lifted her and dragged her out of the room.

He lit a cigarette and poured himself a drink, taking a slow sip as he puffed smoke. His dark eyes stared at nothing, anger coiling tight inside him.

"My rivals could have taken the child. That idiot has ruined my hardwork."

In a sudden motion, he threw the glass to the floor. It shattered with a sharp crash.

An aged maid, who had served the family for decades, watched him warily and let out a soft sigh.

"Food is ready, Lucian," she said with a small, cautious smile.

He glanced at her and nodded, returning his focus to the smoke curling from his cigarette.

*****

Bella left early in the morning, before the landlord could show up. She didn't take anything from the dump she called an apartment, she had all her hopes pinned on the baby's parents.

The taxi stopped in front of a huge company. The driver pulled the stroller from the car boot.

Bella took in the sight. Rodriguez was boldly written at the top.

"Wow... it's huge," she muttered.

She looked down at the baby in her arms. "Your parents are rich... I'm sure they can spare some change for me."

Carefully, she placed the baby in the stroller and started moving toward the entrance.

"Hey, bitch! You forgot to pay!" the driver shouted.

The insult was unnecessary, random, and infuriating.

Bella clenched her jaw but forced herself to stay calm. She turned and tossed the money to the floor, ignoring him as she kept moving.

The man lunged, grabbing a fistful of her hair and yanking her backward.

"Ow! Let go of my hair!" she yelped, elbowing him, but he didn't release her.

"Who are you to disrespect me?" he growled, tugging harder. "First, you didn't pay. Now you throw my money on the floor."

The road was empty. No one was in sight to help. Tears streaked Bella's face, and her scalp burned from his grip.

"I only did to you what you deserved, scumbag! Let my hair go!" she muttered through gritted teeth.

Bella struggled against him, but the baby's cries pierced the air, growing louder with each second.

Suddenly, a car approached and screeched to a halt.

The man finally released her and shoved her aside.

Bella stared at the car, hoping...praying it belonged to the baby's parents so she could get this over with.

The car door opened. The man stepped out, his gaze locking instantly on the crying child in the stroller. His face hardened.

Without a word, he pulled out his phone and dialed.

"Hello... police?"

Bella's eyes widened.

"I found my daughter... but I want the child traffickers behind bars."

In a sudden motion, he threw the glass to the floor. It shattered with a sharp crash.

An aged maid, who had served the family for decades, watched him warily and let out a soft sigh.

"Food is ready, Lucian," she said with a small, cautious smile.

He glanced at her and nodded, returning his focus to the smoke curling from his cigarette.

*****

Bella left early in the morning, before the landlord could show up. She didn't take anything from the dump she called an apartment, she had all her hopes pinned on the baby's parents.

The taxi stopped in front of a huge company. The driver pulled the stroller from the car boot.

Bella took in the sight. Rodriguez was boldly written at the top.

"Wow... it's huge," she muttered.

She looked down at the baby in her arms. "Your parents are rich... I'm sure they can spare some change for me."

Carefully, she placed the baby in the stroller and started moving toward the entrance.

"Hey, bitch! You forgot to pay!" the driver shouted.

The insult was unnecessary, random, and infuriating.

Bella clenched her jaw but forced herself to stay calm. She turned and tossed the money to the floor, ignoring him as she kept moving.

The man lunged, grabbing a fistful of her hair and yanking her backward.

"Ow! Let go of my hair!" she yelped, elbowing him, but he didn't release her.

"Who are you to disrespect me?" he growled, tugging harder. "First, you didn't pay. Now you throw my money on the floor."

The road was empty. No one was in sight to help. Tears streaked Bella's face, and her scalp burned from his grip.

"I only did to you what you deserved, scumbag! Let my hair go!" she muttered through gritted teeth.

Bella struggled against him, but the baby's cries pierced the air, growing louder with each second.

Suddenly, a car approached and screeched to a halt.

The man finally released her and shoved her aside.

Bella stared at the car, hoping...praying it belonged to the baby's parents so she could get this over with.

The car door opened. The man stepped out, his gaze locking instantly on the crying child in the stroller. His face hardened.

Without a word, he pulled out his phone and dialed.

"Hello... police?"

Bella's eyes widened.

"I found my daughter... but I want the child traffickers behind bars."

"P...police?" Bella stammered.

"Sir, please wait! I didn't steal the child," She explained, her voice trembling.

He didn't look at her as he continued, his voice calm, precise.

"There's a woman here with my daughter," he said.

The driver, realizing the man had called the police, immediately jumped into his taxi and sped off.

Bella picked up the crying child from the stroller.

"I came to return her... I found her in the park. It was dark, and I didn't know what to do. I'm sorry... please, don't call the police," she rushed out, her words tumbling over each other.

Lucian set down his phone and studied her. She looked drained, innocent, marked by poverty,her eyes tired, face pale...but there was a raw beauty in her features.

She handed the baby to him, but he didn't reach out, his gaze fixed on the child instead.

"I know you didn't steal her," he said finally. "My nanny left her in a park. I only wanted to scare that man away" He forced a tight smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.

Bella laughed nervously and pulled the baby back, settling her into the stroller as the child babbled happily in her own language.

She looked up at Lucian, waiting-expecting gratitude, money, something.

"Thank you," he said stiffly, the words sounding more like an obligation than appreciation.

She exhaled sharply, tired of pretending.

"At least give me money for it. I could've killed your child or sold her... but I didn't."

He raised a brow slowly.

"So doing the right thing now comes with a price?"

Bella glared at him inwardly. If she weren't so desperate for money, she wouldn't be demanding payment for doing a good deed-but right now, she didn't care. He was going to give her money, whether he liked it or not.

"Well, I took care of her," she fired.

Lucian's eyes narrowed. "Isn't that what a normal human being should do?"

The man was starting to get on her nerves. "You own a massive company. A little gratitude in the form of money wouldn't hurt," she snapped. "Or are rich people always this stingy? And how could you leave your daughter in a park with a nanny? That's... that's fucking irresponsible."

He blinked, caught off guard. She didn't know who he was? In all of New York, everyone knew Lucian Rodriguez. The thought shocked him more than he wanted to admit.

He slipped his hands into his pockets and tossed her a few dollar notes.

"Here. Now get out."

Bella stared at the money. "Fifty dollars?"

It was enough for gratitude, she reasoned, though a small, insistent part of her mind urged her to push further.

She softened her voice, striking a careful balance between boldness and pleading.

"To be honest, sir, I... I need more than this. I can't survive on so little. I'm an orphan, homeless, with nowhere to go. I... I can take care of your child, if her mother doesn't mind."

Lucian's dark eyes met hers. "Her mother is dead," he said flatly.

Bella dropped to her knees.

Lucian's eyes widened instantly. Anyone could see them...someone could misunderstand and spread rumors.

"I said get out," he ordered coldly.

"Please, sir," she sobbed. "I... I'll do anything you want. Anything at all, whatever pleases you. Just take me away from poverty forever. I don't want to keep living like this. I beg you."

Under normal circumstances, Lucian would have turned and walked away. But he didn't. He stayed, listening to her broken pleas.

His mind worked quickly. The nanny was gone. The old woman couldn't calm the baby. He glanced down at his daughter-quiet, unusually calm in Bella's presence. He couldn't handle the child alone, and there was no way to find a new nanny on such short notice.

"Hm," he said at last. "Anything?"

Bella nodded furiously, so fast it looked as though her head might fall off.

Lucian strode to his car and she interpreted the movement as an unspoken command to follow.

She stood, cradling the baby carefully, while he lifted the stroller into the trunk.

Once inside, he gestured toward the passenger seat.

Without hesitation, she climbed in.

The company's massive gates slid open automatically as Lucian drove in, the car coming to a smooth halt.

Bella followed quickly behind him, pushing the stroller as the little girl giggled happily, completely unaware of the world around her.

"Good morning, sir," a few employees greeted, bowing slightly out of habit.

"Who's that girl?" someone murmured.

"Probably a new nanny," another replied dismissively. "She won't last either."

Bella lowered her head, refusing to meet their eyes, feeling the sting of their judgment.

Lucian led her into his office. The doors closed behind them, shutting out the world.

He sank into his chair, his gaze fixed on her.

"Sir, I promise you won't regret picking me," Bella said quickly, her voice quivering, but firm. "You will have no reason to complain. I swear on my life."

Her desperation amused him, intrigued him. A dark curiosity glimmered in his eyes. He wanted to know how far she'd go.

He picked up the phone. "Bring me the contract."

Moments later, a man entered. Bella observed him quickly...tall, blonde, striking. Yet even he seemed ordinary compared to the man in front of her. There was something almost unreal about him: his dark hair, sharp eyes, muscular frame, and tanned skin made the newcomer pale in comparison.

Bella averted her gaze. She couldn't afford distractions, not now. Her focus had to be on securing the life she wanted, not admiring anyone, no matter how handsome.

Lucian focused on her.

"What is your name?"

"Bella," she said.

"Full name," he demanded.

"Rosabella Hale," she answered.

"Sign the contract," he said, sliding the papers toward her. "It states that you will do whatever I ask, without objection. Even if I asked you to act like a monkey, you would. No questions, no hesitation. I expect silence from the child at all times. And the non-disclosure clause is absolute-you may never speak of this arrangement to anyone, no matter who they are to you."

"I have nobody, sir," Bella said quickly. "I'm alone in this world. You don't have to worry. I'll sign it."

She grabbed the pen and signed without hesitation, letting it drop to the desk.

"But, sir," she said, "you have your part to fulfill. You will ensure I never go poor again. I want opportunities...to live like the rich do."

He looked at her briefly, then signed the contract with a sharp flick of the pen.

"Deal."