Every night, Lucian would give me medication and then send me off to the beds of his seven different "buddies." They made a bet: "No protection allowed. Whoever gets her pregnant in a month owes Lucian two million dollars." A month later, I was indeed pregnant. The moment Lucian got the test results, he promptly arranged for an abortion. "Get rid of this kid, and we'll marry right away," he said. I slapped him hard, waving around the marriage certificate. "Get lost. Do not disturb the wedding between me and the baby's father."

---

"Miss Hoffman, it's not a stomach illness, nor did you eat something bad. You're pregnant." Dr. Lawrence's words echoed in my mind, refusing to fade. Pregnant? I was yet to be married and had barely shared a bed with a man, so how could I be pregnant? Clutching the test results, I was in turmoil. I had no idea how to break this news to Lucian with our wedding just a month away. Would he despise me for this? Would he call off the wedding entirely?

I was still reeling when I overheard Lucian talking to his buddies outside a private booth. "It's been a month. By rights, Liliana should be pregnant by now," one said. "Yeah, the timing seems right. Surely one of us succeeded," another replied. Lucian was there, a cigarette dangling from his fingers, Adrianna, his new personal assistant, perched on his lap. "Tomorrow, I'll take her to the clinic for a check-up," he continued.

My heart was pounding. What did they mean? I couldn't comprehend their conversation. Lucian went on, "If she's really pregnant, you all better be ready to fork over those two million." "Ha, two million each? Like any of us can't pay that?" one quipped. "Lucian, you're truly something else. Most would gamble with their wives; you've bet on your fiancée and the baby inside her," another chuckled. Lucian brazenly moved his hand under Adrianna's skirt. "What can I say? Life's been a dull pond these past few years. Just wanted to liven things up a bit."

Adrianna giggled playfully, "Lucian, are you going to put me through the same tomorrow?" Lucian grabbed her chin, "You? You're not even worthy to share my buddy's bed." His friends raised their glasses in excitement. "Exactly! Who else has a fiancée as stunning as Liliana? Lucian, you're willing to offer her up, and we won't forget your generosity." "Indeed, we agreed that our future wives should be treated the same way. Otherwise, you're out of our circle forever."

A chill ran down my spine; my legs began to tremble. These beasts had used me as a betting chip, and even my child. The worst part—the mastermind was my fiancé. My fingers clenched into fists. I was about to burst through that door and confront this pack of animals when a pair of large hands covered my mouth and dragged me into the adjoining booth.

I struggled violently. "Let go of me, right now! My fiancé is just in the next room."

"Are you sure he's still your fiancé?" Rhys Hoffman's warm breath tickled my ear, sending a chill down my spine.

It was him—Rhys Hoffman—one of Lucian Gonzales's so-called brothers.

I quickly turned, pressing my back against the wall. "Stay away from me. Don't come any closer."

He flicked a cigarette, glanced at my stomach, then stubbed it out in the ashtray.

"What? Shocked by what you heard?"

Not only was I shocked; I was furious.

I had known Lucian for fifteen years and dated him for five. When his family fell on hard times, I used my resources to help him back on his feet. Our wedding was set for next month, and now this?

He handed me over to someone else—seven others, to be exact?

I fought to maintain my composure. I needed to stay calm and find a way out through Rhys.

I pinched myself repeatedly to muster the courage to speak, only to remain silent again. Finally, as Rhys lounged on the sofa, he broke the silence.

"What do you want to know?"

I closed my eyes, hesitant to meet his gaze, but forced myself to speak.

"How did I end up with you? Why can't I remember anything?"

"Because Lucian drugged you, leaving you clueless. Each night, he personally brought you to our place and took you home before dawn."

"What kind of drug?"

I regretted asking as soon as the words left my mouth. What was I expecting?

"Why are you telling me all this? Aren't you worried about losing Lucian as a brother?"

Rhys chuckled softly. "Him, my brother? He doesn't deserve it, and besides..."

He rose slowly and pulled me onto his lap, his long legs sprawling beneath me. "And besides, the child you're carrying might be mine, so I..."

I slapped him hard. "Get lost!"

He didn’t flinch. Instead, he pinned my hands. "Liliana, you didn't feel anything the last few times. Want to experience it today...?"

I cut him off, driving my knee into his groin. He grimaced in pain and finally released me. But as I turned to leave, he murmured softly, "Do you want to ruin Lucian?"

As I pushed open the door to Lucian's private booth, Adrianna quickly slid off his lap. Lucian's shirt hung open, but thankfully the dim lighting obscured most of what was happening as he hastily zipped it up.

Those guys shot me curious looks, one of them chimed in, "Liliana, here to keep tabs on Lucian?"

"Relax," he continued with a sly grin, "we're keeping an eye on him. Nothing shady's happening."

Recalling what I'd overheard earlier, I slapped Lucian across the face. He looked furious, "What the hell was that for?"

I shook my hand out, feigning innocence, "Oh, nothing. A fly landed on your face."

Adrianna gasped, "Mr. Gonzales, are you okay? I'll fetch some ice."

I slapped her too, "Does it hurt? You can feel it for yourself."

She clutched her reddening cheek, tears brimming, "Miss Hoffman, why would you hit someone just like that?"

"Randomly?" I chuckled, fixing my gaze on her. "Do I strike you as someone who hits without cause? My hand only connects with liars and cheats."

She stomped her foot, pleading to Lucian, "Mr. Gonzales, you must defend me. I can't be slapped without reason."

Lucian pushed her aside and tenderly rubbed my hand, "Are you hurt?"

"Not at all," I said.

I slapped him two more times, left and right, in front of all his buddies. Finally, he lost his cool.

"Do you have to make a spectacle? Are you incapable of controlling your jealousy with so many of my friends around? Don’t I have any dignity left?"

Dignity? With so many of his 'friends' who had tangled with his fiancée? What dignity was he clinging to?

"Lucian, life's been a bit too dull and predictable. I was just spicing things up."

His expression shifted, "What are you implying?"

I smiled at him, "Nothing in particular. Just chatting."

As I left, I gave each of his friends a slap. "Apologies, if you feel like retaliating, just take it up with Lucian. After all, you're his closest pals."