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."

Lucian hurried after me, apologizing, "Lily, what's going on today? Is it about Adrianna?"

"Don't let her bother you. It's all part of the social game. Everyone goes along with it, and if I don't, I'll be the odd one out, and then they'll exclude me from their plans."

"You remember how it was when my family went under. It was awful, and everyone looked down on me. I can't go through that again."

"I can't lose these friends who help me stay afloat financially."

He recalled the tough times but conveniently forgot that I was the one who pulled him out of the mess.

I wanted nothing more than to knock him off his pedestal right then but held back.

I'd let him take the plunge from his so-called high position.

After all, the bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Early the next morning, he showed up at my door.

"Lily, didn't you say you weren't feeling well yesterday? Let's go see the doctor."

I didn't say no. I wanted to see what he was scheming.

At the clinic, Dr. Lawrence beamed with congratulations.

"Pregnant! Four weeks along. Congratulations!"

"Pregnant?"

The barely concealed rage on Lucian's face was Oscar-worthy.

He hustled me into the car.

"Explain this! When did you cheat on me? Who's the guy?"

I shook my head, tears spilling down my cheeks. "I don't know. I really don't."

"How can that be?"

He gripped my shoulders, shaking me. "You were with someone; how could you just forget?"

"Liliana, I never knew you could be this brazen."

His anger grew. "Yesterday, you flipped out over a meaningless affair with Adrianna, and today you pull this stunt. Lily, you've surpassed yourself."

I kept crying. "Don't ask. I really can't remember who it might be. There seem to be many, but it's all a blur."

A flash of panic crossed his face. "How many can you remember?"

Jerk. Low-life.

I shook my head again. "I really don't remember. Lucian, please stop asking."

He clenched his fists, took a deep breath, then slowly pulled me into his arms.

"It's okay, we can fix this mistake together. Then we'll go back to how things used to be."

"No way!"

I shouted, "Lucian, I'm not good enough for you now. I can't marry you. Let's call off the wedding."

His eyes widened in panic. "Cancel the wedding? We can't. I promised, no matter what happens, no matter how you let me down, I will forgive you."

"Lily, just get rid of the baby, give me all the shares your parents left you, and I'll forgive you."

"I won't breathe a word of this. We'll keep it under wraps."

"Really?"

I asked, tears streaking my face, "You won't hold this against me?"

"If you agree to my terms, I won't."

I immediately got out of the car. "Alright, let's get this sorted out now."