Gillian's breath caught in her throat, and she froze, not daring to make a sound.

Next to her, Luke's lips twisted into a sly, knowing smile.

Outside, Ashton's suspicion sharpened. The cough had sounded just like Gillian's—there was no mistaking it.

And this was the men's room. If she was here, what could she possibly be doing?

Driven by suspicion, Ashton began kicking open each stall door, his voice rising with impatience. "Come out! Is that you in there? What are you doing here?"

One after another, the doors flew open.

Inside the last stall, Gillian fumbled to fix her dress, panic rising, but Luke's grip stayed firm, holding her close.

He leaned in, his mouth grazing her ear, voice a mocking whisper. "What's the matter? Didn't you just have all the courage in the world?"

His warm breath sent shivers down her spine, her thoughts dissolving into frantic fear.

The footsteps closed in. If Ashton discovered her here, everything would come crashing down—her engagement, her family's last hope, her entire reputation.

While Gillian tried to steady her nerves, a loud crash sounded as Ashton slammed his foot into their stall door.

Finding it locked, he pounded on it again, his face thunderous. "Who's in there? Open up—now!"

Gillian's whole body shook, her heart pounding so hard it hurt.

Luke reached for the latch, making a show of opening the door.

Reality crashed over Gillian as she lunged for Luke's arm, whispering desperately, "Don't open it!"

Her voice broke as she pleaded, trying to keep her tears in check. "Please—don't let Ashton see. I'll do whatever you want. Just help me."

Luke arched a brow, clearly enjoying her distress. "Anything at all?"

Fighting back sobs, Gillian nodded, her eyes shining with humiliation.

"That's more like it." Luke's tone was almost gentle as he brushed a kiss against her damp cheek, his gaze laced with mischief. "It's a simple deal, really. You become mine—whenever I want you, you'll come running. That's the price."

Shock widened Gillian's eyes. The idea was unthinkable—how could he demand this, especially being Ashton's own cousin?

She instinctively wanted to refuse, but the sound of another violent kick against the stall door sent her panic spiraling.

With her heart thundering, she blurted out, "Fine. I'll do it. Just please—don't let him find out."

Luke smiled, satisfied. "Good. We have an understanding."

But just then, the stall door flew open with a jarring crash.

Gillian's whole body went rigid, certain that everything was about to unravel.

But before she could react, Luke slipped his jacket over her head, shielding her face from view.

Ashton's startled voice filled the cramped space. "Luke?"

"How dare you!" Luke's reply was icy, every word brimming with authority. "You've got some nerve barging in here."

"S-sorry, Luke—I didn't realize you were here. I just... I thought I heard something, and I was looking for my fiancee..." Ashton stammered, a nervous sweat breaking out across his brow.

He had always been uneasy around Luke. Now, faced with his elder cousin's cold glare, his knees nearly gave out.

"Maybe focus on keeping an eye on your own fiancee, instead of interfering in my affairs," Luke scoffed, positioning himself in front of Gillian, who stayed hidden under his coat. "Now get out."

There was no mistaking the warning in his voice. Ashton didn't dare to argue—he made a quick, clumsy exit.

He never would have imagined his usually distant cousin would pull a stunt like this at a family gathering. What sort of woman, he wondered, could get under Luke's skin this way?

Suspicion never crossed his mind that it could be Gillian—surely, she'd never have the nerve and everything.

Beneath the protective cover of Luke's jacket, Gillian barely dared to breathe.

Only after Ashton's footsteps faded did she finally gather herself, scrambling to pull on her scattered clothes, desperate to make an escape.

Before she could slip away, Luke caught her by the wrist and pulled her into his arms, his voice rich with playful mockery. "Leaving already? Didn't even say thank you, you little ingrate."

She bit down hard on her lip, voice still unsteady. "What more do you want from me?"

Luke leaned in, his tone dark and smooth. "Now that we've struck a deal, shouldn't you at least show a little gratitude?"

Gillian's entire body tensed, but she steeled herself and pressed a soft, fleeting kiss to his lips.

He seemed amused, finally letting her go. With a satisfied smirk, he straightened his clothes and sauntered out of the stall.

Gillian wasted no time cleaning herself up and smoothing her dress. When she was certain no one was watching, she darted out and slipped quietly into the nearest lounge.

Almost at once, her phone rang—Ashton's name on the screen. His voice was sharp with annoyance. "Where have you been? Do you know how long I've been looking? This is my family's party—you're not the Brown princess here, so stop acting like one. I told you to stay by my side and toast the guests, but you disappeared."

"I'm sorry, Ashton," Gillian replied smoothly, a practiced apology on her lips. "I must've had too much to drink and fell asleep in the lounge. It won't happen again."

He didn't seem suspicious—just irritated. His tone was clipped as he ordered her to come downstairs immediately.

Unable to settle her nerves, Gillian made her way downstairs and obediently took her place beside Ashton, ready to say whatever it took to smooth things over. But before she could speak, her attention snapped to the sight of Ashton and Luke's grandfather, Kenneth Moore, his voice booming with anger as he chastised Luke in front of everyone.

Gillian froze where she stood.

"You're growing more out of control by the day! We have guests waiting, and you can't even be bothered to make an appearance? This is a family party, Luke—have some respect!" Kenneth's sharp gaze swept over Luke, and then paused, his frown deepening as he spotted the marks on his neck. "What's that? Did you get tangled up with some woman?"

Luke simply lowered his eyes, his tone cool and dismissive. "Just having a little fun, that's all."

Kenneth let out an exasperated sigh, his frustration mounting. "Fun—always fun! How long do you expect me to keep waiting for you to grow up?"

Turning to Ashton and Gillian, Kenneth's tone shifted, loaded with expectation. "You refuse to take charge of the company or settle down. Look at Ashton—he's three years younger than you, already engaged, and his fiancee actually knows how to behave in public! But you? All you do is waste time with god-knows-who."

Luke's gaze flickered over to Gillian, a slow, mischievous smile spreading across his face. "Ashton's fiancee is certainly... remarkable."

Luke deliberately emphasized the word "remarkable." In his eyes, Gillian became irresistible in the heat of passion.

Neither Ashton nor Kenneth sensed that anything was off, but Gillian's complexion turned ghostly.

Luke's gaze bored into her, so intense it made her want to shrink away.

Yet escape wasn't an option. Any sudden move or hint of anxiety might tip off the Moore family, and that thought held her in place.

Determined not to betray herself, Gillian pulled her lips into a careful smile, ready to offer a polite reply. Before she could utter a word, Luke cut in, "She's a little too fragile for my taste, though. Can't quite keep up."

A surge of cold dread went through Gillian, draining every bit of color from her face.

What game was Luke playing at now? Was he about to spill everything?

Terror clawed at her chest. Every instinct told her to silence him, to stop his reckless words, but she didn't dare to even glance up for fear he'd catch her eye and start taunting her.

Ashton's brow creased with suspicion. "What are you getting at, Luke?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Luke grinned, mischief flickering in his eyes. "She's clinging to you, looking like she might faint any second. That's the image of a delicate girl if I've ever seen one."

Only then did Ashton realize how pale Gillian looked, her fingers ice-cold against his skin.

"She's probably still feeling the effects from drinking too much earlier," Ashton said quickly. "She hasn't bounced back yet."

In front of Kenneth, Ashton spoke with quiet concern, his words gentle and reassuring. "If you're really not feeling well, I'll take you home now, alright? You have work tomorrow, don't you?"

Gillian managed a stiff nod. "Alright."

Kenneth offered a few words of concern and let Ashton lead her out.

With her gaze fixed on the floor, Gillian followed Ashton, a sense of discomfort prickling beneath her skin.

In the car, Ashton barely looked at her. He drove in silence, cold and distant, showing none of the warmth he displayed in public.

Before, Gillian might have tried to say something to lighten the mood or win him over. Now, after learning how he truly felt about her—and everything that had happened—she had no desire to reach out.

Back in her room, Gillian hurried straight to the bathroom.

Red marks stood out on her skin in the harsh light. She silently thanked herself for wearing a long dress with sleeves that day. If she had worn anything less, those bruises would have been on full display.

Luke's hands on her waist, the rough way he bit and kissed her everywhere—those memories made her shiver.

There were still faint stains of blood on her underwear, and even a gentle touch sent sharp pain through her body. She turned the water on as hot as she could stand and scrubbed her skin repeatedly.

The more she thought about Luke, the angrier she became. She swore she'd never let herself fall into his arms again.

The red welts stared back at her from the mirror, and Gillian's hands balled into fists.

Without a second thought, she grabbed her phone and scheduled a hymen repair surgery.

Her family's company remained in limbo, anxiously awaiting financial backing from Moore Group.

Because of that uncertainty, Gillian had no choice but to keep up the appearance of her engagement, even knowing full well that Ashton wanted nothing to do with her.

Once the tension eased a little, she stretched out on her bed, hoping for a bit of peace. Just as she reached to power down her phone, a new notification flashed across the screen.

A friend request had appeared from someone with a blank, jet-black profile picture. The name attached was simple—just "Luke."

Her heart skipped a beat when she saw it, and she found herself staring at the screen, breath coming a little faster.

Without a second thought, she ignored the friend request, shut off her phone, and tossed it aside. Exhaustion pulled her under, and she soon drifted off to sleep.

By the time morning came, Gillian had already messaged her department, telling them she needed the day off. She didn't go to the hospital where she worked. Instead, she drove to a medical facility known for strict privacy, high fees, and a solid reputation.

This hospital had quietly gained prestige and was now giving the city's top medical centers a run for their money.

With a mask covering her face, Gillian kept her head down and took a seat in the lounge, waiting patiently for her number to be called.

She barely had time to settle in before overhearing two nurses whispering nearby. One grinned and said, "Did you see that airline captain earlier? He looked like he stepped right out of a magazine. I heard we're doing physicals for civil aviation now, and honestly, his abs were worth the extra work."

"Shush, he's coming this way!" the other whispered in alarm.

Gillian glanced up, just as a handful of tall men strode out of the exam rooms.

At the front of the group walked a man who commanded attention without even trying. The crisp white shirt and tailored black slacks did nothing to hide his powerful frame—broad shoulders, lean waist, and impossibly long legs that made him look every bit the part.

Gillian's breath caught as she recognized him right away. That face was unmistakable. It was Luke.

Her thoughts spun out of control.

Instinctively, she pressed her hands together so tightly that her knuckles turned white, desperately hoping to vanish before he noticed her.

They hadn't spoken much in the past, but Luke's reputation preceded him. She had heard more than enough rumors about his cold, unyielding ways.

The idea of Luke learning she was here for something as private as hymen repair sent a chill down her spine.

Before she could think of a way to slip out unnoticed, a nurse rushed in, waving a medical form and calling out, "Patient No. 7! Gillian—"

Luke froze the moment he heard her name. His brow creased, and he spun around.

Gillian's thoughts vanished in a rush of panic, but her body took over on its own.

She shot to her feet and strode over, lowering her voice as she cut off the nurse. "That's me. I'm patient number seven," she said.

Although the nurse looked at her with confusion, she kept quiet and waved for Gillian to come into the exam room.

With her head lowered, Gillian sneaked a glance toward Luke. Her fingers curled into her palms so tightly her nails left marks.

Thankfully, Luke simply threw her a glance before looking away. It seemed he hadn't recognized her.

Relief swept through her, and she let out a quiet breath.

Inside the room, the nurse handed her some paperwork. After Gillian filled it out, the nurse nodded toward the exam table behind the curtain and told her to lie down. Then the nurse stepped out to call for the doctor and begin preparations for the pre-surgery checkup.

Gillian lay back, nerves twisting inside her, and gripped the bedsheet so hard her knuckles turned white.

Minutes crawled by until finally, she heard footsteps approach.

A tall figure stepped in, dressed in a white coat with his face hidden behind a mask and glasses. He glanced at the chart and looked down at her. His voice was cold and flat. "Miss Gillian Brown? You're here for hymen restoration surgery, right?"

Gillian's anxiety grew sharper once she realized the doctor was a man.

"That's right, but is there a woman doctor available?" she asked, voice tight.

He let out a quiet laugh. "There aren't any female doctors on duty today. If you want to wait, you'll have to come back next week."

Gillian pressed her teeth into her lip until she tasted blood.

A week felt endless, and the thought of Luke saying something about what happened between them made her stomach twist.

Gillian forced herself to accept the situation, swallowing her nerves as she nodded. "Alright. Just get it over with."

He snapped the folder shut and answered with a brisk, "Go ahead and undress."

Even though her skin prickled under his stare, she turned away and slowly lifted her dress, slipping out of her black lace underwear with trembling hands.

The doctor kept his eyes fixed on her, his expression unreadable.

As soon as she settled back on the table, shaking all over, he pulled on gloves and reached out for her thigh.

Rubber fingertips, icy against her skin, sent a shiver down her spine. Instinct took over, and she pressed her knees together.

He let out a dry laugh. "I can't do much if you're locking your legs like that."

Something about his voice stirred a strange sense of familiarity, but she couldn't quite place where she'd heard it before.

Clenching her jaw, she forced herself to open her legs, even though every nerve screamed at her to stop.

His cold touch grazed a tender spot, and a mocking noise slipped out from behind his mask. "That's some swelling. Looks like you've had quite the night."

Frozen with embarrassment, Gillian's whole body tensed, pain mixing with a humiliating tingle right where he touched her.

It was obvious the swelling was from what happened with Luke the previous night. Was it really still this bad after so many hours? The jerk.

Annoyance bubbled up inside Gillian. She turned her face away, praying the exam would finish fast so they could get on with the surgery and put this ordeal behind her.

The doctor showed no signs of stopping, his finger moving with deliberate slowness. "So, have you been seeing a lot of action lately?" he asked.

A foreign kind of discomfort made her whole body tense, though, to her shame, her body still reacted under his touch.

Her breath came faster. Desperate to keep some dignity, she tried to squirm away from his hand. "That isn't any of your business, is it?"

The doctor pressed a palm to her abdomen, keeping his voice perfectly steady. "It actually is. Before surgery, I need to ask about your recent activity. If we skip these questions, any complications would be on your head, not mine."

Although Gillian was a doctor herself, she'd never rotated in gynecology and didn't know exactly what to expect.

Even so, she recognized that these questions were necessary before the procedure. Since he kept things strictly professional, she forced herself to bear the discomfort and answered, stiff as a board, "No, it's not a regular thing. Only happened once."

He raised his eyebrows, probing deeper. "How many partners have you ever had? And was it always safe?"

Gillian sucked in a breath, and then answered quietly, "Just one, and as far as I know, it wasn't violent."

A deep, quiet laugh rumbled from his chest. "Is that so? Funny, I figured someone like you had plenty of options. But it turns out I'm the only one. Planning to hurry through this surgery so you can chase after Ashton and land a wedding ring?"

Gillian's heart skipped a beat as he peeled off his mask and glasses, finally revealing his face.

"Luke!" she cried out, stunned.