Chapter 1

My boyfriend was absolutely crazy about his cars, practically calling them his 'wifey'.

I respected his passion and rarely interfered.

Until one day, I overheard him and his friends playing a twisted game of 'sharing their prized possessions.'

On the huge screen in front of them, my most private videos were playing, a rotating loop of every angle, posture, and expression imaginable.

His friend scoffed, "Ryan, Celeste's shy little act was novel for a bit, but honestly, it's getting stale."

Ryan just shrugged it off, a dismissive smirk on his face, clearly unbothered.

"Just a girl, right? Nowhere near as thrilling as a sports car. Whatever."

But the moment Jake suggested he record some private footage of Tiffany, Ryan instantly snapped, throwing a punch.

The private room was filled with my moans, and outside the door, my face went ghost-white.

Ryan's friend picked at his teeth with a toothpick, bored.

"Dude, Celeste is so boring. It's the same few positions over and over, like a plank of wood."

"Honestly, this 'holier-than-thou' act gets old fast. Even I couldn't get it up watching this, which is saying something."

A chorus of derisive laughter filled the room, their contempt blatant.

Ryan didn't argue. He just grinned, utterly unbothered, not refuting a word they said.

"Alright, alright, at least you got something to watch. Don't say I'm not good to you guys. If it weren't for this game, I wouldn't even touch her. She's just a plain-looking, ordinary girl, not even as exciting as my car."

His friend raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on his lips.

"You haven't been 'active' in ages, yet you've got this hot bombshell always around. Aren't you tempted? If you ask me, you and Tiffany should give it a shot. You could even record some videos and share some 'perks' with us guys, spice things up a bit!"

Ryan, who had been so nonchalant moments before, suddenly stiffened when he heard Tiffany's name.

His face darkened like a storm cloud. He didn't even think, just lunged forward and landed a punch square on his friend's face.

The force was so great that a tooth went flying.

"Don't you dare come up with anything twisted for our own friends! If I catch any of you with those disgusting thoughts again, don't blame me when I lose it!"

The other friends were startled and quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Hey, calm down. They're just girls, right? You weren't even this mad when you shared your *own* girlfriend's videos. He just mentioned it, no need to ruin our friendship."

Ryan shook his hand out, his voice laced with menace.

"Are good friends and girlfriends the same thing? If you can't even stick up for your own, what kind of friends are you? I'm warning you, when it comes to me, Tiffany ranks above all of you!"

His friends immediately sobered up, nodding frantically and promising to behave.

Ryan then reverted to his usual rogueish demeanor.

"My girlfriend's coming to pick me up soon. Shut those videos off, and don't say anything stupid! She's super innocent, she wouldn't understand this kind of game."

I gasped for air, like I was drowning, tears streaming uncontrollably down my face.

Even digging my nails into my palms until they bled couldn't alleviate an ounce of the searing pain in my heart.

I could only clutch my rapidly constricting chest, leaning on the wall as I stumbled away.

Veins popped out on my neck, barely visible beneath my skin.

The distinctive red mole at the corner of my eye, a symbol of my family, pulsed a deeper crimson.

Ryan didn't know I wasn't some ordinary girl.

I was born into a notorious family of troublemakers. Everyone in my family was drop-dead gorgeous, naturally born with a touch of darkness—cold, ruthless, and utterly insane.

I was the only anomaly in the family, born sweet and gentle, with a delicate, understated beauty.

My bloodline would only awaken under extreme stress or shock.

My family, hoping I'd eventually embrace their nature, sent me out into the world from a young age to toughen me up.

Ryan was the one I chose. He was famous for loving cars more than women.

So, in a way, I deliberately put myself through this challenge.

But after spending so much time with him, I genuinely fell in love.

I even thought, maybe I wouldn't go home.

I could stay like this, with my current looks and identity, and be with him forever.

But in the end, he broke my heart.

I found that old, dusty phone number, my fingers trembling.

"Julian, I'm coming home. Give me three days."