Chapter 1

"First time?" The man's voice was hoarse. It was pitch-black in the room, and Alexia Vega couldn't see his face. She stammered, "Yes." "Be a good girl, now. I'll take responsibility for this." With that, he began kissing her fiercely. Tears streamed down Alexia's cheeks. As she was about to defend herself, Hailey's warning echoed in her head. "If you sleep with the man in that room, your mother's hospital bills will be taken care of. If not, she's as good as dead!" Alexia gave up the fight and closed her eyes, accepting her fate in fear and humiliation. Finally, the man was satisfied. He took off the necklace around his neck and put it around hers. "Put it on, and I'll marry you." The next morning, Alexia left the hotel and returned to the Vega residence. Bobby Vega, Maya Kramer, and Hailey Vega were talking sullenly in the living room. The moment Alexia stepped in, Hailey's expression darkened, and she strode over. With a loud smack, she struck Alexia's cheek. "You didn't show up at the hotel last night. Where the fuck did you go?" Hailey yelled angrily. Alexia replied in pain, "What do you mean?" "Carter Walsh waited for you the entire night, but you stood him up! How dare you try to trick me, you bitch?!" Hailey roared. Alexia frowned. "That's impossible. I got to the hotel at 10:00 pm. The man was still in bed when I left this morning." "How dare you lie to us! I'm gonna rip your face right off!" Hailey glared at Alexia in hatred. Then, she tore at Alexia's shirt collar, exposing the hickeys on her neck. "You're disgusting!" Hailey yelled. Alexia was overwhelmed with embarrassment. She held back her tears, putting her clothes back into place. Just then, a rotund figure walked toward them. He looked to be about 50 years of age. He was bald, and he donned a leather jacket, his face shining with grease. Bobby stood up hurriedly. "Mr. Walsh. What brings you here?" Carter Walsh's fury was unmistakable. "I suppose you have a death wish, Bobby Vega! How dare you lie to me? I waited in that hotel the whole night and your daughter never showed up. So, tell me, do you really want to die that badly?" When Alexia heard that, it was like she had been struck by lightning. She bit her lip, her face growing pale. So, that was Carter Walsh! Who was the man who had slept with her last night, then? Carefully, Bobby said, "I wouldn't dare to lie to you, Mr. Walsh. There was a small mishap last night. I'm the one at fault here. I'll make it up to you. I'll give you whatever you want." Carter snorted in satisfaction. He glanced at Hailey, who took one glance at him and instantly felt the urge to throw up. She ducked behind her mother. Then, Carter spotted Alexia standing next to her. Alexia had a beautiful, delicate face. Even without makeup on, she was an ethereal beauty. If she had makeup on, her face would be out of this world. She was much, much prettier than Hailey. Carter couldn't even see straight after looking at her. Maya got it at once. "Mr. Walsh, this is my eldest daughter, Alexia. She's never had a boyfriend her entire life, so she's still a virgin." Carter nodded. "I happen to not have a wife, so we are meant to be. Well, how about this? I'll marry her in two weeks' time." With that, he turned on his heels and left. Bobby's expression shifted at once. "Did you hear that? Get yourself ready. You'll be marrying him in two weeks," he said to Alexia. "No!" Alexia said, her chest heaving. Maya grumbled at her. "You slept with a stranger last night. You're used goods now. Who would want someone like you? Mr. Walsh might be unsightly, but he's rich. Once you marry him, you'll be decked out in jewels. You'll be a wealthy lady." Hailey had a hand over her mouth as she smiled in glee. "That's right, sis. You're damaged goods. You're lucky that someone even wants you." Bobby chimed in crossly as well. "It's already a miracle that you're marrying rich. Don't be an ungrateful brat! Also, I've transferred your mother to another hospital. If you don't marry him, I'll stop paying for her bills and you can stop even wanting to see her." Tears rolled down Alexia's cheek. She swiped them away. She was his daughter, too. How could he play favorites to this extent? First, he'd used her as Hailey's substitute to sleep with the man. Now, he was marrying her off to some nasty old guy, and he was even using her mother's life to threaten her into it. Bobby was annoyed by her silence. "Get the fuck out of here if you refuse to marry him. Don't be an eyesore." Alexia squeezed her eyes shut and gritted her teeth. "I'll marry him!" Nothing in this world mattered to her more than her mother. She didn't want to stay here for another second. She spun on her heels and left. She went into her room and took her clothes off. When she saw the necklace, she stopped and stared in stunned silence. Who was the man last night? She took the necklace off and put it on her dresser. Then, she turned and went into the bathroom. Just as she did that, Hailey stepped into the room. With her sharp eyes, she spied the necklace at once. Goodness. What a beautiful necklace! Hailey's eyes gleamed. She bounded over and put the necklace around her neck, leaving the room in satisfaction. She had only just walked out of the house when a man dressed in a suit and leather shoes walked over. "Ms. Vega, please follow us. Mr. Reed would like to see you." Hailey was stunned. Before she could speak, he forced her toward a black car under a tree. The door opened, and a man's voice sounded. "I've found you!" Hailey looked over. He was dressed in a black suit, and he had chiseled features. He radiated nobility and grace. She had never seen such a handsome man before in her life. She was stunned. Calvin Reed glanced at her necklace, his eyes glimmering. "I told you last night that I would take responsibility for this. That necklace was my promise." Hailey was dazed. What about last night? What about responsibility? She'd taken this necklace from Alexia. Could it be that this was the man she'd slept with last night? "It was your first time. Hence, I'm planning to marry you. The ceremony will be in two weeks' time."