Chapter 2
Morning.
Jessica Cooper's eyes flustered open as sunlight filtered through the heavy curtains. Her temples throbbed, and the first thing she registered was a dull, insistent ache spreading across her body—sharp, unfamiliar soreness that made her wince when she tried to sit up.
She blinked slowly, her vision adjusting to the light.
Her gaze dropped.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She was… completely bare. Not even her underwear clung to her anymore.
Panic surged through her chest.
Yanking the soft sheets to cover herself, she sat up fully, trembling hands fisting the fabric tightly. Her gaze darted around the room. The large king-sized bed was a disheveled mess, and on the pristine white sheets, a vivid red stain screamed the truth she was trying so hard not to face. Clothes—hers and a man's—were strewn across the floor like careless afterthoughts.
Jessica's breathing quickened. She shook her head, her thoughts spiraling.
What the hell happened?
She had only attended last night's lavish banquet because her father insisted she make an appearance—"a good daughter must keep family ties strong."
But this… this was never supposed to happen.
How did I end up like this?
A cold sweat broke out on her back. Her mind raced to remember, but all she could see were flashes—wine, music, Chelsea's laughter, dizziness—and then, blackout.
Before she could process further, she froze.
Someone was in the room.
Sitting just across from the bed, facing the window, was a man with a sculpted back and damp hair, clearly fresh from a shower. He wasn't even startled by her sudden movement. Instead, his voice rang out in a tone so casual it burned.
"I hope that's enough for your service."
Jessica's eyes widened. Her face flushed in humiliation.
He thought… I was a prostitute?
Fury and disbelief shot through her veins like fire. Biting down her pride, she clutched the bedspread closer to her chest and scrambled to the edge of the bed, her legs nearly tangling in the sheets as she bent down to grab her crumpled dress from the floor.
He didn't look back. He didn't explain. Just sat there, as though this encounter meant nothing.
Without sparing him another glance, Jessica rushed into the bathroom and slammed the door behind her.
Inside, she leaned against the sink, gripping it tightly. The cold marble surface grounded her, if only barely. Her eyes stung as tears threatened to fall, but she clenched her jaw.
Not now. Don't cry now.
A few minutes passed.
When she stepped back out, dressed but hollow, the man was gone.
The silence in the room felt deafening.
Jessica's legs buckled beneath her, and she collapsed onto the floor, the bedspread still wrapped around her shoulders like a shield. All the emotions she had held in until that point crashed into her at once.
How could this have happened?
And then… Chelsea.
Her best friend. Her only friend.
She had been with her last night. She had to know something.
Jessica's eyes flicked toward the nightstand. Her phone.
She lunged for it, snatching it with trembling fingers and unlocking the screen. Her thumb hovered for a moment before she tapped on Chelsea's contact.
It rang once.
"Where are you?" Chelsea's voice rang through.
Jessica inhaled sharply. Her voice cracked. "You know where I am, right?"
There was a pause. Then came Chelsea's sharp, defensive tone.
"Are you trying to blame me? You were so drunk last night, Jess, you couldn't even tell east from west. I had no choice but to bring you to a suite that was specially prepared for you."
Specially prepared?
Jessica's lips parted in disbelief. Her grip on the phone tightened.
"You did all this because of Michael…" she whispered, then her voice rose with rage. "You could've just taken him if you wanted him that badly! You didn't have to set me up like this!"
On the other end of the call, Chelsea smirked. Jessica could hear it in her voice.
"Oh, gosh, shut up. Do you have any idea how much I hate that perfect little face of yours?" Chelsea snapped shamelessly. "If you can have Michael, why can't I?"
Jessica's chest burned.
Chelsea's words stabbed deeper with every syllable.
"And by the way…" Chelsea added casually, "I'm not the only one who set you up. So get that into your stupid brain."
Jessica's jaw clenched. She was shaking now—hurt, rage, betrayal. All at once.
"You I'll pay for this," she seethed, eyes hard. "Mark my words."
On the other end, Chelsea let out a mocking laugh. "Oh my gosh, I'm so scared."
Her tone shifted again, and this time it was deliberately cruel. "Michael and I are coming to 0 pin on someone having an affair."
Jessica's eyes widened in realization.
Her body snapped upright just as her phone dropped from her hand.
Seconds later—Bang!
The suite door flew open with force.
"Where's that bitch? Jessica!" Michael's voice echoed through the luxurious room.
Chelsea strutted in behind him, feigning a look of disgust. "Oh my gosh, Jessica—look at you."
Jessica was already seated calmly on the sofa in the living room, posture elegant, face blank. She had moved the moment she heard Michael's voice on the phone. Rearranged herself. Composed herself.
She had expected this ambush.
But there was no man to be found. No messy sheets. No evidence of their dirty fantasy catching her in the act. The room had reset—tidy, composed, quiet.
Michael's eyes darted around, his jaw clenched. He looked… disappointed.
"Done searching, scoundrels?" Jessica asked coolly, her voice cutting through the room like ice.
Chelsea's eyes narrowed.
Jessica leaned back slightly, her tone laced with venomous calm.
"I said—done searching?"
Michael's face twisted with frustration. "So you think you can just hide the man, right?!"
Jessica arched a brow, tilting her head. "Man? Hmm… How do you know there was a man here, Michael?"
Her words silenced the room for a beat. She watched him with a cold, curious stare—like she was seeing a stranger.
Chelsea fidgeted. "Michael, let's leave. I can't stay here any longer. If not… I might contract a disease or something."
Jessica let out a humorless chuckle.
"Oh, Chelsea. Always so graceful."
Michael gave Jessica one last look. "I need an explanation for this."
Jessica's expression didn't change. She simply watched them walk out.
As the door slammed behind them, Jessica leaned back into the sofa, her expression unreadable.
"Explanation?" she whispered under her breath.
Her eyes hardened.
Don't worry. I have lots for you.