Chapter 1
Christina Steele awoke with a searing pain, as though her body had been run over by a truck. Her surroundings were unfamiliar, and as she turned to her side, she froze. A man’s face—handsome, yet distant—stared back at her.
Her heart skipped a beat, the shock overwhelming her as she tried to comprehend the situation. Her mind raced as she recalled the events of the previous night.
Right… I was drugged at the graduation party… I must have wandered into his room while trying to escape.
The man lay still, deep in sleep. Christina winced, her body aching as she carefully climbed out of bed, trying not to disturb him. The floor was in disarray, her clothes torn and scattered. A helpless sigh escaped her as she reluctantly slipped on his white shirt, its fabric too large, and silently exited the room.
Shortly after she left, Nathaniel Hadley woke up. His eyes narrowed as he surveyed the room, noticing her absence immediately. The disorder, along with the bloodstain on the bedsheet, confirmed what he had feared: he had spent the night with a woman.
Ever since a life-altering accident five years ago, Nathaniel had become allergic to women—no one could even come close to him without triggering an immediate reaction. The rumors about his inability to continue the family legacy had spread, and the situation had only worsened with time. But last night… it felt like a scientific miracle.
Without hesitation, he grabbed his phone and dialed his assistant. “Get here now.”
Sebastian Taggart arrived promptly. Nathaniel was already dressed and looking every bit the businessman he was.
“Check the surveillance footage. I want to know everything about the woman who was in my room last night,” Nathaniel ordered.
Sebastian was caught off guard. “Woman?”
Nathaniel’s voice hardened. “Is there a problem?”
Sebastian froze. His mind raced. But Mr. Hadley couldn’t—he was allergic! After years of treatments, nothing had worked. How could he have… slept with a woman?
“Of course not,” Sebastian stammered, but the doubt was evident in his eyes. He quickly left to carry out the task.
“Also,” Nathaniel called, “tell Mr. Lozowski to come to my office. Now.”
Meanwhile, Christina returned to Scenic Garden Manor around nine in the morning. As she walked through the courtyard, she noticed the housekeepers cleaning, and her stomach tightened. She had spent the night out. Rumors were bound to spread.
As she debated whether to avoid them, the butler approached.
“Ah, you’re back!” he greeted, his tone neutral.
“Yeah,” Christina replied, trying to sound casual.
“What happened to your clothes?” he asked, his gaze lingering on the oversized shirt.
“Oh, it’s a new purchase, the latest design,” Christina said, tugging at the collar. “What do you think? Looks good, right?”
She stood confidently, hoping to dissuade any further questions. The shirt, though large, was just long enough to cover her thighs, exposing only her slender calves. The butler nodded, seemingly satisfied, and said no more.
Christina made her way upstairs, her mind still racing. The butler stood still, watching her retreat into her room before quietly making his way to a secluded corner of the manor.
Inside her room, Christina wasted no time. She sank into the warmth of the bathtub, hoping to ease the soreness in her body. She clenched her fists, muttering under her breath.
“Whoever did this to me will pay…” Her thoughts were interrupted as she recalled the man she had shared the night with. A frown tugged at her lips.
No. I can’t let this spiral out of control. My husband, whom I’ve never met, is coming back soon. If he finds out I’ve been with another man, it’ll be a disaster for me and my family.
The sound of a knock at the door broke her thoughts.
“Ma’am?”
“Yes?” she responded, sitting up straighter in the tub.
“Mr. Hadley’s—”
“He’s back?” The tension in Christina’s body was immediate. “So soon?”
