Sera Monroe didn't even have time to figure out what was happening—she barely understood what the man had said—before everything hit her like a tidal wave…

It hurt.

But deep down, there was a secret, twisted joy blooming inside her.

Slowly, she reached out and wrapped her arms around the man on top of her…

'Was he... finally willing to touch her? Did this mean... he had forgiven her?'

But before she could think too much, her body pulled her under again…

When Sera finally woke up, it was already the next day.

Her cheeks flushed as memories of last night came rushing back. She barely had time to feel embarrassed before a cold voice cut through the silence.

"You're awake? Take this."

She turned her head. Elliot Monroe was already up, fully dressed like nothing had ever happened.

Without even looking at her, he tossed a small box onto the bed.

"What's this?" she asked, confused.

Her heart sank the moment she read the label.

Birth control pills.

"Why?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Hadn't he forgiven her? Didn't last night mean anything?

"Why? Don't play dumb," Elliot said, his eyes like ice, his words dripping with sarcasm.

She was supposed to know. Right—he'd told her before.

She wasn't good enough to be the mother of his child.

A bitter taste filled her mouth. Looking back, last night suddenly felt like nothing but a cruel joke.

"I get it," she said.

She tightened her grip on the box, then loosened it, popped out a pill, and swallowed it in one go.

"There. Happy now?

"Or do you wanna sit here and watch me digest it too, just to be sure?"

She looked up at him, her face calm, like she'd just taken a piece of candy, not a pill that crushed her soul.

Elliot's face twisted even more, his voice laced with venom.

"Great. Perfect. That's exactly what I wanted.

"Since you're being so damn cooperative, you've saved me the trouble."

Without another word, he turned and walked out.

But then he stopped at the door, glanced back with a warning in his voice.

"Last night was the final time. If you ever try to set me up again... you really don't wanna find out what happens when you piss me off."

Sera felt like something exploded inside her head.

Set him up?

Wait…

She suddenly remembered the honey tea.

And everything that felt... off about him last night.

Her heart dropped.

Martha Whitmore had been the Monroe family's housekeeper forever. And the only person who could order Martha around—besides Elliot—was Madam Monroe.

It made sense. Madam Monroe had been desperate for a great-grandchild for years.

But when she pulled this move... did she ever stop to think about how it would affect Sera?

Three years ago, it was the same story. She'd brought Elliot a cup of honey tea, and everything changed after that.

She found out later that the tea had been spiked—with two kinds of specially mixed liquor designed to mess with someone's head.

And to make sure it couldn't be detected, the alcohol flavor had been completely masked.

After that, Elliot saw her as nothing but a manipulative schemer.

And now, Madam Monroe had used her again. Same trick, same tea.

How the hell was she supposed to face him now?

This time... Elliot would probably hate her even more.

Sera bit down hard on her lip. A sharp metallic taste filled her mouth as blood slowly trickled down her chin…

And dripped onto the white bedsheet, blooming like a twisted red flower.

Just then, her phone started ringing.

She blinked, shook herself out of the daze, and answered, "Chloe? What's going on?"

Chloe Lane's voice was quick and panicked on the other end.

"Sera, it's bad. Something happened at the company."

Sera's expression changed instantly. She threw off the covers and tried to get out of bed.

But the second she stood, her legs gave out beneath her.

"Ugh…" she gasped, biting back a groan.

"Sera? What was that? Are you okay?" Chloe asked, alarmed.

"I'm fine. Just banged my knee, that's all. Tell me what's happening at the company."

Sera pushed through the pain, quickly pulling herself together as she got dressed.

"It's the quarry. There was an accident. Some of the workers didn't make it, and now their families have shown up—along with a bunch of reporters.

"It's a mess. You need to get down here, fast."

The Monroe Group's jewelry empire ran deep—from quarrying to cutting, designing to selling—they owned the whole damn chain. The Monroes weren't just rich. They were royalty in the jewelry world.

And now the quarry—the very root of it all—was in trouble.

Sera's stomach twisted. Something felt off. But her voice stayed calm.

"Hold them off. I'm on my way."

She hung up and rushed to the company.

When she arrived at the front entrance, she immediately spotted Elliot Monroe, surrounded by angry families and a swarm of reporters.

His face was like stone, jaw clenched tight. He looked like he was one second away from losing it.

Sera took a deep breath, steadied herself, and started walking toward him.

Suddenly, something flashed—bright and fast—right in front of her eyes.

She turned her head, instincts kicking in, and saw someone in the crowd.

Holding a knife.

Their eyes were locked on Elliot, burning with rage.

Sera's heart stopped.

No time to think.

She threw herself forward, screaming,

"Look out!"