JENETA'S POV.

I sat on the edge of my bed, my clothes soaked through, water dripping steadily onto the floor. The rain had gotten to me, outside and in. My father always said, "If the rain beats you outside, don’t let it beat you inside." But here I was, soaked to the core, not from the rain anymore, but from something much deeper. Even in the comfort of my bed, I felt like I was drowning and sinking into a hopeless, endless tide, and I wasn’t even fighting it.

Tears slid down my already wet cheeks, the salty sting burning my skin. I pressed my hand against my face, but the pain only made the sobs come harder, ripping through me until I folded to the floor. My arms wrapped tightly around my knees as I cried bitterly, shaking. Anger, humiliation, frustration. They all swirled inside me, like a storm I couldn’t contain. Why me? Why does every form of help come with a price so steep, it crushes me instead?

And his voice, his cruel yet smooth voice echoed in my head, stinging like an open wound.

"I can give you what you need. Ten thousand. A million. I can make you free from all your financial issues."

So easy for him to say, so easy for him to throw around those words and strip me of my dignity like it cost him nothing.

"How disgusting." I’d never forget the way his gaze hardened as he turned away. "I guess your romantic relationships offered you this much. Your career as a top model is dying. Think about it. What happens when everyone thinks you’re dating a billionaire? I can control the modeling industry for you. Or the visa? Just a little cash can keep you here as long as you like. I’m pretty sure romance doesn’t do that for you."

And then the dagger that twisted deep: "In detail, sex with no strings attached."

In all my years, no one had ever humiliated me like that. I’d been around the rich and the poor, brushed shoulders with all kinds of people, but this? This felt like he’d torn me open and laid my flaws bare for the world to see. Like I was a rag, worn and used, and he could see right through me, too clearly. He knew I was cornered, and he didn’t even hesitate to say it out loud.

At some point, I must’ve passed out, still dressed in my rain-soaked clothes. When I woke up, I was trembling, my body cold and aching. Stripping off the wet fabric, I stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash over me. It didn’t help much. The sting of his words clung to me like the rain had, impossible to scrub away.

After my shower, I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror, trying to pull myself together. I reached for my clothes and threw on something casual.

A cropped denim jacket with sharp cuffs that cinched just above my waist. Wide-legged pants cuffed at the ankle showed off the bright yellow flashes of my sneakers. The outfit was edgy, thrown together with purpose, even though I felt like a mess inside. My fingers tugged the belt tighter, grounding myself.

And then, there it was again. His name. Jinhai Liu. Just thinking of him made my skin tighten, like I was bracing for another blow. His voice still burned in my ears, smooth and cutting, replaying like a cursed melody. "I can give you what you need." I hated how fresh his words felt, like they’d been branded into my mind.

I blinked back the tears threatening to spill again. No. I wasn’t going to cry anymore. Not for him. Not for the way he stripped me down with his words, or the way his gaze dragged over me like I was something he could buy.

I snapped a quick photo of myself with my phone. The girl in the photo looked so nice and confident. Nothing like the broken person I felt like inside. But that girl was me too. She had to be.

I glanced at the green bag sitting on the floor, the one with my essentials, backup makeup, a few necessities. Today was going to be long. I had plans to meet some friends before picking Feifei up from school. I prayed I wouldn’t run into him. Jinhai Liu. But deep down, I knew better. He always had a way of showing up when I least wanted him to.

The day didn't start as planned, or as I thought. As I sat there, staring at Ivy, I couldn’t bring myself to answer her questions.

“Oh, Jenny, I heard you haven’t registered for the trip to Dubai. What’s going on? What happened?” Ivy asked.

I forced a smile, blinking as I scrambled for an excuse. I wasn’t even sure why I was searching for a reply. Ivy— she had taken my spot as Hua’s top model with ease, barely batting an eyelash. And now, here she was, acting like my friend.

The anger bubbled quietly beneath my skin, but I swallowed it down. I couldn’t say it. Couldn’t tell her that my career was in ruins, that I had no endorsements, no deals, no jobs just existing in the shadows, thanks to her. Was it her fault? No. Everyone wanted to shine. But it didn’t make it hurt any less.

"I have to babysit a kid for a friend," I said firmly, nodding as if I believed my own lie. "She trusted me, and I can’t let her down." It was partly true, but mostly, it was all I could come up with.

Ivy tilted her head, glancing at Wu Mei before looking back at me. "Babysitting? You’re skipping Dubai to babysit?" she asked, her disbelief evident.

I took a sip of my coffee, swallowing hard before answering. "Yeah. I am. What’s wrong with helping someone out?" I asked, meeting her gaze with a forced calm.

They exchanged looks, their pity almost suffocating. I turned my attention to the window, letting their chatter fade into the background until I heard the name I didn’t want to hear.

"Jinhai," Mei said, snapping my focus back to them.

Ivy gasped. "Are you serious?"

"Of course. Apparently, he came in yesterday," Mei continued. "Mrs Zhao said he’s buying Hua’s agency. Something about finding a ‘flower’ here he’s interested in."

"What?" I blurted out, my voice sharp. "Jinhai is buying Hua’s agency? You mean Jinhai Liu from the Liu family?"

Wu Mei nodded. "Yes, him. Why?"

The evening came quickly, and the weight of the day caught up with me as I spent time with Feifei. Exhaustion tugged at my body as I finally returned home, entering the apartment and cracking my neck to ease the tension. All I wanted was sleep.

But the moment I stepped into the living room. I froze. My brother and mother sat on the couch, their expressions cold. My gaze shifted to the table, where a bundle of money sat. Fifteen thousand dollars, at least.

I gasped, relief flooding me. "Did you sort it out?" I asked, moving closer, excitement bubbling in my chest as I reached for the papers on the table.

But my relief was short-lived. My bill wasn’t paid. Only theirs. My heart sank as I turned to Akachi, my voice trembling. "What about me? You still have money left. Why didn’t you pay mine?"

His silence confirmed it. They’d left me to fend for myself.

"Mom?" I calles softly, looking at her desperately.

She sighed, her voice heavy with disdain. "Jeneta, don’t be stupid. You think we’re going to wait for you to make money from that babysitting nonsense? But don’t worry, just make sure you pay us back."

"What? I should pay you back? Why? You didn't even pay for mine. Are you going to watch your daughter get sent away!" I screamed at the last sentence.

Her words hit like a slap, but the real slap came next, hard across my face. I stumbled, falling to the floor.

"I've been warning you. I told you I would hit you if you rise your voice in his house again. Is mom your mate?" I could hear every groan as he stepped on me continuously.

Pain exploded through me as Akachi’s foot connected with my abdomen. He didn’t stop. Kick after kick, the blows came relentlessly.

When they finally left, I crawled to my bedroom, my body aching and bruised. I sat on the floor, staring at my reflection in the mirror. The girl looking back at me was hollow and totally broken. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever been valued since the day my father died. No matter what I did, it was never enough.

Dragging myself to my feet, I stepped out into the rain. The downpour soaked me once more as I made my way to Jinhai’s mansion. From the gate, I saw a sleek black car parked in the driveway. And there he was, walking to the entrance under a wide umbrella held by another man. For a moment, I saw what my life could’ve been. The life I wanted.

Morals or value?