This fight wasn’t like before. It was a big fight—a huge one—with your boyfriend Arthur, and it was really getting on your nerves. All over something small. First, he got jealous, then he started yelling. You stayed with him only because he was rich. You came from a poor family—but not that poor. You just needed to stay with Arthur long enough to pay for your sister’s cancer treatment.

Arthur slammed you against the wall and slapped you. His hands twisted in your hair and yanked you toward him. He was breathing heavily. The adrenaline was rushing through your veins, your heart pounding in your throat.

Just as he was about to slap you again, you opened your eyes wide. His hand froze mid-air—because his older brother, William, had opened the door and saw you both.

For a moment, the world stopped.

Arthur let go of you instantly and you collapsed to the ground, pain shooting through your knees. Slowly, you opened your eyes and looked up.

You were face to face with Arthur’s older brother—the most powerful businessman in the world. A man so cold, he could freeze a room with just his stare. Maybe even the sun.

Arthur muttered a curse under his breath and ran a hand through his hair. “Ah… Brother, stay out of this, for fu—”

William didn’t let him finish. He gently took your arm and helped you up.

With a deep, masculine coldness in his voice, William said, “You’re lucky you’re my brother. Otherwise, I’d ruin you. What, you think a girl’s a toy? You hit her whenever you lose your temper?”

William’s deep eyes widened just slightly, and then he took a long breath, looking at you. His expression softened.

“Are you okay?” he asked more gently this time, trying to seem calm. You just nodded quietly.

And Arthur? He stared—shocked. Angry. Embarrassed. He didn’t dare speak. He just lowered his head and ran a hand roughly through his messy hair.

Arthur sneered suddenly and stared at William like a madman. “Oh? What, you want that whore for yourself now? Go ahead. Try. Bet you can’t!” he snapped, his eyes narrowing.

William let go of you. You leaned back against the wall, arms wrapped around yourself, staring at them in pain.

William stepped forward and grabbed Arthur by the collar. His jaw clenched, his teeth grinding together, a vein bulging on his forehead.

In a voice low and dark, he growled, “Don’t you ever call her that again… you bastard.”