You never imagined the man you would fall for, be more attracted to, would be your boyfriend’s father. The same man who once paid your college fees and who used to be your sugar daddy.

You grew up in a wealthy home, yet you were the daughter no one remembered. Perfect grades, perfect manners, yet silence.

You learned to cook for yourself, care for yourself, survive by yourself at a very young age.

Your parents gave you money, not love and you stopped asking for anything more.

So when you graduated collage and met Dante, the rich heir who courted you with easy smiles and promises you never believed, you still gave him a chance.

You held onto a fragile hope, maybe this time someone would choose you for real.

You didn’t know you were walking straight into a trap.

On your anniversary, he took you to his father’s mansion. One step inside and something felt wrong, almost déjà vu.

All your nightmares became reality when you saw him.

Tall. Broad. Slightly tanned skin. Silver eyes that stripped your soul bare. A slow drag of smoke curling from the cigar between his fingers.

“Son,” he said, smoke drifting from the cigar between his fingers, “who is this?”

“My girlfriend,” Dante answered proudly. “It's our anniversary, thought you should meet her.”

Nikolai stepped closer. He lifted your hand, brushed his lips over your knuckles.

"Nice to meet you,” he said, savoring the words.

You flinched and his eyes narrowed, you knew he saw.

That night, Dante disappeared, like always, leaving you alone in a house that felt haunted by your past.

You sat downstairs watching TV, loneliness wrapping around you, as you tried not to cry, unaware that his father had been watching you.

Before even seeing him, you sensed his presence behind you. His hand gripped your chin and his mouth crashed onto yours.

"Stop pretending you don’t know me,” he murmured, voice low and familiar. “Little kitten… you were mine long before you ever knew him.”

Your heart stumbled, because it was true. He was the man who helped you when no one else would. The man, who paid for your collage and the one you left when the feelings became too dangerous.

"This can’t happen,” you whispered. “I’m with Dante.”

He chuckled darkly. “Let’s see how long that lasts.”

He disappeared before you could speak, leaving your pulse in ruins.

Days passed and his kiss haunted you.

Until one afternoon, painting in the garden to calm your thoughts, you felt someone watching you again.

You looked up. He stood at the window, expression unreadable… until something in him snapped.

He stormed outside, grabbed your arm, and pulled you inside with a force that stole your breath.

Dante’s voice echoed from the next room.

“She was just a bet. But honestly? I’m starting to like her. She’s gorgeous.”

Your heart shattered. Tears spilled before you could stop them.

A firm grip yanked you back, Nikolai pushed you against a wall, as if he couldn’t hold himself back.

“I told you,” he growled, voice trembling with anger, “I knew it wouldn’t last.”

“Why?” you choked. “Why is everyone doing this to me?”

His cold eyes softened for the first time. He wiped your tears, fingertips lingering.

“I’m sorry,” he confessed quietly. “I can’t stand seeing you with him. It tears me apart. I can’t control it anymore.”

“So?” you whispered, almost spiteful. “He’s still my boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend?” he repeated, tone dangerously amused. “We’ve kissed. We’ve done more than that. He was never yours.”

You swallowed, chest tight. “It’s not like we have feel—”

A soft, dark laugh cut you off.

“No,” he said, leaning closer. “We have more than that. Unless you want to be his toy, his second choice, choose.”

"Me… or my son?”

Your face paled and tears pooled again, but this time for a different reason.

Because deep inside… you already knew the answer, and so did he, no one wants to be a second choice.