One Forbidden Night

"No... this is wrong!" a woman's voice trembled. Jenifer sat on the VIP lounge sofa of a famous hotel. She was only able to access the place because a certain tycoon had requested her to wait for him there.

But it had already been half an hour.

Jenifer, who was initially hesitant about this decision, began to change her mind.

"No, I can't do this! I won't sell myself just to pay off Kale's debt!" she snapped and tried to stand up.

Bzzz bzzz... Her phone buzzed. A message. From Lucas - a loan shark and a mafia.

"You have to pay all the money tomorrow! If not, you'll regret it!"

Jenifer let out a heavy sigh. She knew what kind of man Lucas was - fearless, above the law. His network was everywhere. He was a protected mafia boss.

Exhausted, she sat back down and waited for the man who was supposed to buy one night of her time. Jenifer Clopen had lost everything since Kale - her boyfriend - disappeared. He had sold her house, taken her savings, and vanished without explanation. She still didn't know why he had left.

Broken and alone, she had no choice but to face the debt collectors - even though she knew nothing about the money she was being forced to repay.

In this dire situation, Drista, a woman who worked at a club, suggested she go on a date with a wealthy man. Drista believed Jenifer's beauty could earn her a fortune.

Drista had recommended her to Hendrick Kensington - a rich man willing to pay 100 million dollars for a single night.

Hendrick Kensington - a lonely man who often spent his fortune on beautiful women. But tonight, for some reason, he was late.

"Miss, please wait at the bar. Mr. Hendrick will be a little delayed."

Jenifer nodded and walked into the entertainment room, filled with rich men seeking amusement. The space pulsed with loud music.

"Can I help you, miss?"

"Could you bring me a drink?"

"Alcohol?"

She nodded.

"Right away."

Two servers brought her several bottles. Without hesitation, Jenifer drank several glasses, and soon she was tipsy. The mental burden she carried dulled her senses as she drank more.

From the entrance, a man entered - dressed in a luxurious suit, handsome, accompanied by two bodyguards.

This man was Bryan Hilton Domani - a young, striking CEO. His father was a powerful businessman with global influence. Bryan took off his coat and sat down, seeking the most comfortable service.

"A bottle of champagne," he requested.

Not far from him, Jenifer approached, slightly drunk.

"I've been waiting for you..." she murmured.

The man stared at her with a blank, confused look. Without warning, she clung to his shoulder. His bodyguards moved in, but Bryan raised a hand to stop them.

"It's okay. You can wait for me in the lobby," he said. They left.

"You're not bad at all... You're so handsome," she murmured, caressing his face.

Bryan chuckled softly. "Miss... you seem drunk. May I take you to your room?"

"Yes... room... I want to sleep with you tonight."

Bryan laughed again. Something stirred in him as he looked at her beautiful face. He couldn't deny the effect her seductive lips had on him.

"Miss, I'll take you to your room."

"Oh, okay... I've been waiting."

She tried to stand but staggered. Bryan ended up carrying her to the room.

Click - the door closed.

Under the influence of alcohol, Jenifer began kissing him.

Bryan, swept away by desire, responded to her every touch. He surrendered as Jenifer pushed him onto the white-sheeted bed. She went wild, unleashing her passion on him.

Bryan wasn't single - he was a victim of his father's corporate politics, forced into a loveless marriage at a young age. He had been living with a woman he never loved for two years.

Though he often sought comfort in places like this, this was the first time he truly desired a night with such a woman. That night of passion left a deep mark on Bryan's heart.

The next morning, Jenifer woke up and was shocked to find a man sleeping next to her. With a hangover clouding her mind, she didn't remember much. She sat up and stared at him carefully - that man wasn't Hendrick, the one she had agreed to meet.

"Who are you? Hey, wake up!"

Bryan stirred and sat up.

"Ugh... I'm late. I have to go." He rushed to the bathroom, then came out fully dressed.

"This is a tip for you. I really enjoyed last night," he said, placing money on the bedside table.

Jenifer stared at it and shook her head. "No, I won't accept that."

Bryan's eyes widened.

"What do you mean?"

"I need 100 million dollars," she stammered.

"What?!"

Jenifer took a deep breath.

"Yes. I can't accept less."

Bryan scoffed as he dressed, rubbing his face in frustration.

"I thought you were just a naïve escort, but you're clever - seducing me like that."

Jenifer stayed silent.

"I shouldn't have slept with a cheap woman like you!" he growled.

Jenifer swallowed hard, head down.

"You think I can't pay that much? Gold digger!" he hissed. He reached into his jacket pocket.

Thud - he threw a black card onto the table. Jenifer stared, shocked.

"You can use it - as long as I don't limit it. Are you satisfied now? You have no idea who I am! Don't ever meet me again! I never want to see a woman like you again!" he barked, storming out and slamming the door.

Jenifer froze, clutching the card in disbelief.

Meanwhile, in the Hilton family's grand estate, Robert Hilton was discussing the heir that had yet to be born from Bryan and his wife, Grace.

"Grace, are you and Bryan planning on having children at all?"

The question left Grace speechless. She had no words.

She couldn't bring herself to tell them - her husband had never touched her since the day they got married.

"I'm sorry, Father-in-law. It's best if Bryan explains it to you himself," she said politely.

The older men and women around the room fell into silence.

Not long after, Bryan entered. All eyes turned to him, their gazes tense.

"What kind of meeting is this? Aren't you all tired of talking about the same thing over and over?"

His father responded, "Bryan, you're our only son. Your heir is a serious matter - don't treat it like a joke."

"Oh? Like you didn't treat my marriage as a joke? I never loved her. I will never sleep with a woman I consider my own sister!"

Everyone was stunned.

"What? You've never slept with Grace?" Robert asked, shocked. Grace bowed her head, clenching her fists.

"No... I don't love her. And I never will touch her."

After that day, Jenifer repaid her debt to Lucas and began working at a small restaurant not far from Drista's nightclub, even though she now held Bryan's Black Card. She only withdrew 100 million dollars and didn't want to take any more than that.

That night, she returned quite late from work to her cheap rented room.

She was startled when someone stopped her with a car.

Skreeeek...

The screeching sound of brakes cut off her path. Jenifer froze, fearful, and started stepping back cautiously.

She saw a man step out of the car-the man who was supposed to sleep with her that night.

"Hendrick..."

"What are you doing here? After taking my money?"

Jenifer shook her head.

"I don't know anything about your money!"

"I transferred it to Drista! So don't try to run from me. You have to do what I say."

"No! I don't want to do it again... I've already settled my problems."

"Oh, is that so? Too bad. I won't let you go that easily..."

Jenifer tried to run, but two other men blocked her path.

She struggled violently, trying to break free from their grasp.

"I'll pay you back!" she screamed.

The three men paused, smirking in disbelief.

"Wait, let me open my bag..."

Hendrick's two men released her. Jenifer tried to find Bryan's Black Card-but then remembered she had left it at her place.

"Oh God..."

"Ah... Quit the excuses! Are you trying to fool us?"

"No. No! I really have the money!"

"I don't believe you!"

Jenifer kept resisting, refusing to be dragged into the car.

"Let me go! I'll pay your money back!"

"I don't believe you..."

Out of desperation, Jenifer struck the man, enraging Hendrick, who raised his hand to hit her in return.

"You filthy woman!"

Just as he was about to slap her, the blaring horn of a brand-new Rolls-Royce echoed.

HOOOOONK...

Hendrick and the others turned.

Jenifer seized the moment to break free and ran as far as she could.

A man stepped out of the car. Hendrick was stunned to see Young Master Bryan approaching.

"What brings you here, Sir?"

"What are you doing to that woman?"

Hendrick looked back at the fleeing woman.

"It's nothing... just a cheap girl!"

"Don't touch her!"

"You know her, Sir?"

"I know your dark side, Hendrick. You traffic women and run dirty businesses. Before I fire you as my father's trusted man, do as I say-never go near that woman again!"

"Y-yes, Sir..."

Bryan exhaled deeply.

Hendrick and his men left.

Once their car disappeared, Bryan stood alone in the middle of the road. The street was now quiet. The woman was nowhere in sight.

"Where did she go?"

Three months passed, and Bryan completely lost track of her.

That night haunted him constantly.

It had been a long time since Bryan felt any passion or desire, especially after marrying Grace. He was heartbroken. But that night, something in him reignited when he was with that woman.

Today, he checked the transaction records from the Black Card he had given her.

He was slightly surprised to see there were no other transactions besides the first 100 million dollars.

"She only took that first 100 million? She even had the PIN to my no-limit card... Why didn't she use it?"

He kept asking himself.

Knock knock knock.

Bryan snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of his door.

His expression shifted slightly when he saw Grace, his wife, standing at the door.

"What is it?"

"Sorry to bother you, Bryan. I want to talk."

"Sure... And I'm sorry for my behavior. Just so you know... despite our personal and family issues, I really do respect you as a sister."

"That's exactly why I came today."

Bryan looked at her-she seemed nervous, and her eyes were glassy.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Tomorrow is an important day for me... I'm receiving an award and was invited to a TV station. Could you accompany me?"

Bryan went silent for a moment.

"An award?"

Grace nodded.

"I'm being honored as an inspiration for happy families at one of my biggest foundations. And I've always told everyone that our marriage is fine," she explained.

Bryan let out a heavy sigh.

"I just want to appear okay in front of everyone. I don't want them to think badly of me if you don't show up," she added.

Bryan sighed again, looking at her with guilt.

"Grace? You know this marriage was a mistake... So why do you still want to stay?"

"I think it's obvious by now-I love you, Bryan."

Her words stunned him.

Grace turned and left, leaving her husband alone.

"After all this time? I never treated her like she mattered. I never even touched her... and yet she still loves me?"

Bryan whispered in disbelief.

That conversation felt like a slap to the face, a harsh awakening to the kind of man he had become.

Especially over the past three months-Bryan couldn't stop thinking about that forbidden night with a woman whose name he didn't even know.

Meanwhile, at Jenifer's small rented room, she looked awful. She hadn't worked for three days due to poor health.

She lay in bed, unable to get up.

Weak, nauseous, and vomiting.

"What's wrong with me? I have to get better-I need to work. I need to pay this rent," she muttered in despair.

Then she remembered something-three months ago, she hadn't used protection when she was with that man. She had done it while drunk.

"Am I... pregnant?"

"Ugh... this is bad!" she groaned, grabbing her sweater and sandals and heading to the nearest mini-market.

Once home, she took a test herself. The result shocked her.

"What... I'm pregnant?"

She recalled his last words:

"Don't ever contact me again. I never want to see a woman like you again!"

Jenifer closed her eyes, exhaling heavily.

"Oh God... what should I do?" she muttered, brushing her hair back with trembling fingers. Her body felt cold and hot at once, and she began to shiver.

She still remembered the man's last words. But what could she do? She was carrying his child in her womb. Whether she liked it or not, Jennifer had to think about the baby's safety.

Today, she went out to find out more about the man. After stalking the internet using the Black Card he gave her...

Bryan wasn't just an ordinary man.

He was the CEO of a top diamond company.

He was the only heir of a prestigious family, and worst of all-he was already married.

Jennifer repeatedly visited Grace Montala's profile, reading the woman's bio.

A remarkable woman-so beautiful, so independent. Jennifer suddenly felt insecure.

"I can't bring myself to destroy this woman's happiness."

"That bastard! He has such a beautiful wife? Why? Why still come to me?"

Jennifer panted at the memory of his face.

He was the wrong guest to serve.

"I know what I have to do. He gave me his Black Card."

And it was a no-limit card.

"This should be more than enough to raise his child. I'll start a business."

"Oh God... why am I so lucky? Thank You for yesterday, even though it was heavy. If this is the fruit of my patience, I'm truly grateful, God..."

Jennifer whispered as she held and pressed the card tightly against her chest.

Meanwhile, somewhere else...

Bryan was notified by his assistant that there was a $1000 withdrawal from his account.

"This is the second withdrawal since that day, Sir. I can check the location of the bank where it happened. Do you want to meet her?"

Bryan paused, thinking.

"Should we just block the card?"

"No! Never do that!"

His assistant stood frozen in surprise.

"You... just go to that address. Follow her. Be a stalker if you must. I want to know her daily life. It's been a while, and she hasn't even touched most of the money. If she were a gold-digger, she would've drained it all," he said firmly.

The assistant nodded, acknowledging the command.

Even though Bryan kept thinking about the woman, he had a promise today-to accompany his wife to meet business partners and attend a TV invitation.

"I don't really have time for this... but I'd feel bad for Grace. This is an important day for her," he muttered and called his wife.

Tuut... The call connected.

"Hello?"

"Where are you?"

"I've been waiting for you... at my studio."

"Oh... okay."

Meanwhile, at a small clinic in downtown Chicago, Jennifer was getting a check-up.

"Your pregnancy is quite weak. Next time you come, I hope you can bring your husband. There are some things I need to discuss with him," said the doctor.

Jennifer lowered her gaze.

"Hmm... can't you just tell me, doctor? I'll handle it alone. I'm sorry, but I can't bring the father of this child," she said quietly.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Don't worry, everything will be just fine," the doctor replied kindly. Jennifer smiled faintly.

After the check-up, she walked out of the clinic-only to be startled by a man in a suit.

"Ma'am? What are you doing at an obstetrics clinic?"

Jennifer stared at him in confusion.

"Who are you?"

"Apologies, Ma'am. I'm Albert, Bryan's assistant."

Jennifer gasped, catching her breath before quickly trying to leave.

"Wait, Ma'am..."

She tried to get away from him-she didn't want Bryan to know she was pregnant.

Yes, Jennifer had sold herself for money, but she wouldn't go as far as to destroy another woman's marriage.

After successfully escaping Bryan's assistant, she returned to the cheap inn she was staying at.

"My body... feels so exhausted. What should I do now?" she whispered, leaning against the old couch and turning on the outdated TV that came with the room.

Coincidentally, a TV show was on. Her eyes widened when she saw him on screen.

"Thank you for the appreciation toward my wife. I'm so proud of her. And of course, I'll love her even more after this."

Jennifer scoffed and grabbed the remote to turn the TV off.

"What a hypocrite! A good husband wouldn't seek comfort from a night woman!" she snapped in frustration.

Meanwhile, Bryan's assistant returned and reported to him that Jennifer had gone to a maternity clinic.

Hearing that, Bryan-who was about to leave the country for a business trip-immediately canceled his flight.

"She's pregnant? Could she be carrying my child?" he muttered, preparing to leave.

"Wait, Sir-where are you going?"

"I'm going to find that woman."

"But Sir, she's... an escort. Are you sure you want to lower yourself by chasing her?"

Bryan looked at his assistant's face.

"Do you think you're better than her?"

"What if... she's pregnant with my child?"

"But Sir... you have a family."

Bryan took a deep breath. With hesitation, he replied,

"I-I have to find her."

Albert could only let his Master go.

But not long after, Bryan left as well.

Someone appeared from behind the door. And Albert was startled.

"Madam?"

The woman stared at him blankly.

"You've been hiding Bryan's wrongdoings from everyone?"

"Madam Grace, I was only following orders," he replied nervously.

"Who's pregnant?"

Albert lowered his head in silence.

"Who?!" she snapped again.

"A woman who dated the young master three months ago."

Grace let out a heavy sigh. She looked weak and staggered backward, her body visibly unsteady. Albert tried to steady her.

It was hard for him to hold back his tears, but they fell anyway.

"Madam?"

Albert stepped closer, trying to gently touch her shoulder.

"Madam, shall I escort you to your room?"

"No need..."

She brushed off Albert's hand and walked away.

Albert sighed heavily, helplessly watching her descend the stairs weakly, sobbing from time to time.

"Oh God..." he murmured to himself.

For some reason, there was a deep cut in Albert's heart as he watched the tears of a sincere woman who had served this family for two years, yet was never truly acknowledged.

The girl had done nothing wrong-she simply fell in love and got married. But her husband had neglected her.