The Love Trap

The burning sensation wouldn't stop, Nina realized as she stood there, tall and unmoving. His cold hands clasped around her waist as the heat slowly enveloped her. His hot breath fanned against her neck. "Is it your first time?"

The overpowering aura lingered in her earlobe, and she shivered. However, she didn't dare make a sound. She was going to go through this...as the deal had already said.

Suddenly, the man paused. "If you regret it, you can always..."

"No." Nina immediately shook her head, letting her fingers dig into her palm. "I regret nothing!"

Besides, she was already eighteen years old. It was just in time for her to...

As if the universe had heard her, she immediately jolted forward. The burning sensation returned; and this time, it wasn't the prickly heat in her skin, but something much greater.

She clenched her jaw, squirming under his grip before falling directly into his arms.

To preserve her last shred of dignity, Celine didn't move, nor did she say another word. Instead, she bowed her head and steadied herself in his hold. Other than the feeling of fear biting into her insides, she also felt something else. It was as if all her senses were heightened as he burrowed deep into her, letting her feel his muscle clenching under her body.

While she was struggling to keep calm, the man kept going forcefully taking every inch of her skin. The night was long and painful, but she steadied herself. There was no backing out now.

Finally, it was all over. As he climbed out of his bed in the middle of the night to head to the bathroom, she dragged her exhausted body up and quickly dressed into her clothes. Without another word, she raced out of the room.

On the ground floor of the hotel, a middle-aged woman stood in the midst of the crowd. Nina walked towards her, and the woman handed her a black bag. "Your reward," came her curt reply.

"Thank you." The young teen didn't even look the other way as she wrenched the bills and ran out of the lobby. Her waist throbbed, and her skin burned, but she didn't care. None of it mattered anymore. All she needed was to get to the hospital before it was too late.

The sky was dark when she had finally made it, and the corridors were quiet. Nothing else could be seen except for the two stretchers right outside the door of the operating room. They weren't taken in because she hadn't paid yet....but it was different now.

"I have the money," she sobbed out, yanking out the bag from her sides. "Just...Just help save my mother, please."

The doctor took one look at the bag and asked the nurse to count the money. During that time, he waved the paramedics to take one of the patients forward.

However, her brother's stretcher remained. "My brother," she whispered. "He's...Please save him."

"I'm sorry, but your brother...we couldn't save him." He sighed, rubbing his forehead.

They couldn't save him?

Everything around her had darkened, and she could feel herself stumbling back in shock. Her chest constricted. No...No...this can't be possible.

"What do you mean?" she whispered, only to be met with silence.

Pain. It reverberated all around her, like a knife twisting into her chest. Sinking to the ground, her hands trembled. If it hadn't been for her father, the man who had cheated and abandoned them eight years ago...they wouldn't have been like this. He left them.

Her brother was born soon after, only to be diagnosed with autism at the age of three.

"You'd need these types of medications, if you want him to survive," the doctor had snapped at them then, forcing them to take up odd jobs to survive. They made it...but of course, fate had other plans...one that took the shape of a car accident.

She was forced to sell herself, but she was still unable to save her brother.

It was painful, but Nina recollected herself soon enough. Although she felt discomfort, she knew that there were other things she needed to worry about. For one thing, her mother was still there.

Her mom still needed her.

The operation was long, but her mother's condition began to stabilize. At least, before she learned of her brother's death. The older woman collapsed into tears. "What did you just say? He...he's dead?"

"Mom," Nina cried out. "It's you and me now; we have to live well for him. Please."

During the month her mother was in the hospital, Eva would simply sit by her bedside in a daze. Who wouldn't? The moment she knew her son had died, it was as if her mind had snapped shut, but Nina didn't give up. She even dropped out of school just to tend to her mother's condition, and her efforts soon paid off.

Things had slowly been looking up. However, one day, as Nina was carrying her tray towards the ward, she heard a voice that stopped her tracks.

Her insides turned cold. Of course, it had to be him.

After everything he had done, how dare he showed up?

"Eva, don't you remember how close you and Madame Gray were? If anything, your daughter should be the one getting married to him..."

"Lynn, what the hell are you saying?" Eva's body was frail. If anything, the man should be thankful for her weakness, otherwise, she would've already slapped him right on the face. How dare he? How dare he asked for the daughter that he had left?

He was the one who had abandoned them, left them to rot! And now, he suddenly thought it convenient to show his face here?

"Young Master Gray is the son of a good friend of yours. I'm sure you're aware of them. If she marries him, she'd be blessed..."

"Blessed?" The Young Master was noble and handsome. Yes, nobody could've doubted that. However, a month ago, he had been bitten by a venomous snake. Although he had lived, he was paralyzed.

Marrying him would be Nina's next ticket to widowhood.

"I'll marry him."

Suddenly, Nina burst into the doors. She gripped her tray and looked up. She repeated. "I'll marry him. But I have one condition."

Lynn glanced towards the door, only to be taken aback for a few seconds. It had been eight years since he had seen his daughter, and a lot of things had changed. She had only been ten years old when he had left, and now, she was already a full-fledged adult. Despite this, her small face still didn't reach the size of his palm, and her skin was white and papery.

She hadn't grown well into adulthood, not as adorable as his younger daughter.

The unwillingness in his heart lessened. After all, since she wasn't that good-looking, she wouldn't feel wronged to marry such a terrible husband.

"What condition?"

"I want to go back with Mom. Everything that had once belonged to us will be returned. Only then will I allow you to marry me to him." Nina clenched her fists.

Although Nina hadn't been in the country that long, she had heard of the Gray Family in B City ever since she was young. The young master was said to be incredibly noble, but there were rumors of his features and his flaws. It certainly wouldn't be a win for her.

But even so, it was worth the risk. If she was going to get married, then she might as well make use of the opportunity to take back the wealth that her mother had lost.

"Nina..." Eva struggled to grab her daughter's arm.

Her daughter had already suffered a lot. If this were to happen, then...

Worried that his ex-wife might convince her otherwise, Lynn immediately said, "Sure. As long as you're willing to marry him, then I'll let the both of you return home."

"And Mom's dowry?" Nina's voice was icy cold.

When Eva had married him, her parents had given him a dowry. Although back then, it wasn't as large, it was worth hundreds of thousands now. Just the thought of it made Lynn reluctant.

"My sister's beautiful, and she should have better things in life. If she were to marry a man with a physical defect, then her whole life's done for. Besides, you and mom had already divorced. You might as well return the money that she had given you." Nina slowly mused, shaking her head in pity.

Lynn clenched his fists.

How the hell did she know about the Gray family? She had been abroad this entire time!

What he didn't know was that she was merely basing it on speculation.

"Fine! I'm going to give it to you when you marry him!"

How was he going to subject his little daughter to such a terrible fate?

No matter how honorable the man was, he was just a cripple! He couldn't do anything that's worth her time.

Thinking about this, Lynn straightened his back. He did the right thing.

Even then, he couldn't help but feel annoyed by Nina. The woman was trying to capitalize on his decision, trying to snatch all the money away from him like some greedy gold digger!

"Your mother obviously didn't raise you well," he snapped.

'As if you were any greater of a father,' Nina wanted to snap. In fact, if anything, she wanted to throw the tray in her hands up against his face. Maybe then he'd feel the pain she felt when he had upped and left.

However, she kept silent. At this point, all she needed to do was wait...

"Get ready." With one last nod, Lynn turned his back at them. "The both of you can go back tomorrow."

Eva understood Nina's intentions, but that didn't mean that she agreed to it. Placing a hand on her daughter's shoulder, she quickly warned, "Marriage is a lifelong commitment. You shouldn't just toss it so carelessly to a stranger. I can't let you go through with that."

"I'm not marrying just anyone, you know. It's your friend's son." Nina placed her tray on the bedside cabinet as she spoke.

"My friend had died a long time ago, and her son..." A few seconds had passed, and Eva sighed. "I don't know anything about him. Even if things were different, I'd still want you to marry someone whom you actually love, not use it as some bargaining chip for the both of us. I'd rather just rot here for the rest of my life."

Someone she loved?

Even if she were to meet him in the future, she wouldn't be qualified. Especially after everything that she had gone through.

Nina simply lowered her head in response. It didn't matter who she married. Whether he had a physical or mental defect, none of it mattered anymore as long as she could get everything back.

Seeing her daughter like this, Eva sighed and turned her head. There was nothing else she could do to convince her, so they returned to the country the next day.

Lynn had long since despised the mother and daughter pair, especially after the conversation they had back in the hospital. By the time they had returned, he didn't bother letting them into the Stewart family door. Instead, he rented a place for them to stay until the long awaited wedding day.

Nina didn't bother to complain. After all, the last thing they needed was for her mother to confront the woman who had ruined their marriage. She'd rather stay here in this dump than be subjected to years of animosity.

They sat inside the apartment.

Eva woman warned. "Nina, there's still time to back out. It won't fall on your head. I promise you."

"Mom, hurry up and eat something. The vegetables will grow cold." Not wanting to talk about this any further, Nina quickly placed bits of pork on top of her mother's bowl.

Eva sighed. No matter how many times she had brought the topic up, her daughter would always just turn the other way. She had done nothing but help her all these years, and now, she had to sacrifice herself one more time.

Nina held the chopsticks in her hand, but she had no appetite. Even when she tried to dip her vegetables into soy sauce, all it had done was increase her urge to vomit. "I...I need a minute."

"Hey, are you not feeling well?"

"I'm probably just airsick from the flight. I'll go back to my room."

Without another word, Nina placed her chopsticks on the side and sprinted into the bathroom.

As soon as the doors slammed shut, Nina leaned against the surface, breathing heavily. Although she had never been pregnant, she saw how her mother acted when she was. Eva had always felt lightheaded, with absolutely no appetite.

That was exactly how she was feeling right now.

It had been more than a month since that dreaded night, and her period was already more than ten days late. Did that mean...

No!

Nina turned her head to the side, trembling. The night was more than humiliating enough. "Stay calm, Nina, stay calm," she murmured to herself, staring into her reflection. Maybe it was all just in her head.

Maybe everything will be fine. However, she had spoken too soon.

"You're already six-weeks pregnant."

Nina clutched her bag as the doctor's words repeated in her mind.

At this point, she didn't even know what to do. Nina stared up at the sky, as her nails dug into her skin. Should she raise it? Or should she have an abortion? The possibilities were dire, but...

Her hands moved towards her lower abdomen. Although she had felt surprised, and even disgusted at first, she couldn't help but feel a little reluctant for the child...for her child.

She was finally becoming a mother. But at eighteen...was that even reasonable?

Even when her mother was done with her assessment, Nina was still in a trance. They didn't speak the entire duration of the walk, and she didn't say anything about the news. After all, it was best not to add too much stress to her plate.

When they finally returned to their residence, she shoved the medical forms into her pocket and pushed the door open.

However, as soon as she stepped inside, she saw Lynn standing in the middle of the room. Her face darkened.

What the hell was he doing here?

The man didn't look like he was in the best of moods either. He turned to Nina and said. "Go and change."

"Why?" Nina frowned.

"You said you wanted to marry into the Gray family, didn't you? Well, you should meet him." Glancing at her up and down, he sneered. "Do you think I'll let you see him dressed in that? In that rags? Are you trying to humiliate me?"

Why was her pain never ending?

She had once thought that selling herself had already numbed her, that her brother's death had already cooled her heart.

Yet, upon hearing her estranged father's heartless words, she couldn't help but ache in silence.

Lynn was the reason they had been this way. Not only had he sent them to a poorer country in the West, but he had all out abandoned them.

Where the hell was she going to get the money like this?

If he had been there...maybe her brother wouldn't have died.

Nina's jaw clenched. And now he thought he had the right to speak to her like this? Like a father to a daughter? Fuck him!

Lynn must've had a similar thought because he immediately turned away. Looking slightly embarrassed, he waved his hand. "Let's go. The Gray family should already be there. It wouldn't be good for us to let them wait."

"Nina," Eva weakly called out, wanting to persuade her still. She had already lost her son in the accident. If she were to lose her daughter too... The thought was enough to make her insides stir. Money was not as important as family.

She didn't want Nina to step into the burdens she had created for herself, and she certainly didn't want her to get mixed up with the Gray family.

The wealthy class had always been very complicated, and she didn't even know what kind of man the young master was.

To say she was worried was an understatement.

"Mom, I'll be fine. I promise."

"Hurry up," Lynn urged impatiently. A part of him was afraid that she'd back out last minute, so he quickly gave her a shove towards the door, only to receive a dirty look.

Doesn't matter. The dislike was mutual.

Eight years had passed, and all the blood ties they had tied were already worn out.

Nina's clothes were too shabby, especially if she planned on meeting the young master of the Gray family. He quickly took her to an upscale women's clothing store to buy her a decent set of clothes.

Once they entered the store, a staff came to receive them. "She can afford them," the older man snapped, giving his daughter a little nudge towards the dressing room. "Let her in."

The assistant looked her up and down, before slowly nodding. "Come with me."

"Why don't you try this out?" The assistant pulled a light blue long skirt and handed it to her.

"Thanks." Nina walked over to the fitting room.

As she was walking over, she heard a woman's voice echoing from the back. "Hao, do you really have to marry someone from the Stewart family?"

Nina suddenly heard a voice from the back and glanced at the room next door. Through the crack, she could see a woman wrapping her arms around the man's neck and acting like a spoiled child. "Do you really want to marry some stranger?"

Christopher glanced at the woman, only to feel helpless. If not for his mother's arranged marriage, this wouldn't have happened, but he couldn't go back on his word.

Thinking about the night he had, he couldn't bear to disappoint her. "Were you in pain that night?"

A month ago, he had gone abroad to some lesser privileged country in the West to study for a project, only to be bitten by a venomous snake. The snake's venom was incredibly strong, as was the lust that had contained him. If he hadn't vent it on a woman, then he would've already died from the heat.

Celine was the one who had cared for him.

Otherwise, he would've been unable to control himself anymore.

There were rumors how a woman's first time could be painful, yet he had spared no pity that night. One could only imagine how much pain she had felt during those hours.

Yet, instead of screaming, Celine didn't utter a sound. Instead, she simply trembled against his arms.

Christopher knew how much the woman had liked him, but he had never really given her a chance.

Not only did he not love her, but her mother had already secured an arranged marriage for him. Falling in love was definitely not on his list.

However, there was no denying how steadfast Celine had been as she stood right by his side. After that incident, he had felt more responsible for her, wanting to give this woman a chance.

Even now, he could still remember the stain on the sheets and her skin against his, everything was vivid.

Celine simply tilted her head against his chest in acknowledgment, lowering her eyes.

She liked Christopher, and she had accompanied him as his secretary all these years. However, she wasn't a virgin anymore, but she wasn't planning on letting him know. That was why she had gone out and spent a fortune on a stranger.

After the girl had gone out, she went in to make it look like she was the one who had slept with him that night.

"If you like these clothes, then buy more, okay?" Christopher stroked her hair.

"You can't enter the VIP room, but you can use the other one on the right," the assistant immediately reminded.

In this kind of high-end clothing store, there were fitting rooms built on the far end. But they also had VIP rooms, one created for their most privileged guests. It was far larger than the fitting room she had been directed to.

"Ah..." With one last glance at the VIP room, she grabbed her clothes and went back.

Even while she was changing clothes, Nina couldn't help but think back to the conversation she had overheard.

Could it be that he was...

After changing into her clothes, Nina stepped out of the fitting room and glanced at the VIP room on the other side of the store. It was now tightly sealed. Perhaps, the pair had already left.

"The dress suits you."

The salesman had good eyesight. After many years of working in the clothing industry, he knew what clothes were suited for the person just by looking at them. Nina had on a light blue dress that accentuated her fair skin. The belt around her sides outlined her thin waist. If anything, the fabric brought out the best of her.

As soon as Lynn saw her walk out of the fitting room, he nodded and went to pay.

"Thirty thousand?" His eyes widened momentarily, but upon thinking whom they were visiting, he gripped his bills and nodded. Turning to the side, he scowled. "Let's go."

She knew that her father had hated her, but she never really experienced it to an extent, that was, until now.

Lowering her head, she followed him into the car.

The car had stopped in front of the Stewart family's villa.

"Sir," the driver called out, opening the car door for the both of them. The two quickly made their way down the paved road.

As soon as Nina saw the villa in all its glory, she couldn't help but fall into a trance. While she and her mother were struggling to make ends meet, her father and his tramp were too busy enjoying the grand villa.

Her hands clenched. What a irony!

"What are you doing?" Lynn felt something was off, so he turned around, only to see that his daughter was still standing in front of the door still in a daze. It had been years since she had stepped inside the villa, and now...

Nina shook her head and caught up with him. This was not the time to think about this.

"Wait in the living room," Lynn commanded when he heard from the servant that the man still hadn't arrived.

The interior was just as beautiful as the architecture. With its French windows, high ceilings, and dripping chandeliers, it was like she had entered into heaven. Everything was so well-kept. As she was turning around, she saw a piano perched by the floor-to-ceiling windows. Her mother had bought that for her on her fifth birthday.

What many wouldn't have known was how much she had loved to play the piano. At the ripe age of four, she had remembered practicing almost every hour wanting to play a new piece for her parents whenever they came home. However, after the incident, she hasn't touched any musical instrument since.

Her fingers trailed along the familiar keys as a smile spread across her face.

Placing her forefinger on the zither, she pressed against it. Ding! A melodious sound rang out, and she continued, letting her fingers jump along with the keys as the familiar tune played in her mind. Although her fingers were stiff, she was still able to play.

Just as she was enjoying, a clear voice sounded from behind her. "Who allowed you to touch my things?"

Her things?

Nina turned around to see Emily standing behind her. Her arms were crossed over her chest, and her eyes were narrowed into slits. From what she had remembered, the young woman was younger than her by a year, meaning she was already seventeen. She must have gotten her mother's looks.

And she even had her personality.

"Yours?"

The two had ruined her mother's marriage and used their money for all their luxuries. Now, they wanted to take her mother's gift from her too? Just the thought of it was absurd enough!

Clenching her fists, Nina wanted nothing more than to slap her stepsister's face, only to let it fall to her sides. There was no point in starting a scene here, not when she still hadn't taken back what belonged to her.

All she needed was to wait.

She wasn't the little girl her father had sent away anymore. She had already grown up, and she wasn't going to cry and act rashly.

"Wait! You're Nina, aren't you?" Suddenly, Emily stumbled back in realization. Today was the day that the Gray family would come in visit, and from what she had heard, her father would be bringing his estranged wife back into the country.

She could still remember the day when Lynn sent them out.

"Please! Please, don't do this to us. Please..." Nina had screamed over and over again, hugging his leg. Yet, he wouldn't even look at them.

"You must be happy that Daddy brought you back, huh?" Emily didn't look too amused as she regarded her older sister with disdain. "Don't be too pleased with yourself. The only reason he brought you back was to marry into the Gray family. I heard that man..."

Immediately, Emily clamped her mouth shut into a sneer.

"It doesn't matter." Remembering that Nina was marrying a cripple, she couldn't help but gloat. Now, she obviously had the last laugh.

Marriage was a lifelong commitment, and it was one of the defining points of a woman's life. If she had married a man like that, wouldn't her life be ruined? That was enough satisfaction for the day.

Nina simply frowned in reply. Whoever the man was, she was only going to suck it and move on. There wasn't any point in refusing anymore anyway.

Just then, one of the maids walked over. "The Gray family has arrived."

"Open the doors." Lynn quickly assembled his family right by the staircase as the doors swung open.

Nina turned her head to the side to see a man being pushed inside. His facial features were impressive. With high cheekbones, narrowed eyes, and full lips–he could've been on the cover of any magazine. Even if he was in a wheelchair, nobody would've dared looked down on him. However, there was something about his face that struck her as odd.

Wasn't he the man she had seen flirting with the woman in the fitting room?

He was the Young Master of the Gray family?

But in the dressing room, she had clearly seen him standing up as he hugged the woman from behind. There was obviously nothing wrong with his leg. She eyed him for a while before turning away.

What was going on?

"Nina," Lynn quickly called her out, snapping her out of her reverie. "Come over. This is the Young Master of the Gray family."

Turning to the side, he bowed. "Young Master Gray, this is my daughter, Nina."

Even the old man couldn't help but pity the man in the wheelchair. Young Master Gray was handsome, rich, and incredibly smart, yet he had been deprived of such a wonderful life ahead of him, all because of that snake.

Christopher's firm gaze fell on Nina. Her cheeks, despite looking full and bright, were slightly sunken. There were dark circles under her eyes, and her arms looked frail and malnourished. The corners of his lips tilted downwards.

Was this the marriage his mother had arranged for him? It doesn't matter. It wasn't as if he could go back on his mother's words. That was the reason why he hid the fact that the poison had been dispelled, wanting to see if the Stewart family could go back on their word.

Who would've thought that they wouldn't?

His expression had turned gloomy. Assuming that the man wasn't satisfied with her, Lynn quickly butted in, "She's still young, Young Master. I'm sure that by the time she'd grow, she'd turn into a beauty."

A beauty? Was the man already selling his daughter? That was one of the firsts. Christopher sneered in his heart. There was something off about this arrangement, and he was going to find out what.

Suddenly, his lips curled upwards. He slowly said. "A snake had bitten me, and its poison had already spread. I'm unable to walk, and as such, I won't be able to perform my duties..."

"I don't mind." Nina answered immediately.

Lynn had already promised her that as long as she married into the Gray family, he'd return her mother's dowry. Even if she got married on that day and divorced on the next, she'd still agree.

Only then did she understand the true meaning of his little 'excuse'. Christopher could clearly stand up and move around, but because of that woman, he didn't want to fulfill his promise. He had gone through these crazy lengths just to get the Stewart family to go back on their words.

He may have failed to realize how willing Lynn was in sacrificing his estranged daughter.

As if he had read her thoughts, Christopher's narrowed eyes fell on her frame.

Nina stood still, feeling the chills rush down her spine. There was confusion in his gaze, and she could feel the bitterness swirling inside of her. It wasn't as if she was willing to marry him either, not because of his physical state, but because she didn't love him. However, love was overrated.

Taking back what she had lost was her priority, and if that demanded some sacrifices, so be it.

Pursing her lips, she smiled and slowly said. "We had been engaged ever since we were kids. No matter what happens, I'll marry you."

His gaze darkened. She really knew how to speak.

Unaware of what was going on, Lynn followed up with a question, "This wedding..."

"Of course. As this arrangement had been planned by both our parents, it would be ridiculous to break it, wouldn't it?" Christopher's expression changed drastically. Calmly glancing up at the older man, he slowly nodded. "Let's follow through with it."

It was obvious that he was dissatisfied with the marriage.

He had only agreed to it because of a promise his mother had made.

"That's fine." Lynn suppressed a smile. Now, he had finally hit two birds with one stone. Not only did he lose nothing, but he gained everything. Despite the young man's condition, being related to the Gray family was a dream anyone could've asked for.

Although the Stewart family was rich, they were incomparable to the Gray family. Comparing the two would be like comparing a shark to a shrimp.

It was that far out!

Lynn clasped his hands. "I already have someone to prepare for our dinner. "Why don't you stay over to eat?"

Christopher frowned. If anything, the man's flattery only disgust him even more.

"No need, I still have other things to take care of." As Christopher passed by Nina's small frame, he quickly signaled to stop. Squinting his eyes, he turned to her. "Is Miss Stewart free?"