---- Chapter 2 After terminating our mate bond, I left the capital -Ethan's domain. He had no room in his world for me, and even less for my family. While I was still undergoing treatment for silver poisoning, he stripped my family-Wilson House -of all its lands. We were bankrupt overnight. My father had opposed my mate bond to Ethan from the start. But I insisted. I was the one who begged to be his mate. On the day of our wedding, my father was so furious he locked away his wolf, collapsing and requiring ongoing care from a healer. My mother didn't fare much better. When Ethan retaliated against us, the shock was so great she swallowed silver to end it all. She's been in a coma ever since. ---- After everything, I had just enough money left to continue their treatments. But my brother Kevin- drunk, addicted to gambling-burned through all of it ina single night. He owed money everywhere. People came knocking every day. I tried to cut him off. I really did. Then one day, he stormed into my mother's hospital room with a silver dagger in hand. "Sis, give me money or I'l] kill them both. Don't think I won't!" Because I loved Ethan. Because I insisted on being his mate. I'd already hurt my parents enough. I couldn't let them die too. Thad no choice but to take the fastest way out. Back in the VIP room, everyone turned toward Ethan after I finished speaking. His jaw clenched, and he looked away. ---- "She's filthy," he said. "I'm not interested." Laughter filled the room. "Ethan, maybe you haven't heard-Joy's got a reputation for knowing how to please a man." Someone leaned in, pretending to whisper, but made sure we all heard. "They say she can't have kids. So you can do whatever you want." More laughter. "That so? Now I'm even more intrigued." Jason raised a brow and pulled me into his lap. His hand gripped my chin, his lips coming down to meet mine. But before he could kiss me, Ethan yanked him back violently by the collar. Jason nearly choked. Even so, he didn't dare retaliate. "Ethan?" he said, voice trembling with false ---- cheer. "Something wrong?" Ethan stared him down. "Just realized. She does look a little familiar." Jason blinked, confused. "You want her now? But... " Ethan raised his eyes to meet Jason's. The force in his gaze made Jason flinch. "Of course," Jason stammered. "If you want her, I wouldn't dare keep her." He loosened his hold on me. But I moved first, reached up and wrapped my arms tighter around Jason. Ethan's face darkened instantly. "You don't want to come with me? Is this what you've become-so desperate to sell yourself?" My heart shattered, but I held onto the act,