PROLOGUE

"Mom, didn’t I already tell you that I’m not even thinking about that yet?"

Atasha said calmly to her mother. They were at the dinner table when her mom brought up the topic of her having a child again.

"I know, my child, but I’m getting older. You’re already at the right age—you’re 27. At this age, you should already have a child. It’s harder to have one when you’re older."

Atasha sighed deeply at her mother’s words. Her mom had been talking to her for a long time about marriage and having children, but it really wasn’t part of her plans yet.

"Mom, my business has only been running for a year. I still want to give you a better life. And besides, I don’t even have a boyfriend, so that’s impossible."

She said this in a low voice. Atasha deeply respected her mother, so she always spoke to her with courtesy. She wanted to provide her with a more comfortable life before focusing on herself.

When she saw her mother bow her head, she panicked.

"Oh, Mom," she said, making her mother look up at her. She loved her dearly and didn’t want to see her sad. As long as she could, she would do anything for her.

She would rather be the one hurt than her mother.

"My child, ever since your father passed, you’ve been my strength. Now that I see you’re successful, I just want someone else to be with me here. I want a grandchild, my dear. I’m getting old."

Atasha rubbed her temples. At 25, she had started a business that opened just a year ago. Even though it was still new, it was already growing, so she had no time for such things.

"Mom, I’ll think about it."

Her mother smiled at this, stood up, and hugged her.

"Thank you, my child! You know I’m always alone here, so I get lonely."

Atasha gently stroked her mother’s arms wrapped around her and closed her eyes.

She truly preferred being in her mother’s embrace. Her mother was the only one who could calm her, especially when she was exhausted.

Just being hugged by her made everything better.

"Don’t worry, Mom. We’ll get there."

---

A loud beat greeted Atasha as she entered the bar.

A week had passed since she and her mother talked about it, and in the past few days, her mom had been pushing her even more, adding to her stress.

Her business was doing well, but she didn’t know what to do about her mother’s wishes.

She had already told her best friend about it and had gone on several blind dates set up for her, but nothing had worked out.

So here she was at the bar, wanting to drink because of the pressure from her mother.

"Vodka, please."

Atasha said, making the bartender smile as he quickly prepared her drink and handed it to her.

She glanced around—the dance floor was packed with people moving wildly. She looked back at her vodka and downed it in one go, grimacing.

"Ugh, this tastes awful!"

She muttered, staring at her glass. She wasn’t used to drinking, but vodka and wine were her usual choices.

She only hated the taste at first, but after two glasses, it just felt like water to her.

"One more, please!"

Unbeknownst to Atasha, someone had been watching her since she entered the bar.

She was wearing a red dress, having just come from another failed blind date. What annoyed her the most was how disrespectful the guy had been—his hands kept wandering, so she left him there with his dignity shattered.

The man observing her was sitting at a table with his friends, who had decided to go out that night to celebrate their friend’s engagement.

When he saw Atasha walk in, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

He didn’t know why, but something about her drew him in, especially when he noticed she was alone and drinking.

But he restrained himself, shaking his head and reminding himself that he wasn’t that kind of guy.

A few minutes later, after her third glass, he saw her getting tipsy—just as another man approached her.

His fists clenched instinctively. He didn’t understand why, but he didn’t like seeing other men near her.

"Hi, miss!"

Atasha glanced at the handsome stranger (though not her type) and ignored him, focusing back on her drink. She could already feel the alcohol kicking in—and it had only been three glasses.

The man smirked, amused by her coldness, and sat beside her.

"Miss, you’re so standoffish. I’m John, by the way."

Atasha looked at his outstretched hand, took it briefly, then let go. The man grinned, liking the feel of her soft skin even though she didn’t respond.

Especially since he could tell she was already feeling the alcohol.

He kept talking to her until suddenly, his hand landed on her thigh.

Atasha was about to snap when another man yanked him away and punched him.

"You son of a btch! How dare you touch her?!"

The man yelled furiously, throwing more punches. Atasha stood up in shock, seeing others trying to pull him away.

"Boss, stop!"

"Kent, that’s enough!"

His friends tried to calm him, but he wouldn’t stop. Atasha panicked and rushed over to intervene.

"Stop! Please, stop! I’m fine."

Her voice made him freeze. He turned to her, and she pulled him away.

"Get that guy out of here!"

Atasha ordered, and the security quickly escorted the man out.

She then looked at the man who had helped her.

"T-thank you for helping me."

She said, staring into his eyes. She didn’t know why, but she couldn’t look away. He didn’t respond, just kept gazing at her.

They only snapped out of it when someone cleared their throat.

"Ahem! Let’s go, Boss seems fine here. Hahaha!"

Atasha blinked at the laughter from his friends, quickly excused herself, and left.

The man glared at his friends.

"Dmn you all!"

He growled before chasing after the woman.

His friends burst into laughter.

"Is this a miracle?"

"Are we finally seeing Keiron Kent fall in love?"

"Hahahaha!"

---

Atasha staggered toward her car, fumbling for her keys in her bag.

But in her drunken state, she nearly tripped—until someone caught her, making her gasp.

She immediately recognized his cologne—it was the man who had helped her earlier.

"T-thank you."

She said, trying to pull away, but he held her waist firmly.

"Hey! I can handle myself!"

She yelled, making him look at her coldly. She swallowed hard—his gaze was intense.

"After what happened earlier, I won’t let you go home alone."

His voice was firm as he guided her. She had no choice—his presence made her feel weak.

Was it the alcohol, or was he just that intimidating?

He led her to his car and helped her in. She didn’t protest—the world was spinning.

She closed her eyes as she sat in the passenger seat, and he got in beside her.

Starting the car made her even dizzier.

Halfway through the drive, the man cursed under his breath—he didn’t know where she lived.

Atasha, meanwhile, wasn’t afraid he’d do anything to her.

Somehow, she felt safe with him—especially after he’d saved her from that creep earlier.

"Hey, where do you live?"

He asked, but she didn’t answer. If she spoke, she might vomit. She hated that the car was moving.

He glanced at her, saw her eyes closed, and decided to take her to his place instead.

Soon, they arrived at a massive mansion with tight security.

Once parked, he didn’t wake her immediately—just stared.

She looked so peaceful, making him like her even more.

He leaned in, intending to kiss her—until her eyes fluttered open.

She had been awake the whole time, just waiting for her dizziness to fade.

She met his gaze as he got closer, and she knew what he was about to do.

But she didn’t stop him.

Part of her wanted this, confusing her even more.

Then his lips brushed against hers—and she snapped back to reality.

She was about to push him away when a memory flashed in her mind.

"Please, my child. Get married. I want to see my grandchild before I leave this world."

Tears welled in her eyes at the thought of losing her mother.

The man pulled back in shock.

"S-sorry! Sht! I didn’t mean to make you—"

Before he could finish, Atasha grabbed his face and kissed him.

He froze at first, then slowly closed his eyes, cupping her face and neck.

A deep, passionate kiss enveloped them—both lost in desire.

The next thing Atasha knew, she was being laid on a soft bed.

She let herself be carried away by the heat between them.

That night, something that shouldn’t have happened… did.

A night where they both wanted—and enjoyed—each other.