Chapter 1: A Loveless Marriage

The music blared, shaking the ground beneath it. Sultry bodies swayed to the rhythm, bottles of expensive liquor sparkled under the dim, colorful lights, and the crowd tangled in heated dances, some passionately kissing. The murky, vibrant lighting gave the scene an otherworldly, almost sinister allure.

This was the MidNight Bar—a lavish escape for the debauched or those seeking relief from life’s pressures.

Few knew, however, that the bar was one of the many assets owned by the powerful Adonis family. The first two floors catered to entertainment, but the third floor was an exclusive gathering place for influential figures. Without connections to the Adonis family, one would never set foot there.

At that moment, in a private lounge on the third floor, expensive bottles of liquor were scattered across the room. Four men occupied the space: two were flirting with their girlfriends, one seemed restless, and the last, seated at the center and clearly the host of this gathering, had his head slumped on the table, unconscious from too much drink.

“What’s wrong with Louis today? With his personality and status, who could possibly upset him?” Curtis asked, holding his girlfriend close, confusion evident in his tone.

Robert shrugged. “Who knows? He suddenly called us here and started drinking alone. It’s baffling. Silas, you’re the closest to Louis. Do you know what’s going on?”

Silas shook his head without a word.

Curtis and Robert exchanged glances but didn’t press further.

The four of them had grown up in the country’s wealthiest city, each born into prestigious families. Among them, Louis stood out as the most exceptional. Despite his eccentric personality—even bordering on “madness”—their parents often held him up as a shining example to emulate.

Their casual conversation was interrupted when the large door swung open, drawing everyone’s attention. Had Louis invited someone else?

Turning to look, they saw a stunning woman step into the room. Her pale skin seemed to glow against the darkness, contrasting with her jet-black hair. Her straight nose and small, naturally red lips exuded a mesmerizing allure, as though inviting someone to steal a kiss. But what captivated them most were her green eyes—like flawless emeralds glinting with an icy beauty.

She scanned the room, her gaze devoid of emotion.

Yes, it was Alice.

Even though Louis treated her poorly, she always reserved her smiles for him. Silas knew this well.

Robert and Curtis knew it too. They even harbored a hint of disdain for Alice, yet they couldn’t help but be drawn to her beauty every time they saw her, sometimes even imagining themselves in Louis’s place.

Noticing her boyfriend staring at the newcomer, one of the women felt an immediate sense of danger. She leaned into Curtis’s chest, her voice dripping with jealousy. “Who is she? She’s so beautiful…”

Curtis glanced at his girlfriend, suddenly finding her dull. It wasn’t surprising—he switched girlfriends monthly, ending things as soon as he lost interest.

“She’s Louis’s wife,” he replied nonchalantly.

His girlfriend’s surprise quickly turned into disdain as her gaze shifted back to Alice. So that’s who she was—just a substitute Louis kept to satisfy his longing.

Alice seemed oblivious to the gazes of those around her. She walked over to Louis, her worried expression softening her striking features. She looked to Silas and said, “Thank you for calling me.”

Silas quickly shook his head, a smile appearing on his face. “It’s nothing. Let me help you get Louis into the car.”

After all, there was no way Alice could manage to carry Louis, who stood over 1.9 meters tall, by herself.

“Alice, let me ask you something. How can you be so shameless? Do you think doing a few little things like this will win Louis’s heart?” Robert interjected from the side, his tone laced with anger he didn’t even realize he was expressing.

Curtis chuckled mockingly. “A substitute will always be a substitute. I’m really looking forward to the day the real one comes back.”

Silas frowned at their words but said nothing. After all, Curtis and Robert spoke this way with Louis’s implicit approval.

Alice, however, didn’t spare the two men even a glance. She simply turned and left, her indifference stoking their frustration to the point where they looked ready to shatter the glasses in their hands.

Silas and Alice supported Louis as they made their way down a secret path that bypassed the first floor.

With a heavy slam, the car door shut. Just as Alice was about to open the driver’s side door, Silas suddenly spoke. “Alice, you shouldn’t let Curtis and Robert’s words get to you.”

Alice turned to look at Silas, surprised to find that Louis’s friends weren’t all the same.

She smiled faintly, waving her hand dismissively. “I don’t take it to heart. I’m used to it. How could I possibly get upset with my husband’s friends?”

Silas felt a sharp pang in his chest at her words. He could only stand still, watching as her car sped out of sight.

The vintage Bentley raced through the streets until it reached the quiet suburbs, pulling into Louis’s estate.

Alice parked the car and was about to step out when a large hand suddenly gripped her arm tightly, the strength of it making her wince in pain. She knew the spot where he grabbed her was already red.

“I saw everything. Were you flirting with Silas? Have you forgotten who your husband is?”

Alice turned her head and saw Louis, his eyes wide open and filled with drunken jealousy. The smell of alcohol clung to him as he released his seatbelt and lunged at her, pinning her down against the seat.

Hearing his accusation, Alice smiled. One hand gently caressed his face, her emerald eyes shimmering with an unhidden adoration. Her voice was soft and soothing. “How could I ever betray you? I love you so much...”

Despite her words, Louis remained angry. His alcohol-clouded mind couldn’t shake the image of Silas’s feelings for Alice. He didn’t love her, but the thought of her betraying him was intolerable.

“Don’t make excuses!” he growled.

Before Alice could respond, Louis’s weight pressed harder against her, rendering her immobile. He forcefully kissed her lips, the sweetness of her taste something most could only dream of.

He licked and bit, his movements growing increasingly fervent. Alice tried to struggle, her mouth opening as if to say something, but Louis took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, their tongues entwining. The only sounds in the car were the rustling of fabric and the intimate noises between them.

The air grew heavy with heat. It wasn’t until Alice, unable to bear it anymore, pounded her fists against Louis’s back that he finally pulled away, leaving their lips with a soft “pop,” a thin string of saliva connecting them.

Alice’s face was flushed, her breath ragged, her emerald eyes wide and dazed. Yet she kept her gaze fixed on Louis.

Gripping her chin, Louis growled, “You’re mine, Alice! Do you understand? Your body and soul belong to me, and you’re not allowed to be with anyone else but me!”

With that, he buried his head into the curve of her neck, licking and nibbling incessantly.

Alice felt her legs go numb and her waist tremble. “No, you’re drunk. We should go back to the room...”

Before she could finish her sentence, Louis’s weight suddenly increased. She looked down to see him slumped against her, unconscious from the alcohol.

Alice stared at Louis’s handsome face for a long moment before gently brushing her hand across her own cheek. No one could decipher the emotions hidden in her eyes…