Dual Identity: Love is Temptation and Restraint

I had been trapped in Ethan's room for days.

He played with my phone and had the nerve to delete my video account.

I rarely lost my temper at Ethan.

"Ethan, how dare you delete my account!"

"You enjoy dancing for those men that much?" he retorted coldly.

He seized my neck and shoved me forcefully onto the bed.

His large hand fully encircled my throat.

I felt my breath grow shallow, my face flush, vision blurring.

Just before I lost consciousness, he finally released his grip.

Ethan tenderly caressed my bruised neck, reverently kissing the marks.

A stark contrast to his earlier brutality.

I shrank back in fear, terrified he might snap again.

Sensing my terror, he soothed.

"Don't be afraid, I'll make it up to you."

"Okay..." I replied.

He unbound my chains.

They had left deep, varied welts on my wrists.

He kissed my wounds with tenderness, but I felt only revulsion.

"Darling, I want to see you dance," he commanded.

With no room to resist, I silently withdrew my wrist and complied with his demand.

Normally, a mask would have helped, but now I wore only a delicate white silk robe.

Suppressing shame, I danced before him.

Ethan's hungry gaze devoured my every inch, branding me with his eyes.

Before the song ended, a phone rang.

I had no friends, kept to myself.

This first call since my captivity, I knew who it was!

An unknown number flashed.

"Don't answer!" I urged.

But Ethan had already picked up.

"Where've you been, you useless brat? No money in a week! Want me dead? I'll take your sister too!" My mother's voice screeched.

Then a child's cry, "Sis, help! It hurts!"

I clenched fists, forcing back tears.

My father cheated, my gambling-addicted mother.

I just wanted to escape with my sister.

But my meager salary barely sustained us.

I became a borderline streamer, quick money, especially with wealthy patron Ethan.

Ethan narrowed his eyes. "How much do you owe?"

"Who are you? No wonder that brat hasn't called—found someone! Just over 3 million..." Mother trailed off.

Before she finished, Ethan had located her account and transferred the funds.

Without waiting, he hung up.

Ethan kissed my tears away.

"Stay by me, no one will hurt you again."

Perhaps pitying my tragic life, he eased my restrictions.

Yet I still couldn't leave the villa.

I approached him. "Mr. Brown, I want to go out."

His glasses hid curious eyes.

Long fingers slid down my neck.

"Please me," he said.

Begging Ethan, I knelt before him, no other choice.

Finally, I got my wish.

My willingness must have thrilled him in a novel way.

He planned a month abroad, arranged security to take me to the city's swankiest mall.

In the designer dress he'd bought, flanked by sunglassed guards, I entered a store, hoping to borrow a phone.

And there, unexpectedly, was an uninvited guest.

It was Mason Taylor, my first love from college!

I'd thought I'd never see him again.