Chapter 1
To save Parker’s life, 1 sold my virginity.
My fingers wouldn’t stop shaking as I handed him that grimy envelope stuffed with fifty thousand dollars–the price tag on my innocence.
Parker accepted it with perfectly rehearsed tears glistening in his eyes, “Scarlett, baby, I promise I’ll make this up to you.”
But when I visited him in the hospital, the overheard conversation through the door chilled
me to the bone.
“Damn, Parker, you’re really something–her naked body is HD quality clear in that footage…”
“The stupid bitch had it coming! Nobody messes with Parker’s beloved and walks away!”
“So when are you dropping this bomb online, Parker?”
He scoffed, then said it as casually as if he were commenting on the weather,
“At Rachel’s welcome home party–which happens to be Scarlett’s birthday. I will give her
an unforgettable ‘surprise‘!”
Clutching the thermos of homemade soup, I hovered outside Parker’s hospital room.
The explosion of laughter from inside froze my hand mid–knock.
“Dude, Parker, you absolute LEGEND! That dumbass actually spread her legs for cash! Listen to her in this video–sobbing her eyes out and moaning your name the whole damn
time!”
I clutched the doorknob so fiercely that I didn’t notice my fingernails breaking and lodging
in my palm.
Through the crack in the door, I saw Parker lounging on the hospital bed, swirling a wine
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From Abandoning Him to Becoming an Empire Queen
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Chapter 1
glass, his complexion healthy and vibrant–nothing like someone who supposedly needed life–saving surgery. Several well–dressed guys surrounded him, all wearing disgusting
smirks.
I rubbed my eyes hard, thinking I must be hallucinating.
“Bro, your acting skills are fire! You’re wasting your talent not being in Hollywood,” said a
guy with bleached hair as he clapped Parker’s shoulder. “She fell for every line–selling
blood, selling pussy–fucking priceless!”
“Fifty grand? That’s bargain basement pricing! Your Tibetan mastiff cost more than that!” Bleach–hair doubled over laughing.
“Our boy Parker really committed to the bit–playing the devoted boyfriend, also acting the
broke patient. Oscar–worthy performance!” another guy howled.
“So When’s the premiere dropping? Think she’ll jump off a bridge?”
Parker glanced at his phone without responding.
“Yo, don’t tell me you’re catching feelings?” Someone nudged him. “Remember, if she hadn’t
snatched Rachel’s scholarship, Rachel wouldn’t have been shipped overseas by her parents.”
At Rachel’s name, Parker’s eyes turned cold. “What’s the rush? Rachel’s welcome–home
party happens to fall on her birthday…”
He paused, satisfaction curling his lips. “I will give her an unforgettable ‘surprise‘.”
“Once that video hits every platform,” Bleach–hair said, rubbing his hands together
excitedly, “she’ll never show her face in public again!”
I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. I stumbled out of the hospital, the wind stinging my
tear–streaked face.
Back in my tiny apartment, I collapsed to my knees, staring at the photos of Parker and me
on the wall. In them, his smile was bright enough to melt ice. Now, I felt nothing but a
bone–deep chill.
Memories came flooding back-
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Chepeer 1
A year ago, Parker had rescued me from some thugs in an alley. After we started dating, hr told me he had a congenital heart condition. Heartbroken for him, I worked multiple jobs trying to save money for his treatment.
Just days ago, someone had frantically told me Parker had collapsed and needed emergency heart surgery. For that “life–saving” money, I’d gritted my teeth and sold my virginity to a revolting older man with jowls like melting candle wax and breath that reeked of cigars and decay.
How tragically absurd!
All of it–a calculated revenge for Rachel. That scholarship on merit had been my lifeline out of poverty, but for Rachel, not even enough to buy a designer bag.
I broke down completely, crying on the floor as soup spilled everywhere from the fallen
thermos.
Scarlett, you absolute and utter fool!
My phone’s shrill ring sliced through my breakdown, “Unknown Number” flashing on the
screen.
I almost declined but somehow answered in my daze.
“Is this… Scarlett Moore?” An unfamiliar British accent filled my ear.
“This is Dr. William Bennett from St. Vincent’s Hospital in London. I regret to inform you that Mr. Moore passed away this morning.”
“His final wish…” the doctor paused, “was for you to attend his funeral.”
I heard papers shuffling. “He also left you a letter and some personal effects. Would you be able to come to England? We’ll have someone arrange your flights.”
My tear–stained reflection stared back at me from the window.
“I’ll be there.”
