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Chapter One

Pearl

Noas just confused

My primary objective was to return home as soon as possible as a free woman I had a job I loved, a boyfriend I loved, andfor me

But then Jacob betrayed me

What was truly waiting for ether that he threw ot too high, he illing to sell a person—me—just to make ends meet What if he wasn’t in debt? What if he just needed money to buy a house or a car? Would he trade me in for that too?

I didn’t knohat to think anymore

The agony that weighed on my heart cut deeper than a blade It hurt e There was nothing worse than having no purpose

And I had none

I looked at the jar on the table in my bedrooreed to our sick deal because I was determined to return home But now that I lacked motivation to leave, the buttons sees froht because I had a button to spare It was s I needed

That was the only value they held now

Crow returned froh the front door at the sale day He was punctual to the point of boredom His moveed to dodge his enemies when he had such a strict routine

Instead of heading into his room to shower, he knocked on my bedroom door

“Come in” I sat on the couch near the fireplace A book sat beside ain since that horrible afternoon All I wanted to do was sit still and stare at the wall

He entered the room with an innate authority His black suit was buttoned in the front, and the legs of his trousers frahs perfectly There were a lot of sexy qualities that he possessed, but I was particularly attracted to the strength in his thighs

He wore a blue tie, the kind of blue that reminded me of tropical waters It wasn’t deep and dark like his suit It was vibrant and beautiful Only a sternHeseeance and taste, and even that seemed manly