When Lies Collapse, A Queen Emerges

"No way! You're still a virgin?"

As night settled, the music in the bar grew deafening, and a mix of smoke and alcohol permeated the dimly lit, bustling space.

Jessica Reynolds, who was intoxicated and disheartened, really should have headed home to rest. However, the image of an anonymous photo she had just received and the words of her friend Braelynn Harris echoed repeatedly in her mind. "If your husband isn't fulfilling your needs, you should leave him while you're still young. After all, why surrender yourself to total abstinence from sex?"

Throughout her three-year marriage, Jessica had repeatedly tried to spark romance with Matthew Hopkins, her husband, but he consistently brushed her off with various excuses.

Then, unexpectedly, Jessica received an anonymous text message two hours earlier. It contained a photo of Matthew sprawled naked on a vast bed!

In the photo, Matthew rested his head on shredded black stockings and a bra, his neck smeared with lipstick marks. He appeared to be deeply asleep, eyes shut.

The shock of the photo overwhelmed Jessica. She had wanted to call Matthew immediately for an explanation, but his phone was off. Love and loyalty? It seemed like a cruel joke.

Leaning against the bar in a drunken slump, the alcohol reddened Jessica's delicate features, and her wavy hair cascaded loosely around her.

Over the three years, despite Jessica's initial reservations about intimacy, she was, after all, an adult woman living daily with the man she loved. It was difficult not to harbor desires. Particularly today, finding out about Matthew's betrayal unexpectedly ignited a deep longing within her.

Staggering, Jessica went to the restroom to splash water on her face but nearly stumbled on the steps. Luckily, someone caught her just in time.

A deep, mature voice soothed her. "Be careful."

Through her tear-filled eyes, Jessica looked up at the man. He had noble, handsome features and dark, piercing eyes. He stood exceptionally tall, with her head only reaching his chest. He had an air of cool danger about him.

At that moment, Jessica made up her mind. Since Matthew had been unfaithful, there was no reason for her to remain loyal!

After mulling it over for a few seconds, Jessica leaned into the man's arms and boldly wrapped her arms around his neck.

Desperate for affection, Jessica initiated a passionate kiss as soon as they entered the room.

The man slid a strong hand under her hips, aiding Jessica as she wrapped her long, slender legs around his waist.

Noticing her slight shiver, the man chuckled and said, "Scared? Don't worry. I won't let you fall."

His build was lean, yet his arms displayed powerful muscles with prominent veins, and his shoulders were broad, radiating potent masculinity.

They exchanged a profound kiss. Their breathing mingled chaotically, the room filled with the soft, intimate sounds of their fervent embrace. They kissed with unrestrained passion.

The intensity of their sexual intercourse was nothing short of explosive.

Upon awakening, the man stood facing away from Jessica and secured a belt around his waist.

Jessica noticed she had been cleaned up, which showed his considerate side after their intimacy. Her observant eyes spotted that his belt was a limited edition Hermes, worth at least thirty thousand dollars, revealing she had been with a wealthy man the previous night.

"Well, what now?" Jessica, new to the experience of a one-night stand, was unsure what followed such a night of passion.

Turning to face Jessica, the man noticed she was awake and bare. His eyes briefly lingered on a red smear on the white sheet. "Fifty thousand. Is that sufficient?"

Jessica was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

The man had seen their fling as just that, unaware that she had been a virgin. However, her blend of innocence and wildness the previous night had genuinely impressed him. He hadn't felt this gratified in a long while and was prepared to compensate for the experience. "I mean exactly what I said. If that's not enough, I can increase it."

Jessica realized what he implied. "No need. It was mutual consent. We don't need to put a price on it." Putting a price on it would suggest she was selling herself.

Jessica faltered as she rose to get dressed, not realizing until then how sore she was from the previous night's activities, almost unable to stand.

The man quickly steadied her by her waist, reminiscing about her uninhibited spirit from the night before. Her skin was soft and smooth, and despite her lack of experience, her sounds of pleasure were particularly captivating. He offhandedly said, "Well, I am quite satisfied with you. You're plenty wild. How about we consider being friends with benefits?"

Although Jessica had a memorable first encounter with this man, she regarded him solely as a means to an end. She planted a playful kiss on his cheek. "Nah. Last night is just for fun!"

After getting back home, Jessica took a long, hot shower. The man had been quite intense. Her body was adorned with numerous hickeys and bite marks. Despite this, the encounter had left her feeling deeply satisfied and filled with a strong sense of retribution.

Matthew usually worked late, but that day he had come home early.

When Jessica emerged from the bathroom in her bathrobe, she ran into him.

The hickeys on her neck stood out starkly.

Matthew quickly stepped closer, his voice filled with urgency. "Jessica, did you cheat on me?"