Bought by Midnight.

She never thought she would see him again. He never wanted to see her alive. The chandelier above the event ballroom glittered like judgment. Eva Hart walked through the velvet curtain, heart racing, heels shaking. Her hands gripped the silver mask closer to her face. One night. That’s all she had to offer. One night for enough money to seek out Elijah’s medical bills and buy herself a little extra time. She was unsure of what frightened her more. The eyes watching from behind or the voice in her head saying he might probably be here. She told herself he wouldn’t be. He was too powerful for this. Too rich. Too heartless. He had probably forgotten her name. Then the auctioneer raised the next card, “Lot #17. Anonymous guest. Prize: One night of her time. Starting bid, one million dollars.” A pause. No names were called. No introductions. Just mystery. Her heart froze as she stepped onto the stage. Silence. Then “Ten million.” The voice cut through the room like a blade. Deep. Dangerous. Familiar. Maxwell. She couldn’t breathe. She didn’t dare look. But she knew. A gavel slammed down. “Sold. To bidder 413.” She looked up. He stood slowly. Tall. Impossibly cold. Dressed in a charcoal suit that probably cost more than her life. Maxwell Xavier’s expression didn’t change. Not when he saw her. Not even when her knees buckled. His eyes, those same slate-gray eyes, locked on hers with no emotion at all. He turned and walked away. Eva nearly collapsed behind the curtain. She held the wall, her breath ragged. “He didn’t even recognize me,” she whispered to herself. But then the door burst open. And Maxwell was there. Close. Furious. “I paid ten million dollars for a w***e in a mask,” he said, his voice icy. “Imagine my disappointment when I got a liar instead.” Her mask slipped to the floor. “Maxwell.” His hand slammed against the wall beside her head, not touching her, but making her afraid. “Give me one reason not to walk away right now.” She whispered, “Because I didn’t leave you.” He laughed once, hard and cruel. “You vanished on our wedding day, Eva.” Tears stung, but she didn’t cry. Not this time. “I had no choice.” “Wrong.” He leaned in, dangerously calm. “You had a choice.” And you chose to destroy me.” She looked up slowly, her voice trembling but firm. “You don’t know what they did to me.” “No,” he growled. “But you’re going to tell me.” Every. Word.” She reached into her purse. Her fingers trembled as she pulled out the envelope. “My son needs heart surgery,” she said. I need five hundred thousand dollars. I’ll do anything.” Maxwell stared at her, then at the envelope. He didn’t open it. Instead, he said, “You have twenty-four hours. My penthouse. Tomorrow night. Bring your secrets. Or don’t come at all.” He turned to leave, then paused. “And Eva? If you lie to me again. I will destroy you.”