Just once? And he conquered me?

Chapter 1. Take your three "illegitimate children" and get out of my house right now.

Hayley never imagined that on the eve of her wedding, her fiancé, Sam, would deliver her into the arms of another man.

After receiving a text from Sam, she took a cab straight to the Poly Hotel. Sam was the first man who didn't mind that she had three children, treating her with tender care. Overjoyed, she was ready to give herself to him—a night of pleasure ensued.

Waking with sleepy eyes, Hayley savored the sweetness of the previous night. Suddenly, she heard noises from the bathroom. Softly, she called out, "Sam," but was shocked to see a different man emerging, clad only in a towel. His damp hair dripped water, which trickled down his striking profile and onto his well-defined chest. As he moved, his long, muscular legs hinted at his impressive physique.

Recognizing the man, Hayley quickly covered herself with a blanket, utterly astonished. "Why are you here?" she exclaimed. She had seen his stern face before—just days ago, he had helped her when she was harassed by a drunk at a construction site. She never expected their paths to cross again under such circumstances.

"Why did you think it was someone else?" Stephen's deep, resonant voice filled the room as his dark eyes scanned her flustered face. "Why are you here? Last night, I was with you…" Hayley stammered, her body still reminding her of their encounter.

"This is my room. Why wouldn't I be here?" Stephen retorted as he sat on the sofa, casually tossing aside a towel he'd used on his hair.

"My fiancé, Sam, booked this room!" Hayley protested, her face turning pale.

"Are you sure?" Stephen raised an eyebrow, his gaze darkening as it lingered on her creamy skin. Overwhelmed, Hayley adjusted the blanket to cover herself more fully.

"Get out now, or I'll accuse you of r**e!" she blurted out.

"Accuse me?" Stephen's calm demeanor was unsettling. "Should I remind you who initiated things last night?"

Hayley was speechless. She had drunk a bit to steel her courage for a romantic night with Sam. When she knocked on the hotel room door, the room was dimly lit. Thinking it was Sam, she had boldly kissed the man she met inside.

"But you could have refused!" Stephen remarked offhandedly as he began dressing. "Saving a life merits a significant reward. I thought you were here to repay your debt."

Embarrassed and furious, Hayley hastily dressed and made for the door. "Just like that, you're leaving?"

"We're both adults. It was just a one-night stand. Consider your debt repaid," Hayley snapped before slamming the door behind her.

Stephen smirked slightly and began buttoning his shirt. His phone vibrated on the coffee table, and he picked it up nonchalantly. The voice on the other end was stern and uncompromising. "If you don't find a wife soon, I might just hang myself in front of you!"

Stephen, with a flicker of mischief, replied, "Calm down, no need for threats. I'll get married."

"Really? Which family's daughter caught your eye?"

"Does it have to be someone from a prominent family?" he countered, as the other person hastily added, "Any woman will do!"

Later, at the hotel corridor, Hayley was stunned to see the room number was indeed 1802. She hadn't made a mistake, but why wasn't Sam there?

Determined, she called Sam, but there was no answer. Distressed, she left for Sam's villa to confront him, where she and her three children had been living. Sam had always treated her and the children like his own, showing nothing but kindness.

Arriving at the villa, Hayley noticed a pair of new, stylish high heels at the entrance, sparking suspicions. She hurried upstairs to the master bedroom. Before she even got there, she heard the sounds of a man and woman in an intimate embrace. Her heart trembling, Hayley eventually turned the doorknob.

Inside, the familiar laughter of a woman rang out. "Sam, are you really going to break it off with Hayley?"

"Of course! Her family's broke; she's useless to me now. I've endured enough these four years; it's over."

"You really sent her to sleep with your client? How could you?"

"A woman who's had kids? What's there to hold onto? My client might be old and ugly, but he's rich. Maybe he'll keep her as a mistress and pay for her bastard kids!"

Hearing the word 'bastards', Hayley's whole body trembled. Sam had promised never to scorn her past and to make her the happiest woman in the world. Yet now, he was betraying her with her best friend,other men. Enraged, Hayley grabbed a water pitcher from a nearby dresser and hurled it across the room.

The pitcher shattered, scattering ceramic shards everywhere. Kate, caught in the act, screamed in panic and scrambled into Sam's arms. Sam halted and turned to Hayley with a look of cold indifference after a brief moment of surprise.

Seeing this, a pang of hurt flashed in Hayley's eyes. "Sam, how could you do this to me?" she cried.

Sam scoffed, pulling on a robe as he approached her. "Let's be clear, Hayley. I've always loved Kate. If it weren't for your status as an heiress of the Capet family, useful for my career, why would I tolerate a woman who's already had children?"

"Now that the Capets are bankrupt, do you think a woman with no family background and children fits me? You'd better call off our engagement yourself rather than embarrass yourself further. Otherwise, I have plenty of ways to make you disappear!"

Hayley's fingers tightened into fists, her eyes reddening with anger. Four years ago, an accident had left her with three children of unknown paternity. At that time, she and Sam were in a relationship, and he had still proposed, though he kept delaying the wedding to focus on his career.

With the resources of the Capet family, Sam had quickly risen to prominence in Seacity, while the Capet company suddenly faced troubles—bankruptcy forced her father to commit suicide, and her mother became mentally unstable after a car accident, eventually turning into a vegetative state. Overnight, her family was destroyed, and she was left with nothing but her children, seeking refuge with Sam.

But it had all been a manipulation—Sam had used her family's support to thrust a knife into her back. Tears welled up in Hayley's eyes as she slapped him hard across the face. "Sam, you bastard!"

The force of her slap made Sam stagger. "How dare you hit me!" he roared, striking back. Hayley couldn't dodge in time and fell to the floor.

"No one hurts my mommy!"

"Mommy!"

"Uncle is a bad man!"

The three children had run into the room at some point. The eldest boy in pajamas charged at Sam, his tiny fists flailing.

"Get away," Sam snapped, shoving the boy to the ground. The little one fell hard, his delicate face crumpling in pain.

"Dodo," Hayley rushed to her son, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Sam, you even hit the children, are you even human?" she screamed.

"This is my house! Hayley, take your bastards and get out of my house now!" Sam bellowed, his voice echoing with disdain.