Hailey's POV
The sound of knees hitting the floor echoed in my chest.
My hands shook as I reached for the pen, my fingers trembling as I scrawled the word 'voluntary' on the contract.
Caden patted me on the head, a sick, twisted satisfaction spreading across his face. "When you get on that stage, you better put on a good show and sell yourself. Maybe some blind rich guy will buy you, and you'll keep playing the backup for the cuckold."
My lips quivered. I desperately wanted to speak, to say anything at all, but all I could force myself to utter was, "Caden, you'll get what you deserve."
He sneered. "Only those who betray true love get what's coming to them. Let's see who really gets their payback."
A man in a mask walked over, and before I could react, he injected something into my side.
Everything went black, my vision fading into nothing.
....
When I came to again, I realized I was completely naked, locked inside a glass display case in Caden's VIP auction room.
My heart skipped a beat as I processed what was happening. On the couch across from me, Caden and Veronica were tangled up together.
Their voices were low, but their laughter was unmistakable as they shared some private joke I wasn't a part of.
As if sensing that I was awake, Veronica, likely feeling self-conscious about the stench on her clothes, tossed a small piece of fabric at my face.
I numbly pulled it off, the world spinning around me.
I could hear Caden's friends outside, laughing loud enough for the whole floor to hear.
“Caden, bro, a lot of people are saying you’re auctioning off your wife. It’s getting wild. Some of the older rich guys are eyeing Hailey, planning to throw stacks of cash just to get her.”
Caden leaned back in his chair, letting out a lazy exhale. “Tell them not to rush. I’ll put her on display for the old guys to play with. She’s got no uterus anyway, so no baggage. Just how they like it.”
He kicked the side of the display case, his voice sharp and cold. "I’ll give you one last chance. Call your cheating brother and tell him this: you're my bitch for life. Maybe I’ll take you and Veronica when I go all out for her."
I closed my eyes, choosing silence.
There was nothing left to say.
Caden muttered a curse under his breath and shoved Veronica off of him.
"Bitch, let's see how long you can keep up your act."
The auction began, and one by one, Caden snatched up items that Veronica had her eye on with a lazy flick of his wrist.
Sitting among a pile of luxury goods, Veronica stared wide-eyed, mouth slightly agape, completely enthralled by the chaos.
But Caden's expression grew darker with every passing second. His gaze kept landing on me, cold and calculating.
Finally, the auctioneer announced the last item.
“Our final item up for auction, titled ‘True Love,’ is brought to us by Mr. Caden Wilder of Wilder Enterprises, based in Riverford City.”
"$5 million!"
"$10 million!"
"$50 million!"
The bids climbed higher, but Caden's face hardened.
"Hailey, I'm giving you one last chance…" His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper, full of venom.
"VIP 31 just threw down a ridiculous bid," someone said, their voice cutting through the bidding frenzy.
Caden's face turned pale. He whipped around, staring at the auction stage with growing fury.
