Chapter 1 A thirty - year - old man's desires are raw and unfiltered . Alicia Shelton had long since lost track of how much time had passed . Her body felt as though it had come apart at the seams . overwhelmed by an intensity she could neither fight nor escape . Vincent Lawson knew her body too well - every sensitive spot , every secret weakness . Not a single touch was wasted . He was precise , practiced , devastatingly effective .

Finally , when it was over , Vincent stood by the bed , taking his time as he dressed . " Clear my schedule starting tomorrow , " he said , buttoning his shirt . I'm taking a week off . Book two tickets to the Maldives . " Alicia shifted , trying to ease the ache in her back , a flicker of hope lighting her tired eyes . " Vincent , are you taking me on vacation ? " He paused , frowning slightly as he looked at her . " I'm going with Mina Holloway . " ! The smile froze on Alicia's face .

She lowered her gaze , her voice small . " Of course , Mr. Lawson … Noticing the change in her expression , Vincent spoke again , his tone flat . " Alicia , you're an orphan . You're young . I could never marry you ." A bitter smile curled on Alicia's lips as she looked up at him . "I never expected you to marry me . But now that Miss Mina Holloway is back from her divorce … I suppose this is where we part ways . Vincent's face darkened .

He ruffled her hair , almost gently , and placed a credit card on the nightstand . " Be good . Go buy yourself something nice . "I'm not going to be your mistress , Mr. Lawson . " Alicia met his eyes , stubborn . She knew Vincent and Mina's marriage was only a matter of time . " It's too soon to talk about that , " Vincent replied , impatience flaring in his voice . " If the time comes and I get married , then we'll talk , But until then , don't get dramatic . It's not your call to make .

" He shot her a final look , then strode out . !! The front door closed with a hollow click , and for a long moment , Alicia heard nothing but a ringing in her ears . She was an orphan . During her freshman year at college , her looks had caught the attention of Mira Lawson - Vincent's younger sister , a spoiled heiress with a cruel streak . Mira's bullying had left Alicia half - deaf in one ear , her little finger broken , and nearly blinded by a lit cigarette . Someone had filmed the attack .

The video w went viral , igniting a public outcry . The school was forced to call in the parents . Vincent came to represent the Lawsons.8 Vincent - the golden boy of the Lawson family . Maybe it was for the family name , or maybe it was pity , but Vincent had reached out to Alicia , battered and bruised as she was . The first words he ever spoke to her : " Don't be afraid . I won't let anyone hurt you again . It was pathetic of her , really . But Alicia fell for Vincent - hard .

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At the loneliest , hungriest time of her life , he became everything she dreamed a man could be . He was safety and affection , all wrapped up in one . " She used to think Vincent was her salvation . But now she saw it clearly . He didn't love her . He just couldn't let her go . Lawson & Co Vincent had meetings to attend and work to hand over . Mina waited for him in his office !! Soon , they would be flying off to the Maldives together - seven days of bliss .

Alicia placed a cup of coffee before Mina , her heart twisting painfully . " Miss Holloway , your coffee . " % Mina looked up , her smile soft , almost kind . !! She was everything Alicia wasn't . Born into a powerful family , Ming was Vincent's childhood friend , his perfect match in every way . She had poise , intelligence , that untouchable air of someone who had never known true want .

Just sitting there , Mina radiated confidence so bright it hurt Aliciar to look at her Alicia knew she'd lost , that she had never stood a chance . The prince never truly loves Cinderella . He just keeps her around to pass the time Setting down the coffee , Alicia all but fled the office , barely holding herself together . How could she be confident ? Orphaned , poor , her body marred by old injuries - every part of her screamed of inadequacy . " Mr.

Lawson and Miss Holloway are going on their honeymoon , did you hear ? " whispered a coworker by the water cooler . " Looks like it's official . The families have agreed , and the engagement announcement is coming when they get back , " li Wicis poured boiling water into her mug , so distracted she scalded the back of her hand . The cup slipped and shattered on the floor . It took her a moment to realize what happened , and she hurried to run her hand under cold water !

Vincent and Mina were getting married . That meant her time with Vincent was over . So was her internship at Lawson & Co. - an ending before she was ready . " ] " Alicia , Mr. Lawson wants you to drive him and Miss Holloway to the airport at eleven , " a colleague called out . !! Alicia managed a bitter smile . Vincent could be cruel . She knew he was doing it on purpose . There was a company driver , but he wanted her - just to remind her exactly where she stood .

To make sure she didn't get any foolish ideas . In the end , Vincent and Mira were cut from the same cloth . Both bullies , just in different ways … One broke her body . The other broke the pieces left of her heart . Taking out her phone , Alicia hesitated for a long time before dialing a number she'd once blocked . " Hello , Mr. Lynch ? You said … if I agreed to marry you , you'd sponsor me to study in Italy . Does that offer still stand ? Her voice trembled .

" ] Maybe mamage was her only way out - her only escape from Seaview City and from Vincent . " Are you sure about this ? " The man's voice on the other end was low , steady . " Be at Riverside Mansion at seven on the thirteenth . We'll discuss discuss the details . " ) The thirteenth Eight days left .