Chapter 1
The exclusive Manhattan club reeked of money—a notorious black hole for the wealthy elite to burn through their cash.
Outside a private room, Anastasia Kingsley’s slender fingers paused on the doorknob when she heard a familiar voice came out:
“Anastasia? Christ, I’m bored to death with that piece of ass,” Jasper Hale drawled, lighting a cigarette and exhaling with a lazy smirk that oozed arrogance.
The private room erupted with his buddies’ laughter. “Can’t blame you, man—even a perfect rack gets old after you’ve had your hands on it enough times,” snickered Mike, one of Jasper’s wall street cronies.
“But seriously, Jasper,” chimed in Trevor, swirling his scotch, “you sure about dumping her? Three years is a long time. You practically stalked that girl to get her.”
“Yeah,” added Derek, already three sheets to the wind, “and Anastasia’s body is fucking insane—those legs go all the way up to heaven, and that ass would make a priest sin.”
“Why the hell would I keep hitting the same spot?” Jasper scoffed. “I need a girl who knows her place, you know? Like Valeria. She’s wet and willing whenever I snap my fingers. Been tapping that sweet little thing for weeks now. All that drama with Anastasia? Like fucking a beautiful iceberg.” His bloodshot eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction.
“Holy shit, you’re already nailing her stepsister?” Trevor nearly choked on his drink. “That’s cold-blooded, even for you!”
“That’s how I roll,” Jasper bragged, adjusting himself crudely. “Valeria’s got that virgin act down pat—gets on her knees like she’s praying and begs for it. One ‘please daddy’ from those lips and I’m ready to go all night,” he grinned, making an obscene gesture.
“This is why you’re the king, Hale!” Mike raised his glass. “Teaching us how to use ’em and lose ’em! They’re all just warm holes when the lights go out anyway.”
“But still, her old man might—” Derek started to caution.
The vulgar laughter continued while Anastasia stood frozen outside, gripping the handle so tightly her knuckles turned white. Every disgusting word pierced through the door with perfect clarity.
Jasper’s comments sliced through her like shards of glass, each one drawing blood.
She never imagined Jasper would be screwing her stepsister behind her back.
Anastasia drew a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and pushed the door open.
The rowdy room fell instantly silent.
The men exchanged panicked glances, realizing they’d been caught.
Peter Parker, always the quick thinker in Jasper’s entourage, immediately tried damage control.
“Ana! Hey! Come join us for a drink!”
Anastasia ignored him completely. She walked straight to Jasper, her gaze cold and level. “We’re done, Jasper. For good this time.”
Before he could respond, she grabbed a glass of Cabernet from the table and threw it directly in his face, then turned on her heel.
Jasper, dripping with expensive red wine, his white dress shirt ruined, called after her furiously, “Anastasia! If you walk out that door tonight, don’t even think about coming back!”
His voice carried the confidence of someone who’d never lost control. Throughout their relationship, he’d always held all the cards.
During those three years, he’d openly flirted with actresses, slept with college girls, even made passes at interns from Hale Industries—and Anastasia had always looked the other way.
They’d broken up and made up countless times, but she invariably came crawling back first.
So now, despite his wine-soaked shirt, Jasper remained smugly certain she was bluffing.
Anastasia hesitated at the threshold. Jasper’s face relaxed into a familiar, entitled smile.
Then, without a backward glance, she walked out.Jasper’s face froze in disbelief.
Peter muttered, I think she’s actually serious this time. Maybe you should go after her.”
“Chase after her?” Jasper scoffed, reaching for a napkin to dab at his ruined shirt. “Please. She’ll be blowing up my phone before midnight, begging to talk. Why would I bother?” The way he spoke about her sounded like he was describing a particularly stubborn pet.
His friends exchanged looks but said nothing more. History had taught them that whenever the couple fought, Anastasia would be back within the hour, tears in her eyes.
Surely tonight would be no different.
