Elara stepped back into the hospital she had left only hours ago, exhaustion weighing heavy in her limbs.
She needed answers.
The accident, the hospital bill, who had paid?
Approaching the front desk, she steadied herself. "Hi. I was admitted here last night. I need details on my payment."
The nurse barely glanced up. "Let me check."
Elara drummed her fingers against the counter, trying not to let the unease crawl into her chest.
A few clicks on the keyboard, and the nurse nodded. "It's covered."
Relief hit first.
Then suspicion.
She frowned. "By who?"
The nurse hesitated. "It was an anonymous transaction."
Her stomach twisted.
Anonymous? That didn't make sense.
Elara didn't know anyone rich enough or willing enough to cover her bills.
Except…
She thought back to the accident. A car. A presence. Someone who had pulled her from the street and left before she woke.
A chill swept over her as she stepped out onto the street, the city lights suddenly feeling too bright.
Elara didn't know what was worse working long hours at the bar or dealing with the wealthy, entitled men who walked in like they owned the world.
Her best friend, Riley, nudged her with an amused smirk. "You're gonna hate tonight. VVIP night."
Elara groaned. "Great. More egos to deal with."
Riley chuckled. "You know the rules. VVIP guests can do whatever they want so just avoid trouble and collect the tips."
Elara adjusted her apron, forcing herself to push through the night. She had no time for nonsense just money to make.
Until she saw him.
A man sitting in the corner booth, watching her too intently, dressed in tailored black with the kind of effortless power that made people either worship him or fear him.
She didn't know why, but his stare felt different.
Still, she ignored it. She had drinks to serve.
She walked up to his table, setting the glass in front of him.
He didn't drink, instead, he grabbed her wrist.
Firm. Controlling.
Elara stiffened. "Let go."
He didn't move. His grip wasn't painful, but it wasn't hesitant, either.
Then, he pulled her closer, leaning in, his gaze sharp as a blade as his voice dropped low.
"You smell… different."
She exhaled sharply, wrenching herself away, but he was strong too strong.
People didn't fight VVIPs. They weren't allowed to fight back.
But she wasn't just anyone.
She shoved at his chest. "I don't care what kind of power trip you're on, but I'm not playing."
He chuckled. Cold. Unbothered. Like she was amusing.
Then, he pushed her against the wall, lifting the sleeve of her uniform, his fingers brushing against her skin as if searching for something.
Elara felt anger and fear curl inside her.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
His eyes flickered sharp, calculating, testing her.
Then just like that, he let go.
He leaned back in his seat, utterly unconcerned, as though he had just confirmed something important.
She didn't know it yet.
But Ronan Nightshade had found exactly what he was looking for.
She stormed toward the back, pulse racing, trying to shove down the anger and unease twisting inside her.
Her best friend, Riley, rushed over. "What happened?"
Elara gritted her teeth. "VVIP or not.. If.. that man touches me again, I swear.. "
But before she could finish, he was there.
Ronan leaned against the doorframe like he owned the place, watching her too calmly, eyes unreadable.
He pulled out a black card—a platinum credit card placed carefully on the counter.
"I'll pay your debts," he said casually.
Her stomach twisted. What?
"I don't have debts."
He chuckled, sliding the card closer. "Your father's surgery. Your hospital bills. Your rent. Everything you owe."
Elara's blood ran cold.
How did he know all of that?
She shoved the card back toward him. "Stay away from me."
He sighed almost bored but there was something deadly behind his stare.
"This is not a bad offer," he said smoothly. "I take what's mine. You get what you need."
Her hands shook with fury.
"You think I'm going to let you buy me?"
"You think you have a choice?"
She slapped him before she even thought about it.
Hard. Sharp. Echoing through the backroom.
A tense silence fell between them.
Riley froze, looking between them as if expecting hell to break loose.
But Ronan…
He just smiled.
As if this was exactly what he expected.
Elara stormed past him, refusing to be controlled.
But she didn't know what she had just awakened. Days passed.
Elara tried to forget him, to erase the moment from her mind.
But the bills kept coming.
The surgery needed payment.
The pressure was closing in.
And somehow, she kept feeling his presence, as if he was waiting for her to break.
She told herself she wouldn't.
That she could fight this.
But fate had never been on her side.