3
Every cell in my body screamed in protest, but I couldn’t afford to defy Caleb Hawthorne. Compared to the other repulsive options, this handsome, young man was a godsend.
Gritting my teeth, I cautiously reached out my hand. The silver snake stretched its head forward, its colc
scales making unexpected contact with my palm.
It was cool, smooth, and utterly horrifying.
Oh God, I want to cry. This is horrible.
But I kept my smile plastered on my face, looked Caleb in the eye, and forced out a lie.
“Wow… the… the texture. It’s… exquisite.”
The words had barely left my mouth when the snake, for reasons unknown, suddenly lunged, its mouth wide open as if to bite me.
I shrieked, my hand jerking back. I couldn’t stop myself from stumbling three steps away.
My lie was exposed in the most blatant way possible. I braced myself for Caleb’s mockery, but he just watc hed me with an amused, knowing look.
“What’s your name?”
“Chloe. Chloe Bell.”
“You want to be with me?”
“Huh?” My eyes went wide with shock.
By the time I’d processed his question, my father and Caleb had already struck a deal. He was handing me over to Caleb for three years to settle a thirty-million-dollar debt. It was a terrible bargain for my father, but a miraculous one for me.
And surprisingly, Caleb agreed.
He gave a nonchalant nod. “Sure. Deal.”
