"Where did you go? Why couldn't I reach you? What happened?" a handsome, middle-aged man's voice trembled with worry.
His brows were furrowed, and his eyes searched hers, filled with an unfamiliar anxiety. His wife had always been attentive, careful to let him know where she was and what she was doing, even during simple errands.
But last night had been different.
She hadn't returned home, and the only thing she'd said before leaving was that she'd be heading to the mall to look for some new jewelry.
Jade forced a smile, brushing off his concern with a practiced ease. "I ran into an old friend from high school," she replied smoothly. "We ended up catching up, talking for hours. I didn't even realize my phone had died."
She saw him relax slightly, though the worry hadn't fully faded from his expression. With a quick turn, she stepped away, hoping to escape his gaze before he could notice the evidence that would betray her.
Beneath her clothes, the telltale marks of last night's escapades lay hidden—faded love bites on her neck, bruises along her collarbone, and the faint, lingering scent that wasn't her husband's.
Her skin still felt sensitive, tingling in memory of every heated kiss and the passionate encounter that had left her thoroughly marked.
"…" As she headed toward the bedroom, her husband watched her retreating figure, still sensing something wasn't quite right.
Over the years, Jade had been nothing but a faithful, devoted wife. She'd always returned his love, never giving him a reason to doubt her honesty.
So now, despite the unusual circumstances, he pushed aside the faint feeling of unease that lingered in the back of his mind. He trusted her implicitly.
"I'm going to make your favorite dish tonight," he called out with a warm smile. "Come down once you're done changing." With that, he turned and headed toward the kitchen, humming softly to himself as he prepared dinner, certain that everything was as it should be.
Meanwhile, Jade watched him go, a mix of guilt and relief washing over her. She knew her husband was oblivious to the truth, unaware of the secret she now carried.
She touched her neck absently, feeling the faint, tender bruises hidden beneath her collar. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself, hoping she could leave the events of last night behind and carry on as though nothing had changed.
Her husband, blissfully unaware, continued with his evening, never suspecting that someone else had already tasted what he believed was his alone.
***
Another week passed, and gradually, the whirlwind surrounding our OP evil MC began to calm, his life slipping back into a familiar rhythm.
He hadn't bothered pressing charges against Ryan Whitaker; after all, he'd already taken everything that mattered from him—his girlfriend and his mother.
In his mind, the score was settled, and he felt no need for further conflict. He was not one to kick someone when they're down also.
The only real fallout from that encounter had been the conversation he'd had with Sophia and Jasmine, explaining his "condition."
When he told them he was a sex addict and couldn't go long without someone to satisfy his needs, they were initially taken aback, unsure whether to believe him.
But Ross wasted no time in proving his point through his actions, showing them just how serious he was. Each day, he spent time with both women and another recent capture, his insatiable desire driving him to seek their company constantly.
Their initial doubts faded as they surrendered to his relentless energy, and soon enough, both Sophia and Jasmine were raising the white flag, finally admitting they understood him fully.
With their acceptance, the tension that had lingered began to dissolve, leaving Ross feeling more content than ever.
Each day was now filled with excitement and pleasure, and with Sophia and Jasmine by his side, he felt that life couldn't be better.
For the first time in a long time, everything seemed to fall perfectly into place, leaving him in a state of happiness he'd once thought impossible.
He often took his girls out—Sophia, Jasmine, and occasionally, Natalie. More often than not, Natalie would be with them, and the group became a familiar sight. Their outings didn't go unnoticed.
The students and general populace of the school couldn't help but speculate about the nature of Ross's relationship with Natalie.
They'd seen her with him, knew how close she was to his inner circle, but no one could ever prove anything for certain.
The gossip was endless, with whispers circulating through the halls about whether Natalie was another one of his lovers or simply a close friend.
But Ross didn't care about any of that. In fact, he found the rumors amusing. If anything, the attention only fueled his ego.
He had always preferred to stay in the background, unnoticed, but now, being at the center of so much talk and intrigue was far more exhilarating than he ever anticipated.
The once dull existence of anonymity now felt suffocating compared to the vibrant, attention-filled life he was leading.
Being surrounded by the curiosity of others, the constant speculation, gave him a sense of power and control he hadn't known before.
The more the whispers and rumors swirled around him, the more he embraced it. He enjoyed the limelight—loved how it shifted the focus onto him and his actions.
His life had become a spectacle, and for the first time, he was fully alive in it, feeding off the attention, relishing the spotlight, and savoring every moment of his newfound prominence.
"So… what did you see in him, Natalie? Why did you let yourself fall for your student? Someone so much younger than you," Jasmine asked, her curiosity evident.
The three of them had been together for two weeks, and in that time, Ross had dominated their nights, taking them one by one in one room alone.
They had bared their souls and bodies to each other, forging an intimate bond.
"I don't know. It just happened," Natalie replied, her voice laced with a hint of falsehood. "And besides, what's not to like? He's wealthy and knows how to please a woman in bed. Multiple women, actually and doing us all at the same time. I regret not meeting him sooner."
Jasmine believed her, of course, but Sophia raised an eyebrow, recognizing the calculated maneuvering that Ross often employed.
She had already glimpsed the darker side of his personality, a side that Jasmine had yet to encounter.
"Ice cream, anyone?" Ross returned, four cones of ice cream in hand. He flashed a confident smile, a man accustomed to getting what he wanted. And in this moment, he certainly had.
What he didn't realize was that not everyone admired the life he had. While he thrived in the attention and luxury surrounding him, envy quietly brewed beneath the surface.
Envy, like a silent cancer, could consume even the most peaceful minds, and some people couldn't resist the urge to stir trouble rather than simply keeping their peace.
It didn't take much to set things in motion, and the more he flaunted his success and his women, the more he became a target for those who resented him.
"Ross Oakley, you're up. Show us what you're made of!" A strict, commanding voice boomed across the massive college stadium, carrying with it an undercurrent of challenge.
The sound echoed off the walls, amplifying the anticipation and setting the stage for whatever would come next.
***
Huge shoutout and thanks to ddecoen for the gifts!
You are awesome! Thank you! ^_^