My boyfriend Finnegan Reager's adopted sister pricked me with the IV needle for half an hour while trying to insert it for me. I made her apologize, then my private photos were posted online and sold for just a dollar each the next day.

I covered the bruised back of my hand and went to Finnegan, only to overhear him chatting with his friends at the door of the hotel room.

"Two photos of Madeline's boobs. Who wants them?"

"Me! Finn, you are so kind. It's a feast for our eyes!"

"Finn, you posted Madeline's private photos all over the internet. Aren't you afraid that if she finds out, she'll break up with you or cause a ruckus?"

Finnegan chuckled, picked up a photo of my collarbone, and threw it on the table.

"I'd like to see her try! Everyone's already seen her naked body. I bet she's desperate to marry me just to save her reputation. How would she have the guts to break up with me or make a fuss?"

The room erupted in crude laughter.

"So, are you going to marry her, Finn? If not, when you're tired of her, can you share her with us? By the way, what did Madeline even do to deserve this?"

Finnegan, who'd been lounging on the sofa, straightened up at that.

His words were full of disgust as he replied, "Sammy had some trouble giving her an IV, and she made a scene about it. She knows Sammy's just an intern, but she still insisted that Sammy apologize. She needs to be taught a lesson for humiliating Sammy—otherwise, she wouldn't know her place."

Then he flung some photos of my bare back onto the table. The loud thud made my breath hitch.

***

"Finn, how did you come up with the idea of selling her private photos for just one buck each? That's dirt cheap! I could easily buy the whole set you posted for 20 dollars. Even roses on the street are more expensive than that!"

Finnegan curled his lips in disdain.

"That's exactly the point. I want everyone to know that Madeline is cheaper than a street rose. She humiliated Sammy, so I'll make sure she tastes her own medicine!"

As if recalling something, he took out his phone and unlocked it.

Moments later, broken moans and muffled sounds played from the speaker.

"I have videos and audio recordings here too. How about 1.5 dollars each? Anyone interested?"

My heart sank, tears streaming down my cheeks.

I knew exactly what had been recorded.

The laughter and cheers inside grew louder—an ugly, deafening chorus that left me breathless.

I bit my lip until I tasted rust, finally regaining a tiny bit of rationality.

It had taken me a long time to win Finnegan over. In everyone's eyes, he was a perfect boyfriend—gentle, attentive, and always putting me first.

We'd been in love for four years, and he'd always been the horny type.

Not only that, he often made weird requests, like buying plenty of role-playing costumes and telling me to wear them in bed.

I thought I was indulging him out of love, to make him happy. I never realized he was just setting up the perfect angles to record everything and ruin me.

As the laughter in the room grew shriller, a chill ran down my spine.

Not long ago, I'd caught a cold when the temperature suddenly dropped.

After taking medicine for several days, I still didn't get better. Finnegan got worried, so he drove me to the hospital where his adopted sister Samantha Reager worked.

Before this, I had only heard comments about Samantha from him and his friends.

"Sammy's the apple of Finn's eye. She's simple and kind-hearted, and Finn spoils her rotten!"

That was true. Though Samantha was the same age as me—twenty-four—her soft, childish voice made her seem much younger. People couldn't help but want to protect her.

But even though it was our first meeting, she seemed to dislike me.

When she inserted the IV needle, I could tell she missed the vein on purpose. Each jab was excruciating.

After several attempts, the back of my hand was covered in bruises.

She looked embarrassed but never apologized.

Finally, the kind nurse on duty couldn't stand it anymore. She found an excuse to send Samantha away and helped me insert the IV herself.

Even so, I still felt sulky, so I asked Samantha to apologize to me.

She was reluctant, but under Finnegan's pressure, she forced out a trembling apology.

"I'm sorry."

With that, she ran away in tears.

Finnegan didn't chase after her. He even smiled and comforted me in a gentle voice, telling me it was okay.

But the next day, he posted my private photos online just so he could avenge his dear Sammy.

Before this incident happened, he had held my hand and said, "After you and Sammy meet, let's gather our parents and talk about marriage."

But if he really wanted to marry me, why would he do that to me?

Was it just an empty promise? Were all those words of love for the past four years nothing but lies?

I suddenly remembered a drunken gaffe by one of Finnegan's good friends at a party. "If Finn didn't care that he and Sammy are adopted siblings, they'd already be married by now!"

An invisible hand seemed to tighten around my heart, the pain so severe that I couldn't breathe.

I don't know how I walked out of the hotel. But the moment I stepped out, I felt everyone looking at me with contempt and mockery.

Overwhelmed by shame and fear, I called my parents, who were working abroad on classified experiments.

Because of their special status, they had to do that every three years, and no one could contact them during this period.

Today happened to be the day the experiment was completed.

When the call was connected, my parents' concerned voices made the fragile walls I'd built around myself crumble.

After crying my eyes out, I wiped away my tears.

"Dad, Mom, I've decided. I want to join you and do something meaningful with my life."

In the past, Finnegan didn't want me to leave him, afraid he'd miss me like crazy. So I gave up the idea of joining my parents, thinking that if our love stayed strong, it wouldn't be so bad.

But I was wrong—he didn't love me. Otherwise, he wouldn't have destroyed me and turned me into everyone's dirty joke.

I had been such a fool. But thankfully, I still had a way out.

I returned to the apartment in a daze. The house was cold, and it was obvious that Finnegan had not come back yet.

The smart home detected the bright light outside and automatically closed the curtains.

The light in the room dimmed a little, and I sat down on the carpet, feeling exhausted.

I wanted to cry, but I couldn't.

A sharp ring interrupted the silence in the room. I picked up the phone, only to realize Finnegan was calling.

"Where are you?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but my throat was dry and painful.

"I'm home."

"Sammy's hosting a party, and we're invited. Do you want to come over now? Pack your things, and I'll pick you up."

Without waiting for me to refuse, Finnegan hung up the phone.

He arrived shortly, and when he realized I hadn't changed, he sighed softly.

"I saw the photos online. Don't overthink it. I believe you, okay?"

As he spoke, he took out a skirt that hugged the waist nicely.

"Be good and change into this. We shouldn't be keeping them waiting."

He took off my coat, but I suddenly grabbed his hand.

"What do you mean by that?"

I remembered the conversation at the hotel.

"Finn, how are you going to fool Madeline?"

Finnegan didn't say anything, but Samantha's voice suddenly came from his mobile phone.

"I want everyone, including herself, to doubt her purity. I'll act as her savior when she's in trouble. This won't affect their relationship, and it'd give me an ego boost. How does that sound, Finn?"

After a while, Finnegan agreed to her idea.

"Sounds good."

With that, my leaked photos turned me into a promiscuous woman.

I smiled bitterly.

"Why would you believe me?"

I pulled off my skirt and threw it aside, feeling very tired.

"I don't want to go to the party. Have fun with them."

Finnegan frowned, clearly unhappy.

Indeed, he blew up.

"Stop losing your temper, Madeline!

"Sammy found out about what happened to you online. She organized today's party because she wants you to relax. She's also using this opportunity to apologize to you."

His fingertips traced the bruises on the back of my hand.

"She means well, so don't be stubborn!"

Finnegan forcibly took me out of the door.

Before getting off the bus, I took a mask from my pocket to put it on, but Finnegan stopped me.

He looked at me gently and firmly, as if he were really a savior.

"There's no need to wear it. I believe in you, and you believe in yourself, okay?"

He threw the mask out of the window and forcibly pulled me out of the vehicle.

The moment I entered the bustling bar, all eyes were suddenly on me.

They stared at me with thinly veiled lust.

I seemed to still hear the undisguised malicious chatter in the corner.

"Look! That's her, right? She looks so cool and quiet, but I didn't expect her to be such a wildcat."

"That's her! I'll always remember her face. Gosh, she looks like a vixen! Also, her figure is out of this world!"

"Hahaha!"

I straightened my back stiffly and suppressed my nausea as Finnegan led me into the private room.

The moment we entered, Finnegan let go of my hand.

I lowered my head and looked at my shoes, trying to find a sense of familiarity.

But those wandering eyes in the private room were even nastier than those outside!

"I don't feel well. I want to go back."

I turned to leave, but someone grabbed my wrist and rubbed circles on my hand roughly, which gave me goose bumps.

The man holding my hand was one of Finnegan's good friends, and he was also the one who made the loudest jokes in the hotel's private room that night.

He looked at me, his eyes filled with lust.

"What's the rush, Maddy? It's been ages since we last hung out, so why don't you have fun with us?"

He sounded suspicious, and his words made me feel nauseous and breathless.

Samantha poked her head out from behind and smiled innocently.

"Hey, what are you doing? You're scaring Maddy!"

She forcefully dragged me from the door to the center of the private room. The light from overhead made it even more difficult for me to move.

I looked at Finnegan.

He sat in the corner, swirling his wine casually, watching everything unfold without intervening.

When our eyes met, he smiled at me, as gentle as before.

He was the one who made me a street rat.

Someone handed me a glass of wine, blocking my view of Finnegan.

Samantha looked at me with a smile, which gave me the creeps.

"I'm sorry about yesterday, Maddy. I wasn't skilled enough, and I hurt you. I'd like to apologize today. Once we drink this, let's forgive and forget, shall we?

"But what's with those lewd photos online?"

She pretended to be ignorant, took out her cell phone, and handed the photos to me, seemingly embarrassed as she asked me that question.

"Is that really you? But if it's true, who took them? You're not cheating on Finn, are you?"

She glanced at Finnegan just then.

"It doesn't matter, though. I believe in you, and so does Finn! Come on, Maddy. Have a drink, and it'll soothe all your worries!"

Her heroic appearance successfully made everyone present laugh. They whistled to cheer her up, and even Finnegan spoke.

He looked helpless, yet overly indulgent.

"Sammy, don't drink too much. You're a nurse, and you should know that drinking too much is harmful to your health."

Samantha pouted and handed the wine to me again.

"In that case, please drink this on behalf of me, Maddy."

For a moment, all eyes were on me. I wanted to decline politely, but Finnegan accepted it in my stead.

"Drink it. Just do it for Sammy, all right?"

I was stunned.

I found it absurd that I had to drink her glass after she made the toast.

I realized Finnegan's true colors. In the past, he seemed to put me first, but in fact, it was because he never took me to heart.

He didn't care about me, which was why he'd been so nonchalant.

Suppressing the bitterness on the tip of my tongue, I took the wine glass.

"Can I leave after I drink this? I'm tired, and I want to get some rest at home."

Finnegan was stunned for a moment, but he finally nodded after Samantha coughed.

The strong liquor went down my throat, making me feel uncomfortable.

Putting down the wine glass, I turned and walked out.

This time, no one stopped me.

The moment I gripped the door handle with both hands, my body suddenly went limp.

My reaction seemed to set off a carnival ring for everyone in the room, and they surrounded me, cheering and screaming.

I felt dizzy all over, and my vision was blurred. Even my breathing was disrupted.

Realizing something, I looked through the gap in disbelief and found Finnegan peeling Samantha some oranges.

"Were you on this too?"

The person who had previously held my wrist squatted down and blew a smoke ring at me, then hit me in the face twice with a cold lighter.

"This is Obedion. As the name suggests, it makes you completely obedient once you drink it. Finn went through a lot just to get this for Sammy. It's your fault for crossing her! Didn't I tell you that Sammy's the most important person to Finn? But you refused to listen and made her cry, demanding that she apologize! It's not every time you'd get away with it. You're just asking for trouble. Well, I look forward to seeing you perform, Maddy!"

The shrill whistle filled my eardrums and made me tremble all over.

"Come on, bitch, how about barking like a dog for us all to hear?"

I bit my tongue and tried to ask Finnegan for help.

"Finnegan! Take me to the hospital, please..."

I didn't want to be embarrassed like this.

But his indifferent eyes and Samantha's gloating smile blended together, leaving me helpless.

"Woof!"

Before losing consciousness, I watched as Finnegan sipped on some wine.

"Keep your clothes on and don't go overboard."

"Don't worry, Finn. After the effects of the drug wear off, I guarantee she'll completely forget this even happened!"

I woke up in a hospital bed, feeling hopeless as I ached everywhere.

Finnegan pushed the door open and came in. He had hidden his true colors from last night and was as gentle as before.

"Are you feeling better? You fainted after just two sips of wine yesterday. I was really worried."

Samantha followed behind, pursing her lips as she felt my forehead pretentiously.

"Don't worry, Finn. Maddy is fine."

I stared at the ceiling with empty eyes, and my broken memories kept playing in my mind.

I had changed into another skirt, for someone had torn it while I was being treated like a dog and made fun of last night.

I couldn't hear what Finnegan said next.

After a long time, he finally left the ward with Samantha.

"Have a good rest. I'll come see you later. Just let Sammy know what you'd like to have, okay?"

I lay stiffly in bed for a long time, the memory of last night's humiliation haunting me, leaving me nowhere to escape.

After a long time, I got up and found my cell phone among the miscellaneous items on the couch, along with the ripped skirt.

I don't know who leaked last night's videos, but the clip of me lying on the ground and barking like a dog was clearly captured and uploaded online.

They had filmed my revealing skirt, the crowd's laughter, and the dim lights.

Although the video was banned immediately, people had already saved the clip.

The person who uploaded it even promised to share the video with anyone who personally messaged them.

At the same time, my personal information was also leaked.

Lewd text messages kept pouring in, and my phone seemed to be infected with a virus. My phone kept ringing, making me both physically and mentally drained.

"How much per night?"

"Send me your address."

"Is it free?"

"What's next? You're really something for being able to fool around with so many men!"

I stared blankly at the disgusting comments, then wrapped my phone in my skirt and threw it into the trash can.

Before leaving the hospital, I borrowed a hat from the cleaning lady.

I didn't dare take a taxi, so I walked about three kilometers back to the apartment.

I found a spare phone at home that I rarely used and called my parents. They sounded very anxious on the other end of the line.

My heart was filled with sorrow, but I couldn't even cry.

"Dad, Mom, has my application been approved? Can I visit you guys now?"

I didn't want to wait anymore.

My parents were silent. Perhaps they already knew about the fiasco.

I felt like I was being tortured, standing naked in front of everyone as they scolded, ridiculed, and humiliated me. I'd lost all dignity.

"Maddy, come and visit us. We'll solve all your worries."

Before boarding the plane, a sharp ring interrupted my thoughts.

Looking at the caller ID, I decisively blocked the caller and switched off my phone.

I kept myself away from the gossip. With my phone turned off, I didn't know that the hospital was in chaos.

Finnegan sat on the empty hospital bed, his face dark with rage. Everyone who'd been in the private lounge last night trembled in fear, including Samantha.

After a long while, the guy who had held my wrist yesterday finally ran into the ward breathlessly.

"This is bad, Finn! I asked around, and the drug you administered doesn't wipe away one's memories after waking up! I think we've messed up!"