Last year Christmas Party

In truth, that first night at the Christmas party a year ago was entirely unconsensual at its core—a moment where one person sought to assert total control over another.

John had just caught his wife, Madison, engaged in an affair with Gertrude right inside his own office, using an empty room where anyone could easily walk in. Even though he had suspected the truth for a year, seeing it firsthand was the exact moment he realized his marriage was completely over. Feeling utterly pitiful, angry, and desperate to escape the building, he headed straight for the elevators.

That was when he saw Laly.

She had been brought in as little more than eye candy, drawing the attention of everyone in the room while Gertrude focused entirely on Madison. Laly wore a tight black mini-dress with spaghetti straps that accentuated her curvy figure, her long legs, and her prominent chest.

John managed to slip into the elevator just as the doors were closing, leaving the two of them alone. Laly, who lived in the building's penthouse, pressed the button for the upper floors and instantly recognized him.

The moment the doors sealed shut, the heavy scent of her perfume wrapped around him, momentarily turning him on even amid his despair. But her expression was ice cold. Before John could even speak, she started snapping at him in French, her voice dripping with venom. Instead of acknowledging that he was just as much a victim of their spouses' betrayal, she turned her fury outward, blaming him for what had happened and raising her hand before striking him across the face.