Ch.94

Ch.94
Ayanna Pov

"Why did you let Henry hug you?" Travis asked the moment we stepped into the room.

I raised a brow. "It's just common courtesy, nothing serious. Wait... do you doubt me?"

"No, it's not that." He sighed. "I just didn't like seeing another man hugging my wife, that's all."

"It was just a hug, Travis," I said, stepping closer to him. I wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed a kiss to his lips.

That reminded me...

"Where were you all morning? I was looking everywhere for you." I pulled back slightly to look at him. "You even left your phone behind. At least a simple message would have been nice."

"I'm sorry, Aya. I got a call and rushed out in a hurry. I forgot my phone."

"And what was so urgent?"

"There was an issue with a mall-embezzlement. I needed to sort it out quickly and get back to you," he explained.

I frowned. "A mall? But you don't own one... Did you buy or build one?"

.
 Travis looked momentarily confused. "Huh?"

"You heard me. Did you buy or build a mall? Because last I checked, you didn't have one."

He hesitated. "Ayanna, you know I'd never lie to you or do anything to hurt you, right?"

"Of course, but you still haven't answered my question."

He exhaled. "I got the mall from Henry a while back."

"You got it? As in, you bought it?"

"No... he gave it to me."

I blinked. "He gave you a mall?" Then it hit me. "Wait... you actually went through with the bet?"

Travis rubbed the back of his neck.

I scoffed. "So, the first time you convinced me about this contract marriage, it was all because of a stupid bet?"

"No! It wasn't like that." His voice was low. "I wanted my father's property-that was my goal. But Henry gave me the company the moment I married you publicly, thinking I had won the bet."

I stared at him in disbelief. "And you didn't think to mention that to me? Not even once?"

I wasn't completely lost, but my knees felt weak. I found the nearest thing to sit on, hoping it would help calm my nerves.

"Travis..." I called his name. "I left that party because I found out that you and Henry had placed a bet on who would get me. That made me angry-so angry that I walked away. But no matter how much I tried to deny it, I realized I was still drawn to you."

I took a deep breath before continuing. "But I didn't even have time to process my feelings before you started treating me like I was nothing. Then, you forced me into this contract marriage. I was helpless, Travis. Every penny I made as an escort went into paying off my father's debt, covering Irene's school fees, my mom's treatment, and Andrew's tuition. Andrew wanted to work part-time, but I didn't let him because I needed someone close to my mom and Irene. She was just a little child."

I swallowed hard, the painful memories flooding back. "The first time the debt collectors came knocking, they tried to throw us out. Irene was barely a year old. If they had kicked us out, would I have had to raise my child on the streets? What about my mom's health? It was already deteriorating. I begged them for a week, promising I'd find a way to pay-at least part of it."

I clenched my hands together. "That's when I started looking for a job. I went to a club, hoping to find something, and that's where Tyler, my boss at the agency, saw me. He offered me a job as an escort, but the pay wasn't nearly enough. There was a rich man who wanted someone younger, and I happened to be the youngest. He said all I had to do was accompany him to a gathering for three days.

"Tyler had some of the girls train me-how to seduce clients, how to handle different situations-but he made it clear that no one was forced to sleep with a client unless they requested through him and we agreed. I learned fast because I needed to impress the client, hoping he'd give me at least a tip. Some of the other girls said he was generous when he was pleased with the service."

I exhaled sharply. "Three days later, I arrived at the venue, but it wasn't a party like I expected. It was a private resort with just a few of his friends. After they ate and drank, I was supposed to go to his room. That's when he offered me a deal-he wanted me to sleep with him in exchange for extra money. If Tyler found out, he'd take a percentage, so the client wanted it kept between us. When he told me the amount... it was enough to cover half of my father's debt. So, I agreed."

I shook my head, remembering the guilt and desperation I had felt. "I took the money and settled half of the debt, but my mom still needed treatment and medication. So, I continued working as an escort, but I never slept with another client again. I only accompanied them to events, seduced them a little, and that was it."

I looked at Travis. "The reason I'm telling you this is because I don't want any more secrets between us. That's what ruined our relationship before, and I don't want it to happen again. Promise me you're not hiding anything from me?"

"I promise, Aya. I'm not." His voice was quiet, and he hesitated before adding, "And I'm sorry for everything you went through."

I searched his eyes. "Are you sure?"

He hesitated again.

"I'm sure," he finally said.