Alessia knew when to leave.
The wife didn't scream. She didn't throw things. She didn't slap anyone.
She just stood there, looking at Alessia like she had already seen girls like her before.
"You look young," the woman said calmly.
"Do you know what men like him do? They ruin girls like you and then go home to their wives."
Alessia kept her face smooth. No embarrassment. No apology.
She had walked into that hotel room for a reason. She didn't believe in emotional speeches.
"I think you're misunderstanding the situation," Alessia replied lightly.
The woman's lips curved slightly. "No. I understand perfectly."
Behind her, the man was panicking.
"Francesca, let me explain…."
"Don't," she said without raising her voice.
That was what made it worse. The quiet control.
Her eyes moved back to Alessia.
"You're beautiful. You probably think you're in control. But men like him don't choose you. They rent you."
That one hit harder than Alessia expected.
Still, she did not react.
She picked up her purse from the table.
"I wasn't planning to stay long anyway," she said.
She walked toward the door. Her heels clicked against the floor, steady and controlled.
When she reached the door, the wife spoke again.
"You can still choose better."
Alessia paused for one second.
Then she opened the door and left.
The hallway felt colder than the room.
She walked to the elevator and pressed the button.
Her reflection stared back at her from the metal doors. Perfect makeup. Perfect dress. Perfect confidence.
All fake.
Her phone rang.
She didn't need to check the name.
"Tell me you got it," her boss said immediately.
"No."
Silence theb followed.
"What do you mean no?"
"His wife came."
Another silence, longer this time.
"You're joking."
"I'm not."
"You had one job."
"And I almost had it."
"But you didn't."
His tone changed. The friendly businessman disappeared.
"I already transferred half. You don't get the rest."
Alessia felt her chest tighten.
"That wasn't the agreement."
"The agreement was success."
"I need that money."
"I need results," he snapped. "You're replaceable, Alessia. Don't forget that."
The line went dead.
She lowered the phone slowly.
Replaceable.
She hated that word more than anything.
Outside, the evening air hit her skin.
She waved down a taxi.
"City General Hospital," she said once she got in.
The driver nodded and drove off.
She leaned back in the seat, staring at the passing lights.
Her grandmother's face flashed in her mind.
The doctor's voice from last week.
"We can't delay too long."
The taxi stopped.
"Forty dollars," the driver said.
She blinked. "What?"
"Traffic."
She opened her purse and counted carefully.
Ten.
Twenty.
Thirty.
That was it.
She checked again like money might magically appear.
But there was nothing.
"I have thirty," she said quietly.
The driver looked annoyed. "It's forty."
"That's all I have."
He stared at her for a few seconds, then waved his hand. "Fine. Next time carry enough."
She handed him the thirty and stepped out quickly.
The hospital smelled like disinfectant and worry.
She walked past the nurses without speaking and went straight to Room 312.
Her grandmother was asleep.
Machines beeped softly beside her.
The strong woman who used to argue with neighbors now looked small under the blanket.
Alessia walked closer and adjusted the blanket gently.
"Grandma," she whispered.
Her grandmother's eyes opened slowly.
"You're here."
"Of course."
The old woman smiled faintly. "Did you eat?"
Alessia smiled back. "Yes."
Lie.
"You look tired."
"I'm fine."
Another lie.
Her grandmother's hand moved slightly.
Alessia held it carefully.
"You shouldn't work too hard," the old woman murmured.
"I'm not."
"I'm expensive," her grandmother said weakly.
Alessia's chest tightened instantly.
"Don't say that."
"If I wasn't sick…."
"Don't say that."
Silence filled the room.
"You're a good girl," her grandmother whispered.
Alessia looked away.
Good girls didn't seduce married men for money.
But she said nothing.
A knock came on the door.
"Miss Alessia?" the doctor asked.
She stood up. "Yes."
"Can we talk outside?"
She followed him into the hallway.
He adjusted his glasses before speaking.
"We cannot delay the surgery any longer."
Her stomach dropped.
"How long do we have?"
"A week at most."
"And the cost?"
He told her.
The number felt unreal.
She nodded slowly like she understood, but her mind was already racing.
"That's a lot," she said quietly.
"I know. But without the surgery, her condition will worsen."
She thanked him and walked back toward the waiting area.
Her legs felt heavy.
She sat down and stared at the floor.
Half payment gone.
No balance.
Hospital bills rising.
One week deadline.
Her phone buzzed and she checked it. It's her friend Laura.
"Where are you?" Laura asked.
"At the hospital."
"I'm nearby. I'll come."
Alessia didn't argue.
Ten minutes later, Laura walked in carrying two cups of cheap coffee.
"You look terrible," Laura said honestly.
"Thank you."
Laura handed her the coffee and sat beside her.
"What happened with the job?"
Alessia stared at the paper cup. "His wife came."
Laura winced. "That's bad."
"He refused to pay the rest."
Laura's eyes widened. "What? That's unfair."
"Fair doesn't pay hospital bills."
Silence settled between them.
Laura hesitated.
"There's something I heard today."
Alessia didn't look up. "If it's another small job, I'm not interested."
"It's not small."
That made her look up.
Laura lowered her voice.
"I don't know if it's real. But I heard a wealthy family is looking for a woman."
Alessia frowned. "For what?"
"Something contractual."
"What does that mean?"
"They want someone discreet. Someone who can play a role."
"What role?"
Laura swallowed.
"I heard seduction might be involved."
Alessia's expression didn't change.
"That's not new."
"It's different," Laura said quickly. "This isn't some random businessman. This is a powerful family. Old money. Serious people."
Alessia studied her friend's face.
"What's the catch?"
"I don't know everything. Just that it's temporary. Strict contract. And morally… questionable."
Alessia gave a dry laugh. "Morally questionable is my specialty."
Laura didn't laugh.
"The pay is insane."
Alessia's fingers tightened around the coffee cup.
"How insane?"
Laura leaned closer.
"Millions."
The hospital sounds felt louder suddenly.
"How many millions?" Alessia asked quietly.
Laura hesitated.
"Ten."
The number sat between them.
Alessia slowly turned her head toward the glass window that showed her grandmother's room.
Ten million.
She had done dangerous things for thousands.
How dangerous could millions be?
And why would a powerful family need someone like her?
Laura touched her arm gently. "I don't
know all the details yet. But if you're interested, I can try to connect you."
Alessia didn't answer immediately.
Her grandmother's weak voice echoed in her mind. "You're a good girl."
She stared at the hospital door.
Ten million.
"I'm listening," she said finally.
And that was the moment everything began to change.