Married to Mason Crawford for two years, Summer Thorne became the city's notorious jinx.
As the legitimate Mrs. Crawford, she could only watch helplessly as her own family went bankrupt and her father was convicted, with no one willing to lend a hand.
Mason Crawford looked at her coldly: "Summer Thorne, do you think anyone in Valois would dare to help you if I didn't give the word?"
Everyone watched her hit dead ends everywhere, bruised and battered, standing by with cold indifference.
Until that snowy night in the deep mountains, she was tricked by others and left to walk alone in the snow, when a man on horseback galloped over, pulled her onto his steed, and wrapped her in his embrace.

*

The first time they met, she lit a cigarette for him;
The next time they met, he said, "Miss Thorne, how much are you planning to spend to buy me?"
Timothy York, a gentleman from a prestigious family—upright, dignified, aloof, and noble, a man who had never made a single misstep, praised by everyone in Valois.
Yet, on that one day, Summer Thorne was photographed leaving Timothy York's residence early in the morning.
The entire city was in an uproar.
The most unattainable flower of Valois had actually stolen another man's wife!

*

Everyone said Summer Thorne was a master of seduction, but they received Timothy York's four-word reply—
"I initiated it."
The wind rose in Sombren Forest, and snow fell into his arms.
From the very beginning, it was he who initiated it.

Summer Thorne looked at Timothy York and said slowly, "If I take this money, does that mean I shouldn't have any more ties with you, Mr. York?"


"Do you want to be involved with me?" Timothy York asked calmly.


Summer said, "I only know that I shouldn't be involved with you."


Summer Thorne watched him quietly, a multitude of emotions hidden in her gaze.


'He knew that whatever she answered, it wouldn't be what she truly felt.'


Finally, he spoke slowly, "What if I told you the stamped contract just happened to arrive today, and that the money wasn't meant to be a clean break?"


But Summer Thorne bit down harder on her lower lip. After a long moment, she finally breathed out a single word—


The next moment, a pair of searing lips were on hers.


Timothy York tasted the cool hint of wine on her breath.


Chapter 44 - Chapter 45: It's No Use Crying, There's No Going Back