While Pregnant, My Alpha Husband Auctioned Me Off for One Dollar Chapter 02
“That isn’t why I’m hesitating.”
I forced myself to meet those eyes that were both familiar and terrifyingly strange. Even without his scent, I recognized that coldness.
“I’m confirming that the lot actually exists. If the winning bidder pays and you can’t deliver her, you’ll be the one violating Nightfall’s rules.”
Gavin’s smile deepened.
“Don’t worry. She’s resting at our apartment. She can’t get away.”
She couldn’t get away.
Those words pulled every nerve in my body tight.
Before I left home that morning, he had handed me a glass of milk that was still steaming.
“Sweetheart, I have an important business event tonight, so I won’t be able to have dinner with you.”
He had stroked my hair, his face full of apology.
“Call me anytime you need me.”
…
“Two million dollars!”
A bald man sitting in the corner suddenly raised his paddle.
“That story put all kinds of ideas in my head. Now I have to have her.”
His words drew a wave of obscene laughter from the crowd.
Acid surged into my throat.
Gavin remained seated and answered without the slightest hesitation.
“Do whatever you want, as long as she doesn’t die.”
Whatever you want.
In front of more than a hundred men, my husband was inviting strangers to bid on me as though I were cargo instead of a human being.
With trembling fingers, I typed blindly on the control panel behind me.
I tried to activate the emergency shutdown protocol, the only special authority I possessed as Nightfall’s chief auctioneer.
Instead, a line of glaring red text appeared on the tablet.
[System Notice: The auctioneer does not have the authority to terminate a mandatory last-minute listing submitted by a privileged client.]
My access had been locked.
There was nothing I could do to stop the transaction.
“Two million dollars, going once.”
My voice sounded stiff and unfamiliar. Every word scraped its way out of my throat.
While the buyers murmured among themselves, I discreetly pulled my personal phone from beneath the folds of my skirt.
I unlocked it with my fingerprint and opened the pinned conversation labeled “Gavin.”
[Gavin, where are you? My stomach suddenly hurts.]
The moment the message went through, I fixed my eyes on Gavin’s seat below.
Sure enough, the phone in his pocket vibrated.
He took it out and glanced at the screen. Behind his mask, his brows drew together slightly.
Then his fingers moved quickly over the screen.
Three seconds later, my phone buzzed.
[I’m on an international conference call. I can’t leave yet. Did you sleep badly last night?]
[Ask Martha to bring the prenatal supplements the doctor prescribed to your room. Be good. I’ll be done soon, then I’ll come home and stay with you and the baby.]
I stared at those tender, doting words.
Then I looked up at the man below, relaxed and comfortable as he watched strangers bid on his wife.
Suddenly, I wanted to laugh.
The sheer absurdity of it almost drowned out my fear.
How could the same man act like two completely different people so convincingly?
“Three million dollars!”
The heavyset man in the wild boar mask raised his paddle again. He clearly had no intention of backing down.
“I’m taking her tonight. I’ve always had a thing for other men’s wives!”
The bidding erupted again.
Gavin was clearly pleased with the price. He even lifted his wineglass and swirled it lazily.
“Ms. Nightingale, this item seems popular. Speed it up. I still have to get home to my wife.”
He actually remembered that he was supposed to go home and comfort me.
I closed my eyes and pinched my thigh hard.
The sharp pain kept me alert.
“Three million dollars, going once. Going twice.”
I raised the gavel.
Just as I was about to bring it down, my personal phone vibrated several times in quick succession.
Vera had posted in our university alumni group chat.
She uploaded a screenshot showing that Gavin had just transferred one million dollars to her.
[Everyone, Gavin said this was just a little surprise for me. I honestly don’t want his money. I’m only upset because Erin has treated me so cruelly. He’s so good to me that I almost feel guilty.]
The alumni chat exploded.
Our former classmates, who had always been eager to follow the crowd, immediately rushed to defend her.
“Vera, you’re always thinking about everyone else! Erin keeps pretending she means no harm, but she needs to face the consequences of what she’s done!”
“Exactly. She acts as though being pregnant makes her untouchable. Everyone knows the woman Gavin truly loves is you!”
I watched the messages flood the screen.
Then I looked at the man below, still convinced he controlled everything.
The gavel stopped in midair.
“Ms. Nightingale, what are you waiting for?” Gavin demanded.