Aria hummed softly to herself as she scrubbed the ground in the front yard, a task she had taken upon herself to please Grandma. Her mind wandered to thoughts of impressing Mr. Sinclair. "Maybe if I show how hardworking I am, he'll be pleased and might even consider raising my salary," she mused, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. The joy of potentially making things better for herself was evident in the way she moved, her steps light, and her energy boundless. She was so absorbed in her task and thoughts that she didn’t notice the figure standing a few feet away, watching her with smoldering anger.Jessica had arrived at the Sinclair estate in a fury. After receiving the call from the housekeeper, her chest had been tight with rage and disbelief. She couldn’t fathom how Alexander—"her" Alexander—could possibly marry another woman without her knowledge. Jessica, the daughter of the prestigious David family, had grown up believing she was the only suitable match for Alex
Her heart raced with excitement as she watched them, and without a second thought, she rushed over to Alexander, her hands reaching out to touch his arm. “Alexander!” she exclaimed, a bright smile lighting up her face. “When did you get cured? How are you suddenly able to—”The moment her hand made contact with him, it was as though something snapped. Alexander recoiled, his body stiffening as his breathing quickened. The familiar, overwhelming sensation of panic surged through him, and his hands shot up to his temples, his eyes tightly shut as he struggled to breathe.Jessica’s smile faded instantly, replaced by a look of horror. “Oh no... you’re not cured...” she whispered, stepping back in disbelief as Alexander’s chest heaved with the effort to regain control. The sight of him brought back the harsh reality—he wasn’t cured. He hadn’t gotten over his fear.Panicked, Jessica turned and bolted from the yard, her voice shaking as she called out, “I’ll get help! Don’t worry, Alexander!
Alexander’s doctor, Dr. Hensley, had spent years trying to understand and cure Alexander’s gynophobia, but despite his best efforts, nothing seemed to work. Until now. News of Alexander’s recent relapse, followed by a miraculous recovery without his usual medication, intrigued Dr. Hensley. He couldn’t shake the curiosity that had been gnawing at him since he heard about it. How could Alexander’s condition improve so suddenly? Was it a fluke? Or was there something more? Driven by his relentless pursuit of answers, Dr. Hensley decided to meet with Alexander."Alexander, I'd like you to bring Aria in for a blood test," Dr. Hensley suggested during their call. "I think her presence might have something to do with your recovery, and I want to run a few tests to confirm."Alexander was hesitant. He didn't want to put Aria through any unnecessary medical procedures, but Dr. Hensley assured him it would be quick and harmless, just a simple blood sample. After mulling it over, Alexander reluc
Jessica’s plan had been simmering for days, and today, she was finally ready to put it into motion. She arrived at the Sinclair mansion with a confident stride, her mind set on her mission. Aria had been gaining Alexander’s attention for too long, and Jessica had no intention of letting her keep it. If she couldn’t win Alexander’s heart with her beauty charm, she’d resort to more nefarious means.As she entered the kitchen, she noticed it was empty, except for the pot of soup simmering on the stove.Jessica’s lips twisted into a sneer. “Let’s see how perfect you are after this, Aria,” she whispered under her breath.With a quick glance around to ensure no one was watching, Jessica opened the lid of the soup. She pulled a small container from her purse and sprinkled a fine layer of nut powder into the soup, knowing full well that grandma was highly allergic to nuts. Her lips curled into a satisfied grin as she stirred the soup, ensuring the powder dissolved completely."Oops. Grandma’s
The drive to the hospital was tense, filled with silence and worry. When they arrived, the doctors rushed grandma into the emergency room. Alexander paced anxiously in the waiting room, his mind racing. Jessica sat nearby, her hands clasped together, but inside she was reveling in the chaos she had caused.At the hospital, the silence was suffocating. Aria sat on the edge of a plastic chair, her fingers tightly wound around the hem of her shirt, replaying the events over and over. Alexander stood at a distance, his arms crossed, his jaw set in stone. He hadn’t said a word since they arrived, the tension between them thick and unspoken.After what felt like an eternity, the doctor finally emerged, pulling down his mask. “She’s stable now. You got her here just in time,”A few more minutes, and we might have lost her. She had a severe allergic reaction, but she’s stable now.” he said, offering Alexander a small nod. “But you need to be more careful in the future. Her body is weak, and an
Aria wandered around the hospital premises, trying to clear her mind from the suffocating tension between her and Alexander. His gaze, filled with so much doubt earlier, still weighed heavily on her. She needed space, fresh air—anything to breathe a little easier. But just as she rounded a corner, she froze, her heart dropping at the sight of someone she least expected to see."Ethan?" she said in disbelief, her voice tight. He stood in her path, his lips curling into a smirk that made her skin crawl."Aria," Ethan drawled, stepping forward. "Long time, no see."Her heart raced with frustration. "Why are you stalking me again?" she demanded, crossing her arms defensively. "I’ve told you before, I have nothing to say to you. Leave me alone."Ethan chuckled, but there was no warmth in his eyes. "Stalking? Come on, don’t be so dramatic. I’m just here for what’s mine.""I don’t owe you anything," Aria snapped, turning to leave. But before she could take more than a few steps, Ethan’s hand
I returned to the hospital, trying to clear my head from the whirlwind of thoughts that had been clouding my mind since the meeting about the will. Something felt off, and I couldn’t shake the suspicion gnawing at my gut.I knew I was missing something, and I hated that feeling.As I made my way to the courtyard, A raised voice broke through my train of thought making my steps falter.Aria.Her voice carried a strain of irritation, sharp enough to pierce through the typical hospital noise. My jaw clenched, and a tightness coiled in my chest. Who was she talking to? My pace quickened instinctively, my body reacting before my mind had a chance to catch up, I rounded the corner, and there she was—facing a man who had his hands on her. That man…Ethan.Her ex-fiancé.I can feel my blood boil instantly. Ethan’s hand was wrapped around Aria’s wrist, his posture invasive and aggressive. Every nerve in my body surged with a protective instinct that i couldn’t suppress. Without thinking, my h
As Alexander hurried back into the hospital, a commotion reached his ears, coming from the direction of his grandmother’s ward. He quickened his pace, his steps echoing in the sterile hallway, while Aria struggled to keep up, her breath quickening with worry."All of you, get out!" Grandma’s voice echoed loudly from the ward, filled with frustration and anger. The door to her room stood slightly ajar, and Alexander could see objects flying past the entrance as if someone had completely lost control. Nurses ducked out of the way, retreating into the hallway to avoid the barrage. "What’s going on here?" Alexander demanded as he stepped into the chaotic scene. The room was a mess—pillows, blankets, even a small lamp had been hurled across the room. His grandmother sat upright in bed, her face flushed with anger, glaring at anyone who dared come near.Jessica, standing to the side with her arms crossed, quickly turned toward him, her face a picture of innocence mixed with desperation. "A
Alexander suddenly broke the silence. “Let’s go down for breakfast. Grandma should be expecting us by now,” he said, his voice steady and calm.“Yes,” Aria responded quickly, nodding as she pushed back the blanket.Getting out of bed, she froze as she realized this wasn’t her room. Her gaze darted around the unfamiliar space, and her cheeks flushed when she recalled how she ended up there. They needed to freshen up before stepping out, but the thought of sharing the room and perhaps the bathroom with Alexander made her fidget nervously.“Uhm... are you using the bathroom first, or should I?” she asked, flustered, her fingers nervously brushing her hair behind her ear.“You can go first,” Alexander replied, his tone calm as he cleared his throat, his gaze briefly flicking to her flustered expression.Aria nodded, grabbed her toiletries, and practically dashed into the bathroom as though her life depended on it. Alexander watched her retreating form, a smirk tugging at the corners of hi
Alexander stirred awake, the gentle morning light slipping through the thick curtains and casting a golden glow across the room. His body felt unusually warm and relaxed, a stark contrast to the rigid nights he usually spent alone. As his eyes fluttered open, the source of that comfort became apparent—Aria was curled against him, her body nestled snugly in his arms.For a moment, he remained still, watching her sleep. Her face, so peaceful and unguarded, was bathed in the soft morning light. The faint curve of her lips, the delicate flutter of her eyelashes against her cheeks, and the subtle rise and fall of her chest were all hypnotic. She looked fragile, as though the slightest movement might wake her and break the spell of serenity surrounding them.A strand of hair had fallen across her cheek, obscuring her face. Unable to resist, Alexander gently brushed it back, his fingers grazing her soft skin. Her scent drifted to him again, stirring something deep within. It wasn’t just her
Jessica wasted no time setting her plan into motion. She quickly called the housekeeper, offering a hefty bribe to go through Aria’s belongings, locate the contract, and leave it somewhere Grandma would easily find it. The housekeeper did as instructed, carefully placing the contract between the pages of Grandma’s favorite book.Later, as Grandma settled down to read, the document slipped out, catching her attention. She scanned the pages, and her face paled. Heart pounding, she called out, her voice ringing through the house just as Aria and Alexander returned from the hospital.“Aria! Alexander! Come here, now!” Grandma’s tone was sharp and urgent.Aria rushed to her side, her face creased with worry. “What’s wrong, Grandma? Are you feeling alright?”Grandma’s gaze was icy as she held up the document, her hand trembling. “Aria, why have you conspired with Alexander to deceive me?”Aria froze, completely bewildered. “Grandma, what are you talking about?”Alexander entered the room at
'When you're dead, let me see how you will stop me and Alexander,' Jessica thought, glancing at her phone with a wicked grin.Just then, the sound of footsteps made her snap out of her dark thoughts. She quickly stashed her phone away as Alexander walked into the room."Alexander," she greeted, her voice instantly shifting to a gentle, vulnerable tone.Alexander’s expression was cold. "Didn't I ask you not to come here anymore?"Jessica forced a slight pout, feigning hurt. "I came in for a physical examination and happened to hear the rumors going around in the hospital. I was only worried about Grandma and came to check up on her. But since Grandma doesn't like me, I won’t come here anymore." She looked down, playing the victim to perfection.Alexander’s eyes narrowed, clearly not buying her act. "I've warned you before—don’t agitate Grandma again," he said sharply, issuing what felt like a final warning as he walked out of the room without another glance.Jessica clenched her fists,
"Aria, what's going on with these photos?" Alexander questioned.Oh no, despite everything, those photos are out, Aria thought sadly, fidgeting with her fingers.This foolish woman, Alexander's thoughts darkened as he watched her reaction. She clearly knows what I'm talking about without even needing to look at the pictures. This might be exactly what that bastard was threatening her with. You were clearly in trouble, yet you couldn’t tell me. You still dare to try and solve it alone? Fine, let’s see how you handle this.He hardened his gaze. "I ask again, are these photos real?”Aria’s heart raced as Alexander continued to look at her, his eyes unyielding, as though waiting for her to either confirm or deny what the photos implied. She felt trapped, every word she thought of swallowed by fear. But she knew she had to speak, to tell the truth, to explain. But faced with his demanding eyes, she fumbled for words. “Alexander… they’re not real,” she managed to say, shaking her head.“She
At the hospital reception, a group of nurses huddled together, their voices low as they exchanged shocked glances over the trending photos online. The images on their screens were unmistakably scandalous, and a mixture of disbelief and judgment colored their expressions.“I heard she married Mr. Sinclair for his money,” one nurse whispered, her eyes glued to the images. “I didn’t believe it at first, but it’s true, isn’t it? She even sleeps around with older men!”The second nurse shook her head, disgust painting her features. “I thought she was actually from a wealthy family, but it turns out she just married him to get a respectable, fake identity. Honestly, I feel bad for Mr. Sinclair—having a shameless wife like that.”As their hushed gossip filled the reception area, Jessica lingered nearby, a sly smile playing on her lips. This was the exact reaction she had hoped for when she leaked those photos. Perfect, she thought, savoring every whispered insult directed at Aria. Her plan w
Alexander’s piercing gaze locked onto Aria as he crossed his arms, his tone demanding, “Won't you explain it to me? Why are you here?” His eyes narrowed, searching her face for a hint of truth.Aria shifted uneasily on the hospital bed, casting her eyes downward as her fingers fidgeted with the blanket. “Alexander…” She hesitated, her voice wavering as though each word was weighed down with hidden guilt. “A friend of mine… He came to visit me at the hospital. We had an argument, and he… drugged me with a handkerchief.” She swallowed, taking a shaky breath before continuing. “I woke up in a moving vehicle, and when he wasn’t watching, I managed to jump out and run. After that, I don’t remember anything. The next thing I knew, I woke up here.”Alexander’s expression darkened, disappointment and anger blending into his features. His jaw tightened as he let her words settle. She’s still protecting that bastard. His anger simmered just below the surface, frustration filling his chest. How
Lucas drove Alexander straight to the hospital, urgently calling out for Dr. Hensley as he supported Alexander into the doctor’s office. Dr. Hensley stood up abruptly, his face tensing at Alexander's condition. He quickly approached them. “How could it be this serious?”“I don’t know,” Lucas replied, worry etched across his face. “He’s not responding to any medication. We’ve tried everything, but nothing is working.”Dr. Hensley grabbed an assortment of medicines and injections from his counter, swiftly administering them. After several minutes, though, Alexander’s condition remained unchanged. The doctor’s expression darkened as he assessed him. “This isn’t right… he should have shown some response by now.”Lucas looked at Alexander with growing anxiety. “How could this happen? Mr. Alexander, please hang on,” he urged desperation creeping into his voice. He turned to Dr. Hensley, pleading, “Doc, do something—anything.”“Give me a moment,” Dr
"Mr. Sinclair, we've tracked down Ethan's location," Lucas reported after ending a call with one of Alexander's operatives. "He's with a woman. Hopefully, it's young madam." From the rearview mirror, Lucas could see Alexander's cold, unblinking gaze. The intensity sent a chill down Lucas's spine, and he swallowed hard, knowing the urgency of the situation. "What are you waiting for? Go after them," Alexander commanded, his voice like ice. "Yes, sir." Lucas immediately navigated the car toward the coordinates, heading to a secluded hotel on the outskirts of town. He pushed the car to its limits, the speedometer climbing as Alexander’s eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, his brow furrowed in concentration and worry. Soon, they pulled up to the hotel. Alexander stepped out of the car and strode toward the room number they’d been given. Lucas followed closely, ready to back him up. Without hesitatio