Inside the house, Phoebe had just taken off her shoes and was about to step into the living room when a sudden, urgent knock on the door startled her. She froze for a moment. Who could be knocking this late? Could it be her father forgetting his keys?
Thinking of this, a helpless smile tugged at her lips. She slipped her shoes back on and quickly walked toward the door.
As she opened it, her heart brimmed with expectation, but all she saw was an empty hallway—there wasn't a single soul in sight.
Had she misheard? Just as she was about to close the door, her gaze inadvertently dropped to the ground, where she spotted her phone lying silently on the doormat.
Her breath hitched. Instinctively, she crouched down and slowly picked up the phone.
In that instant, a thought flashed through her mind like lightning—Alexander had been here!
The more she dwelled on it, the more certain she became. She had felt it earlier—a pair of unse
It was the weekend, and with her parents out of the house, Phoebe felt restless. The suffocating weight on her chest urged her to step outside, to clear her mind.Just as she reached for the door, the sharp chime of the doorbell shattered the silence.Frowning, Phoebe walked to the entrance and pulled open the door—only for her expression to turn icy the moment she saw Dana standing there.A flash of memory hit her like a thunderbolt—the last time she had seen him, he had abducted her. Fear and rage surged through her veins. Instinctively, she moved to slam the door shut, her hands gripping the handle with force, sending it hurtling toward Dana.But just as the door was about to close completely, Dana reacted swiftly, shoving his arm into the narrowing gap, stopping it just in time."Phoebe, aren't you going to invite me in?" His lips curled into a seemingly harmless smile, but in Phoebe's eyes, it was filled with calculation, making he
Phoebe's thoughts were like wild horses, and those long-buried memories surged back like a tidal wave. Why hadn't they gotten married? Wasn't that what he wanted the most?He had ruthlessly made her abort the child in her womb just to marry Hermosa."He doesn't care whether he marries Phoebe or not,"Dana said coldly. No matter how Dana intended to explain, in her heart, Alexander had already been nailed to the unforgivable pillar of shame.Her eyes were downcast, her gaze filled with coldness, as if Alexander had been completely erased from her world, leaving not a trace behind.Dana leaned forward slightly, her expression sincere yet tinged with urgency. "Phoebe, there must be some misunderstanding between you two. After you left, the boss rushed to the hospital in a panic, desperate to get you back, but..."But he was in a car accident...Yet, she didn't finish that sentence.Phoebe keenly caught the fleeting, strange expressi
For the past few days, Phoebe had felt as if she were trapped under a heavy cloud of gloom, unable to shake off the oppressive weight pressing down on her heart. Ever since she had heard those words, it felt as though a massive stone had settled in her chest, leaving her burdened with unrelenting thoughts.Longing for someone to confide in, she eagerly arranged to meet Alva at a dessert shop, hoping that a heartfelt conversation with her friend might provide some comfort.Phoebe arrived early, choosing a seat by the window, her eyes frequently drifting toward the entrance. Minutes ticked by, and customers came and went, yet Alva never appeared.With no other choice, Phoebe ordered a drink and idly sat there, her fingers tapping lightly on the table as she waited.Before long, her phone rang. Seeing Alva's name on the screen, she quickly picked up."Phoebe, something came up. I can't make it today. Let's meet another time, okay?" Alva's voice sounded hurried.Phoebe's heart tightened w
Phoebe's pale fingers unconsciously scratched at her own skin, as if doing so could ease the burning fire raging within her body."Oh god, what's happening to me?" The heat inside her felt like it was consuming her whole.She desperately needed cold water to extinguish the flames coursing through her veins. Fighting through the discomfort, she fumbled her way toward the bathroom door.Her vision blurred, her steps unsteady, as if she were lost in a dark labyrinth. She didn't know how long it took, but at last, she found the door—the one thing that could save her.Without hesitation, she turned on the cold water and submerged herself in the bathtub.The icy water enveloped her burning body.She had no idea how long she stayed there, but gradually, the searing heat began to fade, and the sensation of being consumed by fire slowly dissipated.When she finally rose from the bathtub, her mind was still clouded, as though she had been drugged. Her consciousness wavered—one moment clear, the
Phoebe's mind felt as if it were wrapped in a thick, impenetrable fog. Her usual clarity had vanished without a trace, leaving her in a dazed and sluggish state.She struggled to lift her heavy eyelids, desperate to see who was in front of her. But the man's head was buried against her chest, completely obscuring her vision.What was happening? Who was this man pressing against her? What was he doing to her?A whirlwind of questions surged through her muddled mind, fueling her growing sense of unease. Everything around her became a blur, her consciousness flickering like a candle in the wind. Darkness crept in, swallowing her whole, leaving her with nothing but emptiness."Oh, Phoebe...you are mine. Mine."Alexander's voice was thick with longing as he pressed soft kisses against her through the sheer fabric of her dress. In his world, perhaps only in this dreamlike state could he truly possess her without restraint.His long fingers trembled slightly as he painstakingly undid the but
In the early morning, Phoebe slowly regained consciousness. Her mind cleared, but she couldn't immediately tell how much time had passed.The dim wall lamp still emitted a faint glow, and the heavy curtains remained tightly drawn, blocking out every trace of light.She instinctively shifted, only to freeze at the firm pressure wrapped around her waist.A strong arm was holding her tightly. She was curled up in a warm yet unfamiliar embrace. A violent shudder ran through her, every muscle in her body tensing in an instant.Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. Fear and despair consumed her. What had happened?"You bastard! Let me go! Let me go!" Phoebe's voice trembled with anguish as she screamed, her words choked with sobs. She thrashed desperately, her hands clawing at the arm encircling her waist, trying to break free from the stranger's hold.But the moment she turned her head and saw the man's face, all movement ceased. Her breath hitched. Her expression went from pan
After rushing into the bathroom, Phoebe collapsed onto the cold floor, feeling as though all the strength had been drained from her body.She hugged herself tightly, burying her head between her knees as if doing so could shield her from the nightmare that had become her reality.From deep within her throat, suppressed sobs finally broke free, carrying with them an unbearable weight of grievance, anger, and pain. The sorrowful cries echoed in the small bathroom, filling the space with her despair.She cried for what felt like an eternity. Tears streamed down her cheeks like a flood breaking through a dam, pooling onto the floor beneath her.By the time her sobs subsided, her eyes were swollen and red, the skin around them bruised with exhaustion and anguish.Throughout it all, only one name dominated her thoughts—Alexander.Bastard! Monster! Scum!She cursed him over and over again in her mind, hurling every vile insult she could think of at him, as if that were the only way to ease t
After she left, the maid tiptoed to the study door, raised her hand, and gently knocked before respectfully announcing, "Sir, the lady has left. The arranged taxi is waiting outside."Inside the study, Alexander reclined in his large chair, eyes closed, seemingly lost in deep thought.Hearing the maid's report, his eyes snapped open, a flicker of complex emotions flashing within his deep gaze. He pushed the wheels of his chair forward and slowly made his way to the floor-to-ceiling window.His tall, muscular frame was bare, his sculpted physique exuding an almost suffocating allure.He had told himself not to look at Phoebe again, not to let her every move dictate the rhythm of his heart.Yet, the moment that door opened and he saw her panicked yet resolute figure, his chest tightened involuntarily, and he found himself unable to tear his gaze away.He loathed the idea of her leaving. Even just watching her retreating silhouette felt like a precious moment slipping through his fingers
A white ceiling. That was the first thing Laura saw when she opened her eyes. The harsh light made her immediately squeeze them shut again, her throat as dry as if she'd swallowed sand."Water…" she croaked, her voice barely recognizable.Someone lifted her head and pressed a glass to her lips. Laura drank greedily, only then managing to focus on the person helping her—a stranger."Thank you…" she whispered, then froze. "Who… are you?"The man's hand hesitated mid-air, water sloshing in the glass. "Laura, this isn't funny," he said, his low voice frayed with exhaustion and irritation.Laura frowned. The name sounded just as unfamiliar to her. "Laura? Is that… my name?"The man—Gavin—set the glass down and braced his hands on either side of her hospital bed, leaning in until his coffee-and-mint breath warmed her face. "Enough. I know you're angry, but faking amnesia is going too far. You've been unconscious for three days. The doctors said you could wake up anytime, and I've been here—
Laura's body trembled violently, uncontrollably. Despair clawed at her heart, so suffocating that death seemed a merciful escape. She frantically pushed against Gavin, her hands straining to shove him away—but he held her fast, his mouth sealing over her skin, rendering her struggles useless.In her panic, her fingers groped along the table beside her until they closed around a lamp. Without hesitation, she swung it toward Gavin's forehead. But before it could connect, his hand snapped up, catching her wrist with terrifying precision.A sharp twist of his arm, and the lamp clattered to the floor, the sound shattering the silence like glass.Gavin lifted his head slightly, his gaze burning into Laura's shaking form.The more she resisted, the more determined he became to force her body to accept him. This was her fault. Five years of silence, and now she dared to reappear in his world? If fate had brought them back together, he wouldn't let her slip away again. He would chain her to hi
On the other side of the room, Gavin lay on his side, his gaze fixed intently on Laura as if time had frozen. His eyes burned with a feverish intensity, scrutinizing every delicate feature of her flushed, lovely face like a spotlight.Five years had passed, and now she was breathtakingly beautiful. Unconsciously, Gavin's lips curled into a faint smile—one that had appeared countless times throughout the night without him even realizing it.His fingers traced lightly over Laura's soft lips, back and forth, a simple motion he had repeated all night, lost in an inexplicable obsession.Was this really not a dream? This Laura, who had vanished from his world for so long—he had once believed he would never see her again.Yet now, his long-dead heart pulsed with a scalding warmth, beating fiercely, alive once more.Unable to resist any longer, he leaned down slowly, carefully, as if afraid to shatter the illusion before him. Inch by inch, his lips neared hers before finally pressing down, sa
After leaving the villa, Phoebe rushed to the hospital, almost running the entire way. As she turned the corner into the hallway, she saw her father, Ryan, pacing anxiously back and forth."Dad! How's Amy?" she panted, grabbing his arm.Ryan quickly steadied her. "The doctor gave her a fever-reducing shot. She's asleep now. Her temperature's dropped quite a bit, so don't worry too much."Phoebe finally let out a long sigh of relief. She quietly pushed open the door to the hospital room. On the bed, Amy's face was pale, but her breathing had steadied. Phoebe gently touched her daughter's forehead, confirming the fever had indeed gone down."Dad, go home and rest. I'll stay and take care of her tonight," she whispered.Ryan shook his head. "You have work tomorrow. Let me—""I'm not going to the office," Phoebe interrupted, her eyes drifting unconsciously toward the window."Did the company give you time off?""Mhm," she replied vaguely, digging her fingernails into her palm without real
Phoebe fought through the discomfort wracking her body, her voice trembling with urgency and pleading. "Let me answer the phone… please?""No."To Alexander, the fact that she could be distracted now felt like the ultimate insult. Rage flared instantly, and his actions grew rougher, more intense.Phoebe was panicking. All she could think about were her children. What if something had happened at home? What if one of them was sick, or crying uncontrollably? A mother couldn't ignore those thoughts—no matter the situation."Let go of me. Let me go!" Phoebe's eyes widened in fear as she began hitting Alexander with all her might. But compared to his strength, her resistance was like a feather against a stone.When her slaps proved useless, she bit down—hard—on Alexander's shoulder, sinking her teeth in deep enough to nearly break skin. At the same time, her nails clawed into his flesh, her rage and desperation pouring out through every move.But Alexander was already lost in a storm of po
His words were so blunt, so daring, that Phoebe felt a rush of heat surge from the soles of her feet straight to her head. Embarrassment spread like wildfire up her neck, turning even the tips of her ears crimson."So, do you want to?" Alexander tilted his head slightly, a wicked grin curling at his lips."Of course not!" Phoebe blurted out almost instantly.But the moment the words left her mouth, doubt flickered in her heart. Why did it feel like… she was secretly looking forward to it?"You do," Alexander said confidently, his eyes gleaming. "I can tell."Maybe he'd struck a nerve, because Phoebe snapped, her voice rising with frustration, "I don't! Now let me go—let me leave!" She struggled against him, but his grip was like iron, holding her firmly in place, completely immovable."Not a chance." His gaze turned intense, burning with urgency. His voice dropped, low and rough, thick with domineering authority.Phoebe's heart skipped a beat—this time not from desire, but fear. In he
Alexander poured out all the pent-up emotions and desire he had been holding back for so long, only releasing Phoebe when he finally felt a sliver of satisfaction.He lifted his head slightly, his gaze lingering with a hint of hunger as he warned in a low voice, "You'd better behave. Or else, you know exactly what I'll do."Truthfully, if it weren't for the fact that guests would soon be leaving the banquet and coming to retrieve their cars, he wouldn't have hesitated to take her right then and there in the cramped backseat. After years of deprivation, the craving for her was like a tidal wave—how could a few short hours possibly quench it?"You—" Phoebe was both furious and flustered. Anger and humiliation tangled inside her, but no matter how fiercely her temper burned, she didn't dare provoke him further.She turned her face away, refusing to look at him as he fastened her seatbelt again.The memory of what had just happened—Al
As soon as they left the hotel, Alexander caught up with Phoebe in a few strides. He reached out, gripping her arm firmly, and spun her around to face him. "Damn it, why are you running?""Let go of me, you jerk!"Phoebe’s eyes were red-rimmed, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. She sobbed as she pounded her fists against his chest with all her strength."What’s all this crying for?"Alexander’s gaze was a mix of heartache and helplessness as he held the distraught Phoebe in his arms. He couldn’t fathom what he’d done to upset her so deeply."None of your business!"Phoebe’s voice was hoarse from crying. "Aren’t you busy with another woman? Why are you even bothering with me?!"Hearing the unmistakable jealousy in her words, Alexander’s irritation suddenly lifted, as though sunlight had broken through the clouds. The corner of his mouth quirked into a faint, almost imperceptible smi
Ten minutes passed quickly before a stunning woman, dressed seductively, hurried over. Spotting Alexander from afar, she quickened her pace, moving as if the wind carried her forward.Just as she was about to introduce herself, Alexander didn’t spare her a single glance. Instead, he flicked his burning cigarette to the ground and crushed it underfoot with a cold expression. Then, he said curtly, "Follow me."Alexander strode ahead with firm, purposeful steps. The woman, struggling in her ten-centimeter heels, had to jog to keep up, calling out in a sweet, coquettish voice, "Alex, wait for me!"But Alexander acted as though he hadn’t heard her. His pace remained steady and unyielding.The moment he reentered the banquet hall, his gaze swept across the crowd like a sharp hawk, searching keenly. Soon, his eyes locked onto the center of the dance floor—where Gavin held Phoebe in his arms, dancing intimately to the elegant melody.Alex