When Alexander emerged from the bathroom, he found Phoebe already dressed and sitting upright, her posture stiff. He couldn't help but laugh. "Not going back to sleep?""No." Phoebe glanced at him quickly before lowering her gaze again. Damn it, why didn't he just put on clothes before coming out of the bathroom? Instead, he had wrapped a towel around his waist and walked out like that. He must have a thing for exposing himself.Wait—Phoebe looked again. That towel... it was her towel—the one she used to dry herself off with. How could he wrap it around his body like that?But as she took a closer look, she couldn't help but find it funny. The towel had cartoon patterns all over it. The more she looked, the more she wanted to laugh. Her lips twitched, but she managed to hold it in."Think I look funny?" His expression darkened slightly.Phoebe quickly shook her head. "No!"But in her heart, she thought he really did look ridiculous. Of course, she couldn't say that out loud. After all
After finishing breakfast, Alexander took Phoebe straight to the airport. Without saying much, he ushered her onto the plane. It wasn't until she was seated that Phoebe realized how confused she felt."Where are we going?" she asked."Abroad," Alexander replied."Ah?" Phoebe's mouth formed an "O.""For what?" she pressed, voicing her curiosity."I have some business to take care of," Alexander answered, his hands still busy working. He had brought her along to give her a change of scenery and to keep her by his side."Oh," Phoebe mumbled, puffing out her cheeks as her mood sank.So, he was here for work. She had assumed this trip was meant to be a relaxing getaway for the two of them.Watching him work so diligently, Phoebe couldn't help but stare. From the moment they boarded the plane, he hadn't stopped, not even for a moment. He's so busy.But despite his hectic schedule, he still made time to see her every day.He looked so handsome while working—especially his profile, with its s
When Alexander returned from handling his business, he found Phoebe fast asleep. He moved quietly into the room, his cold and indifferent expression softening as he gazed at her peaceful face.Sitting on the edge of the bed, he gently stroked her cheek, a tender smile playing on his lips. The affection in his eyes was unmistakable.Unable to resist, he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before rising and leaving the room, softly closing the door behind him.In the study, Alexander reviewed several documents. The silence was interrupted by his phone ringing.Frowning, he picked it up and answered without much interest."Alex, you finally decided to take my call?""What do you want?""I want to see you!""I'm busy.""I'm pregnant."Alexander's eyes narrowed, his gaze turning sharp and icy. His grip on the phone tightened, his fingers curling with such force that it seemed the phone might shatter."What did you say? Say it again.""Alex, I'm pregnant!" Melissa's soft an
Morning sunlight streamed gently through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft glow across the room.On the bed, Phoebe's fair skin glowed under the warm light, making her look ethereal, almost unreal.She nestled lazily in Alexander's arms, her slightly disheveled hair veiling the soft curve of her neck.Her long, curled lashes fluttered faintly, and her innocent face, serene in sleep, radiated a tender sweetness that tugged at the heart.Alexander lay on his side, holding her with a possessive tenderness.His sharp eyes locked onto her delicate features, drinking in the sight of her nestled against him. His lips curved into a faint, rare smile, and a glimmer of warmth danced in his deep gaze.Unconsciously, his slender fingers traced the contour of her cheek, tucking stray strands of hair behind her ear.At that moment, Phoebe seemed as pure as an otherworldly sprite.She was stunning. Young. So tempting that it ignited a deep, primal desire to claim her.Lifting a strand of
Half an hour later, the doorbell rang.Satisfied, Alexander leaned down to kiss her flushed cheek. "Good girl," he murmured.His voice made Phoebe even more embarrassed. She wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear. Avoiding his gaze, she quickly jumped out of bed and rushed into the bathroom.Watching her retreating figure, Alexander's lips curled into a wicked smile."Sir, your breakfast," the attendant said from outside."Come in," Alexander replied.Once breakfast was set, Alexander didn't bother waiting for Phoebe to finish her shower. Instead, he stripped off his clothes and strolled straight into the bathroom, leaning casually against the doorframe to admire the view."Hey! What are you doing in here?" Phoebe gasped when she saw him.She instinctively sank deeper into the water, trying to hide her body. She was certain she had locked the door, yet here he was—and stark naked, no less!What was worse, she found herself sneaking glances at him, captivated by his physique.Her ga
The elevator slowly ascended, stopping only at the 48th floor.The doors opened, and Alexander naturally took Phoebe's soft hand, leading her toward his office.Along the way, several curious glances from his subordinates followed them. Phoebe felt embarrassed and almost pulled her hand back, but Alexander gripped it tighter, almost as if to show off, as though he didn't want anyone to miss the fact that they were together.Was he trying to prove something? It almost seemed like he was sending a message.Phoebe didn't quite understand his intentions. She stole a glance at his expression—it seemed like he was in a really good mood.Seeing him like this, Phoebe didn't dare to pull her hand away. She simply let him lead her... Could it be that, by doing this, he was showing that he no longer saw her as just a tool?From the elevator to the CEO's office, Phoebe didn't dare lift her head.Only when the door to the office finally closed behind them did Phoebe let out a sigh of relief. Havin
As night slowly descended, Alexander continued to move in and out of the meeting room, while Phoebe obediently waited in his office. Whenever he came out, she didn't disturb him. Instead, she simply watched him from a distance, and when he left again, she couldn't help but stare at his retreating figure, lost in thought.When Alexander was focused on his work, Phoebe mostly played the role of invisible background noise. However, his secretary was very kind to her, often coming by to check on her, offering drinks, snacks, and even bringing her magazines and newspapers.At first, Phoebe was full of energy, sneaking glances at him, but as time passed, she grew tired. Eventually, feeling bored, she lay down on the sofa.Goodness, the work here was so monotonous and exhausting!Phoebe couldn't fathom how Alexander managed to keep going. He was so focused and dedicated to his work. Even she, the observer, had reached her limit—how was he able to endure it?She wondered for a moment before f
A little later.In a top-tier Western restaurant, Alexander and Phoebe were seated at a table near the window, a spot Alexander had specifically chosen.From here, they had a perfect view of the entire city skyline, which looked absolutely stunning in the night.Although Phoebe had a slight fear of heights, she couldn't help but be drawn to the breathtaking scenery around her. She gazed down at the city, captivated by its beauty.The night sky, hazy and enchanting, only enhanced the view, making everything seem even more magical.Phoebe couldn't help but get lost in the view, marveling at how vibrant and beautiful the city was. She hadn't expected it to be this grand."Do you like it here?" Alexander asked, noticing that Phoebe's gaze was still fixed on the city below. A hint of jealousy crossed his mind—he preferred it when all her attention was on him."I do!" Phoebe nodded and then turned her gaze back to him. "This place is beautiful."After speaking, her attention once again drif
Golden sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows of the church, casting a dreamlike glow over the entire hall. Phoebe stood beneath an archway adorned with white roses, her fingers unconsciously tightening around her father Ryan's arm."Nervous?" Ryan gently patted the back of her hand.Phoebe took a deep breath, her gaze following the long red carpet all the way to the tall figure waiting at the end. Alexander stood there in a perfectly tailored black suit, a white rose matching her bouquet pinned to his lapel. His deep, unwavering gaze was locked onto her, as if in his world, there was only her.The moment the orchestra began playing the Wedding March, Phoebe felt her eyes well up with tears. She clutched her father's arm and took her first step forward, the lace hem of her gown rippling like water, the hand-embroidered pearls on her train glinting softly in the sunlight."Oh my God, look at the flower kids! They're adorable!""They look just like the groom!"Guests' whisp
Phoebe finished getting ready and followed the two children out of the room. At the same moment, Alexander's door across the hall swung open.Their eyes met.In an instant, Phoebe felt her ears grow hot, the memory of last night's intimacy flooding back. Alexander's gaze lingered on her flushed cheeks, and a subtle tension crackled in the air."Daddy!""Daddy!"The crisp, cheerful voices of the children shattered the silence.Alexander's pupils contracted slightly as he mechanically turned his head toward them. Jeremy and Amy had already thrown themselves into his arms, their little faces rubbing against his suit jacket, leaving messy wrinkles."We're calling you, silly!" Amy said, tilting her face up to him, her eyes sparkling like stars.Alexander's hands hovered awkwardly in the air. The word Daddy struck him like a bolt of lightning, leaving his chest numb with emotion. Slowly, he crouched down, his arms closing around the children, his fingertips trembling.Leaning against the wa
Alexander let out a satisfied, mischievous chuckle. He almost wanted to turn on the light just to see how adorably shy she looked right now."Baby, you're already wet down here," he murmured after a while, gently reminding her.Phoebe felt it too—the shame hit her so hard she wanted to crawl under the covers and disappear. Panicking, she tried to pull his hand away. "Y-You... get out!""Don't be shy, sweetheart. It's a normal reaction," he coaxed softly."I don't care if it's normal! You're not allowed to touch anymore," she snapped, mortified."But you want it too, don't you?"Even if she did, she would never admit it. Biting her lip, she shook her head firmly. "No. I don't."But Alexander wasn't one to let her have the last word. He decided to give her exactly what she insisted she didn't want.The moment Phoebe realized what he was doing, she gasped sharply. Did he even know how reckless he was being?"Stop. Don't do that," she whispered, but her words quickly melted into a choked
At 2:17 a.m., Alexander jolted awake for the third time.The guest room was steeped in the scent of mothballs, and the creases Phoebe had left on the bedspread that afternoon were still visible. Agitated, he yanked at his collar. His phone lit up in the darkness, only to go dark again—the "power off" alert thudding against his chest like a silent punch.Moonlight poured over the balcony like an interrogation lamp. When he stepped barefoot onto the window ledge, the night wind from the thirty-fourth floor lifted the hem of his robe. Here he was—the man who once made Wall Street tremble—now sweating nervously just to sneak into his wife's bedroom."Locked?" The doorknob didn't budge. He nearly laughed. She thought a simple lock could stop someone who could hack into the Pentagon?The curtain in the children's room wasn't drawn properly. Moonlight spilled inside, casting a silver glow over Phoebe's exposed shoulder. Alexander's Adam's apple bobbed—she was wearing that damned silk nightgo
Phoebe stepped out of the kitchen and saw only the two kids playing on the couch. There was no sign of Alexander or Ryan.Puzzled, she walked over. Before she could even ask, the kids pointed toward the study."Mom, Grandpa called Uncle in for a talk," they said."A talk?" Phoebe glanced at the tightly closed door, her heart tightening a little.With Anila helping her in the kitchen, dinner was ready in just forty minutes.When Phoebe came out again, Ryan and Alexander were already sitting together on the couch, chatting away.Phoebe looked over in surprise—they actually seemed to be getting along. Whatever Alexander had said, it had Ryan laughing happily.For the first time, the whole family sat down together for a meal. The mood was light and joyful. With the two mischievous kids adding their antics, the table was filled with laughter.After dinner, Alexander volunteered to clean up. Phoebe didn't stop him but followed along to lend a hand.The faucet gushed noisily in the kitchen.
After landing, Phoebe and Alexander stopped by the office for a quick check-in before heading to her parents' house.As the car rolled into the familiar neighborhood, Phoebe tightened her grip on the hem of her dress for the third time. "Are you sure we shouldn't call first?"Alexander, lazily twirling a strand of her hair between his fingers, let out a low chuckle. "A surprise visit's the only way to see how they really treat you."In the backseat, the Kyoto lacquerware and Shizuoka tea sets clinked softly with each turn."My mom might actually hit you," Phoebe muttered, keeping her face stern even as her nails unconsciously scratched fine lines into the leather seat."Perfect," he leaned closer, his breath warm against the tense line of her neck, "I'll show you just how much I can take."Hidden away in the trunk was also a property transfer agreement—the land her father had always coveted, now signed over under her mother's name.Phoebe turned to stare out the window, but couldn't q
At one o'clock in the afternoon, when the cruise ship docked, Phoebe's legs were still trembling. Alexander's strong arm wrapped tightly around her waist, only making her struggle harder."Don't touch me!" Phoebe hissed through clenched teeth, her fingertips digging into the fabric of his suit sleeve.Alexander chuckled lowly and only tightened his grip. "What if you fall?" he murmured against her ear, his breath hot. "Who was it that cried last night, begging me not to stop?"Phoebe's ears instantly burned red. The curious gazes from nearby tourists made her skin crawl, and the man had the nerve to raise his voice deliberately:"Want me to carry you?""You—" She jerked her head up, only to meet his teasing grey-blue eyes. The flicker of mischief inside them made her instantly recall how those very eyes had darkened in the throes of passion the night before.In the end, she was swept into his arms. Alexander pressed her burning face against his chest."Be good. Take a nap," he said ge
In the early morning light, Alexander's bronzed chest shimmered under the golden glow. His fingers combed through Phoebe's slightly tousled hair, his Adam's apple brushing her forehead as he rumbled, "Awake?"A soft, sleepy hum was all she managed before a hot kiss pressed onto her forehead. He tightened his arms around her, the rough stubble on his jaw grazing the flushed tip of her ear."Stay a few more days?" he murmured, his voice husky and teasing, like a sea breeze whispering against her skin.Phoebe gently pushed against his chest with her fingertips. "I have a contract to sign this afternoon.""Forget it," he muttered, his breath scorching against her trembling lashes. "That little bit of money...""I miss the kids," she chuckled softly, burying her face against his collarbone. Her fingers traced the lines of his ribs. "I haven't seen my little troublemakers in a whole week."A low laugh rumbled from Alexander's chest. In one swift motion, he rolled her beneath him, trapping h
The sea breeze brushed gently past them as Alexander's long fingers traced Phoebe's slightly swollen lips, his gaze full of boundless tenderness."Having you by my side... it's the best thing in the world," he whispered, resting his chin lightly against the top of her head. "Don't be mad anymore, hmm?"Phoebe leaned into his chest and murmured softly, "Okay." Truthfully, her heart had already begun to soften the moment they were reunited."It's not easy making you happy," he chuckled lowly, twirling a strand of her hair around his finger. "I'll have to be extra careful from now on—treat you like royalty and never dare upset my little goddess again." Only heaven knew how tortured he'd been these past few days."You'd better remember what you just said." She was about to issue a stern warning when he pressed a finger gently to her lips."I swear," he said, lifting two fingers solemnly, his eyes burning with sincerity. "There won't be a next time."Phoebe smiled despite herself, and the