Office
Phoebe was fully engrossed in her work, her eyes scanning the design proposal on her screen with meticulous focus. The office was silent except for the rhythmic tapping of her keyboard and her soft breathing. Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the stillness. She instinctively looked up and saw a police officer walking toward her.
"Excuse me, are you Miss Phoebe Garcia?"
Phoebe frowned slightly, puzzled. "Yes, I am. May I ask what this is about?"
"It's about your child. She's downstairs waiting for you," the officer explained briefly.
Phoebe's face turned pale in an instant. Without hesitation, she rushed toward the front desk.
Jeremy recounted everything that had happened, his voice filled with urgency. Phoebe, though shaken, took a deep breath to calm herself and turned to the officer. "Officer, can we check the security footage?"
"Of course. I'll request authorization now." The officer made a quick phone call,
In the car ride home, Jeremy sat sulking in his seat, puffing out his cheeks, eyes fixed straight ahead, completely ignoring Amy. Amy gazed at him pitifully. She had apologized several times, but Jeremy remained unmoved.Amy felt both aggrieved and anxious. Is Jeremy really that angry with me? Is he just going to ignore me like this? No, she couldn't stand it. She didn't want her brother to keep giving her the cold shoulder."Jeremy, I'm sorry. Please talk to me. Forgive me, will you?" Amy sobbed as she stole glances at Jeremy, desperately hoping he would at least spare her a glance — even just a fleeting one.Jeremy folded his arms tightly across his chest and turned his head toward the window, deliberately avoiding Amy's gaze. He secretly made a vow to himself: From now on, I'm never taking her out again.Seeing that Jeremy still refused to pay her any attention, Amy had no choice but to seek help from their mother. She threw herself into Phoebe's
Monday, Alexander's office.The sharp scent of nicotine hung heavily in the air, making it hard to breathe. The thick curtains were drawn tightly shut, blocking out even the faintest trace of sunlight. On the desk, countless files were scattered—each one filled with information about a certain woman.Alexander sat there, eyes tightly shut, brows deeply furrowed. He had locked himself in the office for two whole days, isolating himself from the outside world entirely.For the past two days, it felt like he was wandering through a maze of agony, memories flashing through his mind like fragmented images. The stories Dana had told him surfaced again and again, chaotically piecing together inside his head.Maybe it was because those memories were too familiar. Maybe it was the scent that lingered around him lately, or the figure that haunted his dreams. He had lost his memory for five years, but within these two days—it all came flooding back.All the love, all the hatred, played like a mo
Phoebe's fingers hovered over the cold doorknob for a second, her knuckles whitening. She drew a sharp breath and pushed open the heavy black door.The CEO's office was more expansive than she had imagined. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the glittering cityscape beyond, while at the center of the room, a large black executive chair sat with its high back turned toward her—tall enough to nearly obscure the figure seated in it."Sir, I'm the new secretary, Phoebe Garcia." Her voice cut through the silence, so clear she could hear the faint tremor in her own words.No response.The chair rotated slowly, and Phoebe's gaze traveled upward—over polished leather shoes, long legs, an immaculately tailored suit—until it landed on that face.Alexander Knight.Her breath hitched. Her pupils constricted. It was as if every drop of blood in her veins had frozen solid.Thud. The cardboard box in her arms crashed to the floor, the small potted succulent inside shattering, soil streaking her skirt.
Upon reaching it, he freed one hand and, with a swift motion, swept everything off the surface.A loud crash echoed through the office as papers, stationery, and files scattered across the floor.The next second, Alexander carefully laid Phoebe down on the now-empty desk. She instinctively tried to sit up and escape, but before she could make a move, his towering frame loomed over her, pinning her beneath him.Phoebe's hands immediately pushed against him, her voice trembling with near desperation. "No, don't."But Alexander was far too strong. In an instant, he seized her wrists and forced them above her head, rendering her completely immobile."Isn't this the reason you came back?" His voice dripped with sarcasm.Phoebe's eyes welled up with tears. "I didn't… The public records never indicated you were the owner of this company. If I had known, I—"Before she could finish her sentence, Alexander abruptly leaned down, capturing her lips in a fierce, stormy kiss that swallowed her wor
Phoebe covered her lips, tears streaming down her face as she ran toward the restroom. She kept her head low, afraid of letting anyone see her in such a disheveled state. Once inside, she hurried into a stall, locked the door tightly, and slowly crouched down, wrapping her arms around her knees as she broke into uncontrollable sobs.Her cries echoed within the small cubicle, filled with sorrow and despair, as if trying to release all the grievances she had suppressed over the years. She cried for what felt like an eternity until her eyes were so swollen she could barely keep them open.Standing up shakily, Phoebe walked to the mirror and stared at her reflection—her puffy, distorted eyes a stark reminder of her breakdown. She turned on the faucet, cupped her hands under the icy water, and splashed it onto her face repeatedly. The coldness stung her skin, but it also helped her regain a bit of clarity. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself and made a firm decision in her heart.Ba
On most afternoons, as soon as lunch was over, Phoebe would return to her desk without delay, diving right back into work. But today, she was different. Instead of heading straight back, she wandered aimlessly around the company's surroundings, unwilling to return. It wasn't until 2:30 PM that she finally, and reluctantly, made her way back to the office.As she walked, her mind kept replaying the moment she had shaken off Alexander's grip earlier. His darkened expression told her everything—he was furious. She was almost certain he would take his revenge in the afternoon, assigning her a slew of unreasonable tasks just to make things difficult for her. With this uneasy thought lingering in her mind, Phoebe stepped into the office.Strangely enough, the entire afternoon passed without any sign of Alexander. It was as if he had vanished into thin air. There were no assignments, no sudden calls to his office—nothing.Sitting at her desk, Phoebe felt restless. Every now and then, she gla
Phoebe dragged her exhausted body home, moving quietly to avoid disturbing her family. She didn't turn on the lights but relied on her familiarity with the house to navigate her way carefully to the bedroom in the dark.Stepping inside, she saw her children sleeping soundly in bed. Her heart instantly softened, overflowing with warmth as she unconsciously sat down beside them."Kids, Mommy saw your daddy today," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Reaching out, she gently brushed her fingers over their cheeks, her touch unbearably tender. A soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips.That night, Phoebe slept more peacefully than she had in a long time.In her dreams, she saw the bright, happy faces of her children, playing and laughing together. She saw herself joining in, their joyous laughter filling the air. And Alexander… he was there too. The four of them stood in a beautiful garden, basking in the warm sunlight. It was a dream so wonderful, so perfect, that she wis
Phoebe stood in the secluded corner, her hands trembling slightly as they reached for the buttons of her blouse. Her gaze remained locked on Alexander's back, not daring to blink. Only after watching him remain completely still for a long while did she finally exhale softly and lower her head to begin changing.When she opened the gift box and saw the delicate black lingerie inside, she froze.Lifting the sheer fabric between her fingers, she muttered under her breath, "This is lingerie?"The material was nearly transparent—she could already imagine how revealing it would be once worn. For a moment, she weighed her options: should she stick with her own undergarments, or wear this?Her eyes drifted back to the black evening gown. Its design was exquisite and unique, seemingly crafted to pair perfectly with the lingerie, enhancing its elegance with a touch of allure.Biting her lower lip, Phoebe struggled internally before finally giving in. Slowly, she unhooked her own lingerie, her m
Phoebe lay still, listening to the fading sound of footsteps outside her door. It felt like someone had ripped open her chest. He actually left just like that?Tears soaked half her pillow. She stared into the darkness until dawn. In the mirror, her face was pale, with dark shadows under her eyes. Just as her fingers brushed the doorknob, she felt it—his presence on the other side.Alexander was still wearing yesterday's wrinkled dress shirt. His bloodshot eyes said everything: he hadn't slept a minute. He'd been sitting outside her door all night."Phoebe..." His voice was barely more than a rasp.She recoiled as if burned, brushing past him with her head down—but he grabbed her wrist. His palm was so warm it made her tremble."Let go," she said, her voice like ice.Instead, he pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on her head. "What will it take for you to forgive me?"Phoebe fought to break free, her nails leaving red streaks on his arm. "Don't pretend," she choked out, tears
After hanging up, Phoebe immediately turned off her phone. She sniffled, her nose sore from holding back tears. As she looked at her two sleepy children nestled in her arms, her eyes turned red again. Biting her lower lip, she forced down the wave of emotions and held them a little tighter."We're going home." Her voice was hoarse.Jeremy and Amy lifted their heads sleepily and shook them in unison."Mommy, aren't we waiting for Uncle?""No." Phoebe avoided their hopeful eyes.The children's shoulders slumped as they looked down."But Uncle promised to take us out for ice cream..." Jeremy mumbled.A cold wind swept across the empty office building entrance. Phoebe looked at their disappointed little faces, her chest tightening."What do you want to eat? Mommy will make it when we get home.""I'm not hungry," Amy said, burying her face in Phoebe's neck."Me neither," Jeremy echoed, though he kept glancing around. "Maybe Uncle's on his way. Can we wait just five more minutes?"Phoebe's
The office clock struck five. For the third time, Phoebe glanced down the empty hallway.She clutched her phone, scrolling through her contacts again and again. Five missed calls, no one in the office, and his phone still lying quietly in the drawer—where on earth had he gone?Her reflection in the glass window revealed a furrowed brow. They had clearly agreed to leave at four. Even if something urgent came up, he should've at least found a way to let her know.When the six o'clock dismissal bell rang, Phoebe finally grabbed her bag. In the rearview mirror, the neon sign of the kindergarten glowed vividly against the twilight.The car phone suddenly rang. The unfamiliar number made her hand tremble slightly."Phoebe."That familiar voice made her heart settle—only to twist a moment later. "You're at the hospital? Are you hurt?""It's Hermosa. Acute appendicitis,"he said, hospital announcements echoing faintly in the
The morning passed in a slow, steady rhythm, the hours slipping by almost unnoticed.By the time Phoebe returned to the office after lunch, the clock on the wall pointed to half past two.Alexander's lingering kiss still burned on her lips, leaving her ears warm and flushed. She instinctively smoothed her slightly tousled hair, and when her fingers brushed against her heated earlobe, a soft smile tugged at her lips.In the break room, the moment the hot water hit the tea leaves, a delicate fragrance wafted through the air.Phoebe cupped the warm mug in her hands, and through the rising steam, she could almost see him again—his fingers laced tightly with hers, confidently leading her through the office in full view of everyone.He never hid their relationship. That unabashed affection of his… it made even her tea taste sweet.When only a few unfurled leaves remained at the bottom of her cup, Phoebe rubbed her slightly sore eyes.
The next morning."Mom, are we going to Grandma and Grandpa's tonight?" Amy clung to the edge of the table, her eyes sparkling with excitement.Phoebe nearly dropped the plate in her hand. "Hmm?" She was sure she hadn't said anything about that to the kids."Uncle said so," Amy replied confidently, swinging her legs under the chair.Phoebe glanced out the window at the man polishing the car in the driveway. Her fingers tightened unconsciously around the plate. She'd thought he was just talking offhandedly—but he actually meant it? A wave of warmth rose in her chest, only to be washed over by a ripple of unease. Would her parents even be friendly to him? Her mother hadn't said much during their last phone call, but the sigh she'd heard through the receiver still echoed in her ears."Mom?" Amy tugged at her sleeve.Phoebe crouched down and gently smoothed her daughter's crooked collar. "Of course we're going.""Yay!" Jeremy jumped up from his chair with a loud clatter of utensils. "I ha
Alexander's deep voice rumbled against her ear, and Phoebe could no longer hold back the tears welling in her eyes. Warm drops slid down her cheeks as she stood on tiptoe and clung tightly to his neck, burying her tear-streaked face into the crook of his shoulder. Her slender shoulders trembled uncontrollably.Those three words were far too heavy—so heavy, they made her chest ache.He immediately wrapped his arms around her, gently stroking her back with the flat of his palm. Suddenly, Phoebe clenched her fists and began pounding his chest, each hit harder than the last."You bastard..." she sobbed into his shoulder. "You've made me cry so many times..."Yet even so, hearing his confession now, all those scars seemed to vanish into insignificance. Love was ridiculous like that—no matter how deeply wounded, the heart still surrendered without hesitation."Say it again," she whispered, lifting her tear-soaked face, her nose bright red.Alexander chuckled lowly and brushed her damp cheek
"Mom, you don't have a boyfriend, and Uncle is such a good guy. Can't he be your boyfriend? Can't he be our dad?""Yeah, Mom, just think about it!"Phoebe kept her expression neutral. This wasn't something that could be decided so easily.She wasn't about to let him off that easily. Especially after what Hermosa said earlier… What exactly did she mean by those words? And that look of surprise on her face—what was that about?Every time she thought about it, a heavy pressure settled on her chest. It felt like they were hiding something from her.She told herself not to overthink it. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop the wild guesses running through her mind.Maybe... maybe it was time to ask.And he owed her a real explanation."Mom?"Her thoughts snapped back to the present. The kids were looking up at her with hopeful eyes. They really cared about her love life, it seemed. And clearly, they liked Alexander a lot.Of course she knew what they were trying to do. But a
Phoebe's fingertips trembled slightly as she stared blankly at Hermosa's pale face. That name always pricked at her memory like a needle—Melissa's curly hair, the unopened photo frame in Alexander's study—all flashing before her eyes now."What a coincidence. Running into you here," Hermosa said, her face still drained of color.Phoebe forced a smile. "Yeah, what a... coincidence."She quickly added, "What are you doing here?""My stomach was acting up, so I came to get something for it. You?""Oh, me? I..." Phoebe's throat tightened. Instinctively, she crushed the box of birth control pills hidden behind her back. She only realized where Hermosa's gaze had landed when it was too late. Embarrassed, she moved her hand behind her again. "I was just buying... medicine."As Hermosa turned to leave, the hem of her trench coat brushed past Phoebe's wrist, sending a chill straight to her bones. Hermosa suddenly paused. Under the harsh fluorescent lights, her profile looked almost transparent
When Alexander stepped into the bathroom, he found Phoebe resting peacefully in the bathtub, eyes closed. A soft flush still lingered on her cheeks, a trace of pleasure not yet fully faded. Her face looked like a ripe peach, pink and dewy, waiting to be picked.He walked over quietly. She must have heard him—her thick lashes fluttered as if she wanted to open her eyes. But she was too exhausted, not even a finger moved.Alexander chuckled softly, gazing at her delicate face. He'd really worn her out today.He reached down and gently stroked her silky cheek. He'd intended to call her for dinner, but looking at her now, sleep seemed more fitting.Scooping her out of the water, her smooth skin against him made his body stir again—but he held himself back.He dried her carefully, then laid her on the bed. The marks he'd left on her body filled him with a certain pride, but as he inspected the swollen red tenderness between her thighs, a pang of guilt twisted in his chest. He'd been a litt