Alexander's lips crushed against Phoebe's with overwhelming force, as if he wanted to consume her whole.His tongue deftly pried open her clenched teeth, invading her mouth with fierce possession—like a conqueror determined to claim his spoils.Phoebe's entire body jolted violently. The sudden kiss felt like a surge of electricity, obliterating every shred of rational thought in an instant."Mm—" A muffled protest escaped her throat as she instinctively clenched her fists and pounded them against his shoulders.But Alexander was faster. With a swift motion, he caught her wrists, pressing her hands against his chest. Not only did this render her resistance futile, but it also forced her to feel the rapid, thunderous beat of his heart.His lips continued their relentless assault, fervent and unrestrained. Within moments, Phoebe's lips burned, a searing heat spreading through her entire body.What humiliated and infuriated her most, however, was Alexander's shameless audacity—his hands b
Phoebe never expected Gavin to respond with such a question. For a moment, her mind went completely blank. Her clothes were in disarray from the earlier intense confrontation with Alexander, and her hair, slightly messy, clung to her damp cheeks. Now, caught off guard by Gavin's sudden interrogation, she felt even more flustered.She opened her mouth, but her throat was parched, unable to utter a single word. She could only stand there helplessly, her eyes filled with uncertainty.Seeing Phoebe in such a state, Gavin's anger flared instantly.His gaze turned ice-cold, his lips pressing into a tight line as he struggled to suppress the rage burning within him.Without a word, he suddenly spun around and strode toward the parked car.Phoebe didn't care that the rain was pouring down in torrents, drenching her completely in an instant. Her soaked hair clung to her face, making her look even more miserable. Stumbling forward, she chased after Gavin, calling out desperately, "Gavin, wait f
Inside Alexander's bedroom.The doctor carefully completed his examination, slowly removing the stethoscope from Alexander's chest.Phoebe quickly stepped forward, her eyes filled with urgency and concern. "How is he?" she asked anxiously.The doctor turned to her, his gaze carrying a trace of reproach, his tone slightly stern. "Why didn't you stop him? If his leg had been left unchecked any longer, he could have been permanently crippled. After his accident, if he had received proper treatment in time, he should have fully recovered by now. But he missed the optimal treatment window. And now, after taking injections and getting caught in the rain, he's only making things worse."The doctor's words struck Phoebe like a hammer to the chest, making it difficult for her to breathe."How could he be so reckless? You must never let him use stimulants again," the doctor continued. "Sure, they provide temporary effects—when injected into the leg muscles, they allow movement for a short perio
For several days, Phoebe shut herself inside her home.A sudden and overwhelming cold had hit her like a tidal wave, worse than she had expected, lingering stubbornly without any sign of improvement.Even wrapped in layers of thick blankets, she still felt the cold seeping into her from every direction, leaving her shivering uncontrollably.After taking her medication, she dragged her weary body back into bed, hoping that sleep might ease her discomfort and dispel the heavy weight pressing on her heart.Just as she was about to drift off, a gentle knock came at the door, followed by Hermosa's soft voice from outside. "Phoebe, Gavin is here.""Mom, I'm not feeling well. I'm lying down," Phoebe responded weakly.Gavin had been coming over every day, but she had no desire to see him right now. She was still upset about the way he had abandoned her that day."Phoebe, Gavin has come several times already. Stop being stubborn. If there's something on your mind, talk it out with him properly
After lunch, Ryan and Anila exchanged a glance, instantly understanding each other.Ryan stood up, patted Gavin's shoulder, and said with a smile, "We're going out for a walk. You two should have a good chat."Anila also smiled and chimed in, "Yes, take this chance to talk things through."With that, the two turned and walked out, thoughtfully closing the door behind them.Phoebe naturally understood her parents' intention. She sat quietly in her chair, watching them leave. The room instantly fell silent, leaving only her and Gavin. A subtle tension and awkwardness filled the air.Phoebe slowly stood up, her gaze unfocused, and walked straight to the dining table, beginning to clear the dishes. Her movements were gentle yet somewhat mechanical, as if trying to bury her emotions in the act of tidying up."I'll help you."Gavin stood up as well, quickly stepping to her side. His voice was filled with care and warmth, his eyes never leaving her for even a second.Phoebe nodded slightly w
In the hotel room, Leroy silently packed his backpack, each movement carrying a hint of sluggishness.Was he really going to leave like this? A sudden wave of reluctance surged within him.This reluctance wasn't for the city, but for a person—Laura.Leroy's mind kept replaying images of Laura. He longed to see her one more time, but reason told him it was nearly impossible.After all, their meeting had been a mere coincidence during his travels. Once they parted, it was unlikely their paths would cross again.With these complex emotions swirling inside him, Leroy slowly closed the hotel room door and turned toward the front desk to check out.His steps were heavy, his heart filled with such melancholy that he failed to notice the elevator doors on the other side of the hotel opening at the exact moment his own elevator began its descent.***Night had fallen by the time Laura dragged her exhausted body back home.The moment she stepped into the living room, her eyes landed on the man
The days that followed felt like an unending nightmare.During the daytime, Gavin wore his impeccably tailored suit, his face adorned with a warm and gentle smile, as if he were the perfect gentleman. But when night fell, he tore away his mask of civility, revealing the beast lurking beneath.Laura trembled in fear and agony, enduring his relentless torment. Her life had become a living hell, suffocating and unbearable.In this endless darkness, only the memories of Leroy brought her the faintest trace of warmth.She could still remember how, whenever she was near him, a sense of peace would wash over her. His embrace was broad and comforting, like the gentle warmth of the winter sun, making her reluctant to let go.She loved burying her head in his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. In those moments, she felt as if all the troubles and sorrows of the world no longer existed.But now, all of that had turned into nothing but a fleeting illusion.Leroy had vanished
Phoebe's heart clenched suddenly. After a brief moment of panic, she quickly regained her composure, bit her lower lip, and said firmly, "I don't want to see you."With that, she hurriedly hung up the phone. Her hands trembled slightly, and her mind descended into chaos.Slowly, Phoebe unzipped the back of her wedding dress, her movements sluggish and heavy. The dress slipped to the floor like a withering flower. Mechanically, she took a nightgown from the wardrobe, changed into it, and collapsed onto the bed, trying to erase the waves of turmoil that phone call had stirred in her heart.She kept telling herself: Sleep. Tomorrow, I need to be the most beautiful bride.But her thoughts refused to obey.What does he want?After all this time, he had vanished without a trace, not a single word from him. And now, of all times, the night before her wedding, he suddenly calls. An unsettling feeling spread through her chest. Instinctively, she knew—it wouldn't be that simple.To prevent him
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