The sound of splashing water filled the room as Phoebe's body trembled uncontrollably.In the next second, her bare skin pressed intimately against his.Her body instinctively curled up. She didn't push him away but clenched her fists tightly. His firm chest crushed against her soft form with intense pressure.Her delicate lashes quivered as fear coursed through her, but she refused to run. To flee now would mean she would never be able to forget Alexander.She couldn't allow that.He didn't love her—why should she guard her heart and body for him?"I'll give you one last chance to say no." His voice, hoarse and hurried, betrayed his struggle to maintain control. His breathing grew ragged, matching the tension in the air.She shook her head, suddenly wrapping her arms around his waist. "I won't regret it."Her action made him exhale in relief.Gavin scooped her up, his powerful legs stepping out of the tub with ease. His dark gaze roamed her pale skin, growing heavy with desire. He to
Gavin emerged from the room and sank onto the sofa in the living room, a glass of red wine in his hand.The alcohol did little to calm the fire surging through him—in fact, it only made it burn stronger.There was no way he could sleep in his own room tonight. Not if he wanted to keep his control intact.The potent effects of the wine coursed through his veins, filling him with a restless heat that made his skin prickle with discomfort. He silently cursed his own restraint. Why had he let his prey escape when it had willingly walked into his trap?He should have claimed that woman. It would have driven Alexander mad with jealousy and regret—that was the kind of torment Gavin craved.But even with hatred running so deep, some invisible force always stopped him from dragging that poor, unfortunate woman down with him.His long fingers gripped the glass as he sipped more of the dark liquid.In the middle of the night, Laura woke up parched, her throat dry. Groggy with sleep, she fumbled
The next morning.Phoebe woke up with puffy, swollen eyes, glancing around groggily until her surroundings came into focus. She recognized the room—Gavin's room—and the events of the previous night flooded her mind. Her face flushed with heat as she remembered her reckless actions.She had been impulsive. Fortunately, nothing had truly happened.If something had, she would have hated herself forever.In that moment, a wave of gratitude toward Gavin washed over her. Otherwise...But now, she wasn't sure how to face him."Awake?"A deep, magnetic voice broke the silence, startling her. Phoebe looked up to see Gavin walking in, impeccably dressed in a tailored black suit. His hands were casually tucked into his pockets, and his expression held its signature blend of arrogance and charm.Embarrassed, Phoebe's heart raced as she remembered her rashness the night before. All she wanted now was to avoid him.She had hoped to slip away unnoticed, but here she was, caught in the act."Why didn
Despite her overwhelming sadness, Phoebe still attended her classes each day.During the day, she appeared perfectly fine. But at night, when she was alone, she cried until her heart broke, until the pain consumed her."Phoebe, let's apply for an internship at Mac Group," Alva suggested suddenly.She already knew about Alexander and Phoebe's breakup. That jerk. Alva had been furious and wanted to confront him, but Phoebe had stopped her. Seeing her friend remain calm reassured her somewhat."But we haven't graduated yet. Isn't it too soon for an internship?" Phoebe asked, confused. They were still far from graduation."I saw a notice about them hiring interns. It's a part-time schedule — afternoons and evenings only — and we get to manage our own mornings. Right now, we only have morning classes, so it fits perfectly," Alva explained. "And listen, this company is a big deal. They hire interns to train for full-time roles after graduation.""But it's not even related to our field.""Wh
Under the night sky, Alexander stood frozen. He watched her cold, retreating figure, her tiny shoulders trembling, and his heart ached. A complex and conflicting light flickered in his eyes. For a moment, he wanted to rush to her, hold her in his arms.But he resisted the intense urge inside him, reminding himself that he didn't deserve to do that. This was the best outcome. Hermosa was back, and the substitute should exit the stage now. There was no need for further entanglement.He never truly loved her. Whether she was hurt or not didn't matter to him.The step he had just taken halted, and he turned back, coldly getting into the car. He started the engine and disappeared quickly into the dark night.The short journey felt like a lifetime for Phoebe.She didn't know how much strength it took to get home, but the moment she leaned against the door, Phoebe collapsed, sliding weakly down the cold door to the ground.Crying, she hugged her kn
Gavin's car was already parked there. Phoebe got in, "Why did you come over at noon?""Not much going on today, so I thought I'd take you to the office.""Gavin, you don't have to pick me up, I can go by myself.""I'm just passing time. Have you eaten?" Gavin smiled faintly."I've eaten." Actually, she hadn't. She just didn't want to be too clingy with him. It seemed like every time she was hurt, he was the one by her side.He glanced at her, a faint smile curving on his lips, "I haven't eaten. Come have lunch with me."She followed him to an upscale French restaurant. Gavin ordered a lot of food, but he never touched any of it, just watching her eat.He always looked at her like this, and she felt embarrassed to eat. She was supposed to be eating with him, but since he didn't touch his food, she ended up eating most of it.Phoebe couldn't help it anymore and looked up, "Why aren't you eating? Didn't you say you hadn't eaten?"
Phoebe answered the phone, and Gavin's deep voice came through, "Where are you?""I don't know," Phoebe murmured, glancing around. "I'm not sure where I am.""Are you lost?""Seems like it," Phoebe nodded, suddenly realizing she had no idea where she had wandered to."What buildings are around you?""There's a French restaurant.""What's it called?"Phoebe looked up and said, "Jesse.""Alright, don't move. I'll come to you.""Actually, I can just take a cab back," Phoebe said, feeling a little guilty for always bothering Gavin."Wait there," Gavin cut her off before she could say anything more and hung up the phone.Phoebe sat down at a nearby spot, waiting for him. The wind blew her long hair, and the moonlight illuminated her beautiful face. As she looked at the empty surroundings, she suddenly felt very lonely.Maybe it was seeing other people's happiness that stirred her emotions. She felt a mix
At five in the afternoon, Phoebe accompanied Kimberley, the design director, to the event.Being part of the design department, they were meticulous about their attire.Not only did they need to be fashionable and stunning, but their outfits also had to be creative and unique.Donning the latest exquisitely designed gowns, they headed to an elite styling studio.The stylists worked their magic, crafting flawless makeup and elegant hairstyles. Paired with chic jewelry specifically prepared by the company, the two of them stepped out looking radiant, exuding a charm that rivaled international superstars.The perfect blend of sophistication and elegance, Phoebe, in particular, dazzled. With her natural beauty, even a touch of makeup transformed her into a breathtaking vision.The moment she emerged, she captivated everyone's gaze. There was a collective pause, eyes wide with admiration, as if time itself had stopped.Kimberley, a strikin
Leroy watched in shock as the crimson blood spread, feeling as if a sledgehammer had slammed into his chest. A sharp pain shot through him, as if the knife had pierced not Laura's hand but his very heart. She had blocked the knife for him—without hesitation! A flash of ruthlessness flickered in his eyes. Without a second thought, his hand clamped down on the assailant's wrist like an iron vice. With all his strength, he squeezed. A sickeningcrackechoed through the night—the unmistakable sound of bone shattering. The sheer force of it was proof of Leroy's fury reaching its boiling point. The man let out a bloodcurdling scream, his wrist exploding in pain. His grip on the knife instantly loosened, and with a sharpclang, the weapon clattered to the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Leroy, still seething, delivered a vicious kick. Every ounce of his rage powered that single s
On the other side of town, Leroy booked a room at another hotel. Dragging his exhausted body inside, he thought a simple wash-up and a comfortable bed would lull him into sleep. Yet, reality proved him wrong.He tossed and turned, rumpling the sheets into a chaotic mess.In the darkness, his eyes remained wide open, haunted by Laura's image—her innocent smile, those big, watery eyes, and the look of helplessness she had worn when she was left alone. Each scene replayed endlessly in his mind.Leroy stared out at the pitch-black night beyond the window, his jaw unconsciously tightening. An unsettling sense of anxiety gnawed at his heart.Had he gone too far? It was already late, and Laura was just a young woman—beautiful and alone in a foreign city. What if something bad happened to her?Thinking back, having her around these past days had actually brought a warmth and liveliness to his life. In this foreign land, he had never felt this l
In the bathroom, Leroy felt completely cut off from the outside world. He had spent a full hour inside before finally stepping out through the tightly closed door.But the scene before him made him gasp sharply, his eyes widening in shock.Laura had fallen back into a deep sleep on the bed, as if nothing had happened. What made his blood rush even more was her completely unguarded sleeping posture.She was sprawled out in a starfish position, her clothes in disarray. And the most provocative part? The way her neckline had slipped, half-revealing the delicate curves beneath. The sight was completely unobstructed from his angle.Leroy suddenly felt an itch on his philtrum. Reflexively, he wiped it, only to find his fingers smeared with fresh, red blood.He was having a nosebleed!Damn it. It wasn't as if he'd never seen a woman before! How could he be so easily thrown off balance?His gaze roamed over her, unrestrained. Right now, Laura was like a perfectly ripe peach—tempting, luscious
At the break of dawn, on the other side of the city.Leroy slowly woke from his slumber, his chest feeling as if a heavy boulder was pressing down on it. Instinctively, he reached out, his fingers brushing against something soft and fuzzy. As his eyes fluttered open, they widened in shock.Laura was sprawled across him, completely unrestrained. Her arms clung to his like a vice, her leg hooked around his waist, making her look like a stubborn little koala refusing to let go.Her soft, delicate body was pressed snugly against his firm chest, and the blanket that was supposed to be covering her had long since slipped to the floor, lying abandoned beside the bed.Leroy furrowed his brows in deep regret.That day, he had gritted his teeth and forced himself to send her away. Yet, somehow, as if under some inexplicable spell, he had ended up bringing her back. Not only that, but he had let her stay by his side, fed her three meals a day, and even given up his own bed for her.He must have
Phoebe panicked and quickly tugged at her collar, trying to cover the incriminating marks. At the same time, she lowered her head, not daring to meet Gavin's gaze.Her mind was completely blank—she had no idea what to say.Should she explain? She couldn't bring herself to, knowing she had wronged Gavin. But if she remained silent, he might start suspecting something. Caught in this agonizing dilemma, she chose silence. She knew that at this moment, any explanation would only make her seem more guilty."Go rest," Gavin finally said. He seemed to sense her unease and embarrassment. His voice was still gentle, but there was an undercurrent of complexity that was hard to decipher.With that, he turned and walked away, his departing figure exuding a quiet sense of loss and helplessness. Phoebe stood motionless, staring after him as tears blurred her vision once again. A crushing wave of guilt consumed her, drowning her completely."Gavin, I miss the kids," Phoebe murmured, lifting her gaze
"Phoebe." Gavin called out urgently, his voice filled with concern.The sight before him made his heart jolt. Phoebe stood there in a thick white bathrobe, her long, damp hair clinging to her pale face and shoulders. Droplets of water trailed down her strands, soaking into the fabric of her robe, leaving dark, damp patches. Even her usually rosy lips had lost all color.Without thinking, Gavin stepped forward and gently pulled her into his arms. His voice carried an unmistakable tension as he asked, "What happened? I called you so many times last night, but you never answered."Hearing his familiar, caring voice, Phoebe felt a sharp pang in her chest. She had thought she had run out of tears on the way home, but now, her eyes welled up once again, completely beyond her control."I… I wasn't feeling well last night, so I went to bed early," she lied, forcing herself to suppress the agony within. Her voice was hoarse, roughened by exhaustion and the tears she had shed.She lowered her g
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
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
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