When Phoebe returned home, she didn't even have time to step into the bathroom for a shower before Alexander impatiently pinned her against the door.His scorching kisses came down like a storm, fierce and relentless, as if he intended to claim her very soul.Lost in the intoxicating web he wove, Phoebe couldn't help but respond. Her lips parted, meeting his fervor with her own.Unlike Alexander's wild and domineering passion, her kiss was soft, like a delicate cloud of cotton candy—gentle, sweet, and tenderly dissolving with a lingering warmth.Though they had shared countless moments of intimacy before, her kiss still carried a touch of innocence. Yet her heart was fully in it.Despite her lack of skill, she kissed him earnestly, tentatively exploring his warmth and savoring every sensation.This wasn't the first time she had kissed him back, but it was, without a doubt, the sweetest. Because in this kiss, she could truly feel his heart—feel the emotions that were uniquely his.Toni
Fate's wheel turned without mercy, its whims cruel and unpredictable. The unexpected twists it brought were beyond any mortal's control.Damn it!Alexander cursed inwardly. How could he tell Phoebe the truth?The burden of delivering that truth himself felt unbearable.Even imagining her reaction—the way her eyes, so full of love and tenderness, would shatter with despair—was enough to pierce his heart with unbearable pain.He could already feel the agony of that moment as if it had already arrived.The thought of wounding her made his chest ache as if pierced by a thousand needles.In the days they had spent together, his attachment had grown like vines wrapping tighter and tighter, making it impossible to break free.He didn't want to think anymore. The suffocating weight of it all crashed over him like a stormy tide.All he wanted was to pull her closer—so close that their very souls would meld, her
In the blink of an eye, their clothes were discarded, and they stood exposed before each other, vulnerable.Driven by pure desire, Alexander kissed her again and again, his lips trailing down her skin, from her forehead to her neck, and every delicate inch of her, as if marking her, engraving her into his soul.In the heat of the moment, he didn't even wait to take her to the bed. He held her tightly, kissing her furiously, as if trying to drown out the turmoil and confusion inside him."We… haven't showered yet," Phoebe whispered, turning her face away, her arms pushing against his chest, shyly avoiding his gaze.But her eyes were already tinged with a soft blush. Tonight truly felt like a romantic night. She was intoxicated by it. She wished it could stay like this forever."Forget it" he replied, his voice husky, and then he kissed her lips again."No," she protested weakly, trying to stop him."Then we'll shower together,"
Alexander felt his heart clench.He gently lifted her into his arms, cradling her against his chest.Disturbed by the movement, Phoebe's eyes fluttered open for a moment before she closed them again. Instinctively, her head nestled deeper into his embrace. Her small hands grasped at his shirt, holding on as if afraid he might disappear, her fingers curling tightly into the fabric like a child clinging to her only source of comfort.A ripple of emotion stirred deep within Alexander's heart.He knew he shouldn't give her too much hope. He knew he couldn't promise her a future. But selfishly, he wanted to keep her—if only for a fleeting moment.He knew he would eventually abandon her, that he would be ruthless when the time came. Yet, before he walked away, he wanted to shower her with the sweetest tenderness.He understood his actions would only deepen her pain. But in that moment, he didn't care.Guilt was absent from his mind.
When breakfast time came, it was business as usual.As long as they weren't eating out, she was always the one to cook. It had become his request, but even if he never voiced it, she willingly took it on, finding joy in cooking for the man she loved.Even if she had to cook for him her whole life, it would be her happiness.Alexander lounged lazily on the sofa, casually unfolding his newspaper, though every now and then, his gaze would drift over the top, briefly resting on the kitchen.There she was—Phoebe in a pink apron, her long, dark hair tied up high into a playful ponytail, fully immersed in preparing the meal. The intensity with which she focused made it hard for him to look away.Yet, a bitter feeling quietly stirred in Alexander's chest, a sensation that seemed to gently pull at his heart, causing a slight pang of pain.He knew all too well that these peaceful days were nearing their end, and an indescribable unease was slowl
Phoebe sat distracted in the classroom all morning, barely registering the teacher's words as they passed through one ear and out the other. Her thoughts had drifted far away.Finally, when the lunch bell rang, she packed her things and walked out of the school building, her steps heavy with weariness.As she reached the entrance, Alexander's car came into view, parked steadily at the front.After a brief farewell to Alva, she climbed into Alexander's car."What were you and Alva talking about?" Alexander glanced at her with a look of playful curiosity and tenderness in his eyes."I'm not telling you." Phoebe's lips curved in a teasing smile as she shook her head lightly, her tone carrying a trace of mischief, like a child playfully keeping a secret.Alexander chuckled, his smile deepening as he started the car. Before long, the sharp sound of his phone ringing broke the comfortable silence.He reached for it, and upon seeing the caller ID, his hand hesitated. His eyes flickered brief
Night had quietly fallen, enveloping the world in an inky darkness.The only light came from a dim bedside lamp, casting a warm, golden glow over the soft bed.Phoebe seemed trapped in a thick, suffocating swamp of shadows, ensnared by relentless nightmares that left her powerless.Her delicate brows furrowed, a small knot forming between them, while a thin sheen of sweat glistened on her smooth forehead, catching the soft light like tiny stars."No… Don't… Don't leave me…"With a sharp gasp, she jolted awake, her eyes flying open as she gulped down breaths of air.Her chest heaved with panic, the fear in her trembling form instantly rousing Alexander from his slumber beside her."What's wrong?" he murmured, his voice still heavy with sleep.But the moment he saw her pale, ashen face, his grogginess vanished. Without a second thought, he sat up and pulled her into his arms, wrapping her tightly in a protective embrace.His hold was firm yet tender, as if he could shield her from every
NightAfter a night of passion, Phoebe lay exhausted, limp on the bed, drifting into a deep sleep. She slept soundly, unaware that this would be their final night together.When morning came, he would no longer be hers, and she would have to face a harsh, painful reality.Alexander rose from the bed, lighting a cigarette with a restless sigh, his brows furrowing in frustration.He dreaded the morning.What would he say to her when the sun rose?Should he tell her the truth—that the woman he loved had returned?Even he felt the cruelty of it.Out of selfishness, he had elevated Phoebe to a world of bliss, knowing full well that when she fell, she would be shattered beyond repair.Her radiant smile from yesterday lingered vividly in his mind—a smile as brilliant as summer blooms, filled with happiness and contentment. A smile she might never wear again.He flicked the cigarette aside. No matter how she felt about it, she would have to face the truth.Call him cruel, call him a scoundrel
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
The sound of running water from the bathroom came to an abrupt stop. Less than three minutes later, Alexander stepped out, a towel slung low around his waist, his damp hair dripping, sun glinting off his bronze skin."Do I have a good body?" he asked with a cocky arch of his brow, the towel hanging precariously low, revealing the sharp V-lines at his hips.Phoebe turned away, stubborn as ever. "Male models look better."His expression instantly darkened. The towel slipped to the floor, and he didn't seem to notice—or care.Phoebe's eyes widened, her pupils dilating as the sight in front of her hit like a punch to the gut. That bastard. He was doing it on purpose—always flaunting his raw, masculine power right in front of her like a predator marking territory."Have you tried one?" he asked, closing the distance between them. The sharp scent of cedarwood from his body wash filled her nose."They're all online!" she stammered, stumbling backward until her lower back hit the nightstand.
He wanted all of her—completely—until she melted beneath him like snow in spring.Tears still clung to Phoebe's lashes, her flushed cheeks pressed against the sofa armrest. She heard his husky laugh fall from above."Tired?"A muffled sound escaped her throat. She didn't bother answering such a pointless question. It felt like her bones had been taken apart and reassembled—dull pain laced with an electric numbness that left a tremor with every breath.She thought back to the wildfire burning in his eyes, the near-manic hunger in his touch. He didn't seem like a man who'd gone five years without a woman—more like someone hell-bent on satisfying a lifetime of cravings in a single day."Get up..."She pushed weakly at his arm, her limbs as soft as cotton, but before she could finish, he pinned her wrist against the couch. The scent of sweat and cedar clung to him, invading her senses as she tilted her head back, only to be caught in the lingering embers in his gaze."One more time," he m