After bidding Alva goodbye, Phoebe nearly sprinted out of the school. Instead of taking the bus, she hailed a taxi. Taking a bus would be too slow, and a taxi would get her there much faster. Normally, she would never spend the extra money, but today, all she wanted was to see him as quickly as possible.However, once inside the taxi, her courage began to waver. A sense of fear crept over her, though she couldn't quite pinpoint what she was afraid of. She kept telling herself she couldn't back down, refusing to allow herself to retreat.When the taxi pulled up in front of the apartment complex, she realized she didn't have an access card. The security guard stopped her at the gate, and no matter how much she pleaded, he refused to let her in. Fortunately, a shift change brought a new set of guards, and one of them recognized her from a previous visit, allowing her to enter.As the villa came into view, Phoebe's steps grew heavier, as if her legs had turned to lead. It was incredibly d
Laura"Little thing, I've been chasing you for so long, aren't you even touched?" Wright teased, his tone playful yet carrying a hint of frustration. Staring at the ice-cold beauty before him, he felt utterly defeated. It was the first time he had spent so long chasing a girl without success. Initially, he thought it was just a game, but to his surprise, he had genuinely fallen for her. There was no denying it now—he was hopelessly in love.Laura kept her head down, walking forward without sparing him a glance. Despite over a month of his persistent pursuit, she remained indifferent. He was so annoying, showing up every day to bother her, impossible to avoid or chase away."What's so urgent at home that you rush back every day? How about I take you on a romantic date?" Wright leaned closer, flashing a charming smile that caused the nearby girls to look on enviously. Yet Laura didn't even spare him a glance.Remaining silent, she kept walking with her usual downcast gaze.Wright felt a
After walking a good distance, Laura finally glanced back. Seeing that Wright hadn't followed them, her furrowed brows relaxed slightly."Phoebe, don't listen to his nonsense.""What nonsense?" Phoebe pretended not to understand. So, she was in a relationship already. Watching them earlier, they looked so perfect together—a golden couple that was truly pleasing to the eye. Melissa was so beautiful, and it wasn't surprising that such a handsome guy liked her."We...we're not." Laura's cheeks were so hot they could almost cook an egg."Laura, it's okay to have a boyfriend. I think you two are a great match." Phoebe assumed Laura was just shy and smiled sweetly at her. Although she was still young and inexperienced in these matters, having someone who cared for Laura seemed like a good thing. However, Phoebe couldn't help but worry—Wright had a reputation for being a flirt. Was he truly sincere about Laura?"No, it's not like that. I don't like him. I just...I just feel like being liked
"I've actually thought about cutting it off," Laura said with a hint of frustration."Why?" Phoebe asked, surprised."I'm not good at styling my hair, and it's really inconvenient when I'm working.""Has no one taught you how to tie it up?" That explained why Laura always let her hair down. But with her hair loose, she looked stunning, like an angel.Laura shook her head."I'll teach you tomorrow morning," Phoebe said with a warm smile. They kept drying Laura's hair until it was no longer damp. Only then did they crawl into the bed, leaning against the headboard to sleep."Are you sure it's not too cramped?" Laura shifted to the edge of the bed. Her bed was small, and she worried Phoebe might feel uncomfortable. Laura had initially planned to sleep on the floor, but Phoebe had refused."It's not cramped at all," Phoebe replied, pulling Laura back closer. What a thoughtful girl, thoughtful enough to make one's heart ache."Can I...can I hold you while I sleep?" Laura asked shyly, her v
Laura's eyes widened in shock at the scene before her. Frozen in the posture she had assumed when she screamed, her voice trembled as she began, "You…" She wanted to ask him what he was doing to Phoebe, but fear stilled her tongue. Deep down, Laura was terrified of Gavin, unwilling to provoke him with even a simple question. She worried her inquiry might anger him.Her gaze shifted to Phoebe, lying naked on the couch. Watching her brother's actions, Laura's heart trembled, her mind spinning in confusion and embarrassment. The sight was unsettling, evoking an inexplicable sense of shame. Memories flashed in her mind—Gavin had once treated her in a similar way.Gavin glanced at Laura, then back at the woman beneath him. His body stiffened instantly, and he pulled away, lips parting as if to speak. Before he could utter a word—Smack.The sound of a resounding slap echoed through the air.Phoebe glared at him with undisguised disgust, her trembling body curling into itself as she hugged h
Morning sunlight filtered gently through the gaps in the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Phoebe stirred awake, instinctively reaching out to her side, only to be startled by the absence of Laura, who should have been there. Her eyes snapped open, and to her shock, the first thing she saw was Gavin.In that instant, the terrifying memories of the previous night surged back like a tidal wave, gripping her heart with fear. She recoiled instinctively, her gaze filled with wariness and terror, locking directly onto Gavin's.For a moment, Gavin's expression froze. The guarded and frightened look in Phoebe's eyes pierced him deeply, leaving a searing pain in his chest he couldn't ignore."You're awake?"His voice, magnetic as ever, carried an uncharacteristic softness, tinged with concern that he didn't bother to hide."What do you want?"Phoebe's voice trembled, her fear evident."Did I scare you last night? I... I'm truly sorry.
Inside the slowly moving car, the atmosphere was subtly tense. Gavin focused intently on the steering wheel, driving steadily, while Phoebe sat in the passenger seat, her heart consumed by a growing sense of urgency.Throughout the ride, she bit her lip several times, hesitating to speak. Her mind was fixated on asking about Alexander's whereabouts.After all, Gavin had confidently assured her earlier that he had found Alexander. Yet, so much time had passed, and he hadn't said a word about it, as if his promise had been entirely forgotten.Phoebe grew increasingly restless, worry gnawing at her. Was he lying to her? Had he merely used this as a ploy to coax her into the car?The thought stoked the flames of anger within her, and her face flushed red with frustration. Unable to suppress her emotions any longer, she burst out."Are you going to tell me or not?" Phoebe raised her voice, her tone a mix of urgency and indignation. She fixed her gaze on
The next day, Phoebe arrived at the agreed location on time, following Gavin's instructions from the day before. She had assumed they would head straight to the evening banquet, but what greeted her instead was a high-end fashion studio."Why are we here?" Phoebe asked suspiciously, standing at the entrance without any intention of stepping inside.Her eyes stayed fixed on Gavin, trying to discern his intentions from his expression."As my companion for the evening, you'll need to be appropriately dressed," Gavin replied with an air of calm confidence. After a brief pause, a faint smile tugged at his lips."Phoebe, do you think showing up in your current attire would be appropriate for such a formal occasion?" His gaze swept over her outfit, making his point clear.Phoebe instinctively glanced down at her casual student clothes, then turned to her reflection in the glass panel on the wall.She couldn't deny that her outfit was utterly unsuit
He was the father of the children?!Alexander stared blankly at the phone screen, his heart churning like a stormy sea. The revelation struck him without warning, leaving him utterly unprepared. He couldn't stop questioning it over and over in his mind.Back then, Phoebe had denied it so firmly. And now—this? The truth hit him like a thunderbolt, shattering every assumption he had.Alexander forced himself to calm down and read the message again, word by word. A surge of emotions—shock, disbelief, anger, relief—crashed over him in waves.Logic told him Phoebe had no reason to lie. A simple DNA test could prove everything.Her message explained that she had kept the truth from him because she didn't trust him, afraid he would try to take the children from her. Remembering how she had seemed on the verge of saying something, how she had hesitated so many times—he finally understood. She had been trying to tell him all along.His children were alive.In an instant, memories flashed befor
Inside the room, Alexander spoke with quiet certainty. "The house should be ready in about two weeks."Hermosa immediately shook her head. "Alex, I can't accept it.""Don't treat me like a stranger," Alexander replied firmly, leaving no room for argument."Alex, I..." Hermosa hesitated. The words caught in her throat, too heavy to speak."I've booked a hotel for you to stay in for now," Alexander continued. "Once the house is ready, you can move in."A trace of disappointment flashed in Hermosa's eyes. Secretly, she had hoped he would ask her to stay here with him."Alex, once I find a job, I'll pay you back," she said, biting her lip, a stubborn look on her face."Come work at LD," Alexander suddenly offered, his tone leaving no room for refusal."LD?" Hermosa looked at him in surprise, her eyes wide with confusion."Yes, my company," Alexander confirmed with a nod."But I thought you worked at DA Group?" she asked, unable to hide her disbelief."It's been merged with another corpora
Alexander didn't even have time to think before Hermosa's voice rang out again."Alex, are you busy? If so, I'll head out. I don't want to interrupt."As Hermosa turned to leave, Alexander quickly called after her."Where are you going?""I… I…" Hermosa stammered. She hadn't had anywhere else to go—that's why she'd come to him. But seeing the two of them together now, she felt it wasn't her place to stay.Alexander didn't need her to answer. He could already guess. She was all alone now—where else could she go? Stepping aside, his tone turned cold and distant as he looked at Phoebe."Do you have anything else to say?"That frigid tone made Phoebe's heart clench. She looked up at him but said nothing.Alexander's eyes were deep and unreadable. Since she wouldn't speak, he didn't want to hear anything more about her children."Then go home."Phoebe felt a sharp pain in her chest at those cold words. So she really wasn't welcome here? Was he telling her to leave?"Alex, it's okay. I didn
Alexander had spent the past two days at the villa with the children. He had never thought of himself as a particularly patient man, yet to his own surprise, he found himself unusually calm and gentle with them.He had been worried he might be too clumsy to take proper care of the kids, but everything had gone smoothly.The children were growing more and more attached to him, relying on him in a way that filled his heart with warmth. The feeling of being trusted and needed stirred something deep inside him.For a moment, he could almost believe he really was their father. That strange, comforting thought took him by surprise.That evening, just as Alexander was getting ready to take the children out for dinner, the doorbell rang. The children noticed it before he did."Daddy, someone's outside," Jeremy said. In the past two days, he had grown used to calling Alexander "Daddy"—so much so that he couldn't go back to calling him "Uncle.""Daddy, I heard it too!" Amy chimed in.Alexander
The gates of the villa slowly opened as the two children stepped inside, their eyes widening at the spacious living room. A crystal chandelier cast a warm glow from the ceiling, while the marble floor reflected their tiny silhouettes."Uncle, your house is huge!" Amy looked up, her eyes sparkling.Alexander bent down and lifted both children onto the sofa. Amy suddenly frowned. "Uncle, living in such a big house alone must be really lonely."His movements paused. That wave of loneliness from the five lost years of memory suddenly surged in."We'll come visit you often from now on!" Jeremy said earnestly, unconsciously reaching up to touch his still-swollen cheek.Alexander noticed and quickly went upstairs to get the first aid kit. He gently placed Jeremy on his lap and carefully applied the ointment."Does it hurt?"Jeremy shook his head, staring intently at the gentle man in front of him. Amy sat quietly by the side, then suddenly said, "Uncle, today is our fifth birthday.""Your bi
In the restroom, Phoebe stared blankly at her phone. His call still hadn't come. Her heart sank with disappointment.She tried to calm herself, but her mind kept spinning with anxious thoughts. So lost in her worries, she forgot about the two kids waiting outside.It wasn't until a woman bumped into her that Phoebe snapped back to reality.Oh no, the kids!She rushed out of the restroom—only to find their seats empty.Her heart dropped. Cold sweat soaked her back. She frantically stopped a passerby."Excuse me, did you see two kids? A boy and a girl, about this tall—"No. No. No.Just as she was on the verge of panic, her phone suddenly rang.With trembling hands, Phoebe pulled it out and answered without even checking the caller ID."Hi, Mom."The moment she heard Jeremy's voice, Phoebe burst into tears. Her voice choked with emotion. "Where are you?""Mom, Amy and I are fine. Don't worry," Jeremy said gently."Tell me where you are." Phoebe sniffled, trying to keep her voice steady.
At 3 a.m., the villa was wrapped in absolute silence. Alexander stumbled through the front door, the sharp scent of whiskey clinging to his suit.Upstairs, the bedroom door was ajar—like an open wound that refused to heal. He pushed it open. Moonlight slanted through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating a bed so untouched it didn't even bear a wrinkle.A dry laugh escaped him.Sliding down the wall, he sat on the floor, the back of his head resting against the cold wallpaper. The alcohol burned in his veins, but it couldn't dull the dull ache spreading through his chest. His fingers absentmindedly traced the old scar on his left abdomen—he should've locked her up five years ago, even if the chains had to be forged from hatred.By the time the pale morning light seeped through the curtains at 5 a.m., Phoebe was already awake. Her hand reached instinctively toward the phone on the pillow beside her—the screen was as clean and silent as glass rinsed by rain."He still hasn't seen i
Phoebe stared at the dim screen of her phone, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the cold surface. The unfamiliar female voice on the other end still echoed in her ears, like a thorn lodged in her heart. All these years—even after losing his memory—Alexander had never had another woman by his side. Was it just like at that banquet again, where he'd hired someone to act just to provoke her?The thought made her lips curve involuntarily. Such childish tricks only exposed one thing: he still cared.Her fingers flew across the screen, tapping furiously. Thirty minutes later, she finally finished a long text message that laid bare the entire truth. She read through it again and again, checking every word and sentence, determined that this time, there would be no more misunderstandings. Just as she hit "send," she heard a soft creak at the door.Phoebe looked up to see a small head poking through the gap—Jeremy's. His large dark eyes sparkled in the darkness."Sweetheart?" She immediately
Phoebe stirred from a haze of sleep, the sunlight filtering through the window making her squint. She reached for her nightstand, fingertips brushing against the cold screen of her phone—3:00 PM.She froze, her mind sluggishly trying to piece things together. Fragments of last night resurfaced: the living room, Alexander's embrace, the warmth of his body, the sound of his breath… And then? How had she ended up back in bed?The answer was obvious. In this villa, no one else would dare touch her.She rubbed her temples in frustration. Everything was exposed now—she'd waited for him all night and fallen asleep in his arms. He must've figured it out.Suddenly, the door burst open.Phoebe looked up. Alexander stood in the doorway, his face thunderously dark."Aren't you going to explain?" His voice was like a blade scraping across glass—cold and sharp.Her heart jumped, panic rising in her chest. "Explain what?"He didn't answer. Instead, he tossed her phone in front of her.Phoebe looked