Phoebe woke up with a start, her heart racing from a terrifying nightmare.Opening her eyes, the sharp smell of disinfectant filled her nose.She coughed lightly and tried to move, but the pain shooting through her body reminded her that last night's nightmare had been all too real."Miss, you're awake?" A nurse approached with a smile. "Are you feeling any discomfort?"Phoebe shook her head, her gaze quickly scanning the room, searching for Curitis. Panic gripped her as she realized he wasn't there. Her chest tightened as she anxiously asked, "What happened to the man who came with me last night?""The man who came with you?" The nurse looked confused."He... he was shot..." Phoebe briefly explained, her eyes filled with worry."Well..." the nurse hesitated. "I wasn't on duty last night. Let me check with the others and find out.""Thank you..." Phoebe replied politely, though her heart was pounding. She watched nervously as the nurse left, then returned a few minutes later."There w
Three days later."Curitis...""Why are you crying?" Curitis sat up, his gaze full of affection as he looked at her. Was she crying for him? Although he didn't want her to feel sad on his behalf, his heart still swelled with joy.Phoebe shook her head, choking on her sobs."I'm so sorry. It's all my fault that you got hurt. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have..." She really was sorry."Silly girl, how is this your fault?" This was something he had willingly chosen."...Waaa..." she sobbed.Curitis chuckled lightly and affectionately pinched her nose. Then, in his slightly accented and not-so-fluent English, he softly coaxed her."Don't cry. See? I'm fine, aren't I?"His words only made Phoebe feel even more guilty."Alright, no more tears. Do you hear me? I chose to do all of this. Even if it meant dying for you, I would gladly do it." His voice was firm, his eyes full of deep emotion.Phoebe was stunned. She shook her head. "I'm not worth you doing all this...""Phoebe, you're in
"What right do you have? He already agreed to your terms, and you accepted!"That night, Curitis had agreed to his demands just in time to save her."Because we're perfectly compatible in bed..." Alexander sneered, his hand sliding down suddenly, grabbing her... Damn woman, she hadn't left him yet? And here she was, constantly calling out another man's name."No—" Phoebe's body trembled as she instinctively clamped her legs together. This was a hospital. He couldn't do this to her here."You can't go back on your word... Since Curitis already promised to give you the painting, I expect you to honor your agreement and let me go."Alexander gave her a wicked smile, one that sent chills down her spine."You're really that eager to leave me?""You're damn right! I want to leave you. I want to get as far away from you as possible..." Phoebe nearly shouted. To him, she was nothing but a plaything.Alexander leaned down, slowly whispering into her ear, "But I'm not letting you go."And with
"Phoebe, Phoebe, what's wrong? Please answer me..."The strange sounds from inside the room sent Curtis into a panic as he turned the doorknob frantically, but the door was locked from the inside, he couldn't get it open."Answer him or he's really going to bang on the door ..." he slammed into her punitively, although he didn't mind Curitis seeing him and Phoebe having sex, they were bound to be disturbed if he barged in. But he was desperate for Phoebe tonight; he wanted to enjoy her fully."Phoebe... Phoebe..." Curtis shouted, twisting the doorknob with all his might."Curtis... I'm... I'm fine... um..." She slowed her breathing, finally managing to speak, but even so, her suppressed reactions betrayed her, making it hard to stifle the alluring sounds she wanted to make."Phoebe, open the door. I want to check on you." Despite her reassurances, he still felt uneasy.Her voice sounded strange, like she was holding back something.What was wrong? Was she unwell?"Am I... I really am.
Meanwhile, Alexander was interrupted from his work by his phone ringing.Checking the caller ID, he answered gently, "Melissa...""Alex, when are you coming to pick me up? You promised to take me to your villa today!" Melissa whined. Alexander had said he would take her to his villa, but it was already late, and he hadn't shown up."..." Alexander fell silent.He was reluctant to have Melissa stay at his place, especially since Phoebe was there. Concerns began to creep in."Don't you want me to go?" Melissa's voice trembled, as if she might cry, and Alexander felt a wave of guilt."Melissa, how could I not want you? I'm in a meeting right now, but I'll come to get you as soon as I'm done, okay?" he reassured her softly, maintaining his usual tenderness."You better not be lying to me...""When have I ever lied to you?" Alexander chuckled, chatting with Melissa for a little longer before hanging up.After ending the call, he pinched the bridge of his nose, then dialed another number."
"Alex... who is she?" Melissa's sharp eyes landed on Phoebe sitting at the dining table, her voice soft and curious.Then she turned to Alexander, smiling sweetly, "Is she your wife?""Melissa, don't pay attention to her; she's just someone insignificant.""Should I take you to the bedroom to rest?" Alexander withdrew his gaze and said gently.Phoebe was taken aback, her mind replaying his words—she let out a bitter smile. So she was considered insignificant?"Actually, I am a bit tired..." Melissa glanced at Phoebe before leaning against Alexander, lazily closing her eyes."I'll take you to rest right away..." Alexander affectionately brushed Melissa's nose and wrapped his arm around her slender waist as they headed upstairs.Watching their perfect silhouettes fade away, Phoebe felt tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.Just last night in the hospital, he had been so passionately asking for her, yet today, he spoke such cold and hurtful words.What did he really think of her?
The next morning, Phoebe woke up to find Alexander already gone. Last night, she had dreamt of him... She shook her head and let out a bitter smile.How could he possibly have held her while sleeping? He was probably with that beautiful girl. The thought made her heart ache even more. She sniffed and forced herself to stop overthinking.Today, she had to go to school. If she skipped again, she might get a warning from the administration. She had already missed many classes this semester, and it was a crucial one. She couldn't let her academics fall apart. In ten minutes, she got ready quickly, grabbed her things, and headed downstairs. It was 8 a.m., and she thought she had woken up early enough, but when she reached the dining area, she saw Alexander and that girl having a cozy breakfast together.Watching their intimate interaction made her heart feel heavy. Not wanting them to notice her, Phoebe quietly moved toward the door, her footsteps light and almost soundless. Just
Inside the cramped car, the atmosphere was so tense it felt suffocating. "SHUT UP! STOP CRYING!" Alexander yelled in frustration. Ever since he had dragged her into the car, Phoebe hadn't stopped crying. He had planned to scold her thoroughly, but the moment he saw her tears, his anger dissipated. Her endless sobbing was driving him crazy. He couldn't stand women's tears—except for Melissa and Hermosa. Any other woman's tears were unbearable to him. Phoebe covered her face, crying sorrowfully. She didn't want to cry in front of him, but the more he yelled at her, the more uncontrollable her tears became. "Damn it, how many times do I have to tell you to stop crying?" Alexander's brow furrowed deeply, veins bulging on his hands as he gripped the steering wheel tightly. Phoebe, exhausted from crying, bit her lip and wiped away her tears, her pale fingers trembling. She had been so overwhelmed just now, but after releasing her emotions, she felt a little better. She rarely cr
Before long, they arrived at their destination, and Phoebe made a beeline for the nursery. The soft golden light draped over the two cribs like a delicate veil, casting a warm glow over the sleeping infants. Phoebe tiptoed closer, afraid to disturb them. Bending slightly, she placed gentle kisses on their rosy little cheeks. Then, with the utmost care, she reached out and lightly brushed their tiny hands with her fingertips. Her movements were slow and tender, each touch filled with boundless love and affection. She couldn't take her eyes off them for even a second. As if sensing her presence, Jeremy and Amy suddenly opened their bright, round eyes at the same time. Their clear, innocent gazes studied her curiously, making Phoebe chuckle softly, happiness brimming in her laughter. In her heart, she marveled at how incredibly lucky she was to have these two precious little angels. The babies sucked on
Time flew by, and Friday arrived in the blink of an eye. With their flight scheduled for 4 PM, Phoebe woke up early, brimming with excitement as she packed her luggage. The mere thought of finally reuniting with Jeremy and Amy filled her with uncontrollable joy, and the smile on her face never once faded. At precisely eleven o'clock, Gavin arrived to pick her up. They enjoyed a leisurely lunch at a nearby restaurant before heading back to Gavin's place. The plan was to rest for a bit before leaving for the airport at three in the afternoon. However, Phoebe was far from feeling tired. She was in the living room, deep in conversation with Laura, her eyes alight with enthusiasm. Seeing this, Gavin could only shake his head helplessly. Letting them be, he retreated to his study to take care of some unfinished business. Phoebe and Laura lounged comfortably on the sofa, chatting freely. Phoebe had kicked off her shoes a
"Damn it! What the hell are you grabbing me for?!" the man bellowed in pain, his features contorted as he struggled against the crushing grip on his arm. He thrashed desperately, trying to break free, but the strength of the man in the wheelchair was astonishing. His bones felt like they were on the verge of dislocating. "Apologize." Alexander's voice was cold, his presence radiating an intimidating chill. The undeniable authority in his tone made it clear—this was not a request. "What the hell are you talking about?!" the man shouted, his voice tinged with both anger and confusion. He had no idea who this person was and hadn't done anything to provoke him, so why should he apologize? Alexander's grip tightened. The man broke out in a cold sweat as fear crept up his spine. His bravado crumbled in an instant, and his tone softened to one of pleading desperation. "Wait—stop! Please! I don't even know what I did wrong. Could you at least tell me?" "Apologize to the person you j
For the past few days, everything had been calm—life was uneventful, until today, when Phoebe's phone rang. It was Gavin. He was calling to tell her that he would be taking her to France this Friday to visit the children. The news instantly ignited Phoebe's joy, and she spent the entire morning immersed in uncontrollable excitement. She carefully selected her outfit, grabbed her bag, and hurried out, heading straight to the shopping mall. From noon until the afternoon, she wandered through various stores, buying several adorable outfits for the children and picking out a few delicate little toys. She knew full well that Gavin had already filled an entire room with toys for them—so many that Jeremy and Amy probably couldn't even play with them all. But the moment she laid eyes on these toys, she was completely captivated and couldn't resist buying them. By the time she left the mall, Phoebe was carrying bags upon bags, her arms full. As she walked, images of Jeremy and Amy ap
Gavin seemed to sense Phoebe's confusion. He frowned slightly, his cold gaze sweeping briefly over Laura before softening as he turned to Phoebe. In a calm, measured tone, he said, "Phoebe, she was away during that time because she had some issues with her voice. I sent her abroad for treatment. I didn't tell you beforehand because I didn't want you to worry unnecessarily." Hearing his explanation, Phoebe suddenly understood. The doubt in her heart dissipated, but at the same time, a strong sense of guilt welled up inside her. Her eyes reddened slightly as she spoke with deep remorse, "I'm sorry, Gavin. I misunderstood you. How is Laura now? Has she recovered?" She looked at Laura with genuine concern in her eyes. "Not completely. Her condition is quite complicated and will take some time to heal," Gavin explained patiently. "Is it difficult to treat?" Phoebe frowned. "It can be cured, so don't worry too much. She just can't speak for now." Gavin reached out and patted Phoebe'
At four in the afternoon, Phoebe stepped out of her home, planning to make a quick trip to the supermarket to pick up ingredients for dinner.Her steps were light as she walked along the familiar street, but just as she lifted her gaze, her movements suddenly froze.Not far ahead, Gavin stood elegantly, leaning against his car door like a living masterpiece. The golden sunlight cast a soft glow on him, outlining his sharp features and adding to his naturally distinguished aura. His eyes were fixed solely on her, as if everything else around them had faded into insignificance.Phoebe's heart clenched, and for a few moments, her mind went completely blank. She quickly regained her composure and instinctively lowered her gaze.For the past few weeks, every time Gavin had tried to reach her, she had come up with excuses to avoid meeting him. When her phone rang, she ignored it. When text messages arrived, she never replied.Now, she ducked her head and pretended not to see him, turning sw
In the DA Corporation's conference room, the atmosphere was as tense as the moments before a storm.After months of being elusive, Alexander had finally made an appearance.At this moment, the company's top executives were all gathered. The directors and shareholders sat around the long conference table, their expressions varying. Among them was the representative of the mysterious company that had successfully acquired DA Corporation. He surveyed the room with a smug sense of satisfaction."Sir, the paperwork for the company's handover has been prepared. We kindly ask for your signature here." A staff member stepped forward respectfully, presenting the documents and a pen to Alexander.Alexander's gaze swept over the documents, and without a trace of hesitation, he swiftly signed his name. His expression remained calm.Letting go of DA Corporation was nothing more than a minor step in his grand scheme. To him, this was merely another move on the chessboard. More importantly, there we
Laura shuddered violently as the breath drawing near sent chills down her spine. She instantly lowered her gaze, not daring to meet his eyes. Panic surged through her, and she frantically shook her head, her body twisting desperately as she tried to retreat.But before she could escape, Gavin's hand clamped down on her flailing leg, capturing her like a hunter seizing his prey. Any chance of breaking free vanished in an instant.She turned her gaze away, her eyes darting elsewhere in terror. Even catching a glimpse of him from the corner of her eye made her heart pound with fear—she couldn't bear to look at him directly.Gavin's cold gaze bore down on Laura's pale lips, his eyes as frigid as ice, capable of freezing the entire world."Slut." His voice was hoarse with fury. "You've only been gone a few days, and you're already spreading your legs for another man?"Rage churned inside him. She had really left him. She had really gone to another man's bed. The thought gnawed at his pride
Early the next morning.Leroy slowly awakened, feeling a soft, warm weight pressing against his chest.He lowered his gaze and found Laura clinging to him like a cuddly koala, her arms wrapped tightly around him. One of her legs draped lazily over his, her posture exuding a sense of comfort and intimacy. Her small lips parted slightly with each gentle breath, accompanied by a faint, rhythmic snore—she was sound asleep.Leroy watched her in silence, his eyes brimming with tenderness and affection. As he gazed at her peaceful face, his lips curled into a subtle smile. He realized that with her by his side, life seemed to have taken on a whole new warmth, filling his world with an unexplainable sense of joy.She was never a burden—she was a priceless treasure granted to him by fate.Leroy carefully adjusted his position, trying to move without disturbing her. But the moment he shifted, Laura instinctively snuggled closer, tightening her hold on him as if, even in her sleep, she refused t