"Baby, beg me," his raspy voice whispered in her ear."I don't want to." She turned her head away. Didn't he realize that what should have been sweet words were, in truth, utterly cruel to her?"Don't refuse me." His voice came heavy, almost breathless, laced with a raw edge.His eyes, shrouded in a misty intensity, made her heart tremble. She wished he liked her, not just her body.Seeing her avoid him, Alexander's face hardened."Are you trying to make me angry again? Hmm?""Sir," she said, her tone distant, sucking in a sharp breath.Sir?"Damn it," Alexander spat, teeth clenched. His recently simmered-down anger reignited as he grew more furious. She hadn't even spoken to him yet she was still pouting."What's that supposed to mean?" His voice was frigid."I just wanted to make things clear," she said, her voice steady but her heart heavy. If he only saw her as a plaything, he didn't need to say words that could sway her heart."What do you want to make clear? Hmm?" he asked, eyes
"Melissa, get some rest," Alexander coaxed her gently as he held her, though his mind had drifted to Phoebe.If she hadn't said those irritating words earlier, he wouldn't have left her to come to Melissa."Alex," Melissa murmured, tightening her arms around his waist, her face buried against his solid chest."You're not upset that I told Phoebe about our engagement, are you?""Of course not." Sooner or later, she was bound to find out."Then, when will we get married?"Her question caught him off guard, making him pause. He softened his tone to soothe her. "I've been really busy lately. We'll talk about it later.""Are you...?""Go to sleep!" All he wanted now was for her to fall asleep so he could quickly go and deal with Phoebe.Melissa's face stiffened for a brief second, but soon she obediently nestled herself against him. Listening to her steady breathing, Alexander carefully untangled her arms from his waist and closed the bedroom door quietly behind him.As soon as he left, Me
He'd called her in, leaving her no room for escape. Phoebe took a shaky breath and gently pushed open the door, which swung wide.She entered nervously, keeping her eyes down, feeling the intense chill of his gaze overhead. Sometimes she wondered what she liked about him—aside from his striking looks, nearly everything about him fell outside her tastes, especially his bad temper."Close the door," Alexander commanded coldly, staring at her.What did he want to close the door for in broad daylight?Her mind raced.She had briefly hoped that if he dared treat her roughly, she'd scream for help, giving his employees a real taste of his character, maybe even seizing the opportunity to escape. She hesitated, unwilling to comply.This was his office, after all, not their home; surely he had to maintain some level of decorum.Cursing under his breath, he noted her stubbornness and spoke again, voice colder, "Come here." His tone held an icy edge, a warning that was impossible to ignore.Phoe
"No..." She felt flustered as his playful bite on her ear sent a shiver through her entire body."It's simple—I FUCK you, or you kiss me. Your choice." His tone was intense as he issued the ultimatum.She had been with him enough times, but even so, she seemed reluctant to give even a kiss."You!" she exclaimed, her cheeks turning red as she glared at him in frustration. Why was his mind always on things like this?"I'll give you three seconds to decide. Three, two, one..." His voice was a low, deliberate countdown.Before he finished, Phoebe shyly hooked her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his. Revengefully, she gave his lower lip a firm bite before slipping her tongue into his mouth.Alexander's body tightened, and without hesitation, his large hand gripped her, deepening the kiss as one hand wandered beneath her shirt."Mmm—"She felt her strength drain away under his touch. Her cheeks were flushed, and her lips were left a bit swollen from his intensity.She felt incred
This kiss wasn't forceful or rushed; it was filled with deep affection."Mmm!" She mindlessly responded to his tender touch, unsure of her own feelings—embarrassed yet secretly thrilled.Her body trembled involuntarily, craving something more from him, though she couldn't believe she'd even think such shameful thoughts.Phoebe felt conflicted, embarrassed to desire anything more."Sweetheart, how can you be so sweet?" Alexander murmured, entranced, alternating between kissing her lips and gently nibbling at them.At first, she tried to resist, but soon he had her utterly breathless, her mind spinning into a dizzy blur.She gasped for air, thinking, Is anyone else this affected by a kiss? She was sure she might drown in this passion.Finally, as she rested in his arms, catching her breath, she managed to say, "I...I think I need to go." She didn't dare stay any longer. He was overwhelming her."But I haven't eaten yet," he replied, casually slipping his hand along her back, unclasping
Why wasn't he answering her?She was so desperate to know the answer. What was he thinking?"Um..." she hesitated before softly asking, "What would you do if I were pregnant?"He paused, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized every expression on her face. Her reaction made him doubt, "Are you pregnant?"His voice was cold, and her heart sank.She felt so foolish, didn't she?"Tell me, are you pregnant?" He tilted her chin up, gazing at her with an icy intensity that held no warmth.Her heart ached; it hurt so much. This child was indeed unwanted.She wanted to strike him fiercely. If he didn't want her to have a baby, why did he give her this chance?Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to sound casual. "No." But her voice betrayed a hint of sadness, and fearing he wouldn't believe her, she continued to explain, "I was just asking casually... I've been taking birth control pills..."This seemed to remind him. He had never made her take birth control pills.With so many women, he alw
Phoebe woke up after three hours of sleep.Habitually, she reached out to feel the space beside her—cold and empty.Opening her eyes, she turned to the side, and his voice echoed in her mind. Her face instantly paled, and she fought back tears, telling herself not to cry.Beneath the sheets, she lay bare, curling into a small ball, staring blankly at the unfamiliar surroundings. Her memories only went as far as the office—had he carried her here?She didn't know where she was, but she felt safe. The décor was distinctly Alexander's, and the sheets still carried his scent.Taking a deep breath, she inhaled his familiar fragrance, then closed her eyes again, a single crystal tear escaping from the corner of her eye.His cold tone replayed in her mind, stirring a wave of pain in her heart. And Melissa—if it were her, he certainly wouldn't act this way.Did he truly not care for her at all?But what could she do? She liked him so much—his good side, his bad side, his domineering nature, a
Hearing the sound of the door opening, Phoebe curled up tightly in her blanket.She knew Alexander was back, but she didn't want to see him at all.Why did he have to return? He should be with Melissa."Are you hungry?" Alexander's magnetic voice came close to her ear.Worried she might be starving, Alexander had dropped Melissa off at the villa and rushed back to her.Phoebe pretended not to hear him, acting as if nothing had happened, though her fidgeting gave her away.He chuckled lightly, in a particularly good mood, and decided to coax her. After leaving her alone, he could tolerate a little of her sulking."Get up and eat something." He had teased her for so long in the afternoon, and now leaving her here alone at night—it was only natural for her to throw a little tantrum.Seeing her feign sleep, Alexander smirked and reached under the blanket, pulling her out. Only she would dare to be petulant with him, and he actually enjoyed it.He held her in his arms, expecting her to be
Half an hour later, the doorbell rang.Satisfied, Alexander leaned down to kiss her flushed cheek. "Good girl," he murmured.His voice made Phoebe even more embarrassed. She wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear. Avoiding his gaze, she quickly jumped out of bed and rushed into the bathroom.Watching her retreating figure, Alexander's lips curled into a wicked smile."Sir, your breakfast," the attendant said from outside."Come in," Alexander replied.Once breakfast was set, Alexander didn't bother waiting for Phoebe to finish her shower. Instead, he stripped off his clothes and strolled straight into the bathroom, leaning casually against the doorframe to admire the view."Hey! What are you doing in here?" Phoebe gasped when she saw him.She instinctively sank deeper into the water, trying to hide her body. She was certain she had locked the door, yet here he was—and stark naked, no less!What was worse, she found herself sneaking glances at him, captivated by his physique.Her ga
Morning sunlight streamed gently through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft glow across the room.On the bed, Phoebe's fair skin glowed under the warm light, making her look ethereal, almost unreal.She nestled lazily in Alexander's arms, her slightly disheveled hair veiling the soft curve of her neck.Her long, curled lashes fluttered faintly, and her innocent face, serene in sleep, radiated a tender sweetness that tugged at the heart.Alexander lay on his side, holding her with a possessive tenderness.His sharp eyes locked onto her delicate features, drinking in the sight of her nestled against him. His lips curved into a faint, rare smile, and a glimmer of warmth danced in his deep gaze.Unconsciously, his slender fingers traced the contour of her cheek, tucking stray strands of hair behind her ear.At that moment, Phoebe seemed as pure as an otherworldly sprite.She was stunning. Young. So tempting that it ignited a deep, primal desire to claim her.Lifting a strand of
When Alexander returned from handling his business, he found Phoebe fast asleep. He moved quietly into the room, his cold and indifferent expression softening as he gazed at her peaceful face.Sitting on the edge of the bed, he gently stroked her cheek, a tender smile playing on his lips. The affection in his eyes was unmistakable.Unable to resist, he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before rising and leaving the room, softly closing the door behind him.In the study, Alexander reviewed several documents. The silence was interrupted by his phone ringing.Frowning, he picked it up and answered without much interest."Alex, you finally decided to take my call?""What do you want?""I want to see you!""I'm busy.""I'm pregnant."Alexander's eyes narrowed, his gaze turning sharp and icy. His grip on the phone tightened, his fingers curling with such force that it seemed the phone might shatter."What did you say? Say it again.""Alex, I'm pregnant!" Melissa's soft an
After finishing breakfast, Alexander took Phoebe straight to the airport. Without saying much, he ushered her onto the plane. It wasn't until she was seated that Phoebe realized how confused she felt."Where are we going?" she asked."Abroad," Alexander replied."Ah?" Phoebe's mouth formed an "O.""For what?" she pressed, voicing her curiosity."I have some business to take care of," Alexander answered, his hands still busy working. He had brought her along to give her a change of scenery and to keep her by his side."Oh," Phoebe mumbled, puffing out her cheeks as her mood sank.So, he was here for work. She had assumed this trip was meant to be a relaxing getaway for the two of them.Watching him work so diligently, Phoebe couldn't help but stare. From the moment they boarded the plane, he hadn't stopped, not even for a moment. He's so busy.But despite his hectic schedule, he still made time to see her every day.He looked so handsome while working—especially his profile, with its s
When Alexander emerged from the bathroom, he found Phoebe already dressed and sitting upright, her posture stiff. He couldn't help but laugh. "Not going back to sleep?""No." Phoebe glanced at him quickly before lowering her gaze again. Damn it, why didn't he just put on clothes before coming out of the bathroom? Instead, he had wrapped a towel around his waist and walked out like that. He must have a thing for exposing himself.Wait—Phoebe looked again. That towel... it was her towel—the one she used to dry herself off with. How could he wrap it around his body like that?But as she took a closer look, she couldn't help but find it funny. The towel had cartoon patterns all over it. The more she looked, the more she wanted to laugh. Her lips twitched, but she managed to hold it in."Think I look funny?" His expression darkened slightly.Phoebe quickly shook her head. "No!"But in her heart, she thought he really did look ridiculous. Of course, she couldn't say that out loud. After all
The next morning, Phoebe woke up to find herself lying in bed.Had Alexander brought her back? She turned over, trying to recall what had happened last night.But as she shifted, she felt a sudden chill under the covers. She pulled them back, only to realize she was completely naked underneath.A cold shiver ran down her spine.How did she end up without clothes? She didn't usually sleep like this!Then, the sound of running water from the bathroom shattered her thoughts, making her head spin. She quickly grabbed some clothes and, barefoot and still unclothed, rushed toward the bathroom. She pushed the door open gently.Inside, the mist from the shower hung in the air, and standing beneath it was Alexander—his body, sculpted and smooth, the kind of physique that could drive any woman wild.Phoebe froze, her mind blank, her ability to think evaporating. It wasn't a dream. Alexander was in her house... and he was showering.The water cut off abruptly, and at that moment, Alexander's hea
Phoebe suddenly felt a wave of frustration. He really was so infuriating. If he kept being cruel to her, maybe leaving him wouldn't feel so hard.But now… now he had transformed into someone else—gentle, caring, and tender. His sudden kindness was disarming, and despite herself, she had to admit that she liked this version of him.Especially recently, he had been quietly taking care of her family. She never asked, but she knew it was his doing. Without him, her family might have fallen apart by now.And yet, she was terrified. Terrified that his kindness would vanish as quickly as it appeared. His unpredictability left her feeling insecure, as though happiness were just a fleeting moment she couldn't hold on to. How she wished this moment could last forever.Her pale arms wrapped around his sturdy waist, and she nuzzled her cheek against his chest, like a lazy cat seeking affection from its owner.Alexander chuckled softly. Her gesture stroked his male ego, sending a surge of warmth t
Gordon's funeral was held three days later—a simple and solemn ceremony.On the day of the funeral, Alexander stood at a distance, watching her grieve in silence. He didn't approach, wanting to give her space to process her pain.A few relatives offered their condolences and left early. Only Phoebe and her parents stayed by Gordon's graveside, unwilling to leave him alone.Phoebe stood in front of Gordon's gravestone, crying until she fainted, waking only to cry again. She couldn't believe he was gone—leaving behind their parents and her, just like that. Memories of their childhood happiness played in her mind. He had been alive and well, and now all that remained was a cold gravestone.She would never forgive herself. She believed Gordon's death was entirely her fault. If he hadn't tried to save her, he would still be here. Even if he had gone astray, at least he would still be alive.Now, with Gordon's death, more responsibilities and guilt weighed heavily on her shoulders. Staring
On the other side, Laura returned home, clutching her swollen cheek as she crawled into her bed.Her small face was buried deep into the pillow, her body curled into a ball as if only this could give her a sense of safety. It seemed like this was the only place that could bring her warmth.Her eyes were slightly misted, and she sniffled, thinking of Phoebe in the hospital. She wonders how she's doing now... Has she woken up yet?She longed to be by Phoebe's side, to talk to her. If Phoebe knew that the baby was gone, she would be so heartbroken. Laura wanted to comfort her, but Gavin wouldn't let her stay there. He told her to go home.Her pale fingers gently touched her cheek. She frowned and winced. "Ugh—hurts so much..."Earlier, when she looked at herself in the bathroom mirror, her cheek was so swollen, nearly unrecognizable—red and purple. When Gavin slapped her, her head went fuzzy. For a moment, it felt like her soul had disconnected from her body.It was easy to imagine how h