"I…" Phoebe bit her lip."The door is right there! You can leave at any time!" Alexander's voice was cold."That's not what I mean!" She stiffened, closing her eyes, her pale face looking even more fragile in the chill. His message was clear: the choice was hers.She had carefully considered her tone, yet it still managed to infuriate him!"I'm sorry!""Then come here!" His commanding tone brooked no dissent.Under his intense gaze, Phoebe felt a surge of panic. Yet, her body slowly moved toward him.With her head bowed, she crossed the distance between them, her heart racing uncontrollably!"Do you want to just stand there?" He narrowed his eyes, leaning back with his arms crossed, his lazy demeanor reminiscent of a predator. "Come here!"Each step felt like walking through molasses; the few feet felt like a century.A gust of wind swept by, and suddenly, her arm was yanked forcefully, sending her tumbling onto his strong legs!Alexander gripped her waist tightly, pulling her closer.
"Sir, I… I'm sorry, I didn't know!" She bit her lip, seeming to only know how to do that in front of him.Wasn't he asking her to please him? How could she please him without kissing?"Remember, don't touch my lips again!" he said in a low voice. Yet, seeing her bite her lip so enticingly only made him want to kiss her even more!Damn it, no one got to make exceptions for him! And certainly not her; he thought women's lips were dirty."Mm!" She nodded like a child caught in trouble, her head lowered. But inside, she was stubbornly thinking, if he didn't want to kiss, then fine! She wouldn't mind! Kisses were meant for lovers! And between him and her…She recalled that other man, who had been much kinder than Alexander!"Don't keep me waiting too long?" His eyes burned with desire, as if he wanted to undress her."I…" She looked up, licking her lips, on the verge of tears…Was he deliberately making it hard for her? She had tried so hard to please him just now, but he had turned away i
The next day, Phoebe prepared breakfast early and headed straight to the hospital.As soon as she entered the room, she was met with a shocking scene. A group of men with hostile expressions surrounded the hospital bed. She immediately recognized them as loan sharks."What do you want? Mom, are you okay?" Phoebe rushed over, pushing the men aside and placing herself between them and her mother."Phoebe, don't worry about me! Get out of here!" her mother, Anila, cried out."Here...This is your money!" Phoebe pulled out a crumpled check from her bag."Well, aren't you impressive? Got the money so fast?" A sleazy middle-aged man grinned as he took the 500,000-dollar check, his leering eyes roaming over Phoebe.He hadn't expected Gordon to have such a sister...Her innocent, schoolgirl appearance was exactly the type they liked to toy with."Where's my brother?" Phoebe frowned slightly, feeling her stomach churn with disgust at the man's gaze."We'll bring him out soon enough!" the sleazy m
The luxurious bedroom was entirely decorated in black tones, giving off an oppressive and heavy atmosphere. Phoebe stood in silence, feeling Alexander's piercing gaze sweep over her like a predatory panther.His presence was overwhelming, causing her whole body to tense. Fear, anxiety, and panic surged through her all at once."You're late," Alexander's voice was as cold as ice, enough to freeze the air around them. Damn it. No one had ever dared to make him wait."I'm sorry... I... it won't happen again!" Phoebe lowered her head, apologizing in a weak and timid voice. Her face had gone pale, and her palms were sweaty from the tension.Alexander rose elegantly and walked toward her, each step closer making her more nervous. He gripped her chin tightly, forcing her to look up."And what about this time? How do you think I should punish you?" he growled."I... sir, I swear it won't happen again!" Her voice trembled with fear, and the pain from his grip brought tears to her eyes.Damn it
"What...what does this mean?" Her face was filled with shock and confusion as she asked, her voice trembling. God, what had she just done? She must have been bewitched to sign it! She didn't even read the contract before signing it! Wasn't this supposed to be a lover's arrangement? How did it turn into a marriage contract— and for three years? Tears welled up in Phoebe's eyes...she felt deceived."Does that expression mean you're unwilling?" Alexander's voice was cold, his face hard. Damn woman, what kind of reaction was this? Any other woman would be ecstatic, but not her. She looked like she wanted to run away."I...I...I..." she stammered, still unable to wrap her head around what had just happened. "Don't worry, you'll be well compensated," he said, his tone dismissive. "Wait...I didn't read it properly before signing. It doesn't count!" Phoebe protested. She didn't care about the money. No matter how much it was, she didn't need it. She had wanted to clear things up wi
"Alex... I want more... give it to me..." On the luxurious bed, the woman straddled Alexander's waist, her legs spread wide. Her brown, wavy hair fell down, sensual and alluring. "Alex, you're amazing! Mm... Ah..." The woman's moans of pleasure filled the room as her fiery red lips hungrily kissed the man's chest beneath her. The silk dress she wore had already slipped down to her waist. The woman, a newly debuted model, was using her looks to try and land a wealthy benefactor, hoping it would boost her career to supermodel status. The man before her could give her everything she wanted! She needed to capture his heart. Alexander narrowed his eyes in disdain as he looked at the lustful woman beneath him. Sure, she looked good, her body was definitely something. She had what it took to get into his bed. But unfortunately for her, she had miscalculated. Even as his body moved over hers, his mind wandered to someone else... Suddenly, halfway through, his interest vanished. A
The night in Valleybrook was quiet and serene. Under the moonlight, the luxurious villa exuded opulence. The garden was fragrant with the scent of flowers, and the large swimming pool reflected the soft light. Elegant music filled every corner of the hall, with a symphony orchestra playing beneath the crystal chandeliers. The guests at the gala were all members of high society, cloaked in the guise of charity, but in truth, they were merely polishing their own images. These charity events were nothing more than a show—an opportunity for the wealthy to flaunt their fortune, and for the less fortunate to beg for aid. Phoebe entered the venue in a pale green evening gown, accompanied by Miles. It was her first time attending such a grand event, and from the moment she stepped inside, she was nervous. Her palms were slick with sweat. Sensing her anxiety, Miles whispered, "Don't be nervous." Phoebe nodded, though her heart continued to race. The venue was crowded. They found a
Phoebe finished her speech and hurried off the stage, returning to Miles's side. "Phoebe, you did a great job! Well done," Miles said with a kind smile. Phoebe had always been one of his most promising students, and her performance was exactly what he had expected. "Thank you," Phoebe smiled back softly, letting out a sigh of relief. She was glad everything had gone smoothly. As she sat there for a while, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her. There was a strange intensity in the air, and it felt eerily familiar. She looked around but saw nothing unusual, just the glare from the glass reflecting the lights. Maybe she was just imagining things. She checked her phone. It was already 10 PM, and she noticed a missed call from an unfamiliar number. The call had come in around 6 PM, and the caller had tried three times. Who could it be? Only a few people had her number. She thought about calling back but decided it was too late. She'd return the call in t
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