After Phoebe fell into a deep sleep, a serene atmosphere enveloped the room. However, Alexander could still hear her softly murmuring in her sleep.Her faint voice flickered like a flame swaying in the wind, intermittently persistent as it reached his ears."Don't...""Alexander, help me, please help me."She kept crying out for those people not to come near him while desperately calling his name for help.Alexander's heart felt as if it were being gripped by an invisible hand, a painful mix of anguish and pity overwhelming him. He pressed his lips together, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.He immediately took out his phone and called one of his subordinates, his voice cold and decisive: "Retrieve the hotel surveillance footage, now!"The wait felt interminable, every minute and second stretching on, intensifying Alexander's anxiety. He paced back and forth in the room, occasionally glancing at the sleeping Phoebe.In less than half an hour, the phone rang. Alexander quickly
Only then did Alexander realize she was still completely naked. Without hesitation, he took off his shirt and threw it at her. "Put this on."Phoebe had no choice but to take the shirt and rush into the bathroom, though she knew there wasn't really much point in hiding.Inside the bathroom, Phoebe tugged at the black shirt she was wearing. The fabric was soft and comfortable, and it felt warm against her skin, just long enough to cover her hips.But with nothing underneath, she felt incredibly insecure.Her face burned with embarrassment, and she felt like she might die of shame at any moment.His voice urging her from outside the door made her move quickly. Better to have something to wear than nothing at all.She hurried downstairs. He had told her the kitchen was on the first floor.The kitchen was large but eerily empty. It was obvious that it hadn't been used in a long time. The cabinets were spotless, and everything looked brand new.Strange. Does he not eat at home often?Shakin
In the dining room, they ate in silence. Phoebe was starving and ate quickly, almost wolfing down her food without much grace.Alexander frowned, clearly not used to seeing a woman eat so carelessly."You'll live here from now on," he said suddenly."What?" Phoebe looked up, mid-bite, confused. Was he talking to her?Alexander repeated his words calmly as he continued eating his meal with elegance.The second he said it, the piece of beef she had just swallowed seemed to get stuck in her throat, and she coughed a few times, her eyes wide with shock. "Why?""Don't forget, you're my wife now," he said, his tone sharp, clearly irritated by her attitude. Any other woman would be grateful for such an offer.Wife?Her head started to spin again."But... I didn't agree to that contract willingly. It doesn't count! Mr. Davis, can we talk about this? I'll pay you back the money, and in return, please void the contract! I'll pay you back quickly, and you can even charge me interest...""This isn
All morning, Phoebe was distracted. Curtis's words kept replaying in her mind, and she couldn't calm down. "Phoebe, what are you daydreaming about? Look at this! It's gone viral!" Alva laughed, handing Phoebe a gossip magazine. "What's got you so excited?" Phoebe snapped out of her daze and took the magazine, glancing at the cover. Instantly, she froze. The glaring headline and lewd images drained the color from her face, leaving her mind in a whirl. She knew those people. "Isn't it wild? 'Four Tycoons Forced to Self-Castrate!'" Alva said with indignation. "Look at those disgusting old men—serves them right for harassing so many innocent girls!" "Phoebe, are you okay?" Alva asked, noticing her friend's pale expression. She had been fine just moments ago. "I'm... I'm fine... just engrossed in the story," Phoebe mumbled, staring at the article. It happened yesterday. Thank God she hadn't been harmed by those scumbags. "That was a close call..." she thought with a relieved
At midnight, Phoebe changed out of her bar uniform, ready to leave.The bar was close to school, and it only took her about fifteen minutes to bike there. But before she could even get close to campus, a car suddenly swerved in front of her, blocking her path.Startled, she screamed, nearly being thrown off her bike. Heart pounding, she was still trying to catch her breath when a commanding voice rang out from above her."Get in the car!"Phoebe froze in shock. It was Alexander. Before she could react, he stormed out of the car, kicked her bike aside, and grabbed her by the throat, lifting her off the ground."You're disobeying me?" His voice was slow and deliberate, every word dripping with dangerous intent as he locked eyes with her.Phoebe's face paled as she struggled to breathe. Without a word, Alexander threw her into the car and got in himself. The door slammed shut, and the locks clicked into place. He pressed a button, and the car's windows darkened with a black tint.Phoebe c
The next morning, Phoebe woke up feeling like her entire body had been broken. Her most intimate areas ached with sharp pain. She glanced around and saw that Alexander was already gone.On the bed beside her, a gold card, a key, and a check for five million lay neatly on the sheets.Her hands shook with anger as she gripped the blanket tightly. What good was money? It was just a transaction for her body! She didn't care about the money—not at all!But last night had taught her one thing: the more she resisted, the more it fueled his desire to conquer her.He had made it clear that once he was done playing with her, he would let her go. Until then, she had to accept her role as his wife and cater to his every demand.Since she couldn't fight back, all she could hope for now was that he'd tire of her soon.After the brutal night, her strength was completely drained. Phoebe got up, looking at her reflection in the mirror. Her face was pale, her eyes were ringed with dark circles, her lip
The following week Phoebe'd been going to Alexander's villa as he requested. However, she only went after midnight, as she didn't want to give up her job at the bar, which ended at 12:00.After checking with the butler, she was shown to a guest room. Alexander wasn't there, and she didn't dare sleep in his bed. Besides, she didn't want to—it smelled like him, which unnerved her.By the time she showered and changed into her pajamas, it was already 1:00 a.m. She lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.This had been happening every night. Despite being exhausted, sleep wouldn't come.What exactly was she waiting for?Why hadn't Alexander come back in all this time? What was he doing?Damn it, why was she thinking about him again?That beastly man! She must have been cursed to even think about him. She should hate him—despise him.Phoebe clenched her fists, wishing he would never appear before her again. She slapped her head in frustration, turned off the light, and buried hers
Phoebe felt deeply embarrassed by her shameful thoughts. She was becoming less and less like herself.Stealing a glance at the man beside her, she noticed his eyes were still closed. Assuming he had fallen asleep, she carefully thought about how to slip away from him without making any noise."And what about the rest?" Alexander's eyes suddenly opened, locking onto her. He was waiting for her next move.Phoebe's already flushed cheeks burned even hotter under his gaze. She understood exactly what he meant.Fearing he might get angry, she didn't dare hesitate. Nervously, she got down on her knees and began to unbuckle his belt, then carefully unzipped his trousers, struggling to pull them off.Her face reddened further as she averted her eyes, her heart racing. She dared not look at his strong, muscular legs. When her fingers had brushed against them, she had felt a strange, electric-like jolt run through her."Keep going," Alexander ordered in a low voice.Phoebe looked up at him, pan
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