Dear readers, This chapter contains descriptions of violence. We advise you to proceed with caution if you are sensitive to such content. If you feel uncomfortable or prefer to avoid it, please consider whether you wish to continue reading this chapter. We aim to handle these elements carefully but want to ensure you are informed about the chapter's developments. Thank you for your understanding and support! Best regards,
The atmosphere in the hospital was tense, thick with hostility. Gavin's men had the place sealed off so tightly that not even a fly could slip through.Alexander's expression was ice-cold, his gaze as sharp as a blade as he locked eyes with Gavin. He spoke slowly, enunciating each word with chilling clarity. “Gavin, you'd better pull your men back immediately. Otherwise, you know what the consequences will be.”Gavin's bloodshot eyes burned with fury. He looked like a raging lion, his gaze fixed on Alexander as he roared, “Tell me—where is Phoebe?”A strange smile suddenly crept onto Alexander's face, laced with mockery. “Aren't you supposed to be so capable? If you have the ability, go find and save her yourself.”“Don't push me too far!” Gavin could no longer contain his rage. He lunged forward, grabbing Alexander by the collar, their faces mere inches apart. The tension in the air was suffocating.Yet, Alexander remained unfazed, his gaze cruel and unyielding. “Let go,” he said col
Amidst the chaos, Alexander found himself stepping into the secret prison where Phoebe was held, time and time again.Each visit, he inflicted pain upon her, only to plunge himself deeper into an abyss of torment. His hands were stained with her suffering, yet no amount of time could wash away the guilt gnawing at his soul.Every scar, every anguished scream, was like a sharp needle piercing into the depths of his conscience.Eventually, he could no longer bear the weight of his own cruelty and stopped going altogether.He realized that no matter how much anger and misunderstanding clouded his judgment, he could never truly hate her—not completely.Time slipped away unnoticed, and a month passed in the blink of an eye.During this time, Phoebe remained locked away in this dark and suffocating prison, completely cut off from the outside world. Though Alexander rarely visited, each time he did, he brought her nothing but nightmares.Her body was covered in wounds—old scars barely healin
The night was as dark as ink, thick and impenetrable. The hospital rooftop was shrouded in an eerie silence. A sharp, biting wind howled through the air, cutting like blades against the skin.In the midst of the chilling cold, Hermosa slowly opened her eyes. The unfamiliar surroundings jolted her into wakefulness, her heart hammering in her chest as fear spread through her veins."Where am I? How did I get here? What happened?"A flood of questions swirled chaotically in her mind. Desperately searching for answers, she scanned her surroundings, her gaze brimming with confusion and unease.Then, she saw it—a lone figure standing a short distance away, her back turned.Hermosa's eyes locked onto the silhouette. A strange sense of familiarity surged within her, as though something deep in her memory had been stirred. She stared unblinkingly, trying to make out the woman's face.Suddenly, the woman turned around, her lips curling into a chilling, enigmatic smile as she fixed her gaze on H
Melissa watched with satisfaction as Hermosa's expression changed, her eyes narrowing slightly, her voice laced with an almost imperceptible chill. "My dear sister, do you still recognize me?"Hermosa remained silent. The air between them grew heavy, as if frozen in place.Seeing this, Melissa smirked mockingly, waving her hand slowly in front of Hermosa's face in deliberate provocation. "Oh, silly me, I almost forgot—you lost your memory, didn't you? What a pity. If you hadn't, I bet you'd be so furious right now that you'd pass out all over again." Her words were like shards of ice, each syllable carrying a bone-chilling sting.Melissa's hatred for Hermosa had taken root in childhood.Despite looking identical, Melissa had always been the gentler, more amiable one. And yet, it was Hermosa who was always adored, always surrounded by friends, always favored. Men fell at her feet, drawn to her like moths to a flame.But what truly made Melissa seethe was Alexander's unwavering devotion
Hermosa felt the world spinning around her. Her legs weakened, nearly giving out beneath her. Her mind went blank—she couldn't believe what she had just heard.Alexander's child? Impossible..."Do you know how much I hate her?" Melissa suddenly burst into hysterics, wildly flailing her arms in the air."You were already dead, yet she had to appear and steal Alexander away from me! She deserved it!" she screamed, her eyes brimming with pain and despair."Do you have any idea what Alexander did to me because of that wretched woman? He locked me in a dungeon, let those disgusting men violate me, and tormented me every single day! Every day, I had to endure countless men... You can't even begin to imagine that kind of suffering!"Her voice had grown hoarse, her face a mix of tears and sweat, completely lost in the depths of her harrowing memories."Do you know how much it took for me to escape? I took a drug that stopped my heart from beating. A slightly higher dose, and I would've been d
Alexander's Office"Alexander, let Phoebe go right now!" Gavin burst into the office like a storm, his chest heaving violently, his eyes burning with urgency and fury.He could hardly believe that Alexander could be so ruthless. Phoebe was pregnant, yet he had locked her up in such a horrid place. If he weren't afraid of harming her, Gavin would have already blown that wretched place to pieces."I'm sorry, sir, we really couldn't stop him. He forced his way in," the bodyguards behind him stammered, their faces filled with fear."Let her out now! Do you hear me?!" Gavin ignored the bodyguards completely and roared at Alexander, his voice filled with undeniable urgency.Alexander smirked with disdain, his gaze mocking as he looked at Gavin like he was nothing more than a pathetic fool. "Weren't you so capable before? Didn't you say you'd blow that place up?"Gavin was completely enraged by his ridicule. In his fury, he lunged forward, grabbing Alexander by the collar and hoisting him up
The next morning, as Phoebe slowly awakened from her slumber, an unsettling feeling washed over her. Instinctively, she glanced around, only to realize she was no longer in that cold, oppressive, enclosed room.Everything here was different—warm, comfortable, and inviting. The bed beneath her was as soft as clouds, and beside it lay several neatly arranged maternity outfits, each exuding a gentle, soothing scent.The sudden change filled her with confusion, her mind a tangled mess.Sitting on the edge of the bed, she ran her fingers over the delicate fabric, trying to piece together what had happened. But no matter how hard she thought, she couldn't make sense of it.She changed into one of the outfits and walked to the door. As expected, it was locked tight. No matter how much force she applied, it wouldn't budge.With a sigh, she returned to the bed, her brows furrowed in deep thought. A mixture of wariness and bewilderment flickered in her eyes. She had slept so deeply that she had
"Hermosa, what are you doing here?"A deep voice suddenly sounded from behind. Melissa's body trembled violently, as if she had been caught red-handed in an unspeakable secret.She hurriedly hid her phone behind her back, her fingers trembling slightly. Her voice involuntarily rose, tinged with undeniable nervousness. "Alex, y-you...when did you get here?"Alexander approached her steadily, a gentle smile on his face. "I just arrived. When I didn't see you in the dressing room, I got worried that something had happened to you, so I came looking. I didn't expect to find you here." Tilting his head slightly, his eyes filled with concern, he asked, "Are you overthinking things again?"Melissa secretly breathed a sigh of relief—he hadn't overheard her phone call.She nodded lightly, her voice soft and sweet. "Mm, Alex, I was just feeling a little nervous, so I came out to get some fresh air.""You look beautiful today." Alexander com
As they stepped into the grand banquet hall, a sea of elegantly dressed guests filled the space—powerful elites from various industries, all mingling and exchanging pleasantries.The moment Phoebe entered, she felt countless gazes land on her. Instinctively, she shrank back slightly, tightening her grip around Alexander's arm.Alexander's expression remained cold and unreadable as his sharp eyes swept across the room, catching the way certain men eyed Phoebe with curiosity. Without a word, he subtly withdrew his arm from hers, only to move behind her and slide an arm around her waist—a gesture both possessive and intimate.Phoebe let him lead her through the crowd, their presence drawing attention wherever they passed.She had always found these social events tedious, despising the superficial interactions and empty flattery. But tonight, she was surprised to realize that she no longer minded. With Alexander by her side, his promise still ling
Inside the car, the atmosphere was suffocating.Phoebe sat sideways in the passenger seat, her vacant eyes staring out the window. Yet, her mind was far from the passing scenery. Alexander's cold gaze and piercing words haunted her, swirling through her thoughts like ghosts refusing to fade.Alexander gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white from the pressure. Though his eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, his mind was elsewhere. Phoebe's earlier words were like a sharp thorn lodged deep in his heart—every time he recalled them, a stabbing pain followed.A heavy silence engulfed them. No words were exchanged, no glances met—only the low rumble of the engine and the whooshing wind outside filled the void.Before long, they arrived at the hotel where the banquet was being held.Alexander glanced sideways and uttered two cold words: "Get out."Phoebe slowly turned her head, her eyes filled with grie
Phoebe was still lost in the dizzying heat of the kiss, her mind blank, unable to fully recover from the intoxicating sensation.Without warning, Alexander scooped her up once more, striding purposefully toward the private lounge attached to his office.The heavy door shut behind them with a muffled thud. Alexander carried her straight to the large, plush bed, leaning down slightly as he gently placed her onto the soft mattress.Phoebe's body sank into the luxurious bedding, her eyes widening in alarm as she looked up at him. "What… what are you doing?""I want you." His voice was deep and husky, laced with raw desire."No, you can't." Phoebe's breath came in uneven pants. Her emotions were in turmoil—fear and confusion tangled together, yet at the same time, her body betrayed her, reacting instinctively to his closeness. This only unsettled her more."Can't?" Alexander's lips curled into a faint smirk, his gaze dark and unreadable. Slowly, his eyes drifted downward, lingering at her
Phoebe stood in the secluded corner, her hands trembling slightly as they reached for the buttons of her blouse. Her gaze remained locked on Alexander's back, not daring to blink. Only after watching him remain completely still for a long while did she finally exhale softly and lower her head to begin changing.When she opened the gift box and saw the delicate black lingerie inside, she froze.Lifting the sheer fabric between her fingers, she muttered under her breath, "This is lingerie?"The material was nearly transparent—she could already imagine how revealing it would be once worn. For a moment, she weighed her options: should she stick with her own undergarments, or wear this?Her eyes drifted back to the black evening gown. Its design was exquisite and unique, seemingly crafted to pair perfectly with the lingerie, enhancing its elegance with a touch of allure.Biting her lower lip, Phoebe struggled internally before finally giving in. Slowly, she unhooked her own lingerie, her m
Phoebe dragged her exhausted body home, moving quietly to avoid disturbing her family. She didn't turn on the lights but relied on her familiarity with the house to navigate her way carefully to the bedroom in the dark.Stepping inside, she saw her children sleeping soundly in bed. Her heart instantly softened, overflowing with warmth as she unconsciously sat down beside them."Kids, Mommy saw your daddy today," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Reaching out, she gently brushed her fingers over their cheeks, her touch unbearably tender. A soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips.That night, Phoebe slept more peacefully than she had in a long time.In her dreams, she saw the bright, happy faces of her children, playing and laughing together. She saw herself joining in, their joyous laughter filling the air. And Alexander… he was there too. The four of them stood in a beautiful garden, basking in the warm sunlight. It was a dream so wonderful, so perfect, that she wis
On most afternoons, as soon as lunch was over, Phoebe would return to her desk without delay, diving right back into work. But today, she was different. Instead of heading straight back, she wandered aimlessly around the company's surroundings, unwilling to return. It wasn't until 2:30 PM that she finally, and reluctantly, made her way back to the office.As she walked, her mind kept replaying the moment she had shaken off Alexander's grip earlier. His darkened expression told her everything—he was furious. She was almost certain he would take his revenge in the afternoon, assigning her a slew of unreasonable tasks just to make things difficult for her. With this uneasy thought lingering in her mind, Phoebe stepped into the office.Strangely enough, the entire afternoon passed without any sign of Alexander. It was as if he had vanished into thin air. There were no assignments, no sudden calls to his office—nothing.Sitting at her desk, Phoebe felt restless. Every now and then, she gla
Phoebe covered her lips, tears streaming down her face as she ran toward the restroom. She kept her head low, afraid of letting anyone see her in such a disheveled state. Once inside, she hurried into a stall, locked the door tightly, and slowly crouched down, wrapping her arms around her knees as she broke into uncontrollable sobs.Her cries echoed within the small cubicle, filled with sorrow and despair, as if trying to release all the grievances she had suppressed over the years. She cried for what felt like an eternity until her eyes were so swollen she could barely keep them open.Standing up shakily, Phoebe walked to the mirror and stared at her reflection—her puffy, distorted eyes a stark reminder of her breakdown. She turned on the faucet, cupped her hands under the icy water, and splashed it onto her face repeatedly. The coldness stung her skin, but it also helped her regain a bit of clarity. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself and made a firm decision in her heart.Ba
Upon reaching it, he freed one hand and, with a swift motion, swept everything off the surface.A loud crash echoed through the office as papers, stationery, and files scattered across the floor.The next second, Alexander carefully laid Phoebe down on the now-empty desk. She instinctively tried to sit up and escape, but before she could make a move, his towering frame loomed over her, pinning her beneath him.Phoebe's hands immediately pushed against him, her voice trembling with near desperation. "No, don't."But Alexander was far too strong. In an instant, he seized her wrists and forced them above her head, rendering her completely immobile."Isn't this the reason you came back?" His voice dripped with sarcasm.Phoebe's eyes welled up with tears. "I didn't… The public records never indicated you were the owner of this company. If I had known, I—"Before she could finish her sentence, Alexander abruptly leaned down, capturing her lips in a fierce, stormy kiss that swallowed her wor
Phoebe's fingers hovered over the cold doorknob for a second, her knuckles whitening. She drew a sharp breath and pushed open the heavy black door.The CEO's office was more expansive than she had imagined. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the glittering cityscape beyond, while at the center of the room, a large black executive chair sat with its high back turned toward her—tall enough to nearly obscure the figure seated in it."Sir, I'm the new secretary, Phoebe Garcia." Her voice cut through the silence, so clear she could hear the faint tremor in her own words.No response.The chair rotated slowly, and Phoebe's gaze traveled upward—over polished leather shoes, long legs, an immaculately tailored suit—until it landed on that face.Alexander Knight.Her breath hitched. Her pupils constricted. It was as if every drop of blood in her veins had frozen solid.Thud. The cardboard box in her arms crashed to the floor, the small potted succulent inside shattering, soil streaking her skirt.