In just two days, rumors began to spread like wildfire across the school.Word quickly got around that Phoebe had a sugar daddy.It didn't take long for the gossip to become the talk of the school, with everyone—whether in public or private—whispering about Phoebe.Some classmates even posted pictures of her getting into Alexander's car.But that was just the beginning. Some people dug deeper, uncovering details about her family background, her parents, and even her drug-addicted brother.The insults, sneers, and cruel comments echoed in her ears at all hours.The rumors were causing her immense trouble.Her professors called her in for several meetings, and even the school administration had personally approached her, warning that if things continued like this, they might start advising her to drop out.If it got any worse, they would likely expel her.Phoebe didn't understand how everything had gone so wrong.Just a few days ago, things had been fine, and now suddenly, her world was
After shouting at Alexander, Phoebe immediately turned off her phone.Moments later, she was stunned, not even sure where she found the courage to yell at him, let alone insult him. Perhaps the pressure of the past few days had built up, and she just needed to vent.Meeting him had sucked the color out of her life. Was he really planning to trap her? To make her his secret lover forever, living there like his pet?Although he had changed a lot recently, showing more patience and even being gentle with her, it wasn't what she wanted.She didn't want this life anymore. Without love, no matter how good he was to her, she didn't want it.Wrapping the blanket tightly around herself, she tried to think things through. What should she do? How could she break free from him? How could she get him to stop bothering her and give her space, so her life could go back to the peaceful state it once had?She was so absorbed in her thoughts, her headache growing worse, that she didn't even hear the doo
As soon as the door clicked shut, the living room was left with only the two of them.Alexander gave Phoebe a cold look and patted the spot beside him."Come here.""What... what do you want?" Phoebe said, her guard up.Was he really going to do something here, in her house? He was just too infuriating. She didn't pick up his calls, and yet here he was, showing up at her doorstep.Boyfriend? He looked more like the Big Bad Wolf waiting to devour Little Red Riding Hood."Phoebe, you'd better come here before I lose my temper," Alexander said, glaring at her with increasing impatience.He couldn't understand why she was acting this way today. His patience, which had been stretched thin with her, was starting to wear out. He could tolerate her occasional tantrums, but not when she crossed the line."This is my house. You wouldn't dare," she retorted, meeting his gaze boldly.Her parents were here—she didn't believe he would actually lose control. But even so, a tiny spark of fear still l
Phoebe stared at him, incredulous. "There's no room for you here. What are you even talking about?""It's fine," he said casually, his eyes glinting with a mischievous light. "I don't mind sharing a bed with you. I'll make do." He leaned in close to her ear, his voice low and seductive, his gaze drifting to her curves in a way that made Phoebe feel completely exposed.Damn it, she hadn't even put on a bra when she came out."You—" Phoebe gasped, her hands instinctively covering her chest.What was wrong with him? Just moments ago, he was furious, and now he was being this way. Was he schizophrenic?Alexander straightened his back and pointed to the room across the hall. "Is that your room?"Without waiting for her response, he started walking toward it."Hey! What are you doing?" Phoebe exclaimed, a trace of panic in her voice."Obviously, I'm going to sleep," he replied casually.In truth, he was doing it on purpose to get a reaction from her.She was too clueless to appreciate his
"The design of your windows is quite convenient," Alexander chuckled softly, his gaze falling on her.He had already started approaching her bed."Get out!" Phoebe yelled, her voice tinged with panic. She had expected he wouldn't let her go so easily."Don't even think about it. Tonight, I'm sleeping here with you," Alexander replied with a smirk, his tone unapologetically teasing.As he walked, his eyes caught sight of the clothes rack beside him.His fingers curled around a delicate piece of lingerie, her lingerie, lifting it playfully.It was something he had bought for her, and just the thought of how stunning she looked in it was enough to make his pulse quicken."You!" Phoebe gasped, her face turning crimson.She hurriedly jumped off the bed, reaching out to snatch it back. She usually hung her lingerie on the rack before going to bed, but she hadn't anticipated he would casually pick it up and examine it with such a wicked glint in his eyes.His gaze, filled with mischief, was
"Ugh, no!" Phoebe's voice was fractured, her entire body trembling in fear from his forceful actions.Her breathing was erratic, completely out of control, and her body shook uncontrollably."Baby, you're so sensitive," Alexander murmured.Phoebe snapped back to her senses and instinctively tried to push him off her. They couldn't do such a thing here.Summoning an unknown surge of strength, she shoved him forcefully. Alexander, caught off guard in the heat of the moment, lost his balance. With a yelp, he tumbled sideways and hit the floor with a thud.Phoebe froze, wide-eyed, her hands flying to cover her flushed lips. Guilt welled up as she looked at the man sprawled awkwardly on the floor.Did she hurt him? She didn't mean to push him off the bed, just wanted him to keep his distance.But in the next second, her guilt faded, replaced by a sense of justice. Serves him right! She wouldn't go soft on him.Seconds passed, and she expected him to get up. But he remained completely still
The next morning.Ryan left for work early; he was a high school teacher and always rose by 5 a.m. to supervise morning classes. Meanwhile, Anila headed to the market to buy groceries.After they left, Alexander lingered in bed, holding her for a while before finally getting up, dressing, and stepping out. He made a phone call and left shortly afterward.By the time he returned, it was already noon.Phoebe didn't wake up until midday. When she opened her eyes, Alexander was no longer beside her. A sigh of relief escaped her lips.Later at lunch."This is delicious, Alexander. You should try it," Anila said with a cheerful smile."Mom, he can serve himself. You don't have to do that for him," Phoebe muttered, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.Why was Alexander still here for lunch? She had thought he had left earlier in the morning, yet he came back.It was Saturday, and Phoebe had no classes. She had originally planned to come home the previous day to clear her mind and return to
That evening, Phoebe had just returned home when her phone rang. It was Alva calling."Phoebe, something strange happened! Those posts slandering you on the school website have suddenly disappeared," Alva said, her voice filled with surprise. "Really?" Phoebe asked, equally startled. "It's true! I even went to the school today, and all the nasty rumors have vanished." "What's going on?" "I went to find Noah yesterday, but his parents are out of the country and won't be back for a while. It probably wasn't him. Phoebe, did you ask someone for help?" "Alva, I didn't tell anyone about this!" "That's really strange! But at least this whole mess seems to be resolving," Alva said with relief. They chatted for a while before Phoebe hung up the phone. Sitting in silence, she felt her calm unravel once again. What was happening? Could it have been Gavin? Or Alexander? ***Somewhere on the dark, in a shadowy alley: "Madam, we've done as you instructed. Gordon has been fed drug
Phoebe lay still, listening to the fading sound of footsteps outside her door. It felt like someone had ripped open her chest. He actually left just like that?Tears soaked half her pillow. She stared into the darkness until dawn. In the mirror, her face was pale, with dark shadows under her eyes. Just as her fingers brushed the doorknob, she felt it—his presence on the other side.Alexander was still wearing yesterday's wrinkled dress shirt. His bloodshot eyes said everything: he hadn't slept a minute. He'd been sitting outside her door all night."Phoebe..." His voice was barely more than a rasp.She recoiled as if burned, brushing past him with her head down—but he grabbed her wrist. His palm was so warm it made her tremble."Let go," she said, her voice like ice.Instead, he pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on her head. "What will it take for you to forgive me?"Phoebe fought to break free, her nails leaving red streaks on his arm. "Don't pretend," she choked out, tears
After hanging up, Phoebe immediately turned off her phone. She sniffled, her nose sore from holding back tears. As she looked at her two sleepy children nestled in her arms, her eyes turned red again. Biting her lower lip, she forced down the wave of emotions and held them a little tighter."We're going home." Her voice was hoarse.Jeremy and Amy lifted their heads sleepily and shook them in unison."Mommy, aren't we waiting for Uncle?""No." Phoebe avoided their hopeful eyes.The children's shoulders slumped as they looked down."But Uncle promised to take us out for ice cream..." Jeremy mumbled.A cold wind swept across the empty office building entrance. Phoebe looked at their disappointed little faces, her chest tightening."What do you want to eat? Mommy will make it when we get home.""I'm not hungry," Amy said, burying her face in Phoebe's neck."Me neither," Jeremy echoed, though he kept glancing around. "Maybe Uncle's on his way. Can we wait just five more minutes?"Phoebe's
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