"But if you keep pushing yourself like this, you could wreck your body, and it might even jeopardize your ability to have kids later on." Jensen warned, his words blunt but honest. He knew that women should not be exposed to cold water during their period, especially not ice-cold water.Mia bit her lip, her face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and bewilderment. The idea of having children felt so far out of reach. People like them might never marry or have a family, let alone children. The relentless training had already ravaged her body, and her period had never been regular. But until now, she had been lucky enough to dodge the "ice bath" training sessions during her period. This time, however, her luck had run out. Her stomach throbbed with pain, and her face grew paler by the minute.Jensen studied her concernedly before offering. "I could try to get you out of this.""No!" Mia quickly grasped his arm. "It won't work. Just forget it.""What are you two gossiping about? Get
Hayes' smile was unrelenting, but it sent a shiver down one's spine. Jensen fixed his gaze on him, his voice steady. "She is just my friend—nothing romantic. I would do the same for any of my friends.""So, you still don't have feelings for her?" Hayes sneered, casting a sly glance at Mia. Her eyes filled with tears, and his smile grew colder."If you don't care for her, then you have no right to take her place in training.""I didn't need his help anyway." Mia choked back tears and confronted Hayes. "He's just butting in. I can handle an exercise like this on my own. I don't need him stepping in."Hayes lowered his eyes, smirking without saying a word. Mia inhaled sharply, pain evident, and turned to walk toward the water. Jensen's lips tightened, and he pleaded with Hayes. "Can she at least get a few days off? She's not well.""Jensen!" Mia interrupted before Hayes could reply. Frustration and resentment in her eyes, she glared at him. "My well-being is none of your concern. Eve
The person who jumped in was none other than Hayes. Jensen's eyes darkened as he watched the man approaching, his heart tightening. It seemed his suspicion had been right – Hayes had feelings for Mia.Suddenly, Mia vanished from Jensen's arms. Hayes cradled her protectively, carrying her horizontally. He looked back at Jensen with a mocking smile. "You wanted to take her place, didn't you? Well, you can stay in the water a little longer."Jensen pressed his lips together, holding back any response. Everyone stared in shock at the scene unfolding before them: the usually aloof and unapproachable man carrying a woman ashore as if she were his most precious treasure.Whispers and murmurs filled the air, the tension palpable as everyone tried to process the unexpected sight. The supervisor on the shore, noticing the commotion, barked, "What are you little runts gossiping about? Get back in line! Anyone who can't hold on any longer, get out and head to the Velvet Vagabonds."Silence fel
The feeling dissipated in an instant as he heard her murmur a name. He gazed intensely at the woman in his arms, his deep eyes clouded with a dark, chilling aura. 'She was whispering... Jensen's name. Ah, so she is that fond of Jensen? What a shame, the man doesn't share her affection.' He suddenly released her, looking down upon her with contempt. His eyes no longer held the depth of emotion they once did; all that remained was a cold, mocking sneer. He retreated to the window to smoke. A cool breeze blew in, dispelling the heat that had built up within him. On the expansive bed, the woman curled into a small, frail ball, pitiable and weak. He leaned back in his chair, silently observing her, his face expressionless.Mia slept fitfully. When she awoke, the sky was already dark, the room shrouded in pitch black. However, her years of training quickly alerted her to another presence in the room. As she hastily sat up and scanned her surroundings, she caught sight of a tiny ember near t
"Is that so?" Hayes smiled at her. "I can make your life very comfortable. Would you be willing to become my woman?"Mia stared at him in shock. 'This isn't the first time he's asked me such a question. But why...'Hayes approached her. Smoke from his cigarette swirled around his wrist, obscuring his face and making his expression unreadable. He smiled faintly. "People have told you that you have a pretty face, haven't they? Yes, I like your face, and I like your body."Mia instinctively stepped back, but suddenly, there was a hand around her waist. Hayes pulled her forcefully against him."Become my woman, and I can make you the most powerful woman in the McCray family. No more enduring harsh training, no more daily duels with others, no more injuries."Mia shook her head frantically."Hayes, please don't do this."His words frightened her. She had always thought that the McCray family's heir was a man devoid of desires, especially with no interest in women. His sudden words to
Fear was etched deeply on Mia's face.Hayes lifted his hand, his slender fingers gently wiping away the tears from her face. He chuckled softly, his voice as tender as if he were comforting a child. "Why are you crying? Are you that afraid of me? You should know that of all people, I would never harm you. I just want you to be my woman and accompany me, that's all."Mia leaned against his chest, her voice trembling and fragile. She said, "I already have someone I like.""Jensen, right?" Mia did not respond. Hayes suddenly laughed mockingly. "Your devotion to him is quite evident. Do you think he can't see your feelings for him? The reason he hasn't reciprocated is simply that he doesn't like you."It was ironic. The woman he liked was in love with another man, and that man did not even like her.Mia bit her lip gently, a pang of pain shooting through her heart.'Though Hayes's words are cruel, they are true. Jensen doesn't like me. What can I do? Once I fall for someone, I'm stub
Just like them, Jensen was a trainee here. Yet, there was an innate air of nobility about him. The sight of his stern face held an intimidating power. The women dared not speak. Jensen stood beside Mia, casting a faint smile in their direction."Has any of you seen Hayes worry about a woman? Has any of you seen Hayes embrace a woman? Even if she were truly sent away by Hayes, she would still hold a place in his heart. If you want to remain unscathed in the McCray family's backyard, you'd better not provoke her. She's not someone you can afford to mess with."Although the women were reluctant to accept it, they knew Jensen spoke the truth. Of course, they understood Hayes treated this woman differently, but they were jealous and wanted to bully her.Seeing the women still glaring at Mia with resentment, Jensen chuckled and snapped, "Leave, now!"The women gritted their teeth in anger, but they only looked at each other without daring to be arrogant anymore."Hmph, we'll go. What's
Jensen's body stiffened, his expression a mix of emotions as he looked at her. "You..."Mia took a deep breath, choking back tears. "The doctor said I can't have children in this lifetime. Do you... do you despise me for it?"Jensen shook his head instinctively, his voice growing softer. "Don't overthink it. Your health can still be improved."Mia smiled, lowering her eyes."See, you clearly don't like me, yet you still comfort me so gently. You make it so easy for me to misunderstand and to...fall for you," she said, slowly walking toward him."Jensen..." She called his name, her hands resting on his shoulders, "Hayes said that if I became his woman, he'd make me the most powerful woman in the McCray family." Jensen looked at her calmly, not saying a word. Mia smiled sadly. "But I didn't agree. Even if he gave me a hundred chances, I wouldn't agree.""You really are a fool," Jensen murmured.Mia shook her head with a smile. "Yes, I am a fool. I can't be with him while you're in