At that moment, Alanna was full of despair.She couldn't bring herself to imagine what would happen to her if something undesirable happened.With a grunt, she bit hard on that person's lips and started struggling violently."It's me!"It wasn't until Hades' voice rang out that she felt the gloom within her dissipate.It took her several more seconds to come to her senses. Then, she got riled up. "Have you gone mad, Hades Florentine?"Hades chuckled. Alanna wasn't sure about it, but she thought he sounded pleased.He asked, "Me? Mad? Or perhaps you should explain yourself. How could you not recognize me?"Alanna was rendered speechless. Indeed, she didn't know it was him.Under those circumstances, all she felt was fear. It didn't even occur to her that it could be Hades.After all, he had told her clearly that he wouldn't be back tonight."Sorry. I didn't recognize you.""That calls for punishment." With that, Hades lowered his head and started kissing her on the lips.Al
But somehow, Hades' mood lifted.The room lights were turned off. In the dim room, Hades looked down at Alanna, who was still trying to unfasten his belt.She looked impatient. Her brows were knitted, and she was biting her lip.Hades held her chin and kissed her again. At the same time, his large hands held hers as he guided her to unbuckle his belt.Since getting together with Alanna, he'd seldom done it on his own. Likewise, he'd rather not have Alanna use her hands to help him. He preferred doing it the proper way.But tonight, he was satisfied with how it was done.He leaned against the bed so Alanna could lean against him."You performed well tonight, Ms. Jacinto," he said. He felt satiated.Alanna gently closed her eyes and concealed the emotions welling within her. Then, she broke free from his embrace, got up, and entered the washroom.After washing her hands, she exited the washroom and saw Hades smoking by the window. The room was still dark, so she could only see h
The next day, Hades was already up when Alanna woke up. He was answering a call by the window.He was clad in a suit, and his jawline was well-defined from the side.When he noticed she was awake, Hades ended the call and turned around. His gaze met hers."You really like gazing at me, huh?" he asked.Alanna averted her gaze. "Why are you still here?""I promised to pick you up from the hospital."Hades sat beside her. Noticing the blush on her cheeks, he chuckled. "Why are you blushing?"Alanna looked awkward for a second. "You're mistaken."However, Hades held her face with his large hand. "Do you think I don't know what I see?"He paused and continued, "Do you find me attractive?"Alanna's expression became tauter. She avoided eye contact as she answered, "No."Hades released her. Smiling, he said, "Go ahead and gaze all you want. I'm not against it."Alanna's lips moved as she wanted to explain. But sometimes, a situation would only become more awkward the more one trie
Besides, Hades would never go easy on those who irked him.He could let it slide the last time because Alanna had just miscarried. That wouldn't work for a second time."Chelsey, you should get back to work. I'll call you when I'm home," urged Alanna.Chelsey cast Alanna a concerned glance. Then, she snorted at Hades before turning to leave the ward.Now, only Alanna and Hades remained.Alanna was silent for a moment before saying, "Chelsey has a quick temper. She just feels sorry for me. Please don't hold it against her, Mr. Florentine."Hades narrowed his eyes and was visibly cross. "So, you think I've been nasty toward you, too? Ms. Jacinto?"Alanna's lips curved up. With a chuckle, she replied, "You've been quite nice to me. No one in your position would've personally taken care of their mistresses in the hospital."You've been great, Mr. Florentine. I can't expect you to care for me as though I'm your girlfriend or wife, can I? I know my place."Hades shot her a glance as
Hades stared at Alanna like she was a dummy."Why would I hand it to you if it wasn't for you?" Then, he touched her forehead. "Has the fever roasted your ability to think?"Alanna laughed. "I'm just surprised that you'd give me a gift."Hades retracted his hand. Nonchalantly, he replied, "It's not so much a gift than a compensation."Alanna didn't ask what he was compensating her for. She merely lowered her eyes and opened the box.As she did, she was stunned. In it was a pair of earrings with glittering, crystal-clear diamonds. It reminded Alanna of the pair of earrings in the auction. She kept glancing at it when it appeared on the screen.It somehow resembled this pair of earrings before her. So, that was what Hades meant by this being a compensation.Alanna gazed at the earrings. It truly resembled those that were on auction.Nevertheless, one pair was the real thing, while the other was counterfeit, just like Melanie and her. To Hades, she was most likely akin to a coun
"I'll get someone to bring you food every day for now.""Alright."Actually, it didn't matter to Alanna whether or not someone brought food for her. Although she was still a bit weak, it wasn't like she couldn't cook at all.However, she didn't feel like opposing his decision since he'd already said that.Right before they finished their meal, Alanna's phone abruptly rang. She pulled it out and glanced at the caller ID. It was Shane.Hades saw it, too. Almost immediately, his expression visibly darkened.Alanna was hesitating whether or not she should answer it when Hades elegantly picked up the napkin to wipe his mouth.Then, he flung it onto the table and asked, "Aren't you picking that up?"He looked gloomy and enraged.Alanna inhaled deeply and answered the call. Nothing was going on between her and Shane, anyway. She'd seem guilty if she refused to answer it.However, Hades snatched her phone from her the moment she did so. He turned on the speaker mode.Alanna's face f
After Alanna finished speaking, Hades laughed quietly with scorn and disdain. He asked, "Do you think you have the right to discuss the terms with me, Ms. Jacinto?"Alanna met his gaze. "You said we could talk about it, didn't you? I thought I did have the right."Hades' gaze fell on her fair, tender earlobes. She was just a weak, fragile woman, yet she'd go against him over such trivial matters.Anger surged within him. Grabbing her by the waist, he leaned closer and bit hard on her earlobe.Alanna felt a sudden pain in her earlobe. Hades' voice reached her from right beside her ear immediately after."Are you proposing those terms because you're still thinking of going over to help that Shane guy?" His voice was frosty.Alanna knew he was furious, but she didn't deny it. Indeed, she wanted to help Shane.It wasn't only because she had promised him and didn't want to go back on her word, but it was also because of the money and wanting to have her own career.Career aside, the
Alanna cast Hades a glance before handing him her phone. He picked it up straight away.Before he could speak, Garrett demanded, "Alanna Jacinto, are you really going to watch that old hag die?"Hades' eyes narrowed. After a while, he asked, "Garrett Jacinto, do you know who I am?"Garrett was stunned. "H-Hades Florentine?""If you dare harass Alanna again, I won't stop with just cutting off one hand!" Hades sounded brutal as he said that.Then, he hung up on Garrett.Alanna frowned. "What did you mean by cutting off his hand?"Hades merely glanced at her without explaining himself. All he asked was, "Why was your mother ever interested in Garrett?"Alanna pressed her lips into a thin line.Why was Tara interested in Garrett? She was probably tricked by his initial impression.Garrett was extremely nice to Tara at first.He wasn't wealthy then. But every day after work, he'd wait at Tara's workplace to pick her up from work. Then, he'd buy her food that she craved but was he