LOGINOnce they settled inside the car, Alexander gave a curt nod toward the front.
“Drive,” he said quietly.
Jonathan understood without further instruction. The engine purred to life, and the sleek black sedan glided through the glistening streets, city lights flickering across the tinted windows like restless shadows. The moment they turned onto the main road, Alexander reached forward and pressed a button, raising the privacy partition between the front and back seats.
The
Late into the night, Ava dreamed...It was not the sort of dream that came in fragments, nor one that faded upon waking. No—this one unfolded with unsettling clarity, as though memory itself had decided to return, dressed in silk and candlelight.She was younger.Far younger.Barely more than a girl.The grand Vanderbilt estate shimmered around her, ablaze with golden light and music. That night—the night she had saved the formidable patriarch, Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt—had altered the course of everything that followed.And in reward, she had been invited to the ball.She remembered the first moment she saw him.Alexander.Standing beneath the chandeliers, tall and self-assured, yet with something unguarded lingering beneath his composure. Their eyes had met only briefly before he crossed the floor and asked for her hand.And then—They danced.From the very first note to the final fading chord of the evening.Not once did they tire.Not once did they falter.It was as though they had
“Sir.”Finn stood outside the door, a large paper bag in hand. “Everything you requested is inside—including your phone.”Alexander took the bag, his expression already returned to its usual cold composure. “Go back and find out who that man was. I want a full report. Contact me the moment you learn anything.”“Yes, sir.”Finn hesitated.His gaze flicked—just briefly—towards the interior of the apartment, then back to Alexander. “This place… may not be entirely safe.”“It’s fine,” Alexander replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.Finn exhaled quietly. “Very well.”He took a step back, then paused again, clearly wrestling with himself.“Sir… if I may—”Alexander’s brows drew together. “You may not.”Finn pressed on anyway, lowering his voice. “Women are not won over by force. They respond to patience… to gentleness.”A beat.“Try treating her kindly.”Alexander’s expression darkened immediately. “I don’t require your advice.”Finn raised both hands in surrender. “Of course not.
The moment the lift doors parted, Ava recognised the familiar corridor and could have wept—whether from relief or sheer exhaustion, she could not quite tell.They had arrived at her building.She twisted in Alexander’s arms at once, intent on freeing herself, but his hold only tightened.“If you keep moving,” he murmured against her ear, his voice low and dangerously even, “I’ll take you again.”The threat was quiet—far too quiet—and therefore entirely believable.Ava stilled.She bit the inside of her cheek, then deliberately relaxed against him, allowing her weight to settle against his chest. It was not surrender—it was strategy. A sensible woman, after all, did not choose to fight a battle she was certain to lose, particularly while injured and at a disadvantage.And Alexander Vanderbilt, infuriatingly, always did exactly as he said he would.By the time she had finished that thought, he had already carried her into the lift.Finn followed with a discreet efficiency, gesturing for
It took nine neat stitches to close the wound.After cutting the final thread, the doctor carefully dressed Ava’s leg, wrapping it in clean bandages with practiced efficiency. He then straightened and began listing the necessary precautions in a measured tone.“Try not to put strain on the wound. Keep it dry. Return immediately if there is any sign of infection—swelling, redness, fever…”“Does she need to be hospitalized?” Alexander interrupted, his brows still drawn tight.The doctor shook his head with a reassuring smile. “It’s only a superficial injury. There’s no need for admission. I’ll prescribe some anti-inflammatory medication.”Alexander did not look entirely satisfied.“What about anything else?”“Anything else?” The doctor paused, running quickly through his mental checklist. Finding nothing lacking, he added, “Diet-wise, she should keep things light. More vitamins, more protein—it will help the wound heal faster.”Alexander gave a short nod. “Add an extra box of ointment.”
“Someone get in here!” There was no response.Alexander’s shout echoed down the corridor, unanswered.Earlier, when he had brought Ava into the suite, he had ordered everyone to clear off. His bodyguards were not the sort to question instructions, and the moment the door had closed behind them, they had all withdrawn to the far ends of the hallway.Too far.“Damn it!”Swearing under his breath, Alexander bent and scooped Ava into his arms, preparing to rush for the door.“Let go!”Ava pushed against his shoulder and slipped from his grasp, landing lightly on one foot. Her injured leg hovered carefully above the carpet as she steadied herself.Her eyes flicked over him from head to toe.“Go put some clothes on.”Only then did Alexander realize the situation he was in.Earlier, he had been wrapped in nothing but a blanket—and now that blanket was tightly bound around Ava’s bleeding leg.Which meant he was currently standing there with absolutely nothing covering his upper body.Running
Alexander released her wrists at last and drew her into his arms, holding her firmly against his chest.“Ava,” he murmured, his voice rough but resolute, “this time… you won’t escape again.”She did not resist.For the moment, she simply allowed it.Allowed him to gather her close. Allowed his fingers to push the damp strands of hair away from her face. Allowed him to reach for the towel nearby and carefully wipe the sheen of sweat from her forehead, his movements unexpectedly gentle for a man who had moments ago been nearly feral with desire.Propping himself up on one arm, Alexander took her left hand.He lifted it slowly to his lips.A soft kiss brushed across her knuckles.“Marry me.”The words fell between them like a stone dropped into still water.Ava lay back against the pillow, breathing unevenly, her chest rising and falling.“I will never marry you.”Her tone was calm.Flat.Absolute.“You don’t have a choice,” Alexander replied.That did it.A laugh burst from her lips—shar
“Let go of me!” she gasped, thrashing against him.That familiar, suffocating floral scent filled her nose—sweet and cloying. Her stomach turned.“Serena,” Matheo whispered, “just sleep.”Her voice broke with fury and fear. “I d
The day had stretched into eternity for Serena. She hadn’t really stopped working since the night before—barely catching two hours of restless sleep before dragging herself back to the office at dawn. By five in the morning, the sky was still painted in pale gray when she unlocked the doors of E.A.
Serena didn’t wake until nearly noon. The sunlight filtering through the half-drawn curtains painted long golden stripes across the sheets, tracing the curve of her bare shoulder. Every part of her body ached—from her waist to her thighs—and even breathing felt like a reminder of the night before.
Dear Gentle Readers , before you proceed to read the rest of this chapter , ler us play a game. Guess who said that line : That never stopped me from wanting you. & write your guess on the comment section. No cheating & deleting wrong answers please. Per favore this is just for fun. Grazie a mille.







