Alexander's kisses were fierce and relentless, making Phoebe's lips ache."Mmm..." Phoebe furrowed her brow, her curled lashes trembling slightly from his passionate kiss, her cheeks flushing red. She wanted to resist but couldn't help wishing the kiss would continue.It seemed she was developing feelings for him. She hated that about herself; despite how he had treated her moments before, the moment his lips touched hers, her heart felt like it was melting. She inexplicably liked the masculine scent that lingered on his lips.Realizing this made Phoebe's heart race.When the searing kiss ended, Alexander began tearing off his clothes. Phoebe instinctively took a step back, afraid and shy at the urgency in his eyes.Tonight, he was going to...Strangely, she found herself anticipating something.He pulled her into his arms, his strong embrace enveloping her. His rough fingers tore open her conservative nightgown."I won't let you go tonight."For the first time, she didn't push him aw
In a luxurious private villa by the sea"Alex, will you have dinner with me tonight?" Melissa, just out of the shower, wrapped her soft arms around Alexander's waist from behind, her touch almost intoxicating."Melissa, sweetie, I have things to take care of tonight!" Alexander said, pulling her gently into his embrace, his eyes filled with tenderness.Melissa gazed up at Alexander, her voice sweet and sultry, full of longing. "You haven't stayed here with me in so long!""Stop it. I promise I'll come over as soon as I finish what I'm doing," Alexander said, lightly brushing his fingers across her nose. This little girl always made him feel protective."You're so mean! I don't want you to leave," Melissa pouted, her playful annoyance evident."Be a good girl," Alexander replied, his voice firm.His refusal made Melissa's eyes shimmer with unshed tears, her voice low and soft. "Alex, do you not like me anymore...?""Of course not, silly!" Alexander said, wrapping her in his arms, press
The next day, before Phoebe could wake up, a cold hand pulled her from the blankets.She gasped, her eyes flying open to see his handsome face looming close."Wha...what's wrong?""Get dressed quickly. I'll be waiting for you downstairs."As she watched him walk away, Phoebe fell into deep thought. What was he planning?After a sleepless night, she had finally dozed off around six in the morning. She had intended to sleep in, but now she felt wide awake.Quickly dressing and tidying herself, she left her room.The car cruised along the highway.Inside, Phoebe sat nervously, while Alexander drove silently.His silence put enormous pressure on her.She fidgeted with her clothes, sneaking glances at him. His tightly pressed lips and cold, serious expression made her breath uneven.Where was he taking her?She wanted to ask, but looking at him made her hesitant.They drove in silence until they finally stopped.Without a glance back, he exited the car. Phoebe blinked in surprise for half
Alexander received a call from Melissa's servant, who informed him that she was demanding to see him as soon as she woke up.With no other option, he drove over, and as soon as he stepped through the door, he heard Melissa's emotional outburst."Alex, why can't you accept me? You spoil me and care for me so much—why can't you love me like you loved my sister?" Her voice echoed, tearing at his heart."Melissa, please calm down..." Alexander furrowed his brow, fatigue evident in his voice."I'm not making a fuss! Why can't I love you? My sister and I look exactly alike... You can treat me like her, even as a substitute... I want to be your woman!" Tears streamed down Melissa's face, her eyes filled with innocence and longing.She dreamt of taking her sister's place. They shared the same appearance, so why did her sister, who was gone, still receive Alex's love while she could only wait for him in loneliness?"I'll say this one more time... please calm down..." His tone turned cold, as i
Last night, Phoebe returned home quite late. She had gone to Meadowville and initially planned to call him to let him know she would be staying with her parents that night.However, after several calls went unanswered and he didn't reply to her texts, she grew concerned.By eleven o'clock at night, she tried calling him again, but his phone was still off.Worried that he might be upset if he returned home and found she wasn't there, Phoebe hurriedly said goodbye to her parents and called a taxi to return home.When she arrived upstairs, she found that Alexander hadn't come back yet, and she let out a sigh of relief.After taking a shower in the guest bathroom, she crawled into bed, ready to sleep. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't fall asleep, tossing and turning instead.She listened intently to the sounds outside...By morning, Phoebe could no longer hold on and finally fell into a deep sleep.Phoebe woke up groggily at 1 pm the next day, listening to the soft patter of
Later that day."Miss Phoebe, are you okay?" one of her students asked with concern.Phoebe forced a small smile, rubbing her eyes. She was surprised to find tear stains at the corners. "I've just been staring too long..." she explained."Why are you wearing a disposable mask? Are you coming down with something?"Phoebe nodded. "Yeah, I don't want to pass it on to you all..."After reviewing her students' artwork, Phoebe headed straight to the studio's break room.She removed the disposable mask in front of the mirror, staring at the red, swollen mark on her cheek. A sense of helplessness washed over her. Her parents had never laid a hand on her, not even once.Yet he had slapped her twice today—each slap harder than the last. Gently touching the burning area on her cheek, she felt a sting in her nose as her eyes began to water.Once class ended, Phoebe didn't head straight back to the villa. Instead, she wandered aimlessly through the streets, not wanting to return. The thought of go
Morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating every corner of the room.Phoebe frowned slightly, her eyes squinting against the bright light as soon as she opened them. A pleasant, masculine scent filled her senses, and when she looked up, she saw a handsome face next to hers.Remembering his gentle touch from the night before, warmth filled her heart.His embrace was comforting, his chest radiating warmth against her.It wasn't until she felt the heat of skin-on-skin contact that she realized, with a sudden shock, that she wasn't wearing anything.Her face flushed with embarrassment, a delicate blush spreading across her cheeks. She wanted to move but didn't dare, afraid to wake him—she'd only feel more awkward if he woke up. So, she let him hold her possessively, feeling the heat of his body against hers.She found herself liking the feeling of being in his arms more and more...As she gazed at his flawlessly handsome sleeping face, Phoebe couldn't hel
By the time it was over, Phoebe was completely exhausted, while the man above her remained as firm as ever.Seeing that he was about to continue, Phoebe hurriedly pressed her hands against his chest. "Don't you have work? You'll be late...""It seems I haven't satisfied you enough... Otherwise, why would you want me to 'leave'?"He deliberately emphasized the last word, making Phoebe want to crawl into a hole from sheer embarrassment. He was being impossible!"Women are all so hypocritical," Alexander's thin lips curled into a wicked smile. He continued, his tone teasing, "Especially when they're beneath a man... Saying 'no' with their mouths, but their bodies? Much more honest."His mocking words made Phoebe's body tremble slightly, her face burning with embarrassment, her ears turning a deep shade of red."I... I...""Are you trying to say... 'Give it to me' or 'I want more?'" He raised an eyebrow, enjoying the array of expressions on her face.Phoebe was mortified! How could he be
Golden sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows of the church, casting a dreamlike glow over the entire hall. Phoebe stood beneath an archway adorned with white roses, her fingers unconsciously tightening around her father Ryan's arm."Nervous?" Ryan gently patted the back of her hand.Phoebe took a deep breath, her gaze following the long red carpet all the way to the tall figure waiting at the end. Alexander stood there in a perfectly tailored black suit, a white rose matching her bouquet pinned to his lapel. His deep, unwavering gaze was locked onto her, as if in his world, there was only her.The moment the orchestra began playing the Wedding March, Phoebe felt her eyes well up with tears. She clutched her father's arm and took her first step forward, the lace hem of her gown rippling like water, the hand-embroidered pearls on her train glinting softly in the sunlight."Oh my God, look at the flower kids! They're adorable!""They look just like the groom!"Guests' whisp
Phoebe finished getting ready and followed the two children out of the room. At the same moment, Alexander's door across the hall swung open.Their eyes met.In an instant, Phoebe felt her ears grow hot, the memory of last night's intimacy flooding back. Alexander's gaze lingered on her flushed cheeks, and a subtle tension crackled in the air."Daddy!""Daddy!"The crisp, cheerful voices of the children shattered the silence.Alexander's pupils contracted slightly as he mechanically turned his head toward them. Jeremy and Amy had already thrown themselves into his arms, their little faces rubbing against his suit jacket, leaving messy wrinkles."We're calling you, silly!" Amy said, tilting her face up to him, her eyes sparkling like stars.Alexander's hands hovered awkwardly in the air. The word Daddy struck him like a bolt of lightning, leaving his chest numb with emotion. Slowly, he crouched down, his arms closing around the children, his fingertips trembling.Leaning against the wa
Alexander let out a satisfied, mischievous chuckle. He almost wanted to turn on the light just to see how adorably shy she looked right now."Baby, you're already wet down here," he murmured after a while, gently reminding her.Phoebe felt it too—the shame hit her so hard she wanted to crawl under the covers and disappear. Panicking, she tried to pull his hand away. "Y-You... get out!""Don't be shy, sweetheart. It's a normal reaction," he coaxed softly."I don't care if it's normal! You're not allowed to touch anymore," she snapped, mortified."But you want it too, don't you?"Even if she did, she would never admit it. Biting her lip, she shook her head firmly. "No. I don't."But Alexander wasn't one to let her have the last word. He decided to give her exactly what she insisted she didn't want.The moment Phoebe realized what he was doing, she gasped sharply. Did he even know how reckless he was being?"Stop. Don't do that," she whispered, but her words quickly melted into a choked
At 2:17 a.m., Alexander jolted awake for the third time.The guest room was steeped in the scent of mothballs, and the creases Phoebe had left on the bedspread that afternoon were still visible. Agitated, he yanked at his collar. His phone lit up in the darkness, only to go dark again—the "power off" alert thudding against his chest like a silent punch.Moonlight poured over the balcony like an interrogation lamp. When he stepped barefoot onto the window ledge, the night wind from the thirty-fourth floor lifted the hem of his robe. Here he was—the man who once made Wall Street tremble—now sweating nervously just to sneak into his wife's bedroom."Locked?" The doorknob didn't budge. He nearly laughed. She thought a simple lock could stop someone who could hack into the Pentagon?The curtain in the children's room wasn't drawn properly. Moonlight spilled inside, casting a silver glow over Phoebe's exposed shoulder. Alexander's Adam's apple bobbed—she was wearing that damned silk nightgo
Phoebe stepped out of the kitchen and saw only the two kids playing on the couch. There was no sign of Alexander or Ryan.Puzzled, she walked over. Before she could even ask, the kids pointed toward the study."Mom, Grandpa called Uncle in for a talk," they said."A talk?" Phoebe glanced at the tightly closed door, her heart tightening a little.With Anila helping her in the kitchen, dinner was ready in just forty minutes.When Phoebe came out again, Ryan and Alexander were already sitting together on the couch, chatting away.Phoebe looked over in surprise—they actually seemed to be getting along. Whatever Alexander had said, it had Ryan laughing happily.For the first time, the whole family sat down together for a meal. The mood was light and joyful. With the two mischievous kids adding their antics, the table was filled with laughter.After dinner, Alexander volunteered to clean up. Phoebe didn't stop him but followed along to lend a hand.The faucet gushed noisily in the kitchen.
After landing, Phoebe and Alexander stopped by the office for a quick check-in before heading to her parents' house.As the car rolled into the familiar neighborhood, Phoebe tightened her grip on the hem of her dress for the third time. "Are you sure we shouldn't call first?"Alexander, lazily twirling a strand of her hair between his fingers, let out a low chuckle. "A surprise visit's the only way to see how they really treat you."In the backseat, the Kyoto lacquerware and Shizuoka tea sets clinked softly with each turn."My mom might actually hit you," Phoebe muttered, keeping her face stern even as her nails unconsciously scratched fine lines into the leather seat."Perfect," he leaned closer, his breath warm against the tense line of her neck, "I'll show you just how much I can take."Hidden away in the trunk was also a property transfer agreement—the land her father had always coveted, now signed over under her mother's name.Phoebe turned to stare out the window, but couldn't q
At one o'clock in the afternoon, when the cruise ship docked, Phoebe's legs were still trembling. Alexander's strong arm wrapped tightly around her waist, only making her struggle harder."Don't touch me!" Phoebe hissed through clenched teeth, her fingertips digging into the fabric of his suit sleeve.Alexander chuckled lowly and only tightened his grip. "What if you fall?" he murmured against her ear, his breath hot. "Who was it that cried last night, begging me not to stop?"Phoebe's ears instantly burned red. The curious gazes from nearby tourists made her skin crawl, and the man had the nerve to raise his voice deliberately:"Want me to carry you?""You—" She jerked her head up, only to meet his teasing grey-blue eyes. The flicker of mischief inside them made her instantly recall how those very eyes had darkened in the throes of passion the night before.In the end, she was swept into his arms. Alexander pressed her burning face against his chest."Be good. Take a nap," he said ge
In the early morning light, Alexander's bronzed chest shimmered under the golden glow. His fingers combed through Phoebe's slightly tousled hair, his Adam's apple brushing her forehead as he rumbled, "Awake?"A soft, sleepy hum was all she managed before a hot kiss pressed onto her forehead. He tightened his arms around her, the rough stubble on his jaw grazing the flushed tip of her ear."Stay a few more days?" he murmured, his voice husky and teasing, like a sea breeze whispering against her skin.Phoebe gently pushed against his chest with her fingertips. "I have a contract to sign this afternoon.""Forget it," he muttered, his breath scorching against her trembling lashes. "That little bit of money...""I miss the kids," she chuckled softly, burying her face against his collarbone. Her fingers traced the lines of his ribs. "I haven't seen my little troublemakers in a whole week."A low laugh rumbled from Alexander's chest. In one swift motion, he rolled her beneath him, trapping h
The sea breeze brushed gently past them as Alexander's long fingers traced Phoebe's slightly swollen lips, his gaze full of boundless tenderness."Having you by my side... it's the best thing in the world," he whispered, resting his chin lightly against the top of her head. "Don't be mad anymore, hmm?"Phoebe leaned into his chest and murmured softly, "Okay." Truthfully, her heart had already begun to soften the moment they were reunited."It's not easy making you happy," he chuckled lowly, twirling a strand of her hair around his finger. "I'll have to be extra careful from now on—treat you like royalty and never dare upset my little goddess again." Only heaven knew how tortured he'd been these past few days."You'd better remember what you just said." She was about to issue a stern warning when he pressed a finger gently to her lips."I swear," he said, lifting two fingers solemnly, his eyes burning with sincerity. "There won't be a next time."Phoebe smiled despite herself, and the