Lahat ng Kabanata ng His Gentle Voice, His Cruel Thoughts: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 9

By the third day, the inner thoughts hadn't faded at all. If anything, they grew sharper and clearer.As long as someone came within a few feet of me, their raw, unfiltered thoughts would automatically channel into my brain.When the cashier at the grocery store scanned the items in my shopping cart, they forced a tight smile. [Why the fuck is it so crowded today?]A neighbor glanced at the grocery bags in my arms. [Poor thing. She cooks dinner for the Alpha every night, but he never comes home.]Even strangers could see through my life, yet it had taken me five whole years to realize the truth.…On Saturday afternoon, Alder was unusually home for once.He was in his study answering emails when I brought him a cup of black coffee. It was how he liked it, without sugar or milk, and strong enough to power him through the long council meetings."I bought you some coffee," I said softly.Alder took the mug, though his eyes never once left his laptop screen. [Again? Does she serio

A week passed, and I had completely reshaped my old habits.When Alder came home, I no longer stood guard by the door waiting for him. I stopped taking his coat, pouring his water, and asking what he wanted to eat. I stopped sending him five texts a day just to receive a simple, dismissive reply.The change was obvious, but he barely noticed.During the first three days, I could clearly hear his inner thoughts whenever he passed by me.[What kind of tantrum is she throwing now? She's probably just waiting for me to go over and coax her.[Actually, it's nice and quiet this way.[Maybe she read one of those self-help books about "healthy distance in relationships"? Whatever.]I caught a sense of relief hidden between the fleeting thoughts.Fine. If peace and quiet were what he wanted, that was exactly what I would give him.On Wednesday evening, Genevieve visited again, but this time, she didn't come alone. She brought Danika with her."Danika mentioned she's been craving your

The apartment in Westfield was quiet. When I opened the door, microscopic specks of dust danced in the air. The place was bare aside from an easel and a few pieces of minimalist furniture. But it was the happiest I had felt in five years.I dialed Randall's number. "Send over the new canvases and pigment. I'm officially starting work."An ecstatic shriek erupted over the line. "Oh my Goddess! Do you have any idea how thrilled the director of Crescent Gallery was when he received the confirmation? He nearly lost his mind!"He gave orders to his team overnight. Next month, they'll completely clear out the gallery's grand exhibition hall so it's exclusively reserved for your work!"Leaning against the window, I watched the sky gradually darken. "There's one more thing.""Yes?""Danika Lightwish from Noirwood Enterprise is in charge of securing the license for 'Moonfall on Leviathan.' Has she been reaching out to you for partnership talks?""Yes. Her offers get higher with every e

I never replied to Alder's message. There was no reason to anyway.A week before my debut solo exhibition, I returned to the villa to retrieve what was truly mine.After walking into the master bedroom, I opened a hidden compartment in a closet packed with haute couture gowns, which contained my early, unfinished paintings.Alder had never seen any of these items. Now that I thought about it, I realized he had never shown any interest in my past or passions.When I passed by his study on the second floor, the door was left slightly ajar.He had left his home laptop on, and the screen was frozen on Crescent Gallery's official website. The name in the search bar was Stardust.I paused and stared at it for three long seconds.It dawned on me that Alder was actively looking into Stardust, but it didn't matter to me anymore. He was about to get his answers soon, regardless of what his motives were.As I left the villa, I ran into Danika at the door. She cast me a contemptuous glance