Chapter 6

When Alyssa woke up again, she found herself lying in bed. Enzo stood beside her, his expression cold as ice. He growled, "You've caused such a mess this time. You should've been locked up for three whole days, but Nadine took pity on you and begged me to let you out. I knew you still had feelings for me, but listen carefully, Alyssa, I will never like a girl 12 years younger than me. You and —it's never going to happen." With that, the door slammed shut right in front of her, the loud bang drowning out the explanation she had wanted to say. She leaned back against the headboard, closed her eyes, and let out a long sigh before murmuring, "Enzo, I swear… I really don't like you anymore." ... For the next few days, the Slater residence was buzzing with excitement. Everyone in the mansion was busy preparing for Enzo and Nadine's upcoming wedding. Nadine was all smiles, taking charge of the arrangements while enthusiastically pulling Alyssa along. She acted as if all the past unpleasantness had vanished into thin air, saying, "The venue and decorations are almost done; we just need a bridesmaid now. Liss, I think you'd be perfect! It's such a joyous occasion, and maybe you'll even snag yourself a groomsman." Nadine's words carried a playful, teasing tone, but Alyssa was not in the mood to play along. She discreetly pulled her arm away, just about to decline, when a cold male voice suddenly interrupted them from above. "She can't be a bridesmaid." Both Alyssa and Nadine turned around and saw Enzo standing behind them. Nadine looked surprised that he would reject her suggestion and asked, "Why not?" Enzo did not answer immediately, only glancing at Alyssa. Lately, she had been behaving, not clinging to him like before. While that should have been a relief, the thought of her finding a boyfriend made something inside him tighten, an uncomfortable feeling he could not quite explain. His expression darkened as he was about to come up with some random excuse, but Alyssa spoke first. She said, "I'm much younger than you all—it wouldn't be appropriate for me to be a bridesmaid." The truth was, she was leaving the country soon, and she would not even be here for the wedding. Enzo gave a slight nod, playing along with her reasoning, and Nadine finally let the idea go. Alyssa quietly sighed in relief, ready to step away, but then Nadine spoke again. "If Liss can't be a bridesmaid, then how about this? To show your blessing, why don't you give me that wedding dress you designed? I love it so much." Alyssa's eyes immediately flickered toward Enzo. She had designed the wedding dress when she was 18, and it had even won an award in a competition. Countless socialites had tried to buy it, desperate to wear it on their big day. However, she had turned down every single one of them—that dress was meant for her. She had wanted to wear it when she married Enzo. Enzo knew exactly what that dress meant to her, but he also did not want to disappoint Nadine. So, after a brief pause, he said, "Alyssa, if you sell me that dress, I'll grant you any request you want." Alyssa tugged at the corner of her lips. "That won't be necessary. Nadine's right—I should give my blessing. So, consider this dress as my early wedding gift to you both." With that, she picked up her phone and made a call to the bridal boutique. Not long after, staff from the store personally delivered the wedding dress, handing it over to Nadine. Nadine was overjoyed with her prize. She stopped pestering Alyssa and excitedly ran off to the dressing room to try it on. Alyssa watched her leave with a calm expression. Then, she turned back to her room without a hint of emotion. Only Enzo stood there, staring at her retreating figure, lost in thought. ... Late that night, Alyssa was alone in her room, packing up her things. Her luggage was almost full, and the paperwork was nearly done. Soon, she would be gone. Just as she finished stashing her luggage away and was about to go to bed, the door suddenly burst open. Before she could react, Enzo stormed in, grabbing her wrist and lashing out furiously. He shouted, "What the hell did you do to the dress? Nadine only tried it on for a moment, and now her whole body is itching and breaking out in hives! Alyssa, are you trying to kill her?" Under the dim, warm light, Enzo's eyes burned with rage, sharp as a knife, as if he wanted to tear her apart. Alyssa frantically shook her head. "I never touched that dress! I wouldn't do anything to it, and I have no reason to hurt her!" Enzo's face darkened as he shoved her onto the bed, his cold eyes locking onto hers. "I don't care what your excuse is. I know you still refuse to let go of me, but you should never, ever have hurt Nadine. You better pray she's okay, or—" Before he could finish, a housekeeper suddenly rushed in from the doorway. "Mr. Slater! Ms. Quill just collapsed!" Enzo's expression changed instantly. Before rushing out the door, he ordered, "Watch her—don't let her escape!"