&quot;You're back?&quot; Alexander asked.

 I didn't even glance at him, choosing instead to head upstairs without a word.

 His gaze darkened as he watched me disappear around the corner at the top of the stairs.

 After sitting downstairs for a moment, Alexander stood up and walked upstairs, heading straight for the master bedroom. He pushed open the door, only to find the room empty, the sound of running water from the bathroom filling the silence. Vivienne was taking a shower.

 Alexander swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing, and loosened his collar before reaching for a bathrobe from the closet. He made his way to the bathroom to shower.

 When he returned from the bathroom, he almost ran into me as I stepped out.

 I had forgotten to grab my pajamas. My hair was still damp, and I was wrapped in a bath towel that hung loosely from my chest, barely covering my hips. My neck was gracef

I quickly shut my eyes, pretending to be asleep.

 I kept repeating in my mind, I can’t see him, I can’t see him, I can’t see him. But my body trembled slightly, betraying my emotions.

 His footsteps drew closer.

 He walked toward the bed.

 My heart raced, nearly leaping into my throat.

 Suddenly, a cold sensation swept over me as the blanket was lifted.

 I froze in fear, keeping my eyes tightly shut, my legs stiffened, desperately telling myself, I’m sleeping, I’m sleeping. As long as I didn’t see his face, he wouldn’t hurt me.

 “I know you’re awake. Open your eyes and look at me, or I’ll make you suffer before killing you,” he whispered in my ear.

 My mind went blank, and the terror made me open my eyes. My voice trembled as I said, “If I open my eyes, please don’t kill me… please don’t kill…”

 Before I could finish, I saw his face clearly.

 It was none other than Alexander.



I walked into the room, my gaze casually sweeping over the table of people, finally landing on Alexander. In that moment, I could almost feel the weight of his stare. Our eyes met, his expression cold, yet somehow carrying an imperceptible depth.

 I forced a faint smile, steeling myself. &quot;I ran into Victor in the hallway and thought I’d stop by to say hello.&quot; My words were casual, but my eyes quickly scanned the faces around the table. Then, I turned to Alexander, asking casually, &quot;Did you come with friends?&quot;

 &quot;Mm,&quot; he muttered, his response brief, as if he wasn’t interested in saying much more.

 Maximus Sterling, ever the smiley charmer, asked, &quot;Vivienne, what have you been up to lately?&quot;

 &quot;V&amp;R’s brand endorsement,&quot; I replied, my voice steady, though I hesitated internally. Maximus quickly sensed the topic was a bit sensitive and

&quot;You're back?&quot; Alexander asked.

 I didn't even glance at him, choosing instead to head upstairs without a word.

 His gaze darkened as he watched me disappear around the corner at the top of the stairs.

 After sitting downstairs for a moment, Alexander stood up and walked upstairs, heading straight for the master bedroom. He pushed open the door, only to find the room empty, the sound of running water from the bathroom filling the silence. Vivienne was taking a shower.

 Alexander swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing, and loosened his collar before reaching for a bathrobe from the closet. He made his way to the bathroom to shower.

 When he returned from the bathroom, he almost ran into me as I stepped out.

 I had forgotten to grab my pajamas. My hair was still damp, and I was wrapped in a bath towel that hung loosely from my chest, barely covering my hips. My neck was graceful, my shoulders slender and rounded. The towel barely concealed the fullness of my body. Alexander 

Chapter 13