His eyes were dark and unreadable.
1 bit my lip, watching as Alexander cut a piece of steak and held it out to my mouth.
He smiled, as if we hadn’t been apart for three years, as if we were still in that flat, still living as
lovers.
It felt like the scene of a bird in a cage, with the owner in a good mood, feeding the kept woman.
Suddenly, I heard a voice–a voice I hadn’t expected.
“Evelyn, no matter what happens, don’t go looking for him.”
My pupils constricted, and I quickly turned my head, avoiding his gaze.
“Sorry, I should go.”
I was truly overwhelmed by guilt–how could I have come to find Alexander, how could I have walked straight back into the lion’s den?
I stood up and rushed toward the door, my heart pounding in my
chest.
The assistant tried to stop me, but a single look from Alexander held him rooted to the spot.
Alexander watched me hurry away, then calmly placed the piece of steak into his mouth.
The sour taste of lemon spread through his mouth, his expression unchanged.
It was disgusting.
Things he didn’t like were always hard to swallow.
He set down the fork and turned his gaze to the window, where the hazy city lights, blurred by rain, resembled a medieval oil painting.
He had meant to let her see this.
After a long pause, he spoke, his voice low and cold. “Send Evelyn back.”
The issues at the research institute were eventually resolved, and all the materials arrived on
schedule.
Chapter 22
17.46%
The day the materials were checked, Lucas placed the documents down and was about to leave when he saw someone standing in the hallway.
The setting sun’s glow angled through the window, casting long shadows on the floor. Alexander stood near the window, his suit sharp, his posture exuding an air of aloof nobility.
Lucas’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening.
Alexander said, “If the materials are lacking, contact me anytime. I’ll provide them–free of charge.”
“No need.” Lucas said curtly, turning on his heel to leave.
Alexander looked at his retreating figure and casually added, “Don’t be polite, Evelyn has already
paid the price.”
Lucas stopped, turning to look at Alexander. “What price?”
Alexander gave a slight smile, then walked towards Lucas.
Their eyes met, and the air between them seemed to freeze.
After a long moment, Alexander nodded slightly. “A secret.”
In truth, he didn’t need to do anything, and Evelyn didn’t have to agree to anything.
Since Evelyn trusted Lucas so much, since she said they were in love, then let him see just how far their absurd trust could go.
Recently, I had taken on a project and had been so busy that I barely had time to contact Lucas.
Our last conversation had been two days ago when Lucas told me that the issue at the research
institute had been resolved.
Although that day I had only had a simple dinner with Alexander, I wasn’t sure why he had suddenly backed off. But at least it had allowed me to breathe a little for the past few days.
That evening, I returned home and opened the door, only to find the lights on.
I paused, turning to see Lucas standing by the floor–to–ceiling window, his gaze distant, staring into the silent night. His solitary figure looked so isolated in the dim light.
I watched for a moment, then smiled and asked, “What brings you here today?”
Chapter 22
17.46%
Lucas didn’t respond, his silence heavy
I smiled softly and walked over to hug his waist from behind. “Have you had dinner yet?”
Lucas remained silent for a moment, then turned to look at me, his eyes dark, before replying,
“No.”
His voice was low, heavy with emotion. I let go of him and gently pulled his arm to turn him around, only to see the sadness etched on his face.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, looking up at him, trying to comfort him. “Is the research not going well?”
Lucas stared at me, his gaze unreadable. “No.”
“Did you take the wrong road and waste time getting here?”
“No.”
“Is it something at home?”
…
ܙܙ
Lucas didn’t answer. He looked down at me, his lips pressed tightly together, as if holding back
something.
“You went to see Alexander, didn’t you?”
Sara is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.

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