I lowered my gaze. "I just don’t want to go public right now."

"What are you worried about? There’s nothing between me and Lilian anymore. I’ll keep my promise to you," he said softly.his hand sliding down to my waist.

I swallowed and shook my head. "I just don’t want to. Let me go."

He sighed. "I’ll let you go... but say something nice to me first."

I gritted my teeth. "Ewww Childish. Let me go."I said as I scrunched my nose at him.

"Be good," he murmured, pulling me closer again. "Call me husband, and I’ll let you go."

"Alexander, are you serious?"

"Pretend I am."

I bit my lip, lowering my voice. "Husband... is that enough?"

"Louder. I didn’t hear you."

"Alexander!" I snapped.

"I’m listening," he said, smiling faintly.

"Husband," I repeated louder this time. "Is that better?"

"Good girl," he said, patting my head.

Then he added, "Wait for me on the sofa. We’ll leave together."

"Is that all? That’s really why you called me here?" I asked, clearly annoyed.

"Can’t I just want my wife beside me?" he said lazily.

"Besides, I have something for you when we get home," he added, his voice dropping dangerously low.

"Seriously..." I muttered, scrunching my nose and narrowing my eyes. "Just let me go."

Alexander chuckled softly, clearly enjoying my frustration. He pressed a light kiss to my forehead, then brushed his lips gently against mine.

Finally, he seemed satisfied and loosened his grip around my waist.

I immediately stood up and hurried away, feeling as though I were escaping.

"I need to use the restroom. I’ll be back," I said, the frustration obvious in my tone.

I walked toward what I assumed was the restroom door, feeling his gaze follow me the entire way.

Alexander’s POV

I watched Alicia’s retreating figure, a faint smile lingering on my lips.

The sound of my phone pulled me from my thoughts. I picked it up and glanced at the screen.

Lilian: Alexander, when will you come see me?

My gaze flickered briefly toward the restroom door before I replied.

Alexander: I have things to take care of. Focus on your shoots.

Another message came almost immediately.

Lilian: I miss you.

I stared at the screen but didn’t respond.

Perhaps sensing my silence, she sent another.

Lilian: Alexander, I regret it. I shouldn’t have broke up with you in the first place. That’s the biggest mistake of my life.

I typed back only two words.

Alexander: Look ahead.

But she continued.

Lilian: Alexander, I really can’t help it. When I close my eyes, your face is all I see. Every night, I dream of you—of our college days. If only time could freeze back then, everything would be perfect.

I turned off the screen and set the phone aside.

Then it rang.

Lilian’s name flashed across the display.

I hesitated for a moment. Just as I was about to decline the call, I glanced once more at the restroom door before answering.

Her joyful voice came through instantly.

"Alexander! I thought you wouldn’t pick up!"

I frowned slightly.

"I only answered to remind you of something," I said calmly. "Don’t dwell on the past. The future is ahead of us."

"Alexander, but I really love you. I really do. Can you come see me?"

"Focus on your work. If there’s nothing else, don’t call again."

I ended the call.

Leaning back in my chair, I closed my eyes.

A question that had lingered in my mind for some time rose to the surface once more.

Do I love Alicia?

Do I love Lilian?

Did I ever truly love Lilian?

Everything I do for Alicia came from the deepest part of me.

My heart leaned toward her.

Even if it was not yet love, it was something close enough to stand beside it.

Otherwise, this marriage would never have lasted two years.

Perhaps I had been wrong from the very beginning.

Maybe what I felt for Lilian had never been love at all—only guilt.

After she returned, I had mistaken that guilt for something deeper.

Fortunately, before the divorce became final... I realized the truth.

Alicia’s POV

By the time Alexander finished his work, the sky outside had already darkened.

We left the branch office and rode back to the villa together. The city lights streamed past the window in long golden lines, reflecting faintly against the glass.

I was tired from the day, so I leaned my head back and closed my eyes for a while.

Not long after, I felt something warm settle over my hand.

I opened my eyes to see Alexander’s fingers loosely intertwined with mine.

He didn’t look at me.

Instead, he kept his gaze forward as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

I looked down at our joined hands but said nothing.

When we arrived at the villa, the porch lights were already on, casting a soft glow over the entrance.

The moment we stepped inside, I headed toward the staircase but stopped when I noticed Alexander loosening his tie and rolling up his sleeves.

"Aren’t you coming up?" I asked, brows furrowed.

"You go ahead."

I blinked. "Why?"

"I’m making dinner," he said casually.

I stared at him my gaze softening. "Aren’t you tired from work?"

He raised a brow. "Are you worried about me?"

"You wish." I narrowed my eyes. "I just don’t want you to end up making something I won’t be able to eat."

A low chuckle escaped him.

"Doesn’t sound like that to me," he said before walking into the kitchen.

I went upstairs, freshened up, and changed into something more comfortable. After that, I wandered quietly into the kitchen.

Alexander stood at the counter with effortless focus, sleeves pushed to his forearms, one hand steadying vegetables while the other moved the knife cleanly across the board.

The kitchen lights fell over his sharp features, softening them.

For a moment, he didn’t look like the CEO everyone feared.

He just looked like... a man at home.

I leaned against the doorway.

"Need some help?"

He looked up at me, a hint of playfulness visible in his blue eyes.

"Nah. I’d rather not stress you here."

The smugness in his tone was unmistakable.

I understood immediately what he meant and scrunched my nose.

"Why is your mind always on that?"

"Is it?" he asked, lips lifting into a teasing smile.

I rolled my eyes.

Soon, the scent of butter, garlic, and herbs filled the kitchen, warm and rich enough to make me suddenly hungry again.

Alexander plated the food himself and set everything neatly on the dining table.

I took a bite and paused.

"It’s good," I admitted.

He sat across from me, watching my reaction with clear satisfaction.

"Only good?"

"Don’t push your luck."

He smiled faintly and began eating.

Dinner passed more quietly than usual.

Comfortably quiet.

Later, after we finished, I offered to help clear the dishes, but Alexander refused, insisting he didn’t want to "stress me in that way."

So I went upstairs first.

I stepped out onto the balcony connected to the bedroom.

The night air was cool against my skin. The neighborhood below was peaceful, lit by scattered lamps and the distant city glow.

I heard the bedroom door open behind me, then another door—the bathroom, I assumed.

A few moments later, the sound of running water stopped.

Then footsteps.

Strong arms slid around my waist from behind.

I stiffened for only a second before relaxing.

Alexander lowered his chin to my shoulder.

"Isn’t it cold out here?"

"I was enjoying the silence."

"You can do that beside me too."

I felt his lips brush lightly against the side of my neck.

My fingers tightened around the balcony rail.

"Done already?"

"Mm."

"It seems CEO Blackwood is good at many things," I said teasingly as I turned to face him.

His low laugh warmed my ear.

"Want to see what else I’m good at?" he asked, voice low as he raised a brow.

The night breeze moved softly around us, but the space between us felt suddenly warm.

His gaze dropped to my lips.

Mine lifted to his blue eyes.

Then he leaned in.

And when he kissed me, slow and unhurried, I forgot whatever protest I had planned.

A few moments later, he drew back only enough to murmur against my mouth—

"Hold onto me."

Before I realized it, he lifted me into his arms without breaking the kiss.

And I knew then, that night was going to be a very long one.