Chapter 7

Harper's emerald eyes stared at him.

"Are you seriously taking Emily to Grandpa's birthday party? You know how Grandpa is." She didn't judge him, just gave him a heads-up.

Alex knew Holden didn't like Emily.

"How could an illegitimate daughter enter the Lavien Mansion?" Holden had once said, "And how could she compare to Harper? In looks, personality, or ability, she's no match for Harper. Harper is the perfect fit to be the Lavien family's lady, your wife."

If Alex brought Emily, it would definitely tick Holden off, which would cause trouble. Alex frowned slightly. As he was thinking, his phone rang again.

He glanced at the caller ID, his eyes softening a bit. He answered the call, completely ignoring Harper's feelings.

They were about to get divorced, so who he talked to on the phone was none of her business. Even if he brought another woman home, what could she do?

"Emily!" Alex called out softly.

It was Emily calling again. She still wasn't giving up, huh? She really wanted to marry into the Lavien family, and this was a golden opportunity.

"I know, but you also know Grandpa's temper. Now's not the right time. I promise, I'll definitely bring you back in the future. Alright, you rest well for now..." Alex gently comforted Emily and went straight upstairs.

Before leaving, he didn't even glance at Harper.

Harper curled up on the sofa, trying to disappear into it.

Listening to his gentle voice, she felt a chill all over.

He spoke to Emily in a doting tone, one he had never shown to Harper.

Watching his figure fade away, Harper felt devastated.

After all, they were about to get divorced. What was she still hoping for? After a while, Harper got up and slowly returned to the bedroom.

The scene before her was still familiar—the warm, comforting bed, her photograph on the nightstand—everything unchanged, as if time had stood still.

She gave a bitter smile, took a nightgown from the wardrobe, and changed into it.

Just then, the bedroom door opened.

Alex had finished his call in the study and came straight here.

Seeing him, Harper was a bit surprised, but she remained calm.

"If you want to sleep here, I'll sleep in the guest room," she said.

After all, they were getting divorced, and it was inappropriate to sleep together.

She lowered her eyes and walked past him.

At that moment, he grabbed her. Caught off guard, she was pulled into his arms and pressed against the wall.

Being taller than her, he looked down to meet her gaze. His charming blue eyes were filled with desire. She knew what that look meant.

"Let go of me!" Harper tried to push him away, but he held her tighter.

His hot breath fell on her neck, and he kissed her, lightly biting her skin.

Her body trembled. "Mr. Lavien!"

She used this formal address, hoping to snap him back to reality.

Harper said, "We are about to get divorced. I hope you can behave yourself."

He was demanding a divorce, yet treating her so wantonly. What did he take her for? If it was just to satisfy his desires, he could find another woman.

"Aren't we still not divorced? As long as you are my wife, I can exercise my rights as a husband according to the law." He spoke righteously, strong and arrogant.

He had always been like this in front of her. As long as he desired, he could do whatever he wanted.

He forcefully lifted her chin and kissed her roughly.

"Alex..." She could only make a weak sound, her tongue entwined by his, her desire gradually ignited.

His actions were rough yet intoxicating, as if he wanted to pull her into a frenzy of desire.

She was somewhat entranced, instinctively closing her eyes.

After a while, he let go of her, but his lips continued to move down, licking and biting her collarbone.

Her eyelashes trembled, and her originally stiff body slowly softened.

He sensed the passionate response of her body, his hands growing increasingly bold, slipping under her clothing to skillfully caress and knead her breasts.

She gradually succumbed to desire, unable to suppress the low moans escaping her lips.

For five years, they had been intimate countless times. He knew every inch of her body, knew exactly how to drive her wild.

Alex asked, "Do you like it?"

"Yes..." Her cheeks were flushed, her voice sweet as honey.

She gazed at the tall, handsome Alex, her emerald eyes misty, exuding an alluring charm.

Alex's eyes fell on her beautiful face, filled with desire.

He thought, 'At this moment, with her passionate and seductive appearance, no man could resist.'

Without hesitation, he lifted her nightgown, raised her leg, and entered her body forcefully.

Under his rough assault, she finally let down all her defenses. She matched his rhythm, her moans becoming more passionate and enticing.

As she was about to reach climax, her body trembled violently, tightly hugging Alex's neck, her nails scratching his broad back.

Suddenly, Alex stopped. The intense pleasure vanished instantly, leaving Harper feeling empty. Harper's eyes reddened with confusion, her legs wrapped around his waist tightened.

The next moment, his cold and mocking voice clearly entered her ears. "You can never refuse me. Does Caden know about your wanton and insatiable look?"

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over her head. Harper's body stiffened.

She instantly sobered up from her trance, the desire in her eyes disappearing completely.

She knew exactly the sarcasm in his words.

But didn't he understand that she acted that way because she loved him? Did he think that any man could make her so passionate? In his eyes, what kind of person was she?

Harper pushed him away forcefully, but he held her tighter.

Alex said, "Angry out of shame? It seems you and Caden have already had sex. He must have seen you like this, right?"

Harper trembled all over. So, this time he had sex with her just to humiliate her!

"Alex, you're a bastard!" She angrily struggled out of Alex's embrace, rushed into the bathroom, and locked the door.

She leaned against the wall; the intense lovemaking just now made her legs weak, and she collapsed to the ground.

She squatted on the floor, hugging her head, tears of pain and humiliation streaming down her cheeks.

How could he say such insulting words? Was she so cheap in his eyes? Was he humiliating her and punishing her for the sake of his beloved Emily?

Then Harper calmed down a bit. She got up, turned on the faucet, and let the cold water wash over her body, over and over again.

Their passion just now was not love but humiliation. She wanted to wash away the traces.

Outside the door, Alex's cold voice came, "Do you get upset as soon as I mention Caden? It seems I was right."

Her emotions collapsed again, and she said with a sob, "You know better than anyone whether I had sex with Caden. You know I love you, so you hurt me over and over again with impunity."

Alex was silent. She was right; he knew very well. She used to be either busy with work or taking care of him at home, having no time for anything else.

But today, he learned from the servants that Harper hadn't returned to the villa for days. Then when he thought of her bright smile at Caden in the hospital, he couldn't help but feel irritated.

So he called Harper to the villa to sign the divorce agreement.

Just now, seeing Harper's alluring charm, he couldn't help but think, 'Had she already slept with Caden; would she show her seductive side under him...'

Thinking of this, the humiliating words slipped out.

A trace of regret surged in Alex's heart. He found the key and opened the bathroom door.

Harper was curled up in the corner, trembling all over, her eyes filled with tears.

"Sorry, I had some drinks, so I acted a bit excessively." Alex picked up a towel and gently dried her body. "I'll carry you back."

He gently picked her up, placed her back on the bed, and considerately covered her with a blanket.

After doing all this, he turned off the light and left.

In the dark, Harper lay awake, thinking about what had just happened. He was rarely so gentle with her!

She had always longed for his tenderness, which was enough for her to forgive all his excessive behavior.

It was this irrational, self-destructive love that made her watch herself struggle in pain.

Now she would rather he be colder to her, so that when she left, her heart wouldn't hurt so much.