Chapter 41

Scarlett's POV

"We'll meet again..."

These words made my brow furrow involuntarily.

The next second, a slender finger gently smoothed the crease between my eyebrows.

I looked up, meeting Alexander's bottomless blue eyes.

He leaned down, his hand gripping my chin, his tone almost pleading: "Come now, I know this situation has been unfair to you. Tell me, what do you want?"

This flirtatious yet casual tone immediately put me on guard, especially with the hint of intimacy behind it.

But I understood that Alexander was habitually deceptive and manipulative. How could he possibly be sincere?

Yet as he said, I had indeed suffered a great injustice this time.

That night's events had nearly cost me my life, and just thinking about it sent chills down my spine.

Being by his side was truly too dangerous.

"Really... you'll grant any request?" I slowly lifted my head, looking directly into his eyes.

He seemed to be in a good mood, the corners of his mouth curled in a faint smile.

"From now on, could you stop having sex with me? I don't want to continue this kind of relationship..." I summoned all my courage to utter these words.

After spending this time together, I had come to understand completely that rather than maintaining this clandestine relationship with him, I would be better off continuing to maneuver around Richard.

At least with Richard, the physical injuries I endured could be exchanged for tangible benefits.

But with Alexander, it was different...

By his side, I found nothing but danger.

"This kind of relationship?" He suddenly grabbed my collar, yanking me up from the hospital bed.

The violent movement pulled at my wounds, and blood immediately soaked through the back of my gown.

I couldn't help but gasp as pain engulfed me like a tidal wave.

He calmly walked to the door and locked it.

His long fingers pulled out cigarettes and a lighter from his pocket, effortlessly lighting one.

Through the swirling smoke, he gave a mischievous smile. "I'm curious—what other kind of relationship could we possibly have besides that one?"

Luke, standing at the doorway, peeked in and, disregarding Alexander's wishes, immediately rushed out to call for a doctor.

The pain in my back stabbed like needles, and cold sweat covered my forehead.

I hunched over, my hands gripping the sheets tightly.

After a moment, a cold laugh escaped my lips: "Didn't you say any request would be granted?"

"I did," he replied noncommittally.

But I knew he despised anyone who tested his boundaries.

He approached the bed and with one easy movement, pulled me into his arms.

In his embrace, I was as weak as cotton, without an ounce of strength to resist.

"So eager to leave me?" he smiled, the cigarette between his fingers as he gently wiped the sweat from my forehead. "Without me, can that old man Richard satisfy you?"

I could feel the ruthlessness hidden in his eyes. This was a man who could crush me at any moment.

"Alexander... Richard and I aren't..."

"Aren't what?" His eyes contained an indescribable ferocity.

"How does Richard usually make love to you?" he asked.

"What?" I hadn't expected that even at this moment, Alexander would still be concerned about such things.

"It's none of your business!"

"True, it's not my concern... but, I think I forgot to remind you, that thing is still inside you, isn't it? Doesn't it feel uncomfortable?"

A chill ran through my entire body, and I felt as if all the blood was draining from me.

Just then, voices came from outside the door—the doctor and Luke.

"Mr. Gray, please open the door! Ms. Smith is bleeding, you can't just—"

"Mr. Gray, please open the door immediately. The patient's condition cannot wait."

But Alexander ignored the voices outside.

He pulled me directly onto his lap.

I was in so much pain I could barely hold back tears, my nostrils filled with the scent of his tobacco-laced cologne.

"Little aunt, no, Ms. Smith," he said suddenly.

Hearing him call me this sent shivers through my body.

"E-enough! Don't... don't call me that!"

"Wasn't it you who wanted to draw clear boundaries and clarify our relationship?" Alexander said with a smile, his other hand slipping into the waistband of my pants.

"Very uncomfortable, isn't it?"

I fought against the pain and shame, tears falling directly onto the back of his hand.

He paused momentarily, the curve of his lips deepening. "Care to guess if the security camera has captured all of this?"

As he spoke, he gestured upward.

When I saw the camera in the corner of the ceiling pointing in our direction, in that instant, I felt as if I'd plunged into an icy abyss.

"You..."

Alexander smiled again. "Then guess whether this camera was installed by me or if it's Richard's handiwork."

I was left even more speechless.

"Scarlett," he said with a slight smile. "It hurts, doesn't it?"

I could no longer contain my anger. "Alexander, what exactly do you want? Because of you, I almost died. If you truly feel you owe me, please, I beg you to let me go!"

"Even if we have to see each other in the Gray household, can't you just pretend not to know me?"

"No!" Alexander refused outright.

"Why?" I looked at him in despair.

He just smiled, extinguishing the cigarette with one hand. The next second, he tore off the clothing covering my body.

My body immediately tensed up.

He frowned and said, "Relax!"

A few minutes later, Alexander leisurely stood up and opened the door.

The doctors and nurses rushed to my side.

I lay on the bed, barely conscious, watching Luke report something to Alexander.

Then I passed out, unable to hold on any longer.