Chapter 1

The wind howled outside the window. The chill on Dexter Cornell's skin told him that he was buck-naked. In a rare moment of losing control, he cursed under his breath and struggled to break free.

However, the restraints on his wrists showed no sign of loosening. All he heard was the rattling of chains against the side of the bed.

Just then, a door creaked open, followed by the sound of approaching footsteps. Dexter stopped struggling. He was blindfolded, so he couldn't see anything. He could only instinctively turn toward the footsteps, straining to pick up any other sounds.

"What do you want? If money is what you seek, you've got the wrong person," he said calmly.

The other person didn't answer. They merely approached and faltered before getting onto the bed. The metal bed frame creaked slightly; Dexter felt the mattress sink a little. Whoever this was, they didn't weigh much.

He realized it was a woman and a slender one at that. He frowned slightly and quickly scanned his memories for potential suspects. "You—"

Dexter was about to try to get information out of the woman when a pill was pushed into his mouth. Before he could react, he was forced to gulp down a mouthful of water. He swallowed the pill along with it and coughed.

Dexter didn't need to ask to know that whatever he swallowed couldn't be good. He tried to cough the pill out, but all that did was make him even more disheveled than he already was.

Just then, the woman wiped his mouth, neck, and chest with a rough cloth. Her actions were soft and almost cautious. It was as if she were wiping a precious treasure.

But it only disgusted Dexter. He suppressed the urge to hurl and said, "What exactly do you want? You don't have to go to such extreme lengths. Tell me what you desire, and I'll try my best to satisfy you."

There was a chance of escape as long as he could find a chink in the woman's armor.

Geraldine York appraised him, her eyes glinting with fear and excitement. Once upon a time, he'd been unreachable and out of her league. Now, he lay on her cramped bed, naked as the day he was born.

His flawless body was pressed to the faded sheets, and his slender neck was forced outward because his hands were bound behind him. He looked like a fallen angel.

Geraldine couldn't help but tremble. She was scared yet also excited. There was no turning back now that she'd come this far—she might as well walk this wrong path to the end.

She leaned close to Dexter and said softly, "I… want you."

It really was a woman. Dexter knew many women had crushes on him, whether on or off campus, but his education had always been his main priority. He'd never given any of the women any indication that he was interested in them.

Over time, most of them had given up on him. He didn't expect to encounter someone as crazy as this woman when it was so close to his graduation. Still, based on her voice alone, he couldn't imagine her as the type to do something as bold and hysterical as this.

"Do you like me?" he asked. "How about you let me go so we can talk about this? You should at least let me know who you are if you want to be with me, right?"

Geraldine's breathing hitched, seemingly hesitant. Soon, however, she said, "No, you're lying to me. I… I don't believe you. You're just trying to get away."

It looked like she wasn't a fool. Feeling exasperated, Dexter kicked hard and roared, "Let me go!"

Geraldine was on his knees beside him. She didn't expect him to be able to kick like that after being bound and force-fed the aphrodisiac. His knee got her in the gut, and she fell to the side, knocking her head against the metal bar at the end of the bed.

"Ouch!" She gasped. Her voice was soft and gentle. She sounded like a mewling cat.

Dexter felt vindicated after realizing he'd gotten Geraldine. He was about to do it again when a wave of warmth washed over him. It grew hotter, making him feel like a ball of fire was growing within him and burning away his rationality.

"What… what did you feed me?"

Chapter 2

Geraldine ignored the bump on her head and carefully avoided Dexter's legs. She scooted closer to him and looked at his red face. Then, she licked her lips.

"I know you're unwilling, so I… Don't worry, it won't hurt you. It was imported, and I spent a lot on it…" She sounded a little woeful.

Dexter's eyes reddened underneath the blindfold, and he felt himself losing control. The feeling angered him, but when he opened his mouth, only ragged breaths escaped. He couldn't say anything.

His hearing sharpened now that his vision was blocked, and he picked up the sound of clothes rustling. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he was as parched as someone who'd traversed the desert for long.

Dexter had felt chilly earlier, but he was burning up now. When Geraldine pressed herself against him, his rationality had already been burned to a crisp. He buried his head against her neck, feeling her hair brush against him.

The strands weren't exactly smooth, and they didn't smell like shampoo. Instead, they smelled like soap mixed with the sun. He couldn't help thinking nastily that it was a cheap smell. He parted his lips and pressed his teeth to her flesh before biting hard.

"Ouch!" Geraldine screamed. The sound permeated the thin walls of the rented apartment.

"Stop screaming in the middle of the night!" Her neighbor slammed the window shut.

A few dark clouds floated past, concealing the moonlight. Silence descended upon the night…

…

Geraldine had just turned 20 this year and was in her sophomore year of university. She was a student in the law faculty who was always at the top of her class. She'd gotten a scholarship for two years in a row.

Logically speaking, she was the type of person that everyone should know and admire. However, university was different from high school. Grades only made up a small part of one's academic performance—doing well holistically was more important.

Geraldine always hid behind her hair and black-framed glasses. She also wore frumpy, faded clothes that were out of fashion. During lectures, she sat in the corner and didn't like to socialize. She'd never attended any gatherings.

More likely than never, one would find her with her nose buried in a book, looking dull and boring. Only her professors remembered her from her freshman year up until this point. None of her coursemates even knew of her existence.

On the rare occasion anyone paid attention to her, they wanted to make fun of her.

"Look at her shoes! The logo's the wrong way around!" someone said.

"Where'd you buy these 'limited-edition' sneakers, Geraldine?" another asked.

Everyone laughed.

Having been stopped from leaving the restroom, Geraldine lowered her head uneasily. "They're not limited edition… My grandmother bought them cheap from the market…"

She'd ignored them once, and they'd picked on her for it. This time, she thought they would leave her alone once she answered them. To her dismay, one of the young women stepped on the back of her shoe, causing it to slip off. Then, she kicked the shoe away.

It flew over the side of the corridor and fell downstairs. The young woman spread her hands, not looking sorry at all. "Oops. Sorry about that."

The others laughed. Someone said, "Come on, let's go. I heard Dexter's returning to campus today. Let's try our luck and see whether we can run into him. Maybe we can even talk to him!"

The group of young women left. Geraldine hurriedly half-ran, half-hopped downstairs. It was lunchtime, so there weren't many people around. However, she still didn't find the shoe after searching the area. Logically speaking, no one would take it when it was so worn out.

She was feeling anxious when she spotted a tall figure in her peripheral vision. He stood tall, and her shoe was in his hand. Then, he threw it into the trash can.

"Hey, wait! That's my shoe!" Geraldine hopped over to him, trying to catch her breath. She stood on her tiptoes and reached into the trashcan to retrieve the shoe, but a hand stopped her.

She followed it to see it belonged to someone whose face she'd dreamed of countless times.

Chapter 3

The young man had a sharp jaw, thin lips, and a tall, straight nose. His eyebrows were bushy, and his eyes were habitually half-lidded. Even his eyelashes were long and defined.

He was Dexter Cornell, a legend in the faculty of law and someone Geraldine had admired for four years. This was her first time being so close to him, and she blushed. Afraid he would see through her and realize how she felt about him, she turned and fled, forgetting all about the shoe.

"Hold it," Dexter said. He held out his hand again. This time, there were 500 dollars there.

"Sorry, I thought the shoe was trash. Take this and go buy a new pair." His gaze seemed to flit past her left foot.

Geraldine curled her toes, trying to hide the patches on her sock. She didn't know whether Dexter didn't notice or just didn't care. When she didn't accept the money, he stuffed it into her jacket pocket before walking away.

That night, when Geraldine got home, she ransacked the apartment, finally finding a clean sheet of colored paper. She folded it into a pretty envelope and put the money Dexter had given her inside. Then, she hid it in a notebook.

She would never spend that money. Not in this lifetime. If she got the chance to see Dexter again, she would return the money to him. And if she didn't… the money would be something of a souvenir.

To her surprise, the heavens seemed to suddenly favor her. Dexter had returned to campus to represent the university in a national debate competition. Due to her exemplary grades, Geraldine was one of the lucky students selected to help the debate team with their research and material preparation.

This meant she had more opportunities to see Dexter. However, whenever she approached him with her notebook, wanting to return the money and speak to him, she was interrupted, or he wouldn't hear her because her voice was too soft.

Dexter was just too busy. Despite his aloof demeanor, his profound knowledge, unique insights, meticulous train of thought, and handsome appearance attracted others to him. Everyone instinctively wanted to chase after him and look up to him.

"Who prepared these materials?" He held up a document and looked around. His indifferent tone made it hard to tell whether he was happy or upset.

One of the debate team's assistants, a young woman in her junior year, dragged Geraldine out of her corner. "She did!"

She wasn't pushing the blame on Geraldine or anything. It had been the weekend yesterday, and everyone had gone out for fun. Geraldine was the only one who hadn't had plans. She'd bustled around and worked till late at night to prepare the materials.

"I…" Geraldine's head was lowered as usual. Her thick bangs concealed half of her face, making her look like a cowardly mouse. She wasn't afraid of getting reprimanded; she only worried she was hindering Dexter's progress.

As anger at herself and shame washed over her, she heard Dexter say, "Good job."

Fireworks seemed to go off in her mind at that. She felt heady.

"By the way, what's your name?" he asked.

"Ger…" She didn't even know whether she'd actually answered him, but she vaguely heard a grunt of acknowledgment.

After a while, Geraldine raised her head hesitantly. Dexter had already turned to leave with his teammates, the folder still in his hand. All she saw was his back.

She watched him, knowing that he was the only sweet part of her life. Even just watching him from a distance made her feel like there was meaning to all her hard work.

Something as small as Dexter's praise was enough to keep Geraldine happy for the rest of the day. The night sky twinkled with stars as she hurried home. For once, she felt so joyful that she made a detour to pluck some wildflowers.

"Grandma, I'm home!" she called. According to the university's rules, all students had to stay on campus, even if they were local to the place. She'd shamelessly begged the administration to make an exception for her.

Not only could she save the cost of accommodation, but she could also be by her grandmother, Mary Hanson's side. Mary was the only family she had left.

Geraldine happily opened Mary's bedroom door while holding the wildflowers. In the next second, her smile froze. "Grandma!"

The wildflowers fell to the floor, and the petals were crushed as she stepped on them.

Chapter 4

"I'm sorry for your loss," a neighbor said softly.

Geraldine held a picture of Mary as she stood dazedly by the door, looking like a lifeless statue.

The neighbor sighed and left while shaking their head.

"You've been so busy with the funeral recently, so I couldn't bring myself to ask, but… When do you think you'll be able to pay me the rent for the rest of the year, Geraldine?" Cassandra Jones, the landlady, asked.

Geraldine turned to her, still looking dazed. She parted her lips but couldn't make a sound—her throat was hoarse because of all the crying she'd done.

Perhaps she looked so woeful that it mustered whatever pity Cassandra had in her. The latter frowned and waved a hand. "Never mind. I'll give you a few more days."

Then, she added, "Let me make one thing clear, though—for the next six months' rental, you'll have to pay one month in advance and three months as a deposit. Move out if you can't cough up the money.

"If everyone were to pay me monthly like you did, I'd just be spending my days chasing everyone to pay up!"

…

Early the following morning, Geraldine opened her swollen eyes. She thought about Cassandra's harsh expression, the calls that would never go through, how Mary had been wheeled into the crematorium furnace, and a field of flowers dancing in the wind…

These images had filled her dreams last night. She plunged her face into a pail of cold water and kept it there for a while. Then, she dried her face, patted her cold cheeks, and headed to the university.

She had to accept reality; life had to go on.

…

Geraldine stood in the office of the head of the law faculty, Thomas Smith.

"What… what do you mean by that, Professor Smith?" She looked at him with wide eyes, thinking her hearing had gone bad. "Why haven't I gotten the scholarship and financial aid for the next semester?"

He sipped his coffee and said slowly, "The university administration are the ones who made the call to cancel your financial aid. As for the scholarship, you saw the list. The other student is more suitable than you are."

"My grades for all subjects are better than his…"

"But your overall performance is worse. He won third-place in a citywide singing competition and participated in a horse dressage competition last month."

"But we're students of the law faculty, not some performing arts—"

"Watch your attitude, Geraldine!" Thomas slammed his mug on the desk, looking stern.

Geraldine stiffened and slowly lowered her head. "I'm sorry, Professor."

"The faculty's decision is final; it's not up to you to doubt us. I only asked you to see me so I could explain this to you, seeing as you're usually obedient and compliant. A word of warning—don't be too greedy," Thomas said.

Geraldine robotically thanked him before leaving the office, feeling dazed. She heard a muffled conversation behind her.

"Jack Sloan? Wait, isn't his father…"

"Shh! Keep your voice down. He doesn't care about the money—he just wants a few accolades to make himself look good…"

For a split second, Geraldine wanted to turn and argue her case. However, the inferiority that had been carved into her bones stopped her. She had to make it through life, even if it meant compromising her principles.

She was like a single grain of sand on a beach—anyone could step on her. The only way for her to survive was by burying herself underneath everyone else.

Geraldine had spent all her savings on Mary's funeral. Now that she'd lost the scholarship and financial aid, survival was an issue, let alone her tuition and rent. She tried to keep her spirits up and decided to look for a few more part-time jobs.

There was no point in heading home early anymore. No one would be waiting for her. She found a few people hiring tutors and was about to call them when she received a call from an unknown number.

The old phone's ringtone blared, and the people around her shot her disdainful looks. She hurriedly answered it and went to a quiet corner with her hand over the receiver.

"May I speak to Ms. Geraldine York?" the person on the other end of the line asked.

"Yes, this is she."

"I'm calling from Hillstone Hospital. Do you remember coming to the hospital for a medical checkup arranged by your university? Your report is out—you have late-stage stomach cancer."

Geraldine was rendered speechless.

"Hello, are you listening? We wanted to call your landline and inform your family, but you only left this number. Come over to the hospital for a follow-up check as soon as possible. Remember to tell your family about this so they can come with you…"

Chapter 5

The hospital staff was still saying something, but Geraldine couldn't hear anything anymore. She held her phone while trembling underneath the shade of a tree. Then, she laughed softly.

Her phone chimed with a notification. She had received a message.

"The team led by Dexter Cornell has won first place in the National Law Cup debate competition. In conjunction with the victory, a celebratory dinner will be held at Jonhurst Hotel at 7:00 pm. All team members are expected to be punctual."

Amidst her blurred vision, Dexter's name stood out in particular. It was like a light in the darkness that dragged her out of the abyss.

Geraldine didn't want to die yet. The person she'd admired for four years had finally learned her name; he'd just won a debate competition that they'd prepared for together. In the future, they would have many more opportunities to work together.

She wanted to undergo treatment. She wanted to live.

Geraldine wiped her face and hurried home. There, she put on a dress that she kept for special occasions. It was one Mary had sewed for her when she'd been a freshman in high school.

Fortunately, Geraldine's figure hadn't changed much since then. She could still fit into the dress—in fact, it seemed looser than before.

She put on the thin belt that went with the dress and tied her hair into a high ponytail. Then, she tried hard to smile while looking at herself in the mirror.

…

Winning the debate competition brought significant honor, much to the university's delight. The law faculty had reserved a restaurant at Jonhurst Hotel for 7:00 pm to host a buffet-style celebratory dinner for the team members.

Many members of the university administration and even some guests were in attendance. No one noticed Geraldine, but she immediately locked onto her target when she arrived.

She only managed to catch Dexter alone when the party was almost over. She held her notebook tightly as she approached him. It was only when she got closer that she realized someone else was with him in the corner where he was resting.

The upperclasswoman in her junior year, the one who'd pushed Geraldine forward, stood before Dexter. She wore a pretty, off-shoulder dress, and her long hair fell in waves.

The upperclasswoman saw her. She first scanned Geraldine from head to toe before smirking. It was a mocking and disdainful smile.

Geraldine wanted to leave, but the upperclasswoman suddenly said, "I think someone's going to be devastated once the team disbands, Dexter."

"What are you getting at?"

"Wait, you don't know about it? A sophomore on the team has done so much to catch your attention, you know."

Dexter didn't say anything. Instead, he stood up, ready to leave.

The upperclasswoman continued, "You must remember her, right? Her name is Geraldine York."

"I don't know who she is."

Dexter brushed past Geraldine, only sparing her a glance out of the corner of his eye. Then, he looked away indifferently. He'd looked at her like she was nothing but a stranger.

This was the straw that broke the camel's back. Geraldine felt her ears buzz as her world collapsed around her.

He didn't know who she was. Those words were more hurtful than a rejection of her confession.

She didn't know how she'd left the hotel. She only returned to her senses when someone dragged her back and pinned her to a bridge's railing. "Don't you watch where you're going while walking around? Do you have a death wish or something?"

The passerby reprimanded her for a while longer before leaving. Geraldine leaned against the metal railing, suddenly feeling like her arms felt a little empty. She looked down to see her notebook floating on the lake. After a while, it disappeared into the water.

Geraldine slumped onto the ground and buried her head in her knees. Finally, she burst into tears. Why was this happening to her? She'd already tried so hard. Why couldn't the heavens give her a break?

At that moment, the cowardice and lowliness ingrained into her morphed into intense hatred and resentment.

Dexter didn't know her, huh? She would make him remember her, then. What did she have to fear when she didn't have long to live?

Chapter 6

And so, Geraldine bought an aphrodisiac and metal chain online. While helping a professor with something, she stole Thomas' phone and sent a message to Dexter.

She told him to meet Thomas at 8:00 pm to discuss something privately. After receiving Dexter's reply, she deleted the conversation.

When Dexter entered the lecture theater, Geraldine was hiding behind the door. When she saw his shadow, she whipped out the dazing spray she'd prepared and sprayed him in the face.

Then, she mustered all her strength to place Dexter in an empty box before dragging him onto a cart. She put a few boxes filled with books on top of Dexter's box before pushing him to the campus entrance.

She opened one of the boxes to show the security guard and told him she was helping a professor with some miscellaneous items.

This wasn't her first time doing this, so the security guard remembered her. It helped that she looked obedient and compliant. The security guard glanced at the things perfunctorily before letting her pass.

After leaving campus, Geraldine contacted the moving company she'd hired beforehand. 40 minutes later, the box with Dexter inside was placed in the living room of her rented apartment. She paid the moving company, shut the door, and locked it.

…

The sound of water being splashed rang out.

"Who the fuck is pouring water from up there? Fuck you!" As a shout echoed through the air, the old apartment building seemed to come to life.

Dexter frowned and slowly opened his eyes to be greeted by darkness. He subconsciously reached up to rub his eyes before a weight on his wrist stopped him. At the same time, the memories of last night flooded his mind.

"You can't take the blindfold off… I'd advise you not to try it," Geraldine said cautiously. Her voice came from below the bed and sounded rather hoarse and weak. It was clear she hadn't had it easy last night.

Dexter remembered smelling the metallic scent of blood and couldn't help feeling a little odd. Then, he thought that Geraldine deserved it. She'd brought it upon herself.

"What does that mean?" he asked coldly. He ignored her advice and started touching the blindfold.

After a night together, he'd more or less gotten the measure of her. He knew she was nothing more than a coward trying to seem brave. Falling into her trap was the biggest insult of his life.

The blindfold seller had assured Geraldine that it wasn't so easily removed, but she still grew worried when she saw Dexter attempting to remove it through brute force.

She hurriedly said, "I told you not to do anything to it! If you don't do as I say, I-I'll send your classmates and professors the photos of us together last night. I'll even send them to your colleagues at the law firm you're interning at…"

Even though she couldn't see Dexter's eyes, she could imagine the storm brewing in them at her threat. She was scared but still forced herself to sound tough as she said, "Y-You'd better not piss me off, or I'll… I'll tie your hands behind you again!"

After over a minute of silence, Dexter curled his lip. "What will it take to make you happy, then? Do you want me to spend the rest of my life with you in this rundown apartment?"

He rarely spoke so sarcastically. As far as Geraldine remembered, he was always gentle, especially when talking to women. He was never warm to them but was always polite.

Her heart ached a little, like multiple needles had stabbed her. However, this was her choice. She didn't have the right to feel sad. The only silver lining was that she'd changed her mind and bought the blindfold with a lock at the last minute.

"I don't expect you to spend the rest of your life here. I only want a few days," she said. She didn't want him to remember her for life—that was too selfish and mean. His hatred for her would fade soon enough when he didn't know what she looked like or who she was. It wouldn't leave a mark on him.

"Don't worry. I won't hurt you," Geraldine said. She continued carefully, "I just… I just want you to agree to be my boyfriend in these few days."

Chapter 7

"What if I disagree, then? You'll spread the photos?" Dexter asked.

Geraldine swallowed and nodded. "Yeah."

Silence descended upon the room again. Geraldine sat atop the sheets she'd laid on the floor and scrutinized Dexter. It was too bad she couldn't read him at all.

"So… what do you say?" she asked.

Her tone was ingratiating without her even realizing it. The tough image she'd tried to establish earlier immediately disappeared.

"Do I have a choice?" Dexter asked in return. His indifferent tone showed a hint of anger, but it wasn't as overt as before. It seemed he'd given in to his fate.

She was secretly relieved and smiled. "I'll go prepare breakfast. You can rest for a while more."

"Okay. Can you remove the chains? I need to use the restroom. You can lock the bedroom door if you're worried about me getting away."

It was a reasonable and natural request. He'd even come up with a compromise for her. Geraldine was already reaching into her pocket for the key when she snapped to her senses.

"The restroom is just opposite the bed; the room isn't large, so the chain is long enough. I did the math before buying it, so it won't affect you from moving around. You'll find it soon enough—you just need to feel around for a bit!" she said quickly as she folded her sheets and moved them aside.

She accidentally tugged on her wound and couldn't help hissing. Once she was done cleaning up, she limped to the door. She was afraid she would give in if she stayed any longer.

When she reached the entrance, she couldn't help but turn back and say, "The threshold before the restroom is a little high. I've placed a towel and some daily necessities on the counter—they're all new. Be careful when you walk… Call me if you need me."

After that, she left and locked the door, leaving Dexter alone in the room. He sat on the bed and gritted his teeth, his eyes stormy behind the blindfold.

Very well. She'd listened to his request but only agreed to the second part. It looked like it wouldn't be easy for him to get away, not with the measures she'd taken to keep him there.

He could always call for help. The residential area was probably an old one with subpar sound insulation. Still, Geraldine's threat was effective.

Dexter cared about his reputation and image. He didn't want anyone to see him in this disheveled state, let alone risk making headlines. So, he had to get himself out of this situation and remove all threats before sending her to jail.

He felt around the room. Aside from the blanket, there was nothing else he could use to cover himself up. In the end, he gave up and slowly made his way to the restroom, buck naked.

This was his first time experiencing being blind. He couldn't avoid knocking into things, no matter how careful he was. The occasional pain didn't really faze him—what he couldn't stand was the sound of the chain rattling as he moved.

It made him feel like a prisoner or even a pet chained up at home. He had to work hard to suppress his anger, successfully stopping himself from snapping the toothbrush in half when he picked it up.

Dexter took a deep breath and turned on the tap.

…

Geraldine perked her ears and tried to hear what was happening in the bedroom as she washed the vegetables. Everything seemed normal.

Her prisoner was as calm and composed as always; it looked like he'd easily accepted reality. She was still anxious, but joy washed over her at the thought of them becoming a couple soon.

Geraldine sliced ham, washed shrimp, and placed the clean vegetables on the counter. She grabbed some pasta and threw it into boiling water. Then, she picked up a pot she'd temporarily placed on the floor.

Inside the pot was some mushroom soup that she'd prepared last night. It was thick and creamy. She couldn't help gulping as she looked at it but didn't try it. Instead, she poured some into a big bowl.

As she waited for the pasta to cook, she fried an egg. It was sunny-side up and looked amazing. One only had to stab the yolk to make it flow.

Five minutes later, she turned off the rickety hood and picked up the chopping board—her makeshift tray. It was heavy from the food.

She walked out of the kitchen, feeling excited. The aroma of the food covered up the faint smell of mold and mildew in the apartment.

Dexter had just returned to the bed when he heard footsteps and the door being unlocked. He grabbed the blanket he'd thrown aside and covered his lower body.

Chapter 8

"There's mushroom soup, bread rolls, crepes, cereal, and soy milk. Which one would you like first?" Geraldine asked, her tone light-hearted.

Dexter frowned as a hint of thoughtfulness flitted past his eyes. Preparing one or two of his favorite dishes could be considered a coincidence, but things were different when she knew all of his favorites.

It looked like she'd watched him for some time. Was she someone in his life? Who could she be?

When Dexter didn't say anything, Geraldine suggested, "How about we start with the mushroom soup? I cooked it myself; I even added some ham inside."

"How do you expect me to eat when I'm like this?" He turned in her direction, the sharp line of his jaw seemingly softer than before because he'd been presented with his favorite foods.

"I'll feed you!" she said excitedly as her eyes lit up.

"Okay." Dexter leaned against the headboard, allowing her to feed him. His fringe rested on his forehead, brushing against his brows. He looked like a flawless masterpiece; anyone who saw him would fall for him.

Geraldine was already infatuated with him, so his good looks only enchanted her more. She couldn't help giving him a silly smile.

Suddenly, he pounced on her. She cried out in pain as she hit her head on the floor. He gripped her by the neck, making her drop the bowl. It shattered, spilling soup all over the floor. He snarled, "Where's the key?"

Geraldine instinctively tried to slap his hand away. The feeling of having her air supply cut off was horrible. In that instant, she realized the disparity between their strength and how well Dexter had hidden the ruthlessness in his bones.

"Let… me…"

Dexter loosened his hold slightly before tightening it again. He said harshly, "Give me the key, or I'll show you what exactly self-defense is like."

The skin underneath his hand trembled. He heard the sound of metal clattering and held out a hand to take the key from her. However, as soon as he leaned down, a familiar smell invaded his senses.

He wanted to hold his breath, but it was already too late. "You—"

Geraldine urgently sprayed him a few more times, only stopping when the hand on her neck loosened, and Dexter slumped to the side. She only released the bottle she held and panted for breath when he lay there unmoving.

It was cold lying on the floor, so she didn't stay there for long. Once she caught her breath, she got up and crouched to pull Dexter onto her thin shoulders. She didn't have much strength this time, so he slid off her five times and knocked his head on the bed frame twice.

Fortunately, they weren't far from the bed. Geraldine finally got Dexter on it during her sixth attempt.

It was almost noon by the time she was done. A ray of sunlight shone through the window, landing on the bed.

It was too dim last night for her to see Dexter properly, so she hadn't felt anything when stripping him. Now that they were in broad daylight, she could see every inch of his body. Despite having already gone all the way, her face still burned.

Geraldine considered the situation and changed the way the chains bound him. To be safe, she added another layer of protection before running to the living room. She grabbed a loose pair of lounge pants from the couch and put them on Dexter.

He was deeply asleep as she started cleaning the room, rubbing her sore waist as she went. The food was all over the floor, and she secretly lamented the waste as she wiped up the mess.

When she was done, she sat at the small table by the window and slowly ate the leftovers from her breakfast. It had already gone cold, but she couldn't help thinking it was a delicious meal. She couldn't bear to waste it even if she had to stuff herself to finish everything.

Chapter 9

It was over seven hours later when Dexter opened his eyes again. He couldn't tell the time—the chilliness in the air was his only way of telling whether it was day or night.

His head throbbed painfully as soon as he regained consciousness. He raised a hand hesitantly. At the same time, a soft voice rang out close to him. "You're awake?"

He jolted and hurriedly sat up, scooting aside. He pursed his lips tightly. Geraldine saw how defensive he was and sighed softly. She didn't say anything before getting up and leaving the bedroom.

Dexter heard her footsteps fade but didn't let his guard down. Examples of thousands of abduction cases flooded his mind—each one told him that no matter how cowardly the perpetrator seemed, they would lose their minds and do something crazy if they were disappointed and provoked.

The things he'd done before passing out had aggravated Geraldine, so this was only the calm before the storm. What awaited him was… the aroma of food.

His stomach grumbled before his brain could process this. His last bites of food were over a day and night ago, and he had exerted physical and mental strength. Not even the toughest person could handle that.

Geraldine heard Dexter's stomach grumble but held back her laughter when she saw his frosty expression. "I've cooked fried chicken, lentils, roasted turkey, and pumpkin soup for dinner… There's even dessert!"

She cleared her throat and tried to sound threatening. "I'm warning you—if you make me drop the food again, I'll send those photos out! Now, who should I start with? How about Laura Gale?

"She pulled some strings to get an internship at the same law firm as you so she could pursue you. You guys are together every day; I think she'd give up on you if she were to see what you were like that night, right? It's such a good idea. I can't wait already…"

Geraldine only dared to let her imagination run wild. She acted like Dexter's actual girlfriend, wanting to show everyone how possessive she was.

After indulging in her fantasies, she realized Dexter hadn't said anything. She guessed she'd gained control over him, which pleased her yet made her feel bitter. It looked like the rumors were true—Laura was special to him.

Soon, however, she pushed her bitter thoughts away. Dexter had the freedom and right to be with whoever he wanted in the future; she was lucky enough to have gotten to spend these few days with him. She knew she had to draw the line somewhere and couldn't be greedy.

Perhaps her threat had worked its magic—she successfully fed Dexter his dinner. Nothing untoward happened. Of course, the scene wasn't as one would imagine of a regular abduction, where the abductor was high and mighty while the abducted begged for mercy.

Geraldine fed Dexter carefully, helping him adjust his posture and wipe his mouth. She bustled back and forth like she was his maidservant. Aside from the fact that he couldn't move, he acted like the lord of the land.

Dexter noticed another layer of restraint had been added to him—a leather collar about the width of two fingers. A metal chain dangled from it and linked to the one around his wrists. He didn't feel uncomfortable, but it did restrict his range of movement.

If he'd earlier felt like a chained-up dog, he felt even more so now. He gnashed his teeth, wanting nothing more than to tear Geraldine's throat out.

After dinner, he went to the bathroom to shower amidst the rattling of his restraints. Once again, he tried to remove the blindfold or handcuffs. However, aside from leaving more marks on his body, he failed to achieve anything.

It looked like Geraldine hadn't been pulling his leg. She'd spent a fortune on his restraints!

He returned to the bed with a towel wrapped around his body. He'd just found his pants and was about to put them on when a familiar wave of heat coursed through him. It was gentler than before but still irresistible. It started small but quickly intensified.

Dexter stiffened as every cell in his body exuded disbelief. He had no idea when he'd fallen for Geraldine's tricks again.

"It… it was the soup," Geraldine said tremulously.

Chapter 10

"It won't hurt you… Don't be scared," Geraldine said. Her tone was pitiful yet concerned; all Dexter could think about was how fake she was.

He snorted and got into bed, pulling the sheets around him so he could go to bed. However, his willpower was defeated by his basal desire. When Geraldine pressed herself against him, his resistance burned to ashes. Even the chains couldn't stop him.

He revealed his ferocious side and had his way with her. His mind seemed to be split into two segments—one was filled with rage while the other clamored for his blindfold to be removed so he could see her.

"Will you kill me if I see your face?" he asked.

"N-No…" Geraldine reiterated, "I'll never hurt you. Never…"

"Remove the blindfold, then."

"I can't…"

She said she couldn't, not that she didn't want to. Dexter wasn't in the right state of mind to ponder this. His irritation only grew when his desires weren't satisfied.

Suddenly, he heard a sob. It was a soft sound that disappeared almost instantly, as if he'd imagined it.

Geraldine bit the blanket to prevent herself from making any more noise, but it hadn't escaped Dexter's notice.

She was terrified of losing the warmth he'd given her, so she turned and tilted her head upward as she leaned close. "Can you kiss me, please? I'll stop hurting once you kiss me. Please, Dex."

Only those closest to him would call him that. Geraldine had secretly addressed him as such for four years. Now, she'd finally gotten to say it out loud.

He turned away, his lips brushing against her jaw. He said coldly, "What does your pain have to do with me?"

She was taken aback by that and couldn't help feeling aggrieved. "Didn't you agree to be my boyfriend for the next few days?"

"This is the treatment my girlfriend gets."

"But—"

"Cut the crap. Do you want me to continue or not?"

"…Yes."

…

Early the following morning, Geraldine stood in the cramped, steam-filled bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her fingers trailed from her neck to her chest and abdomen, stopping at her waist.

Dexter had left marks on every inch of the skin she'd just touched, which made her look paler than usual. The bump on her head was still swollen, and there were burns on her arms from the food Dexter had thrown aside.

She looked rather horrific.

Still, she smiled at herself in the mirror. There was satisfaction and hints of fatigue in the smile. She rubbed her red eyes before getting some ointment and Q-tips from the first-aid kit beside her.

Her wound down there had yet to recover; it seemed to have gotten worse after last night. She didn't have long to live but still had to care for herself to enjoy the last of this stolen happiness.

It looked like they couldn't do anything that night, though. It was a pity.

Chapter 11

Geraldine stiffly put on her nightgown after applying the ointment. She moved as slowly as an old woman. When she finally shuffled out of the bathroom, she looked up to see Dexter leaning against the headboard.

He was wearing one of her oversized shirts—it was checkered and had cats printed on it. The outline of his taut abs was vaguely visible underneath it, and his hair stuck out at the top of his head.

The sunlight shone down on him, covering him in a thin layer of gold. He was her source of happiness and was within her reach.

Geraldine felt her fatigue melt away as she stared at him. She smiled and asked light-heartedly, "Can you watch a movie with me today, Dex?"

It was a question, but Dexter obviously had no right to say no. Half an hour later, they'd had breakfast, and Geraldine's old laptop—placed on a table nearby—had finally finished loading the film.

Dexter didn't understand what was going on in her mind. Why was she forcing someone "blind" to watch a film with her? He also couldn't understand why she'd chosen to watch a famous animal documentary instead of a romance film.

"We have witnessed countless births, growths, and reproductions of life in the vibrant world of animals. This is an epic of Mother Nature filled with miracles and wisdom…"

Geraldine turned to look at Dexter. He was still half-lying on the bed and hadn't budged, looking uninterested. However, she could see his cocked eyebrow poking out from underneath his blindfold. It belied his true emotions.

She didn't think anyone would believe her if she were to tell them that Dexter, a top law student, relaxed and destressed by watching animal documentaries.

She propped her face with one hand and watched him, her eyes crinkling. It was delightful to have her guesses verified.

"It's spring, a season when all creatures come to life again. It's also the mating season. The vast grassland is filled with vitality and romance; the animals won't let the opportunity slide…"

Dexter frowned, suspecting that Geraldine was hinting at something. He couldn't help but snort and say, "You're really desperate, aren't you?"

She was secretly adjusting her posture to alleviate her discomfort, so his words surprised her. She almost yelped.

Geraldine didn't connect the dots and realize he'd gotten the wrong idea about her because of the documentary. Instead, she thought he was just upset about her forcing him every night.

So, she flushed and explained, "No, it's not like that. Being intimate with one's partner is an important part of every relationship, so I… I'm sorry to have to put you through this, but I don't have much time left."

She pursed her lips and glanced at him before continuing in a small voice, "If you think you can't take it, I'll go get you some supplements…"

She didn't dare go any further—Dexter's expression was positively hideous.

Geraldine gulped and surreptitiously moved her stool further away from him. Based on her plan, they were supposed to lean against each other while watching the film. They would dim the lights, cuddle, and share a bowl of popcorn…

But she became scared when it came to putting her plan into action. It was why she'd gone to sleep on the floor after sex for the past two nights, no matter how tired she was. She wanted to keep a safe distance from Dexter.

She knew he despised her, even hated her. If murder wasn't a crime, he probably would've been even harsher with her the previous day.

Geraldine didn't fear death, but this wasn't the right time. So…

She stared at his taut chest and broad shoulders, ultimately unable to resist the temptation. After an internal struggle, she said, "Let's have popcorn!"

Even if she had to die, she wanted it to happen while she was doing something that made her happy.

Chapter 12

The buttery scent of popcorn spread throughout the apartment as the kernels popped. Two minutes later, a bucket of popcorn was ready.

Geraldine's eyes lit up after she tried one. "It's delicious!"

Instead of continuing to eat, she held one to Dexter's lips. His expression turned distasteful, and he turned away.

She was initially taken aback before understanding why he'd reacted like that. Then, she chewed the popcorn, making sure it was audible. "I swear I didn't lace the popcorn."

He turned away from her, continuing to ignore her. Geraldine didn't let it faze her. She leaned against him and ate the popcorn while admiring a running leopard.

The leopard had been chasing an antelope for a while. It was almost about to catch up when Dexter finally lost his patience. "You're so noisy."

It was as if Geraldine had been waiting for this. She held up the bucket of popcorn and said cheerily, "Come on, have some popcorn. I'll shut up as soon as you do."

Dexter fell silent. After taking one, it wasn't so hard to continue with a second and third. Soon, the bucket was empty.

Having popcorn while watching a movie was one of the most common things couples did, but Dexter and Geraldine found it odd. One didn't have the money or mood to do this, and the other didn't have the time or interest. In a way, this was a new and novel experience for them both.

Just then, someone rapped on the door, breaking the peace. "Are you home, Geraldine? Open the door! I'll use the spare key if you keep hiding in there without making a sound!"

Geraldine jolted and got out of bed. She hurried out of the room. She'd just touched the doorknob when it opened from outside.

She and Cassandra were suddenly face-to-face. The latter patted her chest and snapped, "Who were you trying to scare, standing at the door like a ghost?"

"I—"

"Look at you, always having your hair in a mess like that. You don't have the slightest bit of vivacity and look like such a downer all the time. You have the windows shut, and the curtains before the balcony are drawn. How am I going to rent this place to anyone else if you make it seem like a haunted house?"

Cassandra started berating Geraldine without any preamble. She was sure Geraldine wouldn't refute her, anyway. When she saw Mary's photo hanging on the wall, she couldn't help shuddering. It was as if her prediction had come true, and she despised Geraldine even more.

"Didn't you say you would give me a few more days, Madam Jones? I…" Geraldine smiled awkwardly. She wanted to make Cassandra leave as soon as possible.

However, Cassandra wasn't so easily brushed off. She didn't give Geraldine the chance to finish. Instead, she pushed her aside and stormed into the apartment. "I've already given you enough time. Have you started cleaning the place already?"

Cassandra started looking around the apartment.

Geraldine's anxiety levels skyrocketed, especially when she thought about how she hadn't locked the bedroom door. She'd been in a hurry to open the door for Cassandra earlier.

If Dexter were to come out of the room with the chains on full display…

The thought made Geraldine break out in a cold sweat. She felt like she could already hear him getting out of bed. The sound of the rattling chains was like a countdown to the end of the happiest time of her life.

No, she'd yet to have enough. It had only been two days—there were too many things on her list that had yet to be ticked off. She'd thrown caution to the wind to get what she had now; the heavens had no right to stop her!

Geraldine darted toward a chest of drawers and pulled out a biscuit tin. Then, she opened it. She'd moved so quickly and abruptly that Cassandra instinctively backed away. She thought she'd pushed Geraldine over the edge, leading to the latter wanting them to go down together.

"W-What are you—" she started.

A wad of notes appeared before her eyes. It looked like there were about 800 dollars in the biscuit tin. It wasn't much, but it was just about enough to pay for a month's rental.

Geraldine's eyes were red, and her breathing was erratic as she said, "Give me some more time. Take this money as compensation—you won't need to return it to me in the future, whether or not I continue renting this place. Is that okay?"

Chapter 13

Cassandra was startled. "I can live with that, but—"

"Please come back in a few days, then. I'm feeling really sick, and I need to rest. Sorry!" Geraldine pushed Cassandra out of the apartment and slammed the door shut.

Cassandra only returned to her senses at the loud bang. She was happy to have made an extra sum. At the same time, she couldn't help but think something was amiss somewhere.

"Geraldine, go to the hospital if you're not feeling well. I'm just putting this out there, but if anything happens to you… I'm not bearing any responsibility!" Cassandra cried.

Geraldine quickly said, "Don't worry. I've only caught a cold."

"A cold…" Cassandra headed downstairs while fiddling with the notes. Suddenly, they seemed like hot potatoes to her. "She can't be doing… that sort of work, right? Bah, what does it have to do with me? I don't care what she does as long as she pays the rent on time. Money is all that matters…"

Geraldine sagged against the door in relief when she heard Cassandra leave. She turned to look at the bedroom door, which was shut. She bit her lip.

There was no way Dexter could've missed what had just happened when she and Cassandra had been so loud. So, had her earlier threat worked, or had he taken pity on her?

Geraldine returned to the room to see Dexter sitting on the bed with the bucket of popcorn to his left. His slippers were facing outward beside the bed; the documentary was almost ending. Everything was as it had been before she'd left the room—it was as if Dexter hadn't even blinked.

"Dex…" she murmured while getting into bed. She held his chains tightly before boldly pressing her face against his chest.

The smell of her cheap soap had gradually replaced his usual crisp scent. She couldn't help feeling guilty—she should've considered this and bought a set of his usual necessities.

"Is there anything you want for dinner?" she asked.

A long silence answered her. Just as she thought Dexter wouldn't respond, he said, "No soup."

Geraldine chuckled. "Okay. No soup."

Time flew when one was with the person one loved. It was nighttime in the blink of an eye. Geraldine awkwardly applied the ointment before leaving the bathroom. She almost ran right into Dexter—he'd been waiting outside. He reached for her and gripped her waist.

"Hmm?" She looked up in surprise. She would've suspected that he could see if not for the blindfold still wrapped around his eyes.

He didn't seem to notice her doubtful gaze as he continued with his ministrations. He held her hand and leaned down to unzip her clothes with his teeth.

The chains restricted his movements, but his height gave him an advantage. He could use his mouth if it wasn't convenient for him to use his hands.

Geraldine would be lying if she said she wasn't happy that Dexter was being so proactive. She even considered enduring the pain so she could be one with him. However, her instinct won out when his cool fingers slipped underneath her clothes, and she stopped him.

"N-Not tonight…" She pushed his hand away and broke free of his grip.

He frowned, seemingly confused. "Are you sure?"

"Y-Yeah."

"Fine." He turned and left, leaving her bereft of his warmth.

Geraldine watched as Dexter slowly shuffled back to the bed. She felt disappointed.

She could only blame herself for lacking theoretical knowledge and practical experience in these matters. Things wouldn't have turned out like this otherwise. If she could have another lifetime with him…

No, she didn't want to ruin his life anymore.

Since their nightly activities had been canceled, they turned off the lights and lay on their beds.

This was Dexter's third night in captivity, and he seemed to have gotten used to it. His breathing was even; he didn't seem irritated or frustrated. He'd even had second helpings during dinner.

Geraldine was the only one who couldn't fall asleep. She'd been too tired the past two nights but was quite spirited tonight. She tossed and turned on the floor.

To be accurate, she couldn't bear to go to sleep. She couldn't bear to leave this realistic dream she'd created.