Chapter 1

Vanessa York gently traced the photograph on the headstone, her fingers trembling slightly.

The person resting here was Matthias Hawke, Alexander Hawke's older brother and the only man she had ever truly loved.

Five years ago, in the height of their love, Matthias died in a car crash while trying to protect her. He was covered in blood, barely clinging to life.

Yet, he still used his final breath to whisper, "Nessa, please don't cry… There's something I need to ask you. Alex... he's cold and careless. He doesn't know how to take care of himself. Watch over him for me for at least five years... okay?"

Vanessa knew he wasn't really asking her to take care of Alexander. Instead, he was afraid she wouldn't be able to continue living. So, he used this as a reason for her to keep going, hoping she would find a purpose to live again during those five years.

She had listened to his words, gone to Alexander's side, and become his personal secretary, shielding him from all dangers and handling all his troubles. But now that the five years were up, her feelings remained unchanged. She was ready to join Matthias.

She looked down at the headstone and whispered, "Matthias, without you, this world is too lonely for me. Just wait a little longer, and I'll be with you soon."

Suddenly, her phone buzzed and pulled her out of the moment. It was Kevin Yates, Alexander's friend.

He sounded urgent as he said, "Vanessa! You need to get to the racetrack now! Alex has lost his mind! He's willing to risk his life for one of Lucille's challenges!"

Vanessa's eyes widened. She stood up immediately and ran outside.

Lucille Watson was the woman Alexander had been pursuing for two whole years. She claimed she wanted to test Alexander's sincerity and demanded he complete 100 tasks before she would agree to his courtship.

However, most of the things she asked for were dangerous and ridiculous. He had gone skydiving, deep-sea diving, and even head-to-head with a pro fighter just for Lucille's sake.

By the time Vanessa reached the racetrack, Alexander was already shrugging off his suit jacket, ready to change into a racing suit. Meanwhile, his friends were trying to talk him out of it.

One said, "Alex, have you lost your mind? The leg you broke skydiving for Lucille last month just healed, and now you want to risk your life again?"

"Exactly! You're the most eligible bachelor of Aenfield. Countless socialites and heiresses are lining up for your attention, but you're still hung up on Lucille?"

Another chimed in, "If nothing else, even Vanessa is better than her, right? She's poured her heart and soul into you all these years. Are you really that blind?"

Alexander froze for a moment, a flicker of emotion flashing in his eyes. When he looked up again, he saw Vanessa standing just a few feet away, her face pale.

"I don't like women who throw themselves at me," he said coldly, his voice casual yet cruel, "especially the clingy, desperate kind."

Vanessa stood in the distance, her heart aching painfully. It was as if someone had grabbed it and twisted it hard.

Despite the pain, she still walked straight up to him and snatched the racing suit. Without a word, she quickly put it on.

Alexander narrowed his eyes. "What are you doing?"

Vanessa lowered her gaze, her long lashes casting shadows on her face. "I'm not letting you get hurt. I'll go in your place."

Seeing this, Kevin immediately urged, "Alexander, let Vanessa go! If something happens to you, how will you be with Lucille?"

Alexander was about to speak when he saw Vanessa opening the car door and getting in. He was shocked and instinctively reached out to stop her, but she was already too far ahead.

"Vanessa!" he shouted coldly, his voice carrying an unquestionable commanding tone.

Yet, she only nodded at him through the car window, her expression as calm as if she were just completing an ordinary task. With the roar of the engine, the race car shot out.

Alexander stood in place, a corner of his suit jacket lifted by the fierce wind.

He stared at the race car speeding around the track, his eyes growing darker and darker. He couldn't believe that she was willing to risk her life just to keep him safe.

On the track, Vanessa's race car scraped against the barriers several times, and the sparks from metal friction were particularly striking in the night.

The spectators on the sidelines gasped in shock, but she never once eased up on the throttle. When she finally crossed the finish line, there was a loud bang. Her car's front end was completely crushed under the crash, and the airbags deployed.

As Vanessa struggled to push open the car door, blood trickled from her forehead down her pale cheek. Then, she staggered over to Alexander and handed him the trophy, mumbling, "I... won..."

Before he could reply, her body gave out and collapsed like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

Alexander caught her without thinking. She felt impossibly light in his arms, like she could vanish at any moment. He looked down at her closed eyes, and an unfamiliar emotion rose in his chest.

"Vanessa!" he called her name, not even noticing how strained he sounded.

Before falling into darkness, Vanessa's lips curved into a slight smile. She always loved hearing him say her name because it sounded just like the person in her memories.

Chapter 2

When Vanessa opened her eyes again, she was greeted by the stark white ceiling of the hospital room. She turned her head slightly and saw Alexander standing by the window, his tall figure outlined in the morning light.

"You're awake?" he said, turning toward her, his voice low and cold. "Vanessa, is your life really that worthless?"

She tried to speak, but her dry, cracked lips sent a sharp pain through her.

As he approached the hospital bed, he looked down at her from above and continued, "I told you before that I'll never like you, no matter how much you do."

Vanessa lowered her gaze, her lashes casting shadows on her face. She wanted to say that she had done these things not for him, and certainly not for his affection. However, when the words reached her lips, she swallowed them. After all, there was no right way to say it.

Was she supposed to say everything she had done was just because of a promise she had made to Matthias?

In the end, she simply whispered, "I understand."

She knew he didn't like her, and she was more aware of this than anyone else.

Alexander stared at her pale profile, feeling an inexplicable frustration in his chest. He looked away, his tone unconsciously softening as he said, "I'm giving you a week off to recover properly."

After a pause, he added almost without thinking, "I'll stay with you for the next couple of days."

Vanessa's head snapped up, a flicker of light flashing in her eyes.

"You're this happy just because I'm staying?" Alexander narrowed his eyes at her.

She looked at the face that so closely resembled Matthias and nodded. "Yeah... I'm happy."

Alexander felt something stir in his chest, but his phone rang before he could say more.

"Alexander..." Lucille's sobs came through the speaker. "I twisted my ankle. It hurts so bad..."

Alexander glanced at Vanessa, who immediately understood his hesitation. She forced a smile and said, "Go ahead and take care of her. I'm fine."

He hesitated for a beat. Eventually, he grabbed his coat and replied, "Call me if anything comes up."

He didn't say another word and left without sparing another glance at her.

The second the door clicked shut, the smile on Vanessa's face crumbled completely. She stared at the ceiling, eyes stinging, but not a single tear fell.

...

Not long after, noise stirred outside the hospital. From the hallway, she heard the nurses whispering.

"Did you hear? Mr. Hawke just rented out the entire floor at the VIP wing for Ms. Watson. He even transferred all the medical equipment and doctors just for her!"

"Oh my goodness! That's next-level devotion…"

Vanessa lay in bed and listened quietly, her face blank. Her wound needed redressing, but no nurse had come by.

After waiting for a long time, she finally struggled to sit up and reached for the medicine on her bedside table, applying it to her wound bit by bit.

The antiseptic stung her wound with a burning pain, making her hands shake terribly. Several times, she couldn't hold steady, causing the medicine bottle to fall to the floor and shatter into pieces.

She bent down to pick it up, but the movement tugged at her wound. She collapsed hard, her knee slamming into the broken glass. Blood began to seep out instantly, but even as pain blurred her vision, she gritted her teeth and said nothing.

Slowly, she dragged herself up and continued applying the medicine as best she could.

Over the next few days, Vanessa sometimes passed by Lucille's room. Through the half-open door, she would catch glimpses of Alexander sitting by the bed, gently feeding Lucille spoonfuls of soup. His eyes were full of a tenderness he had never shown her.

Vanessa would just stand outside, watching them quietly. She thought that Alexander must truly love Lucille. So, if she could help them be together, Matthias would probably be happy about it too.

On the day of her discharge, Vanessa had just finished packing and walked out of her room when she ran into Lucille head-on. She reflexively stepped aside to make way, but Lucille suddenly staggered and fell hard to the floor.

"Ah..." Lucille's eyes were filled with tears instantly, her voice trembling. "It hurts..."

Urgent footsteps came from behind, and Alexander grabbed Vanessa's wrist with such force that she winced in pain. He hissed, "Vanessa, after all these years being my secretary, can't you even watch where you're going?"

"Alexander, don't blame Nessa." Lucille looked up pitifully, her voice weak, "She's probably... jealous that you've been taking care of me these past few days, so she..."

Vanessa was stunned. She hadn't even touched Lucille, and they hadn't even spoken a word to each other.

How did it suddenly become her fault?

"I didn't..." Vanessa began to explain, "How could I possibly be jealous of her, I—"

"Enough!" Alexander snapped, cutting her off as he yanked her hand away.

Vanessa was caught off guard, and her waist slammed hard into the door handle. The impact instantly tore open her barely healed wound and caused such pain that her vision went black.

Alexander looked down at her from above, his gaze sharp. "This is my final warning. Stay away from Lucille."

Then, he bent to pick up Lucille, his movements as gentle as if he were holding a precious treasure.

As they left, Lucille rested against Alexander's shoulder and flashed Vanessa a victorious smile.

Vanessa slowly slid down the wall to sit on the floor, blood already staining her shirt. She watched Alexander's retreating figure and suddenly felt more exhausted than ever before.

Chapter 3

Vanessa returned alone to her empty apartment. Moonlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting broken shadows across the floor. She numbly peeled away the blood-soaked bandages and hastily treated the wound on her waist.

Then, she walked over to the cabinet and pulled out a small metal box hidden deep in the drawer. Inside were all the little things that reminded her of Matthias, which included an old movie ticket, a button, and a few faded photographs.

She gently traced the man's gentle smile in the photos, her fingertips trembling slightly. "Wait a little longer for me, Matthias... I'll be able to see you very soon."

Her phone buzzed suddenly, the screen lighting up with Alexander's name. He ordered, "Go buy some of Lucille's favorite desserts and drop them off at Blue Lagoon Club."

The call was cut off abruptly, not even giving her a chance to refuse.

Outside, rain was pouring down. Vanessa stood by the window for a moment, then silently picked up an umbrella and walked into the storm.

She waited in line at the famous dessert shop for nearly an hour. By the time she bought the desserts Lucille had specifically requested, her whole body was stiff from the cold.

When she arrived at the club, her hair was still dripping wet. Lucille took the dessert bag and looked Vanessa up and down, completely soaked. Then, she suddenly chuckled. "I've always heard people in our circle say that you obey Alexander's every command, but I've never believed it."

She turned to Alexander and added, "Looks like the rumors were spot on."

Alexander sat on the lounge couch, his long legs crossed as amber liquor swirled in his crystal glass. He looked up and glanced at Vanessa, his expression unreadable.

Lucille took a bite of the dessert, but then frowned. "It's too sweet. I don't want this."

She looked at Vanessa and said with an innocent tone, "Nessa, could you buy from another shop? I remember that one isn't as sweet."

Vanessa was silent for two seconds before nodding. "Okay."

Then, she turned and walked back into the rain.

When she returned the second time, Lucille shook her head again. "This one's not fresh enough..."

The third time, she complained, "It tastes off. Did you go to the right place?"

By the fourth run, Vanessa was soaked through. Her fingertips were pale from the cold, and every breath she took carried a chill.

Lucille finally stopped nitpicking and smiled sweetly. "Thanks, Nessa."

Then, she snuggled into Alexander's arms and purred, "Alexander, I've thought of the 98th thing I want you to do."

"What is it?" Alexander's voice was low and gentle.

"I want you to finish all the alcohol on this table," Lucille said.

The air instantly froze. Alexander's friends suddenly stood up, their chairs scraping dully against the carpet.

"Lucille, are you insane? Don't you know Alex is allergic to alcohol?"

"I know, but I just want a man who loves me wholeheartedly. If he's allergic but still willing to drink for me, doesn't that prove his love?" Lucille blinked innocently.

Someone couldn't take it anymore and slammed the table. "Lucille! Last time, Alexander fought a pro fighter for you and broke two ribs! The time before that, he nearly broke his leg skydiving for you! Isn't that enough proof?

"How far are you going to push this? Do you have to torment Alex until he stops loving you to be satisfied?"

Lucille's eyes welled with tears as she clung to Alexander's sleeve, looking pitiful. "Alexander, I didn't mean it like that. I just—"

"I'll drink." Alexander had already picked up his glass, and as his Adam's apple bobbed, he drained the amber liquid in one gulp.

His pale skin immediately flushed with an unhealthy red, and his breathing became heavy.

"Alexander!" everyone cried out in alarm.

Just as he reached for the second glass, a slender figure suddenly blocked his path.

Vanessa snatched the drink from his hand, her fingers white from how tightly she held it.

"Move aside," Alexander growled, his voice hoarse.

"You're allergic to alcohol. If you die, you won't be able to love her anymore. Do you really want that?"

Then, she turned to Lucille. "One glass is enough to prove his love. Any more and the allergic reaction could kill him. So, I'll drink the rest."

Lucille seemed convinced by her words and pouted. "Fine. If you want to drink, then drink."

Vanessa pulled the allergy medication from her coat pocket and shoved it into Alexander's hand before he could argue. Then, she picked up the bottle and tilted her head back, downing it. The liquor burned down her throat like fire, and she forced down the urge to vomit, drinking bottle after bottle.

The entire private room fell silent, with only the sound of liquid sliding down her throat.

Alexander clutched the medication, his knuckles white. He watched Vanessa's pale profile, and his chest suddenly ached with a suffocating pain.

All these years, she had always been like this, silently standing in front of him and taking on all the harm for him. He had thought he felt nothing about her sacrifices, but at this moment, his throat felt blocked when he saw her pale complexion.

He irritably loosened his tie, trying to ignore the strange emotion in his heart. And he told himself over and over again that he liked Lucille, not Vanessa.

And it could never be Vanessa!

Chapter 4

When the party ended, Vanessa's face was as pale as a sheet. She leaned against the wall to steady herself, and she dug her fingertips deep into her palms just to stay upright.

Alexander stood at the bar to settle the bill, but his gaze kept drifting back to that swaying, unsteady figure. It wasn't until the server reminded him for the third time that he snapped back to reality and signed the receipt.

Once that was done, he turned to get the car, telling Vanessa to escort Lucille out first.

Vanessa nodded and helped the slightly tipsy Lucille walk outside. However, as they passed the artificial lake, Lucille deliberately let her foot slip.

As she tumbled into the water, she screamed dramatically. Hearing it, Alexander came running, just in time to see Lucille splash into the lake.

His face turned cold as ice as he grabbed her wrist hard. "Vanessa! Are you out of your mind? How dare you push her?"

Vanessa stumbled from his grip. Her soaked dress was clinging to her legs, bone-chillingly cold. She looked up into his furious eyes and gently shook her head, mumbling, "I didn't..."

"I saw it with my own eyes, and you're still lying!" he snapped, tightening his grip.

Her brows furrowed in pain, but he showed no mercy. "Since you like hurting people so much, have a taste of it yourself!"

With that, he shoved her into the lake without hesitation.

As the loud splash echoed, the icy lake water swallowed her whole. She was already feeling weak all over from her period, and the cold made her curl up as darkness clouded her vision.

Alexander watched her coldly and ordered his bodyguard, "Watch her. Don't let her come up."

The lake water was bone-chilling, and Vanessa's consciousness gradually faded. The last thing she saw was Alexander carrying Lucille away.

...

When she woke up again, Vanessa found herself lying on a bed in a guest room at the Hawke residence. Alexander sat beside the bed with an unlit cigarette between his long fingers, his deep eyes churning with emotions she couldn't read.

He asked, "Why didn't you say earlier that you were on your period?"

Vanessa plastered on a weak smile. "Even if I did, you'd still push me into the water, right?"

The air turned still and heavy.

The cigarette between Alexander's fingers was crushed out of shape, tobacco crumbs falling to the floor. He stood up and looked down at her from above. "Why do you keep hurting Lucille again and again?"

Vanessa's voice was feeble as she replied, "I didn't. She jumped in on purpose."

Alexander roared, "Vanessa! Lucille isn't that kind of person!"

Vanessa stopped defending herself and just looked at him quietly. She knew he would never believe her.

Alexander took a deep breath, pulled a gold-stamped folder from his suit pocket, and tossed it onto the bed. He said, "Make it up to her. Lucille's birthday party is coming up. You're in charge of planning it. Her preferences and things she dislikes are all listed in there, so don't screw this up."

Vanessa opened the folder, and her fingers trembled. Those meticulously recorded preferences reminded her that someone had once cared enough to remember everything about her, too.

Matthias had always known exactly what temperature she liked her coffee and remembered the color of every dress she owned.

Seeing her lost in thought, Alexander frowned."Did you hear me clearly?"

"Yes," she replied softly, "You really love her very much."

She slowly climbed out of bed and began getting dressed to leave. However, as she reached for her coat, her phone slipped from her pocket and hit the floor.

The moment the screen lit up, Alexander's eyes widened. On the lock screen was a photo of Vanessa being tenderly embraced by a man who resembled him. Moreover, the way that man looked at her was as if she were the most precious treasure in the world.

Chapter 5

Alexander bent down to pick up the phone, and he gripped the device tightly. "Why do you have a photo of me when I was younger?"

Vanessa snatched it back, her voice slightly tense. "You're mistaken."

Alexander's gaze was sharp. "No way. That uniform is from my high school, and even the tie clip matches."

The face in the photo was slightly blurred, but the features were undeniably similar to Alexander's younger self. However, he had no memory of ever knowing Vanessa back then.

An absurd thought flashed through his mind, and he released her wrist. He stared at her with an odd expression as he asked, "Are you that obsessed with me? You even cut out an old photo of me and photoshopped yourself next to it?"

Vanessa opened her mouth but couldn't say a word.

How could she explain to him that the person in the photo wasn't him but Matthias, who had long gone?

Her silence only made Alexander's eyes turn colder. "I told you. No matter what you do, I'll never fall for you. My heart belongs to Lucille. Enough with your pathetic games."

He turned to leave. However, something tightened in his chest, and his heartbeat quickened in a way he couldn't explain.

...

Three days later, Lucille's birthday party was held as scheduled.

Vanessa organized a luxurious and exquisite party that perfectly matched Lucille's preferences. At the event, Alexander doted on Lucille completely, personally cutting her cake and pouring her wine. He gazed at her with a softness that seemed almost too much to bear.

People whispered from every corner.

"Vanessa nearly died for Alexander, but his eyes are only on Lucille."

"If I liked someone that long without reciprocity, I'd have walked away. What's she holding on for?"

Vanessa stood in the corner, quietly listening with no expression.

Then, Alexander walked over and, for once, gave her a rare compliment. "The party's well done. What do you want?"

Vanessa was just about to answer when a sudden scream broke out.

"Ah! It's so itchy!" Lucille clawed at her neck, her face pale. "Alex... I-I can't breathe..."

She staggered backward and knocked over the champagne tower. Glass shards scattered everywhere, cutting her arms and legs, and blood immediately gushed out.

Alexander's expression changed drastically as he rushed over to carry Lucille. Then, he headed straight to the hospital. Vanessa followed closely behind.

At the hospital, the doctor's expression was grave after the examination."Ms. Watson has a blood clotting disorder. The wounds won't stop bleeding, and she needs a blood transfusion."

Alexander was about to speak, but Vanessa had already rolled up her sleeve. "Take mine."

He was momentarily stunned, looking at her with a complex expression.

During the blood draw, Vanessa's face grew increasingly pale, her vision going black. In the end, she actually fainted. When she woke up again, she found herself tied to the edge of a swimming pool with heavy stones attached to her feet.

Alexander stood in front of her, his gaze ice-cold."Vanessa, were the previous punishments too light that you ignored my words? I've already found out that Lucille's allergic reaction and fall were caused by eating cake with almonds."

He hissed, "I clearly told you she was allergic to almonds, yet you added them to the cake?"

Vanessa's eyes widened. "It wasn't me—"

Alexander harshly interrupted her, "You're still denying it? Push her in!"

The bodyguard immediately shoved her into the pool, and the icy water instantly submerged her head.

Vanessa struggled desperately, but the stones dragged her body down deeper and deeper. A suffocating feeling overwhelmed her, and her lungs felt like they were about to explode.

"It wasn't me... It really wasn't me..." Her voice was drowned by the water, leaving only intermittent bubbles rising to the surface.

Alexander stood by the poolside, coldly watching her sink. Then, he signaled the bodyguard to pull her back up.

When Vanessa was dragged out of the water, she coughed violently, and her face was as white as a sheet. She mumbled, "Alexander, I swear… I didn't put almonds in that cake…"

"Are you still lying?" he hissed, grabbing her jaw so hard it felt like her bones would crack. "One of the housekeepers said she saw it with her own eyes."

Vanessa was shocked to hear that. Suddenly, she seemed to fathom the situation and turned toward the hospital window.

Lucille stood there, watching. When their eyes met, a small, wicked smile curled at her lips.

"It was Lucille..." Vanessa's voice cracked. "She planned—"

"Shut up!" Alexander roared, shoving her in the water again. "She nearly died, and you're still trying to slander her?"

This time, he left her submerged even longer.

Vanessa gradually stopped struggling, her body going limp as memories flickered in her mind like a fading film reel.

The 15-year-old Matthias wiped the paint off her face in the library, the 18-year-old Matthias secretly held her hand at graduation, and the 20-year-old Matthias knelt in the snow, cupping her frozen hands and breathing on them for warmth.

"Pull her up!" Alexander's voice brought her back to reality.

Vanessa was dragged out of the water, and she collapsed by the poolside. She didn't even have the strength to cough.

Alexander looked down at her from above. "Have you learned your lesson? Go apologize to Lucille."

He grabbed her wrist and aggressively dragged her toward the hospital room. Vanessa's legs left bloody trails on the tile floor, but she had no strength to resist.

In the hospital room, Lucille leaned weakly against the headboard. When she saw them enter, her eyes immediately became teary. "Nessa... I know you like Alexander, but loving someone shouldn't be like this..."

Vanessa looked up and met Lucille's triumphant gaze. She suddenly felt exhausted, so exhausted that she didn't even have the desire to defend herself. She just mumbled, "I'm sorry."

Those two words cost her the last of her strength.

Lucille flashed a smug smile. Then, she pretended to be forgiving and shook her head. "Alexander, let it go. Nessa didn't mean it..."

"No," Alexander replied coldly. "She hurt you, and she's going to stay and take care of you until you're fully recovered."