Lily gazed at Alexander Harrison with flirtatious eyes, standing on her tiptoes, her glossy lips brushing lightly against the corner of his mouth. She smiled sweetly, "Vinegar is too sour... on a hot day like this, I only drink plum juice."
"Oh?" Alexander raised an eyebrow, his dark eyes deepening with intrigue. "You like sour things..." His gaze drifted down to her abdomen, a teasing smile forming on his lips. "Could it be...?"
Lily playfully shot him a look. "How would you know, Mr. Harrison?"
Alexander chuckled, clearly enjoying her sass. He appreciated this woman—usually so composed and nonchalant, but when he returned home, she would fulfill her role as his wife.
He often asked her, "Lily Adams, why did you agree to marry me?"
Her answer was honest and unpretentious: "Because I need money, and that’s something you have plenty of."
He needed a wife to gain access to the shares his grandfather had left in his uncles hands, and a woman with impractical fantasies wasn’t a suitable choice.
Lily Adams, who openly stated her need for money, was the perfect candidate.
Moreover, Alexander looked deeply into her eyes, a mischievous smile curling at the corner of his lips. "Have you ever thought about giving me a child?"
Lilys heart skipped a beat, and she internally scoffed: Didnt this man know that using charm to manipulate was beneath him?
With a mock-innocent blink, she replied, "We only agreed that I would be your wife... if we’re having kids, that’s going to cost extra."
Alexander smirked, leaning in to place a soft kiss at the corner of her mouth. His voice turned low and magnetic, "Use my card, go wild... however you want."
Seeing Lilys adorable, feigned vulnerability, he couldn’t help but feel delighted.
He gently pinched her nose, his voice light. "My sister wants me to join her for dinner, and you’re coming with me."
Lily stiffened at the mention of his sister, her eyes briefly showing reluctance before she quickly masked it with a carefree smile.
"Alright..." she chirped, pushing away from him slightly. "Let me change my clothes."
"Okay," he replied, releasing her.
Before she left, she planted a quick kiss on his cheek, turning with an exaggerated sense of playfulness as she ascended the stairs...
But the moment she turned, all her pretense cracked, revealing her inner turmoil as if some deep wound had been struck.
Alexander watched her retreating figure disappear into the bedroom, then turned his gaze away, taking a sip from the wine glass nearby, a subtle smile creeping onto his lips.
Soon, Lily returned, having swapped her business attire for a knee-length, sleeveless chiffon dress. Her previously pinned-up hair fell in soft waves, transforming her into a captivating vision.
"Ugh, I dont want to go anymore..." Alexander suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist and spun her around, pinning her against the bar.
Lily felt his masculine presence enveloping her, her heartbeat racing uncontrollably...
Although their marriage had initially been based on mutual need—his for a wife and hers for financial security—they had shared a bed since their wedding night...
As a woman who had lost her innocence under unfortunate circumstances, she felt grateful to have married Alexander Harrison, especially since he didn’t seem to mind her past.
After all, this was partly due to her unabashed desire for money... but no matter the circumstances, she was determined to be the best wife she could be.
"I dont really mind..." Lily said, lowering her gaze and tracing circles on his chest with her fingers. "I just hope my sister-in-law doesn’t think I’m keeping you from coming over."
As she spoke, she innocently fluttered her long eyelashes up at him.
Alexander, hearing her unspoken yearning, couldnt help but feel drawn to her.
"Buzz, buzz..." The sudden vibration of her phone interrupted the moment.
"Let me take this..." Lily said, her words muddled as she tried to focus.
Alexander released her lips, watching her flustered expression as he reached for the phone on the bar, glancing at the caller ID before answering. "I’ll be there in thirty minutes... alright, sounds good!"
After hanging up, Alexander tucked the phone into his pocket and wiped away the lipstick stain on her lips with his thumb. His voice, deep like a cello, dripped with seduction, "I’ll take care of you when I get back tonight..."
Still reeling from the kiss, Lily retorted, "You’ll be well-fed and drunk, how will you have the energy for me?"
Alexander laughed lightly. "I like it when you get a little jealous."
Lily stared at him incredulously, feeling like she wanted to yell.
"What part of that was jealousy? I was being sarcastic!"
It was a moment of misunderstanding, and she felt exasperated.
Alexander ushered her into his newly acquired Lamborghini—one of only eight in the world. The car screamed luxury in both its exterior and interior.
As she settled into the plush leather seat, she tried to shift her focus away from the anxiety building inside her. During their year-long secret marriage, she had grown accustomed to many things, but visiting his sister’s home still made her uneasy.
She dreaded running into that woman...
Just thinking about her caused a sharp pain in Lilys heart.
When Alexander first entered her life, she hadn’t realized the connection he had with that woman. Had she known...
Well, what difference would it have made? Would she have chosen not to marry him?
At that time, did she even have the right to choose?
"What are you thinking about?" Alexander’s previously alluring demeanor faded, and his typical cold, aloof expression returned as his piercing gaze scrutinized her. "Thinking about another man?"