When I woke up in the morning, it felt like all my strength had been drained. The person behind me reached over to touch my forehead.
I instinctively pulled away.
"Do you still feel bad?"
I shifted aside, pulling the blanket closer, not wanting to speak.
"I'll be gentler next time."
Seeing I remained silent, he softly probed again.
"Would you like some water?"
I paused for a moment, then hoarsely replied.
"Do you have any medicine?"
"What hurts?"
"Post-coital medicine."
Alden fell silent for a moment, then looked down at me.
"Don't take it, it's bad for your health."
I coldly retorted, "Abortion is even worse for your health."
His breath grew heavier as he turned and brought me a pill bottle, handing me a pill.
I didn't bother asking why he had such medicine at home and swallowed it immediately.
"Get me some clothes."
I had no strength left, clutching the blanket and giving him the order.
"Will this work?"
He handed me a set of white silk pajamas. I took them directly from him.
I didn't care about his gaze anymore—after everything we had already done, what difference did it make?
I lowered my head and tied the waist of the pajamas, speaking softly.
"Alden, I won't be a mistress."
He was momentarily confused. "What do you mean?"
"The thing I hate the most in this life is people who destroy others' families."
"So, I won't be the third party. Even if the company goes bankrupt, I won't be the third party."
He suddenly smiled. "Well, I'm the son of a mistress, so you must hate me, right?"
I remained silent, unwilling to answer his question.
"I'll send the funds for the E City project soon. It'll be at the bank interest rate."
Alden couldn't help but raise an ironic smile. "Really? Do you honestly think Tate can help you?"
"It has nothing to do with him. I just don't want any further involvement with you," I replied calmly.
"Heh, you don't want involvement, but I insist on it."
He lifted his hand and tilted my chin, forcing me to look him in the eyes.
"Alden, imprisoning someone and forcing them into relations are crimes," I said.
His eyes instantly turned cold, and a chill swept over his gaze.
"Crimes?" he repeated.
"Then you should have reported it back then," he added, his tone laced with mockery.
"To go to jail for you, I would have accepted it," I responded, my voice faint.
I tried to turn my head, avoiding his grip, but his hold tightened.
"Brooks Velez, who told you to be the third party?"
"The girl from yesterday, isn't she about to get engaged to you?"
Alden furrowed his brow and remained silent for a moment before speaking. "I have no interest in her. The day I cooperated with her father's company happened to be her birthday, and the necklace was picked out by my assistant."
I was momentarily at a loss for words, not knowing how to respond.
"Jealous?" he teased.
"No," I quickly denied.
His fingers lightly brushed across my chin, and I noticed his eyes flicker as he asked, "What do you want to be if not a third party? A girlfriend? A fiancée? Or a wife?"
"If you want it, I could give it to you."
His gaze darkened, and his slightly reddened eyes locked onto mine.
"Have you ever thought about it, Brooks?"
He stared at me, unblinking.
I remained silent for a long time, then shook my head. "No."
He lowered his gaze, letting out a low, mocking laugh, and rubbed his chest. With furrowed brows, he walked out of the room.
