I slumped limply into the bed. The lace camisole was messily wrapped around Alex's wrist.
There was still a tingly sensation on the back of my neck where he had bitten me.
Alex propped himself up on his arm beside me, and his long fingers brushed across my flushed cheeks.
"Daria, don't call me brother anymore. It's time to call me husband."
His warm breath fanned across my lips. I turned my head away to avoid him, but he grabbed my chin and pressed himself against me again.
His voice was filled with a hint of satisfaction and hoarseness: "You're so cold now, but you weren't like this when you begged me last night."
Memories came flooding back like a tide along with his intense advance.
That night, it was a victory celebration banquet for the Lannister family. I could only hide in the corner of the banquet hall and watch him from afar.
Seven years ago, when he was expelled from the group by his uncle, he was just a powerless illegitimate child. Now, he has returned as the CEO of an overseas consortium.
The light refracted by the crystal chandelier fell on his well - tailored black suit. Surrounded by obsequious family elders, he lowered his eyes and swirled the red wine glass, as if he were watching a bunch of clowns.
I lowered my head and tugged at the ill - fitting evening dress. As a penniless illegitimate daughter born of a dancer, it was already a charity for me to be able to attend this dinner.
When the sudden downpour came, the guests left one after another. I clutched the folding umbrella I bought from the convenience store and hid in the hotel's back garden.
"Crash -"
Suddenly, there came the sound of glass shattering behind the bushes.
Through the gaps in the banana leaves, I saw Richard slumped beside the landscape pool.
Alex wrapped the tie around his hand and tightened it more and more.
"Central nervous system inhibitor? "Drug - doping. How many lives do you have to drug my wine, huh?"
"Mr. Alex... My daughter has leukemia and I need money..."
Richard's plea was crushed by the sound of the rain.
Suddenly, Alex took out a medicine bottle from his inner suit pocket and poured out three blue pills.
"So eager to be a loving father? Why don't you swallow this fatherly love?"
The moonlight outlined the sharp contours of his side face. I suddenly remembered the financial reports - three years ago, he was poisoned by a business rival in New York and almost died of anaphylactic shock.
I also remembered the rumors about how cruel and bloody he was when dealing with his competitors. I shivered.
With a snap.
The umbrella fell to the ground.
He looked up, and his pitch - black eyes met mine. The beautiful curve of his eyes twitched slightly, like a knife.
I immediately picked up the umbrella and ran away at full speed.
I prayed to all the gods and Buddhas in my heart: It's so dark. He mustn't recognize me.
The screen of my phone lit up with a text message from an unknown number: "It's raining heavily. Let me give you a ride home?"
The phone burned in my palm. I stared at the text message for a full three minutes and finally pressed the delete button.