Quinn''s fingers clenched tightly, her eyes scrutinizing the man''s impassive countenance. Her gaze drifted momentarily, lost in the enigma that was his thoughts. She had always found it impossible to decipher what was going on in his mind. Alexander''s grip on her chin tightened, his voice pressing, "Do you hear me?" Quinn winced at the pain, her nod of understandinging only after she had managed to pull herself back to reality.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    "This is your final warning," he threatened, his tone deadly serious. "If you disobey me again, I''ll break your legs and lock you up. Do you understand?" Quinn''s body stiffened at his words. There was no doubt in her mind that he was capable of carrying out his threat. She nodded again, this time with visible difficulty.


    Only then did Alexander loosen his grip on her, his hand moving to caress her cheek as he murmured, "That''s more like it." He leaned in to kiss her, but Quinn, remembering the doctor''s warning, instinctively turned her head to avoid his lips.


    Alexander''s eyes narrowed, his hand turning her face back towards his. His voice held a dangerous edge as he chastised her, "Forgot what we just talked about? You truly are forgetful." Quinn tried to exin herself through gestures, but her flustered demeanor only seemed to make her appear more defiant. With a swift move, he grabbed her hand and tied her wrists together with his necktie. Quinn shook her head in desperation, her struggle so intense that she tumbled off the couch onto the floor, the impact leaving her disoriented.


    Curled up on the floor, Quinn looked up at him, her eyes blurred with tears and filled with fear. Alexander, holding onto the cor of her shirt, hoisted her up and looked into her eyes. "Are you afraid of me?" he asked, his smirk making her tremble uncontrobly.


    He chuckled, a bone-chilling sound that didn''t quite reach his eyes. "Why?" His gaze bore into Quinn''s, as if trying to search her soul for an answer. "Why are you afraid of me?" Quinn closed her eyes and turned her head away, a tear tracing the contour of her cheek. She wished she knew the answer herself.


    It hadn''t always been like this between them. Was it her greed that had led to this? Longing for his love while yearning for freedom, she was destined to end up with nothing. As she shivered violently, the smile on Alexander''s face gradually disappeared.


    In the next moment, Alexander pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her so fiercely it was as if he intended to meld her into his very being. His tone softened, and he murmured, "Don''t be afraid. Just be the obedient girl you once were, and everything will be fine."


    His scent, a faint, crisp fragrance, was her favorite. She had once heard that gardenias symbolized a lifelong wait. She had fallen in love with the scent of gardenias, and whenever he wore the clothes she hadundered, carrying the scent of those blooms, she felt as if he truly loved her.


    The world was never short of tragic souls, especially those who deceived themselves. They were the most pitiable. Alexander loosened the necktie, cradling her face in his hands to wipe away her tears.


    Quinn didn''t want to look at him. At times, he seemed schizophrenic, unpredictable, and moody. Each time she thought he was on the brink of an outburst, he would suppress his turbulent emotions as if nothing had happened. Just like now, cupping her face, he gazed into her eyes with all seriousness. His voice turned gentle, "Let''s have a child. Do you like kids?" Quinn''s eyelids quivered ever so slightly. She suddenly looked up to meet his enigmatic gaze. Alexander said earnestly, "I mean it." Instantly, a chilling sensation swept through her. An immense sorrow surged in her throat, her eyes burning hot, limbs numb with cold. She parted her lips, a heaviness flooding her chest with every breath that ached.Quinn raised her hand as if to gesture, but what could she gesture about? ''Our child is gone. Why didn''t you save him? Why do you want a child now?''