Behind me, her breathy voice wouldn't stop: "The doctor said babies need sunlight. And last time we had so much fun here... there are still marks from us on the glass."
"I've got even more exciting things we haven't tried yet."
"I heard there's a typhoon coming. Lightning and thunder—that's what makes it romantic..."
She'd learned fast. Every word I said yesterday, parroted back perfectly.
Today she wore a pure white dress, but her moves were shameless. She bit Alex's ear and whispered to him right in front of me, not taking me seriously at all.
He didn't agree right away. But his throat bobbed—clearly tempted.
I tucked away the mockery in my eyes and reminded him, staking my claim: "Alex. Did you forget what you promised me?"
This house was my father's legacy.
Back then, Alex had been penniless—the most invisible intern under my father. Because of me, he was kept close and taught everything.
My family's business became his foundation. He mortgaged this property for capital and inherited every connection my father left behind.
He made it. Five years ago, he tore down the old house and rebuilt it. He said he wanted to erase the bad memories, and so I could wake up to the ocean, he had an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling glass custom-made for my bedroom. After that, he set up one little love nest after another outside.
But we both understood without saying: no matter how he played around, those women would never set foot in this house.
This is what the media in Harbor City call my last shred of dignity. Whoever holds this place holds the title of Mrs. Fleming.
So all his women—just like Lily—want to replace me and move in here.
No matter how favored the previous ones were, none of them ever stepped foot inside this house.
She's the first.
Lily played along, leaning into his arms. Maybe because of what I said yesterday, she was even bolder now, teasing Alex right in front of me. I watched the veins on his forehead bulge—that's what it looked like when he was barely holding back.
I knew he'd agree.
His tastes were... particular. It was rare for him to find a woman so willing to play along.
He also knew I wouldn't leave.
Sure enough, the next second he wrapped an arm around me and, in his gentlest voice, said the cruelest thing:
"Honey, she likes it here, so just give it to her. You stay downstairs; upstairs is hers. For the next few months, you'll take good care of Lily."