Chapter 6

In the darkness, Alder's footsteps drew closer. Zoe instinctively inched toward the door, only to hear his low, deep voice again. "Elara? What are you doing in my room? Didn't I say there's no need to rush things between us? We'll share a bed after marriage." That was when she realized he hadn't turned on the lights and had taken her for someone else. She bit her lip hard and forced herself to stay calm. Mimicking Elara's voice, she said, "I-I'll leave right away…" Just as she turned to leave, he suddenly grabbed her waist from behind. "Wait." Then, he yanked her into his arms. His chest pressed tightly against her back, and his warm breath brushed against her ear as he murmured, "What perfume are you wearing today? You smell amazing…" She gulped hard and stayed silent. The next second, he turned her face toward him and kissed her. That kiss was fierce and overpowering, smelling of champagne and giving off that all-too-familiar sense of possessiveness. He was just like before… Zoe was briefly stunned, and by the time she returned to her senses, he'd scooped her up and tossed her onto the bed. "Didn't we agree to do it after the wedding?" she asked in a trembling voice. Alder kissed her along her collarbone feverishly and muttered, "I changed my mind." Realizing that he was being serious, she struggled to get up and panickedly pushed him away. He frowned, as if sensing something was off, and reached for the light switch. Zoe's blood ran cold. If Alder saw her face and realized it was her, that shock might make him remember everything. Zoe grabbed his hand in a hurry. "Don't! Don't turn on the lights." It was such a simple gesture, but he groaned softly in frustration. Sure enough, he gave up on the switch and intertwined his fingers with hers to kiss her even more deeply. His kisses grew more intense as his hand roamed through every inch of her skin, as if confirming something. "Elara, you once told me I loved you like crazy before I lost my memory, and I didn't believe you," he murmured, biting her earlobe. His movements suddenly softened as if filled with some deep, regained reverence. "But now… I do." That night, she bit her lip and shut her eyes as he demanded her again and again. His kisses burned, and his breathing was labored as he kept going. … By dawn the next day, Zoe felt like her entire body had been shattered and pieced back together. Her waist ached so badly she could barely sit up straight. Alder was still asleep. His breathing was steady and peaceful, while his brows were relaxed, as if last night's madness had been nothing but a dream. She dressed quietly and kept all her movements light for fear of waking him. But just as she was about to leave, the door was pushed open. "It's time to get up, Alder. Didn't you promise to have breakfast with me—" Elara's voice cut off abruptly. Standing at the door, her smile froze, and her pupils constricted sharply. Then, she lunged forward and slapped Zoe hard across the face. The crisp sound was deafening in the silent room. "Weren't you supposed to be with the beggar? How did you end up here? How could you shamelessly try to seduce him again?" she hissed in a voice shaking with rage. Zoe's cheeks burned with pain. She opened her mouth and was about to explain, but Elara clasped her hand over Zoe's mouth. "Shut up!" She glanced nervously at the bed where Alder was beginning to stir. Then, she turned to the guards at the door and snapped, "Send her back to the Holt residence! Now!" Two guards rushed in and grabbed Zoe by the arms before dragging her out with brute force. She tried to struggle, only to have their grip tighten on her. When they hauled her out the door, she looked back one last time. Elara had taken off her jacket. Dressed in a flimsy nightgown, she slipped into Alder's arms. Lost in sleep, he instinctively wrapped an arm around her waist.