Chapter 3

Vanessa returned alone to her empty apartment. Moonlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting broken shadows across the floor. She numbly peeled away the blood-soaked bandages and hastily treated the wound on her waist. Then, she walked over to the cabinet and pulled out a small metal box hidden deep in the drawer. Inside were all the little things that reminded her of Matthias, which included an old movie ticket, a button, and a few faded photographs. She gently traced the man's gentle smile in the photos, her fingertips trembling slightly. "Wait a little longer for me, Matthias... I'll be able to see you very soon." Her phone buzzed suddenly, the screen lighting up with Alexander's name. He ordered, "Go buy some of Lucille's favorite desserts and drop them off at Blue Lagoon Club." The call was cut off abruptly, not even giving her a chance to refuse. Outside, rain was pouring down. Vanessa stood by the window for a moment, then silently picked up an umbrella and walked into the storm. She waited in line at the famous dessert shop for nearly an hour. By the time she bought the desserts Lucille had specifically requested, her whole body was stiff from the cold. When she arrived at the club, her hair was still dripping wet. Lucille took the dessert bag and looked Vanessa up and down, completely soaked. Then, she suddenly chuckled. "I've always heard people in our circle say that you obey Alexander's every command, but I've never believed it." She turned to Alexander and added, "Looks like the rumors were spot on." Alexander sat on the lounge couch, his long legs crossed as amber liquor swirled in his crystal glass. He looked up and glanced at Vanessa, his expression unreadable. Lucille took a bite of the dessert, but then frowned. "It's too sweet. I don't want this." She looked at Vanessa and said with an innocent tone, "Nessa, could you buy from another shop? I remember that one isn't as sweet." Vanessa was silent for two seconds before nodding. "Okay." Then, she turned and walked back into the rain. When she returned the second time, Lucille shook her head again. "This one's not fresh enough..." The third time, she complained, "It tastes off. Did you go to the right place?" By the fourth run, Vanessa was soaked through. Her fingertips were pale from the cold, and every breath she took carried a chill. Lucille finally stopped nitpicking and smiled sweetly. "Thanks, Nessa." Then, she snuggled into Alexander's arms and purred, "Alexander, I've thought of the 98th thing I want you to do." "What is it?" Alexander's voice was low and gentle. "I want you to finish all the alcohol on this table," Lucille said. The air instantly froze. Alexander's friends suddenly stood up, their chairs scraping dully against the carpet. "Lucille, are you insane? Don't you know Alex is allergic to alcohol?" "I know, but I just want a man who loves me wholeheartedly. If he's allergic but still willing to drink for me, doesn't that prove his love?" Lucille blinked innocently. Someone couldn't take it anymore and slammed the table. "Lucille! Last time, Alexander fought a pro fighter for you and broke two ribs! The time before that, he nearly broke his leg skydiving for you! Isn't that enough proof? "How far are you going to push this? Do you have to torment Alex until he stops loving you to be satisfied?" Lucille's eyes welled with tears as she clung to Alexander's sleeve, looking pitiful. "Alexander, I didn't mean it like that. I just—" "I'll drink." Alexander had already picked up his glass, and as his Adam's apple bobbed, he drained the amber liquid in one gulp. His pale skin immediately flushed with an unhealthy red, and his breathing became heavy. "Alexander!" everyone cried out in alarm. Just as he reached for the second glass, a slender figure suddenly blocked his path. Vanessa snatched the drink from his hand, her fingers white from how tightly she held it. "Move aside," Alexander growled, his voice hoarse. "You're allergic to alcohol. If you die, you won't be able to love her anymore. Do you really want that?" Then, she turned to Lucille. "One glass is enough to prove his love. Any more and the allergic reaction could kill him. So, I'll drink the rest." Lucille seemed convinced by her words and pouted. "Fine. If you want to drink, then drink." Vanessa pulled the allergy medication from her coat pocket and shoved it into Alexander's hand before he could argue. Then, she picked up the bottle and tilted her head back, downing it. The liquor burned down her throat like fire, and she forced down the urge to vomit, drinking bottle after bottle. The entire private room fell silent, with only the sound of liquid sliding down her throat. Alexander clutched the medication, his knuckles white. He watched Vanessa's pale profile, and his chest suddenly ached with a suffocating pain. All these years, she had always been like this, silently standing in front of him and taking on all the harm for him. He had thought he felt nothing about her sacrifices, but at this moment, his throat felt blocked when he saw her pale complexion. He irritably loosened his tie, trying to ignore the strange emotion in his heart. And he told himself over and over again that he liked Lucille, not Vanessa. And it could never be Vanessa!