Chapter 2

When I first married him, Xavier had no interest in me.

He was cold and emotionless.

On our wedding night, he still wore his suit, sitting upright, frankly telling me he didn't go near women and wouldn't touch me.

The very next day after the wedding, he went on a business trip to negotiate a major project and didn't return for half a year.

But I was anxious.

Without sparks of passion, how could I conveniently be heartless later?

So I was gentle and considerate, deliberately seductive.

Finally, on the day of his triumphant return at the celebration banquet, I secretly made him drink spiked wine and seduced him into sleeping with me.

In his early twenties, after his first taste of such matters, Xavier became addicted.

They say bloodlust and possessiveness go hand in hand---I deeply agreed.

Though I found pleasure in suffering, I couldn't help complaining.

"Mr. Xavier doesn't go near women, so why does he spend every night with me?"

He asked in surprise, "I don't go near women, I only go near my own wife. Married life is natural and proper---what's wrong with that?"

I was speechless, secretly praying in my heart for early liberation.

Everyone said Xavier was so cold and heartless because he harbored a first love he'd cherished for years.

Only after his first love married someone else did he marry me in a fit of spite.

To maintain my infatuated persona, I often clung to Xavier coquettishly.

"Other women all have them, so I should too. You've never given me a token of love."

This day, he surprisingly caught on and brought me back a diamond-studded Cartier bracelet.

I was very happy.

When he wasn't looking, I secretly bit it---sure enough, it was solid.

So valuable.

He stared at me intently.

"What are you thinking about?"

I coughed lightly, inexplicably feeling guilty.

"Thinking about you."

"I'm right in front of you every day. What do you need to think about me for?"

I met his scrutinizing gaze without hesitation, pretending to be wronged.

"You've accomplished great things, and now your career is thriving. More and more women will surround you. What if one day you look down on me, find me dull and boring---what will I do?"

Xavier lowered his eyes, reached out with two fingers to gently pinch the soft flesh of my cheek, and suddenly smiled.

"Having you is enough for me. More than that would be too much to handle."

I froze, discovering for the first time that his smile was actually quite attractive.

Especially those long eyes hidden behind his full beard---like a hawk's, piercing straight into the heart.

Before I could react, my body was already lifted horizontally by him beyond my control, and even before my clothes were fully removed, I was pressed face-down onto the bed.

His fingers were long and beautiful, covering my broken whimpers, his burning chest pressed tightly against my back.

With fingers intertwined, consciousness gradually sank and rose in the sea of desire.

I thought with a flushed face that in the future, without this bittersweet pleasure, I'd inevitably reminisce.

Until this day, he returned from a three-month business trip and came to discuss with me seriously.

"Nat, I need to bring someone to stay at home temporarily. She has nowhere to go."

Only then did I learn that after Mr. Sutton failed in the northern market and died suddenly of a heart attack, his wife was brought back to this city by Xavier.

That person was his first love---Rebecca White, daughter of the Group's HR Director.

Fair-skinned and beautiful, talented and stunning, she once had countless rich young masters at her feet.

Later, she married Xavier's colleague, Mr. Sutton of Weiyuan Company, and became Xavier's lifelong regret.

That Xavier liked her didn't surprise me at all.

After all, he worked under the HR Director in his early years and had occasional contact with Rebecca White.

One glance captured his heart---completely reasonable.

My lips trembled lightly, unable to suppress my excitement.

"You're bringing her here?"

Xavier shook his head.

"Just temporarily. The Sutton family home caught fire earlier and hasn't been repaired yet. Her family won't take in a widow, so she wants to stay here for a few days."

"I'll arrange for her to stay in the guest room next to yours. What do you think, Natalie?"

How considerate of him to discuss it with me so politely---how could I not accommodate his wishes?

I shook my head tactfully.

"I'm afraid of noise. Let Miss White stay in the guest room on the other side instead."

Xavier nodded.

"That works. Won't disturb me and my wife's intimate time."

When Rebecca White came back, everyone in their circle said I was about to fall out of favor, that Xavier would definitely keep a mistress.

Even Rebecca White herself thought so.

The day she returned, wearing a plain white dress, she looked like a beauty in distress---breathtakingly gorgeous.

"I'll be staying with you from now on. I'm afraid I'll be intruding."

I waved my hands repeatedly.

"No intrusion at all. Feel free to reminisce with my husband whenever you have time. No need to worry about me."

Rebecca White smiled disdainfully.

"Of course I'll reminisce with Xavier. No need for an outsider like you to remind me."

In her eyes, I was just a gentle, dull, flattering, vulgar woman who fawned over Xavier.

But she didn't know that inside, my heart was growing more excited the more I calculated.

This day was finally coming.