The bedroom and the guest room were divided by just a single wall. Her heart had slowly turned cold. Just as the light was pulled down past the horizon by the encroaching night, everything had disappeared.

    Vespera had showered and was lying on the bed, prepared to drift off to sleep. She closed her eyes, attempting to steady her breathing.

    Yet, just as she was on the verge of slumber, a particr male charmer slowly began to infiltrate her thoughts. He stirred her heart and even disrupted her breath. In frustration, she rolled onto her side.

    At the same time, she reminded herself to stop thinking about him. The following day, she would adopt a new mantra, which was to be tough-hearted!

    She convinced herself as she thought. "Exactly! He was just a man who had been attractive and smelled nice, and she had liked him on a few asions. I certainly wouldn''t have been upset or concerned about him! It''s time to sleep!"

    Cuddling the pillow, she settled into the mostfortable position and drifted off to sleep.

    48 minutester... The bed shook. Without any prior indication, the woman who had been lying still jolted upright in bed.

    Her eyes appeared dull and vacant. Her hair was disheveled, and she gazed forward with an unfocused stare, as if something had taken control of her.

    After sitting on the bed for some time, she got up and left the room. She snatched the car keys, and hurried toward the door.

    She was so furious, ready to lose her temper at any moment. If she hadn''t managed to open the door on time, she might have kicked it down in her fury. The "human volcano" exited the house.

    She was sprinting toward the elevator when a glimpse of something ck in the elevator doorway made her halt abruptly.

    Outside the door, Dominic sat on his suitcase and leaned against the wall. His arms were folded over his chest, and his eyes were as icy as a snow-capped peak enveloped in thick evening mist. His gaze carried an air of chill, akin to ayer of fog.

    Yet, when this cold mist encountered the volcano, it faded into a gentle morning glow. Simultaneously, the volcano was soothed by this well-timed rain from above. Their gazes locked, and a gentle, sweet scent slowly enveloped the surroundings. At the stroke of midnight, as if their souls were caught between ice and fire, it felt like a fragrant fruit had just burst open, refreshing the entire world. Breathing became easier.

    Vespera stood still, gripping the car keys tightly. The sudden wave of emotions left her slightly lightheaded.

    "Where are you heading?" Dominic''s voice, deep and rough from prolonged restraint, broke the silence.

    Vespera was just as unsure about her destination. She hesitated and said, "I... I''m just going for a drive."

    Dominic chuckled dryly, "Oh, a drive. I half-expected you to storm upstairs andmit a theft."

    Vespera remained silent. Approaching him hesitantly, she asked, "When did you arrive? Why didn''t you knock?"

    Dominic gazed at her, tenderly caressing her cheek with the back of his hand.

    "I was waiting for Vespera to open the door for me," he said, his voice as soft as a

    breeze that gently pushed open the window before her.

    At that moment of vulnerability, before she could muster the strength to resist and secure the stainless steel anti-theft window, she was once again drawn to the stunning yet almost surreal view outside, enticing her to lean out and glimpse at the world''s most perilous scene.

    Flustered, Vespera pulled his hand down and looked away. Stammering with an exnation, she said, "I''m not..."

    He gently lifted her chin, bringing his face close. His cold lips pressed against

    hers, silently telling her he''d waited outside her door a long time.

    He waited patiently for her to open the door-not by knocking or using force. Even if he had to stand

    outside in the chilly air, he wouldn et

    continue to wait. Vespera hesitated briefly before giving in to hiso passionate kiss.

    Her hands gradually moved around his back, and as she felt his warmth and breath, she realized that one day this charming man might drive her insane...

    No, she was already beginning to lose herposure. They lingered at the entrance, kissing for a long time. Sensing his desire for more and his unwillingness to let go, she yfully nipped at him, prompting him to pause.

    He released her and asked, "Do you still want to go for a drive?"