I Refuse

After tending to Alexander’s injury, Evelyn studied his face intently, searching for any flicker of discomfort.

How could he be so unaffected? The gash was deep, the blood loss significant. He should have been in agony.

Yet he only released a soft sigh, as if it were nothing. Lost in her thoughts, she continued to stare.

Alexander noticed her gaze. A faint smile touched his lips. "Something on your mind, Evelyn?"

She blinked, returning to the present. Her brow arched slightly. "Are you certain your pain receptors are functioning normally?"

He paused briefly before answering, his voice even. "I've endured far worse. This is trivial."

His words summoned the memory of the harsh treatment he'd suffered from his own family. It explained his incredible tolerance. A pang of sympathy struck her.

She glanced around, shifting the subject. "Where is Cassandra?"

Alexander responded casually. "She complained of leg pain. I had someone escort her to the hospital."

He hesitated a moment, then added, "She won't be returning tonight."

Evelyn froze, surprised. "Why not?"

"I've made other arrangements for her," he said, his tone turning serious as his eyes met hers. "Evelyn, please don't misinterpret this. I give you my word, I will maintain distance from Cassandra from now on. Can you cease being angry with me?"

Before she could reply, he quickly continued, "And it's not just her. I will keep my distance from all other women."

A playful grin spread across his face. "From this moment forward, only you, Evelyn, are permitted to be near me."

Evelyn was momentarily stunned, captivated by the warmth in his smile.

Though Alexander's promise echoed something Julian had once said, the contrast was stark. When Julian learned of her insecurities, he hadn't offered comfort. He'd accused her of being irrational.

But Alexander... Alexander didn't judge or dismiss her feelings. His promise felt sincere. Unwavering.

A strange, unfamiliar emotion stirred in her chest.

Her heart began to race despite her efforts to remain calm.

"Then... what about your work?" she found herself asking, curiosity overriding caution. "You'll always have female business partners, won't you?"

Without a moment's hesitation, he answered, "I refuse to do business with them."

His response was so abrupt, so absolute, that a laugh burst from her before she could stop it.

Alexander watched her, confused by her reaction but feeling a wave of relief nonetheless. She was laughing.

"What's so amusing?" he asked, a slight frown forming. "You don't believe me?"

Before she could speak, he pulled his phone from his pocket. "I'll call right now. I'll terminate every partnership with female clients."

Evelyn froze, startled by his seriousness. She quickly reached out, stopping his hand. "Alexander, you must be joking."

But his expression remained resolute. "Evelyn, I am completely serious."

"Alright, alright," she conceded with a sigh. "Fine, I believe you. Enough of this theatrics."

She pushed the phone back into his pocket, a mix of exasperation and amusement swirling within her. "Alexander, sometimes I truly wonder about your sanity."

Her brow furrowed. "This is a matter between us. There's no need to involve outsiders. And vowing to avoid all women? It's excessive."

She continued, her tone firming. "Besides, how can you cancel business agreements over something like this? Your partners have done nothing wrong. If you start reneging on deals so capriciously, who will want to work with you in the future? Alexander, have you considered the damage to your reputation?"