So after this farce, when I got home, Alec grabbed my wrist and said to me in a teaching tone:

"You were too ignorant today. You don't have the grace of Mrs. Carlisle at all!"

I was about to speak, but Alec dragged me to the basement of another mansion.

He left me in the cold, pitch-black basement, giving me only a blanket and pillow.

"You can reflect on your behavior here."

With that, he walked away, leaving me alone.

I stayed in that basement for an entire week.

During that time, apart from the maid bringing food, Alec never came to check on me once.

Alec carried me out of the basement.

The long-missed sunlight felt warm on my skin.

I squinted my eyes, saying nothing.

Seeing me so calm, Alec furrowed his brow.

"Do you understand what you did wrong?"

"Mm-hmm."

I nodded obediently.

Seeing that I didn't argue like before, Alec felt something was off.

As if trying to make amends, he tightened his arms, holding me close to his chest.

As we walked, he said:

"Making you reflect was for your own good. I've just been too busy lately, that's why I couldn't come see you in the basement."

I knew he was trying to explain himself to me.I also knew that he sensed something was off with me.

For someone like Alec, accustomed to being in a position of power, bowing his head to explain things simply didn't exist. No matter what happened, I was always the first to lower my head.

In the past, he would punish me when I did something wrong, but it was never like this time, punishing me for Isadora's sake.

So my heart had already died the moment he locked me in the basement for Isadora.

Carrying me back to the room, Alec wanted to bathe me himself, but I refused.

After finishing my shower and walking out of the bathroom, I found Alec was still there.

Seeing me come out, he took out a luxury scarf and handed it to me, saying it was a gift to compensate me.

To make up for his physical punishment.

Looking at the scarf in Alec's hand, I recognized it as a limited edition from a certain brand.

But my eyes gradually welled up with tears.

Because this scarf was something Isadora had posted about on social media, saying she didn't want it anymore.

"I've long stopped liking luxury goods. They're so thoughtless. Might as well give them to the homeless!"

"Now I prefer everything handmade. It's not only cute but also full of sentiment. Look, this is the half-finished scarf my boyfriend is knitting for me. I believe it'll be done soon!"Because Isadora didn't like it, Alec took it back and gave it to me.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed a pink handmade knitted scarf on the nearby table, nearly finished.

This scarf was the same half-finished one Isadora had posted on her social media.

Just because Isadora mentioned she liked it, Alec, that high-and-mighty man, was knitting this cute, childish scarf for her with his own hands.

Because of knitting the scarf, Alec didn't have time to see me in the basement.

Suddenly, I remembered that during my time with Alec, I would often share handmade gift ideas I was interested in on WhatsApp, clearly hinting that I wanted them too.

However, every time I made such a request, Alec would refuse.

He said I was childish and immature, asking why I wanted something just because I saw others wanting it.

Back then, not only did I not get angry, but I even understood that he couldn't do such childish things.

It's only now that I realize, he didn't actually think these things were childish, he just didn't want to do them for me.

In front of someone you truly love, you'll go out of your way to fulfill their smallest requests.

So Alec loves Isadora, but not me.

"What's wrong? Don't you like it?"

I took the scarf from his hand and forced a smile:

"I do."

Hearing that I liked it, Alec finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Why do you look so pale? Are you feeling alright?"

Just as I was about to respond, we were interrupted by the sound of a ringing phone.

"Alec, I want to see the new horror movie. Can you come over and watch it with me?"

"I'll be right there."

It was Isadora's voice.

Alec thought I hadn't heard, and went on lying.

"Faye, something's come up at the office. I need to head over there."

He picked up his jacket, ready to leave.

I quickly spoke up: "I think I have a fever."

I thought telling him I wasn't feeling well would make him stay, but Alec didn't hesitate for a moment, just tossing out a response.

"Have the driver take you to the hospital."

With that, he hurriedly left.

Watching his silhouette disappear through the doorway, I felt a lump in my throat.

Hiding the sorrow in my eyes, I didn't hesitate any longer. I took out my phone and sent a message to my dad.

"Dad, I've decided not to get married."Dad seemed surprised by my sudden change of heart about getting married at the last minute, and asked with concern what had happened.

I didn't say anything, just that I was tired.

Dad guessed a little of what was going on and sighed.

"Honey, when you first said you wanted to marry into the Carlisle family, I agreed because I only want you to be happy. But if you're not happy, then come back home."

My eyes welled up with tears and I began to cry silently.

Dad eventually arranged for a driver to take me back to Frost Manor a week later.

Because I had caught a cold, I developed a high fever that night.

In my feverish haze, the fresh scent of gardenias wafted around my nose.

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital bed.

The first thing I saw was Alec's worried face.

"Are you feeling any better?"

He frowned, his palm naturally coming to rest on my forehead.

"Still a bit warm."

Seeing the concern in his eyes, I turned my head away.

Realizing I might be blaming him for not caring about me, Alec began to explain:

"I'm sorry, Faye. I've been so busy with work that I didn't notice you weren't feeling well."

Right, busy meeting Isadora, busy watching horror movies with her.Seeing that I didn't respond to him, Alec felt an inexplicable sense of unease rising in his heart.

He wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by the sound of a ringtone.

It was Isadora calling again.

This time she was crying, saying she had scraped her hand. Although it wasn't bleeding, it really hurt.

Her whiny voice immediately caused Alec's expression to change to one of panic.

He patiently comforted Isadora on the other end of the phone, saying he'd be right over.

"Faye, I..."

"Go ahead."

I still didn't turn to look at him, and felt no emotional response whatsoever.

"Really?"

"Mm-hmm."

Getting my confirmation, Alec immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"Faye, you know, Isadora's health isn't good and she just got back to the country..."

"I'm feeling dizzy. You should hurry and go."

I cut off his words, not wanting to hear his pointless explanations.

Alec was taken aback.

Maybe I was too calm, making him feel strange.

After all, in this kind of situation before, I definitely would have interrogated him about where he was going and why he wasn't staying with me.

But why was I suddenly like this today?