Alanis dragged Harlow up the stairs, his grip firm but not forceful, until they arrived at his private study. He opened the door, pulled her inside, and closed it with a decisive click.
Harlow, as if coming back to her senses, immediately yanked her hand free from his grasp, her green eyes blazing with defiance.
"Don't think for a second," she began sharply, "that just because you helped me out there, I'll change my mind about the divorce."
Alanis leaned against the door, a faint, almost amused smile playing on his lips. Are you deliberately using this method to anger me and to arouse my interest... Wife?" His tone was teasing, playful, a sharp contrast to the cold detachment she'd always known from him.
In all the years she married him, he has never addressed her as his wife.
"Why would I do that?" Harlow snapped. She hated him, despised every fiber of his being. She wasn't here for his attention; she was here for revenge.
He didn't answer. Instead, he pushed off the door and started toward her.
Harlow instinctively stepped back, but he kept advancing, a predator closing in on his prey. Her movements were clumsy, hesitant, until she felt the edge of his large desk press against her hips. Her escape was cut off.
Alanis stopped only when he was mere inches away, his frame towering over her. He placed his hands on either side of the desk, caging her in.
"A transparent nightdress for breakfast," he murmured, his voice low and smooth. "The little stunt you pulled with my family…"
His head dipped closer, and Harlow's breath hitched. She could feel the heat radiating off him, his scent, a heady mix of cedarwood and something darker, invading her senses. Her pulse raced erratically, betraying her.
"I… I…" she stammered, her mind scrambling for words.
"Were you trying to seduce me, wife?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, the warmth of his breath brushing against her ear.
"I... I wasn't" she blurted, but her voice cracked, and the blush creeping up her neck betrayed her unease. For the first time, Harlow was lost of words. She had planned her revenge and was grateful that Alanis wouldn't be around her so she could easily divorce him, but what she never imagined was her aloof husband trying to seduce her?
Alanis leaned back slightly, his dark eyes studying her. "Because if you were," he said with a smirk, "you might have succeeded."
Harlow froze, her heart slamming against her ribcage.
Before she could respond, Alanis pushed away from the desk, releasing her from the invisible chains of his presence.
The room seemed to tilt as she tried to process what had just happened. This was not the Alanis she remembered. The man who had despised her, ignored her, humiliated her at every turn. This Alanis was different.
She had no idea what her life would be like if she ended up with the Alanis that seemed to love her.
Would she end up the same?
Will her family lose their wealth too?
Harlow frowned at her thoughts, she shouldn't have these thoughts over a man that had hurt her in her previous life.
"I'm not granting you that divorce," he said, his voice cutting through her thoughts.
His words snapped her out of her haze, and her anger flared again. "And what makes you think I'll stay married to you?"
Alanis sat in his chair, leaning back with an air of confidence that only infuriated her further. "Because you've been obsessed with me since high school. You cannot live without me."
Harlow's eyes widened in shock, How confident... Harlow thought. And then she laughed bitterly. "Don't flatter yourself, Mr. Hamilton. I'll have those divorce papers sent tomorrow."
His smirk faltered, but only for a moment. "You proposed the marriage. You begged us to be together. And now you're backing out?"
"Because I was stupid!" she shot back, her voice rising. "Stupid enough to marry a man who's ugly, so ugly. I hate everything about you." He chuckled darkly, rising from where he sat. He started walking and only stopped when he was standing Infront of her again.
Harlow this time, wasn't moved anymore. She would guide her heart and removed whatever feelings she had for this man. She hated him and it would stay that way.
Alanis leaned forward, his gaze locking onto hers. "Tell me," he said, his voice soft but loaded with intensity, "if I kissed you right now, would your heart race for me?" His words took her off guard.
K... Kiss?
Alanis never proposed a kiss in her past life...
What's going on?
Harlow's breath caught, and her chest tightened.
She opened her mouth to speak but found herself unable to form the words.
Alanis didn't wait for a response. He leaned in closer, he blew air into her parted lips and she quickly shut it. His lips brushed against hers ever so lightly. not a kiss, but a taunt. Her pulse thundered in her ears.
"Congratulations, Miss Blackwood," he murmured, his voice dripping with mockery. "You've caught my attention."
Harlow's hands clenched into fists at her sides as she fought to steady her breathing. Her heart was a traitor, pounding in her chest as though it didn't remember the pain this man had caused her.
"Well, congratulations to you too, Mr. Hamilton," she finally managed, her voice icy despite the chaos in her chest. "The divorce papers will be sent tomorrow."
Alanis's expression darkened, his teasing mask slipping for a moment. "Fine," he said curtly, placing his hands back in his pocket. "But don't come running back to me."
"I won't," she bit out.
A knock at the door broke the tense silence.
"Come in," Alanis said, not bothering to move from his position.
Jane had never thought she would walk in to a man and a woman in this intimate position. she never thought she would witness the devastating scene before her. She felt faint.
The tray of tea in her hands fell to the floor, the glass shattering and hot tea spilling on her legs. She never imagined her young master had taken a liking towards this rude girl. Oh this is disturbing, she would have to relay the message to her mistress, she cannot let this happen.
It's best the Hamilton stop whatever marriage plan they have with the Blackwood, Alanis cannot be in love with that girl.
"I... I'm so sorry." She apologized sympathetically.
The distraction was enough for Harlow to slip away, her heart still racing as she fled the room. She didn't look back, didn't pause until she was far enough away to breathe.
Her hands trembled as she pressed them to her chest.
**This wasn't part of the plan.**
Alanis Hamilton wasn't supposed to notice her. He wasn't supposed to want her.
But worst of all, he wasn't supposed to make her feel anything at all.