Ross, caught in the middle of their antics, felt overwhelmed. These were the children he had watched grow up, now engaging in inappropriate behavior in the back seat of the car he was driving.

It was too much for him to handle.

Understanding her sarcasm, he drove them back to the villa without further comment.

Upon arriving, Alexis stepped out of the car promptly.

The villa was silent, the clock striking 10 pm. As she reached the second floor, Leonel suddenly scooped her up and carried her into his bedroom.

Caught off guard by his boldness, especially in their own home, Alexis stood her ground as the door shut behind them.

She prepared to offer a quick solution, “Leonel, if you're really this horny, I can help you with my-—"

But he wouldn't let her finish.

Leonel pressed her against the door, his head lowered close to hers.

He sought her lips but kept the kiss gentle, not deepening it. His voice was rough yet sincere as he spoke against her lips.

“Alexis, let's have a proper talk."

Alexis firmly pushed Leonel away. She walked across the room, filled with a distinctly masculine scent, to the floor-to-ceiling window.

Opening it, she looked out over the courtyard she had known since childhood. Everything was so familiar, yet so distant now.

In a low voice, she addressed Leonel, "You can't just come and go as you please. The world doesn't work like that! Yes, you might have come back and you might still have feelings for me. But what does that matter? Your pursuit feels like a burden to me now. Frankly, it's disrupting my life."

Leonel approached her slowly, listening as she continued, “Before you came back, I was doing just fine on my own. A woman doesn't need to be married to live a fulfilling life."

He was well aware of this.

Alexis, with her status, had the liberty to lead whatever life she chose, surrounded by anyone she desired.

Yet, despite how selfish or shameless it might seem, Leonel couldn't bear the thought of letting her go.

He wrapped his arm around her, resting his face against her slender shoulder.

Alexis let out a light sigh.