23 The elevator ascended , stopping at the forty - sixth floor penthouse . " Just here is fine . Go back and continue celebrating with them . " I said , then turned slowly , unlocking the door . Just as I was about to step inside , someone grabbed my wrist , pulled me forcefully into their embrace , and pushed me tumbling through the doorway . I stumbled , and Jax Ryder and I landed on the sofa together . No lights were on inside ; it was pitch black . < But the city lights shining through the floor - to - ceiling windows perfectly illuminated the contours of his face in the darkness . " Why aren't you speaking , Sister ? " Jax Ryder spoke near my lips . " You're so smart , you must have guessed it long ago , right ? " " Guessed what ? " " Guessed that after your divorce from Thome was exposed , all those speculations and discussions about our relationship online were guided by me . " He leaned in even closer , his lips almost touching mine . I was silent for a moment , my reason gradually returning from the haze of drunkenness . " I did guess , but I don't understand what your objective was in doing all this . " He suddenly flipped over , his long leg striding across my waist , straddling me . " From beginning to end , I only had one goal : to be with you . But you've clearly been avoiding me . " " That night , you said we were just a fling , not a relationship . " " So I decided to show you that the whole world supports us being in love . " He continued speaking , leaning down . The distance closed , inch by inch , as he pressed against me , rubbing his cheek against mine . " Whether it's making a mistake or faking it till it's real , I just want to like you ." " The more I liked you , the more I hated Alex Thorne . Even if you were only nominally married , how dare he possess you for four years ? So I found a way to put him behind bars . " < 2 % My fingers ran through his soft hair , tightening slightly . The boy looked up , his neck muscles taut , his Adam's apple prominent , beautiful yet vulnerable . I softly asked : " I thought you'd hate me . " " What if I did ? When I woke up , the first thought that came to mind was still wanting to be with you ." " I looked into some of your past , and I know how incredibly difficult it was for you to even stand before me . " " No matter what , some basic decorum should still be- " " Eve , there are very few people in this world as strong and determined as you ." " I'm even grateful that when you first decided to indulge your desires , you chose me ." " No title is fine . If you only desire me and don't love me , that's fine too . " His kisses traced the lines of my body downwards , leaving a trail of broken , moist marks that reflected the moonlight . Everything , in this dimly lit night, flowed , just ambiguously enough . Even the hidden wildness in his bones became less secret . Like two train cars coupled on a track , Jax Ryder held me , and we stumbled towards the window . Leaning against the glass , we looked at the moon . " Sister , hold on tight … " After a long , wet kiss , my gaze , filled with drunkenness and desire , drifted out the window . in the < After a long , wet kiss , my gaze , filled with drunkenness and desire , drifted out the window . From the forty - sixth floor , it felt close enough to touch the moon , and I could take in the entire city's scenery and lights . In my gradually drifting thoughts , countless past fragments flashed through my mind . That pink light that had shone for so many years , the swaying curtain where glimpses of lewd scenes were occasionally caught . The dense , cramped apartment building , the narrow gaps , the winter snow that lingered , not quite melting away even in spring , trampled into mud . I had looked up from those dark alleyways , unable to even see a full moon in the night sky . From that moment on , my heart held only a craving for power and ambition . But when did it start , that I would occasionally long for Jax Ryder's gaze , always so earnest and fervent when he looked at me ? The largest wave crashed violently against the rocks , scattering white foam . The hollowness in my chest was abruptly filled with a scorching heat . I gripped Jax Ryder's shoulders , taking two sharp breaths . My vision blurred with tears . He gazed at me , raising a hand to brush my sweat - damp , messy hair behind my ear . His voice hoarse , he spoke : " Spring is about to end , Eve . " " Now , I give you my heart . " " And your heart can be forever free ."