[ Heh , you're damn right about that . ] [ The Green Farm really lives up to its name ; this flavor is absolutely amazing ! ] 20 vouchers [ Honestly , it's all thanks to that scumbag from yesterday . Shoutout to 1601 for the blessing . ] [ I hereby declare that starting today , I'm the official love guardian for the world's most perfect , drop - dead - gorgeous couple in 1601 ! No trash men allowed near them ! ] [ Love guardian +1 ] Love guardian +2 ] Love guardian +3 ] ***** Before Natasha even knew what hit her , the whole complex had Alexei permanently branded as her hubby . She just found it odd - today , her neighbors seemed unusually friendly . n just one morning , she received snacks , desserts , and all kinds of local specialties from several families . With the group chat flooded with messages , she didn't bother scrolling through them . Instead , she cratched her head in confusion and turned to Alexei . " So ... should we return the favor ? " Alexei , who knew exactly what was going on , watched her unwrapping surprise gifts like a little hamster and said calmly , " Nah , just neighborly exchanges . Feel free to enjoy them . " Natasha sighed . " Dude , you're blending into this neighborhood better than I am ." Seriously , listen to him - ' neighborly exchanges . ' Did he even remember whose house this was ? Whose neighbors were these ? As a guest crashing here , this squatter's acting more like the landlord than me ! ' she said to herself . Alexei chuckled , pinching her puffed cheek . " Got a problem with that ? Who cooks ? Who cleans ? Who does laundry ? Face it , Natasha . You can't do without me . " Natasha glared and swatted his hand away . " Hands off ! Keep your distance ! " She wanted to say she'd managed just fine all these years without him . But her animal instincts told her that things between them were getting a bit dangerous . 1/5 Chapter 23 20 vouchers . As someone with high defenses , she never imagined she could get so comfortable with a dangerous stranger in such a short time . And Alexei's behavior was confusing too . From how he interacted with Shawn and the others , she could vaguely sense that he acted differently around her . Something was quietly unfolding . " Alexei , when are you leaving ? " she asked . Alexei's smile instantly dropped , his gaze darkening as he stared at her . " Can't wait for me to leave ? What , just because your ex came around a few times , you're already itching to make space for him ? " Natasha gave him a weird look . " Are you being sarcastic ? " " I'm calling you out for having terrible taste in men . " " When did I say it was because of him ? " Alexei stared at her with a poker face . Natasha took a deep breath . " Let's keep things separate . I was just asking about your plans ; it has nothing to do with Lucas . I'm not the type to go back to my ex . " The moment I broke up with him , it was really over . " Not seeing him was also to avoid any lingering attachments . Natasha valued even the smallest gestures of kindness from others , but when she hardened her heart , she could be ruthlessly cold . Disappointment didn't pile up overnight ; the failed proposal was just the final straw . She had loved Lucas deeply , but his score in her book had long since hit zero . She wasn't about to retake a failed exam . Natasha looked at Alexei seriously . " You're like the prince of the Turner family . You can't possibly stay holed up in my tiny apartment forever . I've got my own mess to deal with , too , " Don't you think things between us are a little weird right now ? " She was blunt , but somehow , Alexei's mood suddenly brightened . " Natasha , you got some ulterior motives for me ? " he asked . Natasha rolled her eyes , " I allow you to have a little crush on me . " 2/5 4:30 pm PS Chapter 23 " Seriously , go get your brain checked . " 20 vouchers The two of them could never have a serious conversation for more than two minutes . Hard to imagine they were both known for being cold and quiet outside . " Mrs. Turner , you're being dishonest . Telling me to leave while seducing me like this . " Natasha followed his gaze and realized her pajamas had slipped while sitting down , revealing most of her curves . She was sitting on the carpet between the coffee table and the sofa , while Alexei lounged on the couch . From his position , it was all on display ... Quickly covering her chest , she belatedly glared at him in shock . " What nonsense are you spouting ? " With that distracting view now gone , Alexei leaned back on the sofa and shrugged . " You still don't know ? The whole neighborhood's talking about us being the perfect couple . They say we're a match made in heaven . " Five minutes later , a sharp scream followed by a loud smack landed on Alexei's chest . " What rumors have you been spreading about me ? " Natasha fumed . " Just doing a little good deed , as you can see . " Overnight , Natasha went from a freshly single woman to a married woman . She felt like the world was crumbling. " You'll just walk away when this is over . What about me ? " She was beyond frustrated . Since the topic had come up , Alexei didn't hide his intentions . " The best way to kill a rumor is to make it true , " he said . " What's that supposed to mean ? " Alexei leaned in closer . " Marry me . Miss Clark , I need a wife , and I think you're perfect . " " Why ? " He smiled without answering . " And what makes you think I'd say yes ? " " Cuz you need me too . The foster daughter of the Clark family kicked you out , stole your parents , 3/5 A & 4:30 pm P DDS Chapter 23 siblings , status , and even your grandma's heirlooms . Don't you hate her ? " 20 vouchers They sat at opposite ends of the couch , the faint flirtatious vibe from earlier gone , now more like two players in a high - stakes game . " Then you should know my history with her . I owe her . " Alexei shrugged it off . " Only the blind and dumb would think a 6 - year - old could take an adult's life . You can't tell me you've never doubted that story . And even if you're that naive , the one in the hospital right now shouldn't be Olivia . " Can't make up your mind ? " His sharp gaze seemed to pierce through her . " Cuz you know - verbal and physical fights are just child's play . If you declare war , you're not just up against Olivia anymore , but the entire Clark family backing her . " Strip away her support , crush her pride , and the Clark family won't walk away unscathed . " He stared into her dimmed eyes . " Miss Clark , you're too soft . The one who's too emotional always ends up losing the most . " The playful , gentle Alexei was gone . Now , pressing forward with cold precision , he finally resembled the ruthless , untouchable heir the rumors painted him to be . " Family's just a label . If they don't give you 100 % , their love ain't worth crap . " Miss Clark , the chance is right in front of you . Everything you couldn't do while being held back- just nod , and it's yours ." His voice was a whisper , like a devil's temptation . Before Natasha turned six , the Clark family adored her . After ? Their love was half - hearted , their cruelty incomplete . Even now , though she'd given up on them , that lingering affection kept her from striking back . But Alexei clawed his way up through blood - his own family's . He was numb to emotions , expecting nothing from so - called " kin . " To him , her mercy was her biggest weakness . The Clark family was just a chain holding her down . " You keep saying you'll help , but not what it'll cost me , " Natasha countered calmly . She admitted her flaws , but wouldn't be led blindly . Alexei was too dangerous . She knew that . ALE 4:30 pm P320 PS Chapter 24 Chapter 24