Taming The Cold-Hearted Man

Chapter 4

While her clothes and other important belongings were already packed into the suitcase, Larisa’s mind remained stuck on the conversation from earlier. She couldn't just ignore it. Now that she was twenty years old, it meant that the incident she had just learned about had happened a long time ago—back when she was around five years old.

Larisa had never known that the eye donor was Revan’s younger sibling. Tamara had told her that Revan’s younger sibling was beyond saving because their illness had worsened beyond hope.

What Larisa still didn’t understand was why Revan hated her so much just because of that. Revan clearly knew that his sibling had no chance of survival. Yet, just because they had donated both of their eyes, it had somehow fueled Revan’s resentment toward her.

Larisa blinked rapidly, trying to shake off her thoughts that had been clouding her mind all day. She let out a breath, shifting her attention to the two large suitcases beside her bed. She stared at them for a while before sighing again.

"I have to try," Larisa murmured to herself. "I remember when I first came to this house, it was Revan who made me want to stay."

At first, she had called him "brother," but his arrogant demeanor had made Larisa withdraw, speaking to him less and refraining from any affectionate gestures. Even though she had admired Revan since childhood, he remained cold and indifferent.

Larisa sighed again, patting her thighs before standing up. "Maybe I should try again."

She grabbed her handbag and left the room. Today, she was scheduled for an afternoon shift as usual. Since her preparations were already done, it wouldn’t be a problem to leave for work first.

"Are you heading to work?" Tamara asked as they crossed paths downstairs.

Larisa adjusted her slipping bag strap before nodding. "Yes, Mom. I have the afternoon shift again today."

"Have you considered quitting your job?" Tamara asked.

Larisa offered a faint smile. "No, Mom. I’m not ready to stop working yet."

Tamara returned her smile. "I understand. Alright, then. Be careful on your way. I’ll help finish packing the remaining things you need to bring."

If this family hadn’t treated her so kindly, Larisa might have chosen to leave a long time ago. Ever since she moved in, they had loved her like their own daughter. That was the only reason she had stayed all this time.

At the bus stop, Larisa waited for the bus, which was expected to arrive in about five minutes. Just as she sat down, her phone rang from inside her bag. She quickly reached for it to check the caller ID.

"Whose number is this?" She frowned at the unfamiliar number displayed on the screen.

She let the phone ring, hesitant to answer. Even as the bus arrived, she ignored the call, choosing to silence her phone and tuck it back into her bag.

She climbed the bus steps and made her way toward the back, looking for an empty seat. Just as she found one and was about to sit down, her phone vibrated again, this time without ringing. The buzzing stopped the moment she settled into her seat.

Placing her bag on her lap, Larisa retrieved her phone once more. "Who the hell is this?" she muttered.

Swiping the screen, she saw that the same unknown number had now sent her two messages.

---

Today, Larisa had no choice but to take a leave from work. She shouldn’t have responded to that message, but perhaps she needed to.

The moment she entered a café, a woman with a curvaceous and seductive figure was already waiting for her. It was clear from her revealing outfit that she had no qualms about showing off her body.

"I thought you wouldn’t come," Julia sneered.

Larisa sat down and placed her bag on the empty chair beside her. "What do you want?" she asked indifferently.

Julia scoffed, her lips curling into a smirk. She stared at Larisa with open hostility while stirring her drink aggressively with a straw.

"Why are you still clinging to Revan?" Julia asked. "You know he has a girlfriend, don’t you?"

Larisa nodded nonchalantly. "So?"

Julia clenched her jaw, stopping her stirring motion abruptly. "Do you have no self-respect? Revan already has a girlfriend. You should back off."

Larisa placed both hands on the table, slowly folding them together. "Tell me, who actually lacks self-respect here—me or you?"

Julia straightened up slightly, momentarily stunned. "What are you implying?!" she snapped.

Larisa clicked her tongue. She wasn’t afraid of anyone who tried to oppress her. If it came down to a battle of strength, she was ready to take on the challenge—as long as it wasn’t in front of Revan.

She unfolded her hands and shifted one to the side, tapping her index finger lightly against the table. "Listen, I have no interest in causing trouble with you. So I suggest you stop bothering me."

"Hey!" Julia glared, pointing a sharp finger at Larisa’s face. "I should be the one saying that! Revan is my boyfriend!"

"But I’m his wife."

"You—!"

Julia clenched her fists and hissed before letting out an irritated scoff. After a brief silence, she cleared her throat and spoke again. "I don’t care if you’re his wife. What matters is that I’m the woman he truly loves."

BANG!

Julia slammed her hand on the table before standing up, drawing the attention of several café patrons who glanced their way in curiosity. As Julia stormed off, Larisa leaned back in her chair, exhaling deeply.

After taking a few moments to regulate her breathing and rubbing her chest to calm herself, she buried her face in her hands, her elbows resting on the table. Finally, she wiped her face and decided to leave as well.

BZZT. BZZT. BZZT.

Her phone vibrated again. Walking along the sidewalk, Larisa answered the call.

"Yes, Roy, what is it?" she asked.

"Aren’t you at work?"

Larisa slowed her pace, lowering her gaze. She absentmindedly kicked a small pebble, sending it rolling toward the base of a streetlight.

"I took the day off," she replied.

"Why?"

"It’s nothing. I just—" Her voice trailed off as she suddenly noticed a familiar figure standing not far ahead. "Roy, I have to go."

She abruptly ended the call.

Larisa’s hands tightened around her phone, her knuckles turning white. The man standing there made her body tense up, sending chills down her spine.

"Why is he here?" she thought anxiously.

The man stepped closer, his gaze burning with an intensity that felt almost predatory.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice sharp.

Her grip on her phone tightened, as did her hold on her bag strap. "I—I just met someone," she stammered.

"I tried calling you. Why didn’t you pick up?"

Larisa hurriedly lifted her phone to check. Her hands trembled so badly that she could barely hold it steady. When the screen lit up, she saw three missed calls from the contact labeled "Cold-Hearted Man."

"Oh, I—maybe earlier—"

"Enough talking. Come with me."

Revan grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward a car parked at the end of the street.