A Beauty's Deep Affection

"Because of what?"

Isabella's voice held an eager, coy insistence, its final note rising slightly. She lifted her chin, her gaze fixed firmly on Li Dan's face, afraid of missing even the slightest change in his expression.

Li Dan had abruptly stopped halfway through his sentence. The way he seemed to have more to say made her curiosity grow wildly, like a tender shoot breaking through the soil, until she could no longer resist asking.

Li Dan lowered his eyes to look at her. Complicated emotions churned in his deep, dark eyes, as though they concealed endless undercurrents that no one could fathom.

He did not answer immediately. His thin lips pressed into a straight line, but something about his presence quietly changed. Some of his gentleness faded, replaced by an irresistible forcefulness.

Silence spread between them, and even the air seemed to thicken. Isabella could clearly hear her quickening heartbeat, accompanied by an inexplicable flutter.

The next second, Li Dan raised his hand and gently tipped up Isabella's chin, his warm fingertips exerting an unquestionable pressure.

His movement was not rough, but it carried a complete sense of control, making her tilt her head back slightly and meet his gaze at closer quarters.

Before Isabella could react further, he leaned down and captured her soft lips in a warm, commanding kiss, swallowing every word she had left to say.

Isabella's pupils contracted slightly, and her body instinctively tensed. Then she relaxed completely, letting that domineering tenderness envelop her.

Li Dan's kiss burned with possessiveness. His lips moved against hers, lingering and caressing, as though he wanted to draw her into his very flesh and blood. Every movement conveyed an affection that needed no words.

Even a thousand words could not compare to such a direct, physical demonstration.

All her