"Alicia, don't be unreasonable."Alexander snapped
"Don't you remember the promise you made to Nana?" I held my breath, trying to fight for one last chance.
He was so concerned about Lilian, rushing to her side whenever she was in trouble—what did that mean for his promise to be with me?
What did it mean to have a husband who could be called away by another woman at any moment?
"I only promised Nana to treat you well, not to make any vows. And right now, this is a life-or-death situation. With everything going on, you still want to argue? Don't you have any empathy?"
Alexander's face darkened, impatience clear in every line. With a swift motion, he turned and walked out.leaving there.
The door slammed shut behind him.
I collapsed back onto the bed, my body weak.
So cold. The room felt like it had lost all warmth. Even under the covers, I couldn't shake the chill, my body trembling. I buried my face in the blanket.
He had said, "Alicia, don't be unreasonable."
He had said, "I only promised Nana to treat you well, not to make any vows."
He had said, "Don't you have any empathy?"
Each word pierced my heart like a sword, leaving a gaping wound. My courage had been spent, and all I got in return were his words.
It turned out I had been hoping for too much.
The peace of the past few days had lulled me into letting my guard down, almost making me forget about Lilian—forgetting the chasm that still separated Alexander and me.
With Lilian Summer in the picture, even if Alexander and I didn't divorce, our lives could never be truly peaceful.
I shouldn't have craved that warmth. I should have known better. Why did I keep forgetting?
I curled into a ball on the bed, my heart frozen.
With my eyes closed, I tossed and turned, the ticking of the clock echoing through the silence. I had no idea how long I lay there, unable to sleep.
Eventually, I drifted off, though I wasn't sure when exactly, my mind still heavy with the ache of reality.
The next morning, I woke to an empty bed.
The sheets beside me were smooth, untouched—cold. No one had been there.
I glanced at the clock. It was already past ten.
Pushing the unease aside, I got up and headed downstairs.
"Miss Alicia, you're awake. I'll prepare breakfast," Maria said gently.
"Has Alexander returned?" I asked.
She shook her head. "No, Mr. Blackwood hasn't returned."
"I see…"
The words felt heavier than they should have.
I sat on the sofa and checked my phone. Still nothing. Not a single message.
After breakfast, around eleven, I had Jim drive me to the hospital.
As I stepped out of the car, my gaze drifted—and then froze.
A familiar car was parked nearby.
At first, I thought I was mistaken.
But when I looked again…
My fingers curled tightly at my sides.
It was Alexander's car.
Hadn't he gone to see Lilian?
Then why was he here?
My steps slowed as I walked upstairs. Before I reached the room, a voice drifted out—soft, familiar.
"Nana, it's been three years since we last met… but you still look so young."
My breath caught.
"You're truly blessed. I'm sure you'll recover soon."
Lilian.
My body went cold, as if I'd been dropped into icy water.
Alexander… brought her here.
He brought her to meet my grandmother.
A sharp ache spread through my chest, cold and relentless.
Just last night, he left me for her and didn't return.
Not a message. Not an explanation.
And now…
He was here with her.
Then what was I?
I stood silently outside the door, listening.
Lilian's voice was sweet—too sweet—while Nana and Nana responded coolly.
Suddenly, a wave of nausea hit me.
I covered my mouth and turned, rushing toward the washroom.
Third person POV
"Thank you for your kind words, Miss Summer," Roseline said calmly after Lilian finished speaking.
Then her gaze shifted to Alexander, a faint hint of reproach in her eyes.
"Alexander, didn't you leave with Alicia yesterday? Why are you here today—with Miss Summer?"
Her tone remained gentle, but the meaning behind it was not.
"She's busy with work, and so are you. Why bring her here? If the media catches wind of this and starts spreading rumors… won't it affect her reputation?"
Lilian quickly stepped in.
"Nana, it was my decision to come. I heard you were in the hospital and got worried, so I asked Alexander to bring me."
Steve Blackwood, seated beside the bed, frowned.
"Alexander," he said, his voice low but firm, "why involve outsiders in family matters?"
He paused briefly before adding,
"I'm not targeting Miss Summer. But situations like this attract attention. If word gets out that the matriarch of the Blackwood family is hospitalized, people will start showing up… and not all of them with good intentions."
Lilian's face paled. She glanced at Alexander, her eyes filled with hurt.
"Uncle, I'm sorry," Alexander said, stepping forward. "It was my idea to bring Lilian. If anyone is to blame, it's me."
He had spent the entire night looking for her.
After days without seeing him, Lilian had grown increasingly anxious—her thoughts spiraling, her emotions slipping further out of control.
Bringing her here had seemed like the only way to reassure her… to prove that he hadn't abandoned her.
Suddenly, Roseline's expression changed.
She began coughing violently, clutching her chest.
"Nana!" Alexander rushed forward, panic flashing across his face.
Steve quickly helped her sit up.
"Miss Summer has already paid her visit," he said sternly. "Nana isn't well—she shouldn't be seeing guests for long. You should leave for now."
After a moment, Roseline steadied her breathing and spoke again, her voice hoarse but firm.
"Alexander… have someone escort Miss Summer home."
She paused, then added,
"And go pick up Alicia."
"Okay," Alexander replied, his voice tight.
"Lilian, I'll walk you out."
"Wait."
Roseline's voice stopped them.
"Miss Summer, you may go ahead. I need to speak with Alexander."
Lilian hesitated, her gaze lingering on him.
Alexander gave a small nod.
Reluctantly, she turned and walked out of the room.
The door clicked shut behind Lilian, and the room fell into a heavy silence.
Roseline leaned back slightly, her eyes fixed on Alexander.
"Alexander," she said quietly, "i didn't expect you to forget your promise so soon?"
His brow furrowed. "I… didnt."
"Better," she replied, her voice calm but carrying weight.
She paused, letting the words settle between them.
"Alicia is your wife. You made a commitment to her… and to yourself. Don't forget that."
Alexander's jaw tightened. "I didn't bring Lilian to hurt Alicia. I—"
"I'm not questioning your intentions," Roseline interrupted gently.
Her gaze was steady.
"But intentions don't erase consequences, Alexander. Actions do."
He opened his mouth, searching for words.
"It's complicated," he said finally, voice low.
Roseline shook her head, almost imperceptibly.
"Life isn't about making things complicated. It's about keeping your word. Alicia trusted you… don't give her reason to doubt that trust."
Silence filled the room.
Alexander looked down, the weight of her words pressing on him.
Roseline's tone softened slightly, though the firmness remained.
"Go and find her. Make it right… before it's too late."