"There’s no need to supervise you."

‎

‎Alicia said as she lifted her eyes to meet his.

‎

‎"Just answer me this."

‎

‎"If Lilian calls again next time, saying she’s unwell or in trouble... what will you do?"

‎

‎Alexander answered without hesitation.

‎

‎"I won’t go."

‎

‎Then, after a brief pause, he added,

‎

‎"If it becomes absolutely necessary, I’ll bring you with me."

‎

‎Alicia looked at him quietly.

‎

‎"I hope you keep your word."

‎

‎She knew Lilian would never give up so easily.

‎

‎The real test had not happened yet.

‎

‎It would come the next time Lilian reached for him—and whether Alexander would still stand by what he said tonight.

‎

‎As for Alicia... she no longer expected much.

‎

‎All she wanted now was for her grandmother’s remaining days to be peaceful and happy.

‎

‎Alexander knew nothing of her thoughts.

‎

‎He mistook her calmness for forgiveness and let out a breath of relief.

‎

‎His eyes softened as he pulled her gently into his arms.

‎

‎"Thank you, Alicia."

‎

‎His hands rested at her waist while his chin brushed lightly against her temple, drawing her close against his chest.

‎

‎Alicia said nothing.

‎

‎She only placed a hand against his shoulder and pushed lightly.

‎

‎Alexander immediately sensed the quiet resistance and loosened his hold.

‎

‎"Let’s go home," he said softly.

‎

‎"Mm."

‎

‎She gave a faint nod.

Alicia’s POV

‎Alexander held my hand and guided me toward the car.

‎I didn’t resist.

‎He opened the passenger-side door for me, and I stepped in without a word. He closed it gently, then walked around to the driver’s seat and started the engine.

‎The drive home was quiet—comfortably so, on the surface.

‎No arguments. No sharp words. No visible tension.

‎Just silence that could easily be mistaken for peace.

‎I kept my gaze fixed on the passing streets outside the window, my expression calm and unreadable.

‎From time to time, I could feel Alexander’s eyes on me.

‎He wasn’t staring openly, but I could sense it—the brief, cautious glances he stole when he thought I wouldn’t notice.

‎I didn’t turn to meet them.

‎Instead, I continued looking outside, as though I was simply lost in thought.

‎I let Alexander believe what he was seeing on the surface.

‎Because sometimes, it was easier to let people believe what gave them comfort.

‎Even if it wasn’t the truth.

‎Before long, the car slowed and came to a stop at the estate.

‎Alexanders POV

‎

‎Alicia and I stepped out of the car and walked into the house side by side.

‎Our footsteps moved in perfect rhythm.

‎Yet neither of us spoke.

‎The silence between us was not cold, but cautious—like two people standing on fragile ice, aware that one wrong move could crack everything beneath them.

‎Maria was clearly surprised to see us return together.

‎She had witnessed enough over the past few months to understand how strained things had become between us.

‎Although Alicia and I were not openly affectionate, something in the air tonight was different.

‎Softer.

‎Warmer.

‎Hopeful.

‎"Sir, you’re back," Maria said, glancing between the two of us before adding, "Miss Alicia’s secretary came by earlier and dropped off a suitcase."

‎Alicia nodded. "Alright. I’ll go upstairs and unpack."

‎Then she hurried toward the staircase, her steps unusually quick and light.

‎I stood there for a second, watching her retreating figure.

‎Then I followed.

‎In the master bedroom, Alicia had already opened the suitcase and was sorting through clothes and personal items with practiced efficiency.

‎She moved quickly, hands busy, like a small whirlwind spinning through the room.

‎I watched her for a moment before sitting on the sofa.

‎Then I reached out and caught her wrist.

‎"You can finish later," I said.

‎She glanced at me, but instead of sitting down, she continued folding clothes while casually speaking about matters from her business trip.

‎Important inquiries.

‎Pending contracts.

‎Decisions that needed approval.

‎I listened quietly.

‎When she finished, I nodded.

‎"Handle them however you think is best."

‎She gave a faint hum of acknowledgment and returned to unpacking.

‎The room fell silent again.

‎Then, without thinking, I asked,

‎"What do you want for dinner tonight?"

‎She paused slightly.

‎"I’m fine with whatever Maria cooks."

‎"Maria isn’t cooking tonight."

‎That made her look up.

‎Her eyes met mine.

‎"You’re cooking?"

‎"Mm."She paused.

‎A faint trace of surprise crossed her features.

‎Then she thought for a moment before answering.

‎"I want pasta."

‎"Alright. Anything else?"

‎"That’s enough for now."

‎Her tone was flat.

‎My brows slowly furrowed.

‎As far as I could remember, Alicia had never been much of an eater.

‎But these past few months, her appetite had become noticeably worse.

‎"What?" she asked when she noticed my expression.

‎"Are you sure you don’t want anything else?" I asked quietly. "You’ve barely been eating lately."

‎Her expression faltered for only a second.

‎But I saw it.

‎"It’s nothing," she said lightly. "Just changes in appetite." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

‎I studied her for a moment longer.

‎Then I stood.

‎"I’ll be downstairs when you’re done."

‎"Mm."

‎I walked out of the room and headed downstairs.

‎Just as I reached the last step, my phone began to ring.

‎I glanced at the screen.

‎Seeing the caller ID I hesitated but then ignored it.

‎Seconds later, it rang again.

‎This time, I answered.

‎"CEO Blackwood," Kendra said anxiously, "I’ve been trying to reach you. Lilian’s condition is getting worse."

‎"Didn’t Jim take her to the hospital?" I asked indifferently.

‎"We’re at the hospital now, but Lilian won’t let the doctors near her. She keeps calling for you. I think you should come."

‎I leaned against the banister, voice turning colder.

‎"The doctors are there. What exactly am I supposed to do?"

‎Kendra fell silent.

‎"If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up."i said briefly glancing at the stairs

‎"So... you’re not coming?"

‎I said nothing.

‎"But Lilian is—"

‎"Tell her this trick won’t work on me anymore."

‎My tone sharpened.

‎"It’s her body. If she refuses treatment, she’ll be the one to suffer."

‎Then I ended the call.

‎I stared at the dark screen for a moment before placing the phone on the table.

‎I had only just managed to get Alicia to forgive me.

‎I would not let anything come between us again.

‎Not even Lilian.

‎Just then, soft footsteps sounded behind me.

‎I turned.

‎Alicia was standing near the foot of the stairs, holding a small pile of clothes I assumed were meant for the laundry.

‎"You should’ve left that in the room for Maria," I said, softening my tone.

‎"It’s okay." Alicia replied casually. "I’m not doing anything anyway."Alicia said already making her way to the laundry room.

‎I studied her face.

‎Calm.

‎Natural.

‎Unbothered.

‎I let out a sigh

‎She probably hadn’t heard the phone call.

‎And for some reason...

‎I felt relieved.

‎I felt relieved, because I no longer wanted Lilian’s existence to disturb Alicia.

I walked into the kitchen and found Maria already preparing to start dinner.

She paused immediately when she saw me.

"Mr. Alexander, is there anything you need?"

I shook my head. "No, Maria. You don’t have to worry about dinner tonight. I’ll handle it."

"But sir, it’s my job—"

"I said it’s fine."

My tone was calm but firm enough that she hesitated.

After a brief pause, she nodded.

"If you need anything, just call me."

"Mm."

She stepped out, and I turned toward the counter.

I rolled up my sleeves and began preparing dinner.

Alicia’s POV

I sat on the sofa with the television on in the background, though I wasn’t watching it.

My thoughts kept drifting.

Back to Alexander’s phone call with Kendra.

A faint, almost ironic smile touched my lips.

At this moment... even if Alexander had said he had feelings for me, I still couldn’t trust him the way I once did—completely, blindly, without doubt.

Not anymore.

Lilian’s presence between us felt like a silent warning.

Like something fragile placed too close to fire.

At any moment, it could burn everything down again.

And I knew—

she would not stop.

Not easily.

Not completely.

So I simply sat there, watching, waiting...

to see how long Alexander would truly be able to resist her attempts .