‎Hearing Alexander’s tone, Michael was genuinely surprised.

‎He had always assumed that since Alexander and Lilian had reunited, there had to be real feelings between them. If that was the case, then why not divorce Alicia and marry Lilian openly?

‎Alicia came from no prominent family, and aside from the chairwoman’s influence,as he assumed might be the reason for the marriage in the first place. there were no complicated interests tying the marriage together.

‎Thinking back now, Michael could understand why Lilian had used him as a pawn that day.

‎Alexander was already another woman’s husband. Any woman in Lilian’s position would feel insecure.

‎But now, Michael finally understood why Lilian had sounded so terrified on the phone that night—terrified that Alexander might stop caring about her.

‎Could it be...

‎Was Alexander in love with Alicia?

‎The thought startled him.

‎But judging from Alexander’s reaction just now, Michael knew better than to keep pressing the matter.

‎"If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up," Alexander said coldly after a brief silence.

‎Michael quickly changed the subject.

‎"The last time you told me to apologize to Alicia... do you remember?"

‎Previously, Alexander had demanded that Michael apologize for what happened that night. Michael had called now to ask when they would be free to meet at the club.

‎"I’ll apologize to Alicia properly," Michael said.

‎"I’ll ask her first."

‎After speaking, Alexander turned toward Alicia.

‎She had already resumed walking, as though nothing had happened.

‎Yet he remembered how she had paused the moment he warned Michael, Alexander couldn’t help but wonder.

‎Had she heard everything?

‎He strode forward, reached for her hand, and gently tugged her back.

‎"Michael was harsh that night," he said in a lower voice. "He wants to apologize."

‎That night had been one of the worst experiences Alicia had endured.

‎Some nights, she still woke suddenly from sleep, her chest tight as memories of that evening returned.

‎Seeing her silent, Alexander frowned.

‎He was just about to reject Michael on her behalf when Alicia caught his hand.

‎"Tomorrow night is fine," she said at last.

‎Alexander paused and studied her face.

‎"Don’t force yourself."

‎"I’m not."

‎Her voice was calm.

‎This had nothing to do with forcing herself.

‎It was simply the most rational decision.

‎The friendship between Alexander and Michael Livingston would never be ruined because of her.

‎She knew her place clearly.

‎Without Alexander, Michael would never have offered an apology.

‎She was Alexander’s wife, and if conflict remained between Michael and her, Alexander would always be the one trapped in the middle.

‎This was the best outcome for everyone.

‎A chance for reconciliation.

‎A way to save face for both sides.

‎Alexander stared at her quietly, his gaze unreadable.

‎Alexander gently rubbed Alicia’s palm before speaking into the phone.

"Tomorrow night. The usual place."

"Alright," Michael replied.

"And don’t forget to invite Victor and the others."

At those words, Alicia’s brows lifted slightly.

Michael wanted to apologize to her, yet Alexander was asking him to invite the rest of their circle as well.

What was Alexander planning?

Why did he want everyone there?

There was a brief silence on the other end.

Even Michael sounded stunned.

"Invite Victor and the others... Alexander, is that necessary?"michael asked

But he already had a vague idea.

Was Alexander planning to publicly acknowledge Alicia as his wife?

Was he trying to make it clear that he had no intention of divorcing her?

If that was true...

Then what about Lilian?

Would she remain the other woman for the rest of her life?

Alexander’s voice turned colder.

"Just do as I said."

He ended the call without another word.

Sliding his phone back into his pocket, he took Alicia’s hand again and continued walking beside her.

The night breeze was cool.

Yet the silence between them felt strangely heavy.

Alicia’s POV

‎After a long pause, I finally said, "If Michael is going to apologize to me, then having Victor and the others there would only embarrass him, wouldn’t it?"

‎"Why did you say so?"

‎"I just don’t think it’s necessary."

‎This was something I had once wanted.

‎But now that it was finally happening, I didn’t feel as happy as I had imagined.

‎If anything, it felt unnecessary.

‎Just like earlier, when Alexander had spoken to Michael and referred to me as his wife.

‎At first, I had been shocked.

‎He had acknowledged me in front of his friend.

‎But it was only shock.

‎Nothing more.

‎If this had happened when we first got married, I would have been overjoyed.

‎Back then, even the smallest sign of recognition from him would have made me happy for days.

‎But now...

‎With everything involving Lilian, his friends would never truly accept me.

‎They would only think I had stolen Alexander from her.

‎Even if they showed me respect for Alexander’s sake, it would never be sincere.

‎Just like Michael Livingston was doing now.

‎Alexander suddenly stopped walking and turned to face me.

‎"Why do you think it’s unnecessary?"

‎I hesitated before answering.

‎"Do you remember Michael’s attitude that night? Or when they made me call Lilian sister-in-law the other day?"

‎Back then, he had been drinking with his friends.

‎Lilian had been sitting among them.

‎I had merely gone over to greet them.

‎How long ago had that been?

‎And now...

‎The woman standing beside him was me.

‎I truly couldn’t understand this man’s heart.

‎Alexander reached for my wrist, his thumb brushing over it gently.

‎"Don’t worry," he said quietly. "I’m here."

‎I knew what that meant.

‎As long as he stood beside me, even if his friends disliked me, they would have no choice but to swallow it.

‎Just like Michael Livingston was doing now.

‎I said nothing more.

‎We walked in silence for a while before returning to the villa.

‎When we returned, Alexander went straight to the study to take a call.

By the time he came back to the bedroom, I had already finished showering.

I was sitting in the walk-in closet, applying skincare.

Later, when he returned from his own shower, I was sitting at the edge of the bed with a cup of warm water in my hand.

Several medicine containers were placed on the bedside table.

Alexander’s brows immediately drew together as he walked toward me.

"Are you still not feeling well?" he asked. "Should we go to the hospital?"

The sudden concern in his voice startled me.

I quickly steadied myself.

"No need."

"But it’s been too long." His expression darkened. "If it keeps dragging on, even a minor issue can become serious. We can’t just sit here and ignore it."

"It’s really nothing serious."

I lowered my gaze and tightened my fingers around the cup.

"The doctor said it’s just a condition that needs time to heal. Nothing more."

Then I looked up at him.

"Don’t worry. I’m fine now. If anything gets worse, I’ll go to the doctor myself."

Alexander stared at me for a moment before finally nodding.

Reluctantly.

"Don’t push yourself."

"Mm."

I nodded softly.

For some reason, the room felt quieter than usual.

Alexander’s POV

Jane had called to discuss a few matters, so I went to the study to take it.

By the time I returned and pushed open the bedroom door, Alicia was already asleep.

She lay quietly on the bed, the room dim and silent around her.

I walked to my side of the bed as quietly as possible, my gaze falling on her sleeping face.

Her features, usually sharp with restraint or distant calm, had softened completely in sleep.

Her skin looked smooth beneath the warm light.

Her nose was small and delicate.

Her lips, naturally full with the faintest hint of color, were slightly parted as she breathed.

Long dark lashes rested against her cheeks, and a few loose strands of silky hair had fallen across her face.

She looked... breathtaking.

Peaceful.

Untouched by the coldness she usually wore around.

For a moment, I simply stood there watching her.

Everything about the room felt unusually serene.

Then I noticed the way she had curled herself tightly beneath the blanket.

Like a shrimp.

I almost laughed.

Lifting the covers, I climbed into bed from the other side and reached for her carefully.

The moment I pulled her into my arms, her warm body pressed against my chest.

Still half-asleep, Alicia unconsciously shifted closer.

As though she belonged there.

My arms tightened around her before I could stop myself.