Alicia’s POV

Sunlight filtered softly through the room.

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and reached for my phone.

A few minutes past seven.

The space beside me was already empty, though a trace of warmth still lingered on the sheets.

Knowing Alexander’s habit of working out early in the morning, I got up, freshened up, changed, and headed downstairs.

I found him just about to start breakfast.

Without a word, I took my seat across from him.

We ate in comfortable silence.

Afterward, we left for the company together—just as we used to before everything between us had fallen apart.

In the car, Alexander reached for my hand and idly played with my fingers.

"I won’t be at the company this evening," he said. "Jim will take you to the club. I’ll meet you there."

"You have somewhere to go?" I asked casually.

"Yes. I’m playing golf with a few business partners this afternoon."

"Mm."

I could tell it was a business arrangement disguised as leisure.

That sort of thing was common in our world.

"How about you come with me?" he asked.

I turned to look at him.

"I still have work to do. Unless you’re planning to let me resign?"

I gave his hand a teasing shake.

"No way."

He said it with a smile.

I also smiled faintly .

I hadn’t expected him to agree—especially not now.

But as I looked at him, my thoughts drifted elsewhere.

To the child growing inside me.

I was already three months along.

It was time for my next checkup.

Yet I still didn’t know how to bring it up to Alexander.

Or whether I should bring it up at all.

Right now, I wasn’t even certain where our relationship stood.

I carried his child, yet I still didn’t know whether I truly had his heart.

When we arrived at the company, we entered the elevator together.

At the floor where we usually separated for our respective offices, Alexander suddenly caught my hand again.

His fingers tightened gently around mine.

He looked at me with a soft expression—along with something deeper in his eyes that I couldn’t quite read. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Go on," I said quietly, giving him a light push to the chest.

Reluctantly, he let go and turned toward his office.

As I turned toward mine, I noticed Sophia standing not far away.

She was looking in my direction.

Her expression was tense, her eyes dark with something unreadable.

"Good morning, Director Sophia," I said with a polite smile as I passed her.

She did not reply.

A knock came at my door shortly before lunch.

"Come in."

Jane entered carrying a file.

"Director Alicia, the CEO asked me to bring this to you."

She placed it on my desk.

"What is it for?" I asked, glancing at the folder.

"He didn’t say."

"Alright. Leave it there."

Jane nodded and left.

I opened the file and began flipping through it.

It was a detailed copy of Alexander’s schedule.

I paused.

He used to tell me most of his movements before—but never like this.

This document included meetings, appointments, internal and external meetings, even personal errands.

It even listed the golf outing he had mentioned this morning.

I knew I had said I didn’t need to supervise him.

Still...

I had been wondering whether he would choose to meet Lilian behind my back or not.

But that did not mean he needed to hand over a weekly report this detailed.

For a long moment, I stared at the pages.

Then, without comment, I placed the file in my drawer and returned to work.

<<<<>>>>>

After work, I had planned to take a taxi to the club.

Unexpectedly, a message from Alexander arrived.

I’m waiting for you in the garage.

I frowned slightly at the screen before replying.

Okay.

I packed my things and headed downstairs.

When I reached the garage, Alexander’s car was already waiting.

I opened the door and got in.

The moment I settled into the passenger seat, Alexander spoke first—unusually quick to explain himself.

"The game ended early," he said. "So I came to pick you up."

"I see."

That was all I said.

Then I turned toward the window and watched the city blur past.

I stayed like that for most of the drive, my thoughts elsewhere, only coming back to myself when the car stopped.

I looked around.

We hadn’t arrived at the club.

Before I could ask anything, Alexander had already stepped out of the car.

"What’s going on?"

I followed him out.

Instead of answering, he took my hand and gently led me toward the building beside us.

I looked up—and froze slightly.

It was one of the most famous luxury designer boutiques in Valeridge City.

Seeing my confusion, Alexander finally spoke.

"We’re buying something."

"Buying something?"

Before I could ask further, a blonde woman who seemed to be expecting us approached with a professional smile from the entrance.

"CEO Blackwood. Miss Sinclair. Welcome."

Her gaze dropped briefly to our joined hands.

For the smallest moment, surprise flickered across her face before she smoothed it away.

Alexander and I both gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

"This way, please," she said. "I’ll show you our newest designs."

Designs?

My brows knit faintly.

Still, I said nothing as she led us toward a private room.

Along the way, I tried to slip my hand free.

Alexander only tightened his hold and refused to let go.

I should have pulled away harder. Instead, I let him keep holding on.

Alexander and I sat together on the sofa in the boutique’s VIP room.

He barely waited a moment before speaking.

"Bring out your latest matching wedding band designs."

"Of course, Mr. Blackwood."

Wedding bands?

I glanced at him briefly.

Why was Alexander suddenly buying wedding bands?

I didn’t think too deeply about it and simply lowered my eyes back to my phone.

A few minutes later, the blonde woman returned carrying a leather-bound catalog, while another staff member followed behind with a tray of tea.

"Set it here," she instructed.

The staff member obeyed quietly before stepping back.

"If you need anything else, please call for me," the woman said with a polished smile.

From the way the other employees treated her, it was obvious she was the manager.

She opened the catalog and began introducing the pieces one by one.

"Mr. Blackwood, these are our newest custom designs for the year. Each set is made to order and only produced upon selection."

As she spoke, she turned the pages toward Alexander, carefully explaining each style.

I remained occupied with replying to work messages, paying little attention to their discussion.

Then I heard her ask,

"What do you think of this one, Mr. Blackwood?"

At the same time, I felt a light tug on my sleeve.

I looked up.

Alexander was watching me.

So was the manager.

"What do you think?" he asked.

I glanced at the design in the catalog while still holding my phone.

"It’s nice," I said honestly. "If you’re giving it as a gift, it would be perfect."

Alexander looked at me for a moment.

Then he took my phone from my hand, powered it off, and set it aside.

"It isn’t a gift."

I frowned slightly.

"Then what is it for?"

Alexander pressed his lips together.

Then he reached for my hand, threading his fingers through mine.

His gaze lowered to our joined hands—to our bare ring fingers.

"Don’t you think something is missing?"

I froze.

A beat later, understanding struck me.

He wanted matching wedding bands.

For us.

My eyes moved to the catalog spread across the table, filled with glittering designs.

Yet strangely...

I felt none of the excitement I once would have.....