I felt Nothing.

No anticipation.

No joy.

If Alexander had given me matching bands on our wedding anniversary—or before then,even something simple—I would have treasured them like the most precious gift in the world.

But that chance was gone.

Broken.

Just like something between us.

A crack had already formed in the bond I once believed was unshakable.

That night remained like a thorn buried deep in my heart.

Most days it lay still.

But every now and then, it reminded me it was there with a dull, quiet ache.

The harmony between us now felt fragile.

Forced.

Like something burned through and held together only by appearance.

Touch it lightly—

and it would crumble into ash.

Across from us, even the manager seemed momentarily stunned.

But her expression quickly smoothed into practiced neutrality.

As though she had suddenly remembered something.

Alexander watched me silently as I sat there lost in thought.

Then he picked up the catalog and placed it gently on my lap, opening it to a particular page.

"Do you like this one?" he asked.

I blinked and came back to myself, lifting my eyes to meet his.

The crystal chandelier above cast a soft glow across the VIP room, its light reflected in Alexander’s eyes and making them seem unusually gentle.

I looked away first.

Lowering my gaze, I turned my attention to the page before me.

The wedding bands were exquisitely crafted from polished platinum, their surfaces lined with flawless diamonds that caught the light with every angle. Elegant yet extravagant, they carried the kind of quiet luxury that spoke of immense wealth and refined taste.

The manager smiled immediately.

"Miss Sinclair has such beautiful hands," she said smoothly. "The bands would suit her fingers perfectly."

I studied the design for a moment before shaking my head.

"It’s too extravagant," I said, glancing at Alexander. "It doesn’t look like something I could wear every day."

"You can choose two, then," he replied calmly. "One for everyday wear, and one for special occasions."

The manager’s eyes brightened at once.

"Mr. Blackwood is absolutely right."

She quickly turned to another page and presented a simpler design.

Though more understated, the price and craftsmanship were still obvious at a glance.

At least it was better.

"This one will do."i finally said.

"Wonderful." The manager smiled warmly. "I’ll just measure your ring size."

Then Alexander spoke.

"We’ll take both."

I turned to look at him.

The manager’s smile widened even further.

"Of course, Mr. Blackwood."

Then she asked eagerly,

"Would you like an engraving on the rings?"

"No need," I answered before Alexander could respond.

If Alexander and I ever divorced...

At least nothing sentimental would go to waste.

The manager paused for only a fraction of a second before recovering.

"Very well. We’ll begin your custom order immediately and contact you once they’re ready."

Alexander gave a casual nod before looking at me.

"Anything else you’d like?" he asked. "Want to look around?"

The manager hurried to add,

"Miss Alicia, we’ve just received several new necklace designs. Would you like to see them?"

I shook my head.

"No need. Let’s go."

Alexander took my hand again, and together we left the private room.

The manager personally escorted us to the entrance, thanking us repeatedly before we got into the car.

Third person POV

After watching Alexander and Alicia get into the car and drive away, the manager stood at the entrance for a moment, still processing everything she had just witnessed.

Only yesterday, entertainment outlets had been filled with reports of Alexander Blackwood attending Lilian Summer’s birthday party in person. Yet today, he had arrived at the boutique holding another woman’s hand, personally selecting wedding bands with her.

The love lives of the wealthy truly were impossible to understand.

At least, that was what she thought at first.

Then she remembered why they had come.

Wedding bands.

Her eyes widened slightly.

So Alexander and Alicia had been married all along.

Which meant Lilian Summer was the other woman.

The realization left her stunned, though not entirely surprised by the marriage itself.

Alicia had been adopted by the Blackwood family years ago, had lived with them for a long time, and was known to be close to the family elders. If the older generation had arranged a marriage between the two of them, it would hardly be shocking.

And judging by the way Alexander had behaved with Alicia, it was easy to assume he truly cared for and valued her.

As for Lilian Summer—

She was only a celebrity.

To a man like Alexander Blackwood, perhaps she had never been anything serious at all.

Alexander’s POV

The moment Alicia and I got into the car, she turned to me with a questioning look.

"Why the sudden interest in buying wedding rings?"

Her voice was calm, but I could hear the caution beneath it.

"It’s nothing," I answered evenly. "I just realized we’ve been married for two years and still don’t have rings."

She said nothing after that.

The silence between us was quiet, yet heavy. I reached for her hand and gently threaded my fingers through hers. Her skin was warm, familiar—something I had taken for granted for far too long.

In the dim light of the car, I studied her profile. She looked out ahead, composed as always, beautiful in that distant way she had lately become.

"Alicia," I said softly, my thumb brushing over the back of her hand, "I know I haven’t been the best husband these past two years."

The words felt insufficient compared to everything I had put her through.

"But you’ve always been patient with me... always forgiving. From now on, I’ll make it up to you. We’ll get back everything we missed."

She had told me before that she would wait and see how I behaved.

At the time, I thought it was only a warning.

Now I understood it was much more than that.

Even though she sat beside me as calm and graceful as ever, I could feel it clearly—something invisible standing between us.

A wall.

A crack that had already formed and would not be easily repaired.

She no longer trusted me the way she once had.

That realization pressed heavily against my chest.

After a moment, Alicia gave me a faint smile, polite and unreadable, then turned to look out the window.

No reassurance.

No warmth.

Just distance wrapped in gentleness.

I tightened my hold on her hand slightly, as if afraid that if I loosened it even for a second, she might slip away from me completely.

But I said nothing more.

Third person POV

‎The sky had grown dim, and the shops lining the streets, along with the towering buildings, were illuminated one after another, casting a warm glow across the city.

‎Alicia understood Alexander’s intentions. She knew he genuinely wanted to make up for what had happened in the past.

‎But whether his change and kindness toward her stemmed from love or guilt, she could not quite tell.

‎And Lilian’s presence still felt like a ticking time bomb in her mind.

‎She knew that as long as Lilian was around, she and Alexander would never truly return to how they once were,Not to even talk of improving what’s between them.

‎...

‎They stopped at a restaurant for dinner before heading to the club.

‎Soon after, the car pulled into the underground parking garage.

‎One after the other, they stepped out and made their way toward the private room Alexander and his friends often used.

‎Inside, the room was dimly lit, with low conversation already in progress among the group.

‎Alexander pushed the door open.

‎All eyes turned toward them.

‎Victor Hawthorne let out a laugh.

‎"Alexander, that’s not fair. None of us brought a date, and here you are showing up with Miss Lilian? Showing off, huh?"

‎Then, with a teasing grin, he added,

‎"And why didn’t you tell us you were bringing her?"

‎Alicia instinctively took a small step back.

‎Almost immediately, Alexander shifted, positioning himself slightly in front of her, instinctively shielding her from view.

‎The corridor behind them was brightly lit, while the room remained dim. Because of the contrast, Victor couldn’t clearly see her face. Assuming the woman beside Alexander was Lilian, he spoke without thinking.

‎Raphael raised an eyebrow and looked properly.

‎The moment his eyes focused, he recognized Alicia instantly and glanced at Alexander in clear surprise.

‎Michael Livingston cleared his throat.

‎"Ahem..."

‎The atmosphere in the room froze for a brief moment.

‎Alicia’s face subtly paled.

‎Alexander tightened his grip on her hand and stepped forward slightly, his voice sharp.

‎"Are you already so drunk that you can’t even keep your mouth shut?"

‎Only then did Victor realize, fully, that the woman standing beside Alexander was not Lilian—but Alicia.

‎