Chapter 162 Estrangement

Alice felt a bit out of it; she had no clue where she was headed and just kept driving until she ended up by the sea.

The car window was halfway down, and the chilly sea breeze whipped through her long hair.

Her hair stuck to her face, making it itch. She swept the strands of hair behind her ear, suddenly aware that her face was already etched with tears.

Was she really this torn up over Henry's lies? Alice thought she might be overreacting.

She got out of the car and started walking along the coastline.

She remembered calling Henry that day when he said he was at the pier, and she believed him. But later, Ethan let it slip that Henry wasn't at the office at that time. Alice couldn't help but wonder if he had met Isla that day.

He had been extra clingy lately. Was it because he felt guilty?

Alice sat on the beach, wrapping her beige trench coat tightly around her.

The mid-September weather was getting cooler, and the wind on her tear-streaked face felt harsh.

Suddenly, her phone rang. Alice sighed and took out her phone. Looking at Henry's name, she didn't really want to answer, but she did anyway.

"Alice, I miss you."

Was he feeling guilty again? If so, she didn't need it at all.

Alice was silent for a moment. "Finished meeting the client?"

Henry responded, "Yes, finished."

"Where did you meet?"

"At the Royal Orchid Restaurant; what's wrong?"

Alice smiled, "Nothing, I thought you went to Bernardin Restaurant."

"Craving Anna's desserts?"

Alice smiled faintly, "Not really."

"I'll call Anna and have her prepare some desserts. We'll dine there after work and have some dessert."

"Okay."

"I'll pick you up tonight. Just leave your car at the design studio."

"Alright."

After chatting for a few more minutes, they hung up.

The smile on Alice's face faded as she gazed into the distance.

At that instant, she felt an icy chill in her heart that surpassed the coldness of her body.

Henry looked at the incoming message on the screen.

[Dark, are you really going to forget me? I gave you my virginity; do you truly wish to sever all ties with me completely?]

Henry replied: [I can't promise you a future, sorry.]

He immediately blocked and deleted Isla's number.

He closed his eyes tightly, then resumed his cold demeanor.

Soon, it was time to get off work.

Henry went to the parking garage and called Alice, "Are you done? I'm coming to pick you up now."

"Okay."

On her end, Alice remained deeply absorbed in her artwork.

Rebecca walked over, "Alice, it's time to clock out."

Alice looked up and smiled, "I know, I just have a little more to finish. I'll leave in a bit."

Rebecca nodded, "You and Ms. Spencer?"

"We're both female and interested in men. It was just joking around. We're best friends."

Rebecca blushed a bit, "But if you two were really together, it would be quite a pleasing sight."

Alice chuckled, "That will never happen."

Rebecca responded, "Alright, I'm heading out. Bye."

"See you."

Because of the rush hour, it took Henry forty minutes to pick up Alice.Upon entering the design studio and beholding Alice, he immediately drew her into his arms. "I missed you so much."

Alice blinked and half-jokingly said, "Did you do something to betray me?"

A flicker of unease flashed in Henry's eyes, "Of course not. I'm very loyal."

"I believe you. Let's go."

Henry held her as they got into the car, buckling her seatbelt with great care.

They first went to Bernardin Restaurant.

Henry ordered six dishes that Alice loved.

Although Alice enjoyed the food, she didn't have much of an appetite and only took a few bites of each dish.

Henry asked, "Why are you eating so little?"

Alice replied, "Dieting."

"You're perfect as you are. Why diet?" Henry cut a steak for her and said. "Eat more, so our future baby will be smart."

"I'm not pregnant."

"You will be eventually. Consider this as practice."

Alice lowered her gaze, looking thoughtfully at the steak on her plate.

"What's wrong?" Henry asked.

Alice shook her head, picked up the steak, and ate it. "The steak is good."

"But not as good as me," Henry joked.

Alice smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

After they finished eating, Anna brought over four bags of desserts and told them to pick up more later. 

They headed to the cinema next.

Henry bought popcorn and juice, holding Alice's hand as they walked into the screening room.

The movie was called "I Forgot That Decade."

It was about a couple who, after experiencing the best three years of high school, four years of college, and three years of starting a business together, were ready to get married. But on the eve of their wedding, the male lead got into a car accident and forgot the female lead.

At the same time, the male lead's mother found the female lead and asked her to give up on her son because he was now the CEO of a company and should marry a more outstanding woman.

The female lead was heartbroken but felt she couldn't give up on him because she loved him.

However, a devastating blow came when she was diagnosed with stomach cancer due to long-term stress from accompanying the male lead to social events and having an irregular diet.

She felt like God was targeting her. She was in despair but agreed to give him up for his sake.

The male lead, after being discharged from the hospital, fell in love with and married another woman.

The female lead spent the last phase of her life alone, with no family by her side until her death.

Alice shed tears and wiped her nose.

She looked at Henry and noticed his breathing was a bit rapid. "What's wrong?"

Realizing his faux pas, Henry shook his head. "Nothing, let's go."

As they walked out of the cinema towards the exit, they ran into Isla and her friend.

Isla smiled politely, "Alice, Mr. Howard."

Her tone was courteous yet distant, very measured.

Alice thought, if she hadn't seen Isla pestering Henry with her own eyes, she might have believed in her innocent smile.

Seeing they weren't speaking, Isla didn't feel awkward. "What movie did you watch?"

Alice's smile was faint. "I Forgot That Decade."

Isla turned to her friend, "Shall we watch that too? I heard it's really heartbreaking. The male lead forgets the female lead he's been in love with for years and marries someone else. The female lead is so pitiful." She glanced at Henry intentionally.

Her friend said, "He is just scummy. The female lead is foolish; she should fight for it!"

Isla sighed, "Maybe there were a lot of helpless circumstances. Perhaps the male lead will remember the female lead one day and be in unbearable pain."

She looked at Alice, "Alice, don't you think so?"

Alice smiled, "People need to look forward. I think the female lead did nothing wrong; not clinging or disturbing the male lead is sensible."

Alice wasn't foolish; she knew Isla was hinting at something.

She actually thought the female lead was foolish and should have gone back to the male lead to reclaim their memories, at least making an effort for herself.

But facing Isla, she just wanted to contradict her.

Isla forced a smile, "Alice's remarks make a good point. Mr. Howard, do you think so too?"

Henry's tone was cold, "Whatever Alice says is right. We have things to do, so we'll be going."

With that, he led Alice away.

Isla's face instantly became grim as she watched them enter the elevator.

Her friend asked, "I'll go buy the tickets?"

Isla smiled, "I have something to do, so I won't join you. I'll treat you to the movie and popcorn."

Her friend was displeased but couldn't afford to offend Isla, who was from the York family.

Isla drove away, feeling elated. She just wanted to flaunt herself in front of Henry and Alice to get back at Henry for blocking her.

She didn't believe that the past meant nothing to Henry.

She hummed a tune as she drove forward.

Suddenly, a figure dashed in front of her car. Isla was startled and slammed on the brakes. She quickly got out to check, and upon seeing the woman's face, she coldly questioned, "Are you crazy?"