Chapter 251

Hearing Willie make such a request, Alice's brow furrowed slightly, and she immediately shut it down, "Sorry, that's not gonna work."

After all, there was a jealous Samuel waiting for her at home. If he saw her bringing Willie back, he'd definitely lose it.

Besides, that was her and Samuel's place. She didn't want outsiders barging in.

Not expecting Alice to turn him down flat, disappointment flickered across Willie's face, but he didn't push it, "Okay, if it's not a good time, I won't come up. Is it because of that male roommate you mentioned?"

Thinking about Samuel, who was supposedly Alice's roommate, Willie felt uneasy.

That Samuel was way too perfect. Seeing each other every day, who's to say Alice wouldn't fall for him?

"Actually, he's not my—"

Alice wanted to take this chance to set the record straight about her relationship with Samuel, but before she could finish, Willie cut her off, "Alice, there's something I need to tell you."

Seeing Willie's serious expression, Alice frowned. For some reason, she had a sinking feeling about this, "What is it?"

Willie looked her dead in the eye, "Do you want to know who I was talking about earlier? The person I like?"

At those words, Alice's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't be talking about her, could he?

The moment that thought crossed her mind, Alice felt inexplicably panicked.

She'd always seen Willie as just a senior, nothing more.

Worried that Willie really was about to say it was her, Alice dodged and changed the subject, "Willie, I'm not really into hearing about other people's love lives. You don't need to tell me."

The atmosphere was getting more and more awkward. Alice reached for the door handle, "It's getting late. I should head in."

Just as she was about to make her escape, Willie grabbed her wrist, "Alice, I'm not done yet. Have you already figured it out?"

With Willie putting it like that, Alice panicked even more, instinctively trying to avoid it, "Willie, it's really late. I need to go. Whatever you want to say, let's save it for another time."

Alice pulled her hand free from Willie's grip, too flustered to meet his eyes.

From his reaction, she'd already guessed what he wanted to say. But there was zero chance between them. Once certain words were out there, they couldn't even stay friends. Running into each other later would only be more awkward.

"I just have a few things I need to say. After I'm done, you can go."

Seeing Willie had no intention of letting her leave, Alice had no choice but to settle back into her seat.

"Allie, I've actually had feelings for you since college. I just never got the chance to tell you back then. I thought after graduation I'd gradually get over you, but when I came back to the States and saw you again, all those feelings came rushing back."

"Willie, I already know what you're about to say, but what I need to tell you is that there's no chance for us. So please don't waste your time on me."

Before the confession could even leave his lips, Alice had already shot him down. Willie's expression fell, looking at her with clear disappointment, "Why? Is it because you already have someone, or was this too sudden and you're not ready?"

"Neither. It's because I'm already married, and we've actually started planning the wedding."

As she spoke, Alice raised her hand to show her ring, "Look, I'm even wearing the ring."

His gaze landing on the diamond ring on Alice's hand, Willie's face went ashen. The shock hit him like a punch to the gut, making it hard to breathe.

"When did you get married? How did I not know about this? Your husband is...?"

Willie could barely process it. In just a few months, Alice had not only gotten a boyfriend but had already tied the knot? Wasn't that way too fast?

"Actually, I was already married the first time I showed up at the alumni meeting. I just don't like people prying into my personal life, so I didn't bring it up. I didn't realize it would make you think I was single. If I'd known, I should've mentioned I was married from day one."

Hearing Alice's explanation, Willie struggled to accept it. These past few months, he'd been constantly thinking about how to tell her his feelings, how to win her over.

Now she was telling him she was already married? Didn't that mean he'd been hung up on her all this time for nothing?

Seeing Willie's somewhat pale face, Alice looked apologetic, "Willie, are you okay? I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kept the fact that I'm married from you."

Willie pulled himself together and forced a smile, "It's fine. Since you're already married, just forget everything I said earlier. I was out of line."

Willie adjusted his glasses, hiding his embarrassment.

Seeing he wasn't making a big deal out of it, Alice breathed a sigh of relief.

"Okay, I'll pretend I never heard any of it. We can still be friends."

The word "friends" felt like a slap in the face to Willie. From the first moment he'd seen Alice again, he'd never wanted to be just friends with her.

But now, besides being friends, he'd never have any other connection with her.

"So who's your husband? When can you introduce me? I want to see what kind of guy managed to sweep you off your feet."

"Actually, you've already met my husband—"

Before Alice could finish, someone knocked on the car window. They both turned to look.

Samuel stood outside, one hand in his pocket, looking totally relaxed.

The moment she saw him, Alice's face lit up.

She quickly rolled down the window, smiling as she explained to Willie, "Willie, let me introduce you. This is my husband, Samuel."

The second he learned Samuel was her husband, Willie's expression darkened.

Hadn't Alice said they were just roommates?

Willie, who already felt antagonistic toward Samuel, looked even more sour when he found out he was Alice's husband.

Samuel raised an eyebrow at him, opened the car door, and took Alice's hand to help her out, "Why'd you come back in someone else's car?"

"I happened to run into Willie on the way back, so he gave me a lift. But what are you doing outside?"

Looking at Samuel in his casual loungewear, he definitely didn't look like he was heading out.

"Well, you weren't home this late, so I got a little worried. Came out to check on you."

Hearing that Samuel had specifically come outside to meet her, Alice couldn't help but smile.

"The competition's coming up, so practice ran late. That's why I'm getting back so late."

The two stood close together. As Alice explained, her eyes sparkled with warmth as she looked at Samuel.

This made Willie, still sitting in the car, extremely uncomfortable to watch.

His reaction didn't escape Samuel's notice. He raised an eyebrow, "Thanks for bringing my wife home."

With that, not giving Willie a chance to respond, he pulled Alice away.