Chapter 18 18
|| Author Pov ||
It was midnight.
Alice shuffled down the corridor. Her sad eyes fixed on the floor as she went to get some water. Suddenly, she collided with someone.
Startled, she looked up and froze. Those sharp, piercing eyes met hers.
“Sorry.” Alice murmured, trying to step past him but Tristian’s hand shot out, gripping her wrist and pulling her closer.
“What—”
Before she could finish, he pressed her against the wall. His chest nearly brushed hers. “Don’t you feel jealous?” he breathed in a low husk.
Alice’s gaze darted between his eyes, confusion and defiance warring inside her. “Why would I feel jealous? About what?” she asked with a frown.
“You don’t understand?” Tristian growled softly while his hand tightened on her wrist.
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Please… let me go.” Alice whispered, struggling slightly but Tristian’s grip held firm.
“Tell me you didn’t feel anything because I took another woman with me!” he demanded.
Alice’s broken eyes met his and the words caught in her throat. How could she lie, staring into those stormy eyes?
“I’ll be leaving this house in a few days.” she whispered in her gentle voice “I have nothing to do with anyone from this family.”
Rage flickered across Tristian’s face. His jaw tightened. He hated those words, hated the thought of her slipping away.
“Accept me.” he demanded in a tone, almost a plea and a command all at once.
Alice blinked back tears, her body tense. She didn't want to look weak infront of anyone.
“Someone will see. Let go.” she murmured, trying to sound firm but her voice betrayed the crack in her resolve.
Tristian’s dark gaze softened just for a fraction, though his grip on her wrist didn’t loosen. “No one matters right now, only you and me.” he muttered. His warm breath fanned against her ear.
“Let go!” Alice pushed off his arm.
Tristian clenched his teeth. But controlled himself. It wasn't because she pushed him away, it was because she kept trying to fight against her emotions.
\------------
NEXT DAY
Alice was busy chopping vegetables in the kitchen when Martha entered.
“How are you doing, dear?” Martha asked in a gentle voice.
Alice forced a smile. “Just cooking, Mother. It’ll be done soon.”
Martha stepped closer and her hand rested lightly on Alice’s shoulder. “Is Nick treating you right, my dear? You can tell me. I’m like your mother, right?”
Alice paused. Her knife hovered over the cutting board. She swallowed, unsure what to say. “Y-yeah.” she replied softly.
Martha’s eyes softened with concern. “You always look so pale. I’ve noticed Nick ignoring you. Did you two argue about something?”
Alice lowered her gaze. Her heart tightened. Argue? How can I argue when we don’t even talk?
Alice wanted to say it out loud but instead, she shook her head quickly. “No. Everything’s fine.”
Martha nodded slowly, still watching her with worry. “I’m glad to hear that. I called your mother, she’ll come to visit you tomorrow.”
Alice blinked in surprise. It's been so long she'd seen her mother. Alice quickly forced a small smile. “Thank you, Mother.”
Martha returned the smile but the quiet that followed pressed heavily on Alice. Her hands fidgeted nervously at her sides. She didn’t want her mother to see how lonely and hurt she truly felt. Her mother would only be worried, maybe even heartbroken.
It's probably, her mother would be broken if she knew her daughter was facing the same fate as hers.
From the thing she'd suffered once.
The sound of the footsteps broke the tension. Chloe bounced in and her energy immediately filled the room.
“Good Morning, you both!”
“Good morning.” Alice smiled genuinely.
“Alice! You have to come with me to the shopping mall.” she demanded, leaning casually against the counter.
Alice blinked in surprise. “Mall?”
Chloe nodded eagerly. “Yes! I don’t want to go alone. You have to come with me.”
Alice hesitated, glancing at Martha whose expression was warm and neutral.
“Please, Alice. You can’t deny. Please, please, please.”
“Go with her, dear. Have fun. No need to worry about anything.” Martha assured. Chloe’s insistence made it hard to say no.
Alice hesitated, biting her lip. “I… I suppose I can go.” she said finally.
Chloe clapped her hands excitedly. “Yes! Great! You’ll see, it’ll be fun tonight.”
“I'll tell Nick you escort you both.” Martha suggested.
\------
It was evening. Alice had slipped into a casual outfit–jeans and a top, the kind of clothes she liked for comfort over style. She checked herself quickly in the mirror, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear before making her way downstairs to the living room.
Chloe appeared shortly after, practically bouncing in her own excitement. “Alice! Ready? We’re going to have so much fun!” she said while grabbing her bag and glanced toward the front door.
At that moment, Nick descended the stairs, rolling his sleeves up lazily as if he owned the entire house. His gaze swept over the room and finally rested on Alice. His so called wife.
Martha’s glanced at her son “Nick, where are you going?”
Nick raised an eyebrow, looking slightly annoyed.
Martha continued with a trace of exasperation in her tone, “Chloe and Alice are going to the shopping mall. Go with them. It’ll be late and I can’t leave the girls all alone.”
Nick frowned. His eyes immediately landed on Alice once again. The sight of her looking down, avoiding his gaze seemed to irritate him.
“I have a meet-up with an old friend.” he said casually, waving a hand dismissively. “I can’t go. Just send the driver with them.”
Martha’s frown deepened. “Your wife is going out at night and you’re saying this? Don’t you feel concerned at all?” she asked sharply. Her voice rising slightly.
Nick’s swept his irritated eyes over the women “Mom, please don’t start now!”
Chloe hung open her mouth in shock. She didn't notice it earlier. But now she realized, she never saw Alice and Nick together like any other newly wed couples should. It's concerning.
Alice stayed silent. Her eyes were fixed on her pale hands. Something about the air felt uneasy.
Chloe, sensing it, waved her hand lightly. “It’s okay, Auntie. We can manage. Right, Alice?”
Alice flinched slightly and forced herself to look up. “Yes.” she murmured in a light tone.
Before anyone could speak further, a deep, commanding voice reached “Where are they going?”
Everyone looked up except Alice who kept her gaze lowered.
“Chloe wanted to go to the shopping mall.” Martha explained, her tone tinged with resignation. “I told Nick to take them and come back safely, but he says he has something important.”
Tristian’s sharp assessing eyes flicked to his younger brother. Nick frowned, rolling his eyes dismissively at the silent scrutiny.
Tristian’s lips curved into a faint controlled smirk. “I’ll take them, Mother. Don’t worry.” he said smoothly.
Martha let out a soft sigh of relief. “That’s a relief. Thanks, Tristian. Keep an eye on the girls.”
Tristian nodded once. His gaze briefly fell on Alice. Before anything else could happen, Chloe bounded forward and looped her arms around his.
Tristian’s nose flared slightly in a subtle sign of irritation but he remained perfectly composed.
“Nick is a total jerk. Tris is the best! Let’s go!” Chloe chirped, practically dragging him toward the door.
Nick rolled his eyes.
Alice’s chest tightened as she watched. A strange mix of discomfort and unease crawled through her. She followed quietly behind, careful to stay a step back, keeping her distance from Tristian.
They stepped outside. The evening air hit cool against their faces. Nick’s car was already gone, leaving them alone with Tristian.
Tristian opened the car door with a measured effortless grace before extending his hand. Chloe held his hand and got up.
Alice hesitated at the threshold. A lump formed in her throat. With quiet steps, she slipped in without holding his hand while keeping her head low, avoiding Tristian’s gaze.
Tristian let out a dark chuckle of fascination.