Chapter 24 24
|| Author POV ||
At night, the living room was lively with chatter and soft laughter when the main door opened. Everyone turned their gaze toward the entrance.
“Nick is here.” Chloe announced.
Nick stepped in slowly. His eyes first found his mother-in-law. Amanda’s expression was warm but his mother’s glare was sharp, almost piercing. He straightened his posture quickly, regaining his composure.
“Hello.” he nodded politely at Amanda.
Amanda returned the smile. “Greetings, young man. You must have been very busy.”
Nick’s eyes scanned the room until they landed on Alice. Alice kept her gaze lowered. He could feel the weight of his mother’s intense glare burning into him from across the room.
“Yes. I was just busy. I couldn’t meet you, I’m sorry for that.” he said in a careful measured voice, nodding at his mother-in-law.
Alice remained still, barely moving but her thoughts were hidden behind lowered lashes.
“I will excuse myself.” Nick said, forcing a polite smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
Amanda nodded politely. Nick began walking toward the stairs.
“I’ll come back soon.” Martha excused herself, rising from her seat.
She followed Nick upstairs.
“Nick!” Martha called out as she caught up to him.
Nick turned. A frown formed on his face. “What?”
Martha approached him. “What’s going on between you and Alice?” her eyes turned sharp.
Nick’s frown deepened. Irritation flashed in his eyes. “What do you mean? Nothing happened.”
“You’ve been away from home for two days. Your mother-in-law came over two days ago, and now you show up?” Martha’s voice rose with frustration. “Is that how I taught you? Do you have any idea how embarrassed I was? Amanda saw how her daughter is being treated by her own husband… ignored, completely ignored?”
“Mom, I was just busy. Please, don’t make a big deal–”
“Busy with what?” Martha’s voice cut through him sharply.
Nick looked away, caught up in his thoughts. “Just… business matters.”
Martha crossed her arms, “Your elder brother is the CEO, and even he finds time to spend with us. And you… you can’t? Do you want me to believe that?”
Nick closed his eyes. Frustration tightened his jaw.
“You’re not giving her enough of your time. She’s still new here. How do you expect to build any bond with her?” Martha’s scowl deepened.
“Mom, please!” Nick snapped, exasperated.
He turned on his shoes, ignoring his mother and stormed into their bedroom, slamming the door behind him.
Martha clenched her teeth. She couldn’t understand what was wrong between the couple.
Martha now fell concerned about Alice. She’d seen how Nick is always outside and never close to his wife.
After a while, Alice was walking down the corridor toward her room. Nick was finally home tonight, yet her heart felt heavy instead of relieved.
Halfway there, she stopped.
Tristian was leaning against the wall, arms crossed and eyes fixed on her as if he’d been waiting all along.
Alice hesitated, clutching her dress. She forced herself forward, pretending not to notice him but as she tried to pass, Tristian's hand shot out, catching her wrist. Alice stumbled, colliding softly against his chest.
Her breath hitched.
Tristian leaned in close, “You’re going to sleep beside that bastard tonight?”
Alice’s heart pounded. “He’s my husband. I have to.” she said faintly, unable to meet his eyes.
Tristian’s jaw flexed. For a moment, he said nothing then exhaled sharply, as though surrendering to something he didn’t want to admit. It was the truth anyways.
He lifted a hand to her face and pressed a quick, hard kiss to her lips because she was impossible to ignore.
“Don’t let him touch you.” he murmured while brushing her cheek with his thumb. “Remember, you’re mine!”
Alice pressed her lips together, nodding subtly. Tristian’s grip loosened and she stepped back. Her heart was still racing.
Tristian remained where he was. His dark stare followed her every movement. Even as Alice moved toward her room, she couldn’t help but steal one last glance at him. His presence burned into her mind, leaving a strange mix of fear and longing.
Alice entered their bedroom quietly, trying to steady her breathing.
Nick was there, wearing his t-shirt. His abs were on display. But strangely, Alice didn’t feel the usual flutter of pull or curiosity. She avoided looking at him. Her mind still replayed Tristian’s words. Without a word, she walked straight to the bathroom, closing the door softly behind her.
Nick’s eyes flicked to her retreating figure. His gaze was too sharp. Then, after a brief pause, he looked away.
Inside, Alice pressed her palm to her chest. Her heart was racing too fast. Tristian’s words, his warning, his possessiveness, kept looping in her mind.
‘Don’t let him touch you. Remember, you’re mine.’
\------
|| In the morning ||
Tristian descended the staircase. His sharp gaze scanned the hall as if searching for something or someone.
“What are you looking for, Tristian?” Martha asked, stepping closer with a curious smile.
“Oh, mother.” he replied casually, “I was just wondering, where’s Alice?”
Martha followed his gaze, then nodded toward the kitchen. “I think she’s in there, busy as always.”
Tristian hummed, pretending to think. “I was going to office. Thought maybe I could take Alice along. She might like the change of scenery. She's always at home.”
Martha gasped lightly. “You’re right! That boy never gives her any time. Poor Alice, she looks so upset lately. Her mother left this morning.” She shook her head before smiling again. “Wait, I’ll call her.”
She raised her voice, calling Alice’s name.
A moment later, Alice hurried out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. Her eyes flicked to Tristian for the briefest second before she looked away.
“Yes, Mother?” she asked softly.
“Alice, do you want to go visit Nick at his office? You haven’t seen it yet, right?”
Alice blinked, caught off guard. Her eyes flickered toward Tristian.
“Well.” Tristian said with a sly smile, “I can take you there. Nick works just a floor below mine.” His tone held a quiet wicked amusement.
Alice frowned slightly, not understanding what he meant.
“Go on, Alice.” Martha urged. “Nick’s been so busy lately. Maybe you’ll feel better after seeing him.”
After a moment of hesitation, Alice nodded slowly.
“Good girl.” Martha smiled, patting her head. “Now go upstairs and get ready.”
Alice turned and began climbing the stairs with a hazy mind. She couldn’t quite understand what Tristian was planning.
Soon, Alice came down the stairs. Tristian’s breath faltered the moment he saw her. That simple dress, her hair loosely styled and the soft glow on her face–she looked effortlessly beautiful.
He couldn’t believe that Alice was the woman he desired, the woman he secretly called his. She was breathtaking.
“Ready?” Tristian asked with a sly smirk playing on his lips. He stepped closer.
Alice nodded, glancing around the hall before quietly following him out of the mansion. “What are you planning?” she asked softly, her voice laced with nervous curiosity.
Tristian chuckled, opening the car door for her. “Curiosity kills the cat.” he teased.
Alice sighed but slid into the passenger seat. Tristian closed the door and rounded to the driver’s side, getting in.
He adjusted the rearview mirror, tilting it just enough so he could see her face reflected perfectly.
“Wh–” Alice flinched slightly when he reached for her hand, gently taking it from her lap and intertwining their fingers before starting the engine.
It felt romantic. Hands into hands like some couples. His hands were big and warm.
Alice's heart thudded. She stared down at their joined hands. For a fleeting moment, she wondered how different things would be if Nick were warm, attentive and gentle like this.
If he had ever held her like this, maybe none of this would have happened.