Chapter 4 Tears!
|| Authors Pov ||
Days passed.
Alice entered their shared bedroom, her heart was beating faster with every step. She was nervous because her husband, Nick always turns cold whenever she was around him.
As she stepped inside, her eyes fell on Nick standing by the window, his back facing her.
She looked at him through her sparkling eyes that held too much innocence. Her gaze lingered on his broad back, and a small, hopeful smile curved on her lips, fragile like a flower in winter.
“Darling, don’t be angry…” Nick’s voice broke the silence, soft and low. But the tenderness in his tone wasn’t meant for her.
Alice’s smile faded as she froze, realizing he was speaking on the phone.
Her feet carried her closer, almost unconsciously, stopping near the bathroom door as she listened, her breath shallow, her heart thudded painfully in her chest.
“Don’t worry, my love.” Nick murmured. “I married that pathetic girl because of my mother and nothing else. I don’t like her, and I definitely don’t love her. You know I only love you.”
The words hit her like a blade to the chest.
Alice’s feet halted mid-step. Her hands trembled, her whole body started shaking and her breath caught in her throat. The warmth in her eyes vanished, replaced by tears that welled up, blurring her vision.
She stumbled back, pressing a hand against her mouth to muffle the sound of her breaking heart. Alice turned around, wiping the tears hastily from her eyes before stepping out of the room. She made no sound, only the faint rustle of her dress followed her down the hallway.
But as soon as she left, fresh tears escaped her trembling lashes, each drop carrying the ache of betrayal deep within her chest.
Her heart twisted painfully. She pressed her hand against it, as if trying to stop it from breaking further.
Alice walked faster, almost running, wiping away her tears with shaky fingers. But just as she turned a corner, she stopped abruptly, her body collided with something hard.
Alice gasped softly. It felt like she had run into a wall.
Before she could gather herself, a deep, low voice reached her ears cold and calm, yet carrying an undeniable power.
“Why so hurry?”
Alice froze. Slowly, she looked up, and her heart skipped a beat.
Standing before her was her brother-in-law. Tristian Volcov. His eyes were sharp, a strong jaw, and an aura that commanded silence. His presence felt heavy, like a shadow in dim light.
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
Alice quickly wiped her tears again, forcing a fragile smile as if to hide the storm inside her. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there…” she whispered softly, her voice barely audible.
Tristian tilted his head slightly, studying her. He had just returned home after years abroad, and this fragile, tear-streaked girl was his brother’s new wife.
But something about her eyes caught him off guard. They were too red. Too broken.
“Wait,” he said, his voice dropping lower as he bent slightly to meet her gaze. “Why do your eyes look puffy?”
Alice blinked rapidly, trying to compose herself. “I-It’s nothing,” she murmured, shaking her head quickly.
Tristian’s brows furrowed. His sharp eyes scanned her face, the redness around her eyes, the way her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her dress.
Alice gasped softly when his tall figure stepped closer. Instinctively, she took a step back.
“Why are you lying?” His voice turned rough, quiet but demanding. “Tell me the truth.”
Alice’s throat tightened. She lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes.
“Did Nick say something?” he asked again, the mention of his brother’s name edged with irritation.
She shook her head quickly. “No…”
Tristian sighed, but his gaze didn’t soften. “Then what happened?” He leaned a little closer, his tone husky yet strangely gentle. “I know something did. Just spit it out from that beautiful mouth of yours.”
Her breath hitched. His words lingered in the air, warm and sharp all at once. Alice’s lashes fluttered. “No-thing,” she stammered, looking away. Her voice trembled.
Tristian watched her closely. “You’re bad at lying, little sister-in-law.” he murmured.
He took another step toward her, and Alice found herself pressed against the wall, her back hit the cold surface. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her pulse hammering in her ears.
Tristian’s gaze softened slightly as he studied her face up close. “You look cute with this look.” he said before he could stop himself.
Alice’s eyes widened. Her heart skipped a beat.
Something in her shifted, something she didn’t understand, didn’t want to understand. His words shouldn’t have affected her, but they did. Her chest felt warm, and her throat went dry.
“I-i should go…” she stammered, voice shaky. “Let me go.”
Tristian leaned closer, one arm resting on the wall beside her head. “Why are you so scared of me? I just asked a question.”
She looked away, her voice barely a whisper. “I’m fine.”
His lips curved slightly, though his eyes stayed sharp. “You should listen to your elders… and as your elder, I’m telling you, you can tell me if my little immature brother said something bad.”
Alice’s chest tightened again. His words, though meant to comfort, only reminded her of the pain she was trying to bury. Alice pressed herself tighter against the wall, her eyes glimmering with fresh tears.
Tristian noticed it, the single tear gathering in her lashes before she quickly wiped it away. Something inside him clenched.
Her eyes… they weren’t just sad. They were screaming silently.
Tristian exhaled slowly, frustration flickering in his dark eyes. He didn’t know what it was, anger toward his brother or pity for the girl standing before him.
Before he could say more, Alice turned and hurried away, clutching her dress and disappeared down the corridor, leaving him standing there, silent.
Tristian straightened, sliding his hands into his pockets, his jaw tight.
He’d seen Nick shouting at her that morning. And now this. His jaw tightened slightly.
“Tears don’t suit those innocent eyes,” he muttered under his breath, his gaze still fixed on the path she had taken.
Should he have feel those things for his sister-in-law?