"It’s too cold," Alexander said softly. "It might upset your stomach again."
I paused, then quietly set the glass back down.
"Where have you been?" I asked, with a hint of frustration in my voice. "I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Nana is asking about you."
"I’m sorry," he replied. "I had to take a call. Shall we head back to the table now?"
"Okay, let’s—"
I didn’t get to finish.
His phone rang again.
Alexander glanced at the screen before answering.
"Hello, Lilian," he said, his tone instantly softening.
The mont I heard that na, my heart sank.
The fragile peace I had been holding onto shattered instantly.
He stepped aside to take the call, speaking in hushed tones I couldn’t hear. When he returned monts later, his expression had changed.
"I’m sorry," he said. "I have to go. Sothing ca up."
I froze.
He was leaving?
For Lilian?
"What could be so important that you’re leaving Grandma’s birthday celebration?"I asked, unable to hide the hurt in my voice.
"Lilian needs right now," he replied. "I’ll be back before the celebration ends."
"Lilian needs you?" I repeated bitterly. "What about us? What am I supposed to tell Grandma?"
"I have to go, Alicia."
And just like that, he turned and left.
I stood there, unmoving.
Another woman had called—and my husband had gone running to her without hesitation, leaving behind to face the family alone.
Unable to face nana, i quietly slipped outside, hoping the cool air would calm the storm inside her chest.
If only I had known...
That stepping outside would beco the greatest mistake I would make that day.
I quietly walked to the lake and stopped on the sand by the shore.
The view was beautiful—calm, soothing—but I didn’t dare go any closer. I was afraid of water. I couldn’t swim.
I stayed there alone, far from the party and all the fancy people.
The lake shimred under the soft glow of the evening sun, its surface almost too calm—like it was holding its breath. The distant laughter from the mansion barely reached .
For once, it was quiet.
"Enjoying the view?"
The voice was sharp and unwelco.
I turned.
The tall, slender woman from the party approached first, her heels clicking softly against the stone path. The short-haired woman followed closely behind, arms crossed, her eyes filled with barely concealed disdain.
They were distant relatives of the Blackwood family—I recognized them from gatherings like this. Other than that, they were hardly ever involved with the main family.
I straightened slightly. "Is there sothing you need?"
The tall woman smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. "We were just curious... how soone like you managed to get so close to Alexander."
The air shifted.
"I don’t think that’s any of your concern," I replied calmly, though my fingers curled tightly at my sides.
The short-haired woman scoffed. "Oh, it is. Everyone’s talking about it. A girl from nowhere suddenly acting like she belongs in the Blackwood family."
My patience began to wear thin. "I never claid to be anything more than I am."
"Really?" the tall woman stepped closer. "Because from where we’re standing, it looks like you’ve been trying very hard."
Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating.
"I suggest you both leave," I said quietly.
The short-haired woman laughed. "Or what?"
I didn’t respond.
That silence only seed to irritate them more.
"Do you think Alexander actually cares about you?" the tall woman continued, her voice dropping. "Girls like you are just... temporary."
That hit.
For a split second, it hurt—but I refused to let it show.
"Say whatever you want," I said, my voice steady. "But don’t mistake your assumptions for truth."
The short-haired woman suddenly stepped forward, closing the distance between us.
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