Four years ago, when Alicia met Vincent, she thought sheâd finally caught a break. But later, she realized the storms Vincent brought into her life made her high school bullies seem tame.
So maybe she really was just unlucky.
Franklin chuckled, amused by Aliciaâs dry wit. âYou canât be too soft in our world. Wallflowers are just prey, bottom of the food chain. Someone like you...â He gave her a slow once-over. âYouâll be eaten alive, not even a scrap left.â
âBut even a little vine can choke a mighty oak, canât it?â Alicia shot back, her tone light but defiant.
Franklin paused, a smirk playing on his lips. âYouâre awfully naïve, little rabbit.â
He waved his phone at her. âHere, take my number. Call me if you need anything. Room service will bring your meals, but try not to wander out unless you have to.â
Alicia nodded quietly.
Franklin gave her a long, thoughtful look before leaving. Truth be told, his curiosity about Alicia stemmed entirely from the fact that both Vincent and Tyroneâtwo men who lived and breathed their ruthless careersâhad their eyes on the same woman.
As the door clicked shut, Alicia headed into the bathroom.
Sitting on the toilet, she doubled over as a sharp, stabbing pain twisted in her abdomen.
She glanced down. Just a spot of blood on her padâbarely anything, really. That was actually a relief; she hadnât had time to buy any new toiletries after rushing over. Sheâd have to run to the store later and pick up what she needed.
Thinking of how sheâd bailed on Melanie for their shopping trip, Alicia picked up her phone and sent her a quick message, explaining she wouldnât be able to hang out for the next few days.
No reply from Melanie. Maybe she was mad.
Girls her age could be temperamentalâand Melanie, with her fiery streak, was no exception. Honestly, it was nothing new if she got upset over something trivial.
Alicia sighed. Just when she thought sheâd finally made some progress with Melanie, their relationship had slipped right back to square one.
She set her phone aside, took a long shower, and when she emerged, noticed several missed callsânumbers she didnât recognize.
No doubt Maddoxâs doing.
Alicia flopped onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
She couldnât keep drifting like this... To study abroad, sheâd first have to finish a semester of language classes here, which meantâfor the time being âshe had to hold on to her position as Tyroneâs âwife.â
If they divorced before she left the country, who knew what might happen?
It had felt good to see Mira and Henry get what they deserved, but she knew the Lawsons and the Holloways would retaliate eventually.
The only reason they hadnât made a move yet was because they feared Tyrone.
But how much longer could she really hide behind his shadow?
Her phone buzzed again.
She assumed it was another one of Maddoxâs calls, but this time, the caller ID flashed Tyroneâs name.
âAre you at the hotel?â Tyroneâs low voice came through the line.
âI am,â Alicia answered softly.
âI picked up a few things for you. Can you open the door?â His voice was gentle, unusually so.
Alicia felt her ears grow warm. Tyrone always made her pulse race when he spoke to her like that. âYou bought something?â
She was still digesting the surprise when the doorbell rang.
She hurried over. A hotel staff member stood outside, handing her a large grocery bag that felt heavier than expected.
Alicia thanked him, carried it to the bed, and peeked insideâpainkillers, every kind of pad imaginable, a box of overnight underwear, heating patches... everything she could possibly need.
She stared at the haul for a moment, then burst out laughing.
On the other end of the phone, Tyrone cleared his throat, clearly embarrassed. âItâs my first time buying this stuff. I... wasnât sure what youâd need.â
âTyrone, thank you...â Alicia murmured, her voice small, her heart quietly blooming with warmth.
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
ï¤Chapter 168 Transmigration: I Have Storage Space in the Apocalypse ï¤Chapter 760 - 756: Encountering a Man with Evil Intentions So this is what it feels like to be cared for.