Chapter 4
After transferring the money to her bank account, Alicia left the office and headed straight for the nearest shopping mall.)
Fifty thousand dollars was a huge sum for Alicia, but to Vincent, it was spare change–hardly worth a second thought.-
“I’d like to see that bag, please,” Alicia said, mustering all her courage as she walked into a high-end boutique
The saleswoman gave Alicia a quick once–over, then replied. “That bag is forty–nine thousand, eight hundred.”
Alicia smiled. What a coincidence–she had just enough,
“Il take it. Could you please wrap it up for me?” she said coolly, settling onto a nearby bench to rest her aching legs.
In an instant, the saleswoman’s demeanor changed, she flashed a bright smile and hurried off to fetch the bag.l
To most shoppers in this store, a bag worth over forty grand was entry–level–nothing special. But to Alicia, this was about dignity. The moment she held the bag in her hands, it felt impossibly heavy.
Yet that sense of confidence she imagined it might bring never materialized. If anything, she only felt more out of place–more unworthy than ever.
As she was leaving, something caught her eye–a designer bag displayed in its own glass case. “Excuse me, how much is that one?” she psked.
Alicia remembered this style–Vincent had once given Mina the exact same bag. She could still picture Mina holding it, graceful and poised, confidence radiating from her like sunlight.
“That’s a limited edition,” the saleswoman replied with a polite smile. “It’s only on display, though. If you want to buy it, you’ll need to accumulate over three million in store credits, or purchase about one million worth of our other products as a bundle. Il
Alicia stood there, frozen.
Three million.
What did three million mean? For Vincent, it was the kind of money he could burn just to make Mina smile. But for an orphanage, it could save every child’s life.}
Human life could be precious–or cheap.
And Alicia had always been on the cheap end.
The gap between her and Mina wasn’t just in the price of a handbag. It was in family background, in upbringing, in every tiny moment that shaped them.
Vincent would never insult Mina with a casual gift worth a few thousand–he knew she was worth far more than that
was
Alicia, on the other hand, was the frog dreaming of being a swan. How laughable that she’d ever believed she could matter to Vincent, even a little.5
Utterly ridiculous.3
Back at her small apartment, Alicia immediately listed the bag for sale on a secondhand website. It was brand new, so she got most of her money back, and it would sell quickly.
As soon as the money landed in her account, Alicia planned to transfer it to the orphanage director’s bank. The kids still didn’t have proper winter clothes–forty thousand would be enough to keep them warm through the season.
She took a hot shower and, wrapped only in a towel, stood by the closet trying to decide what to wear for her meeting with Mr. Lynch the next day.
Just then, the door opened–Vincent hadn’t called, just showed up.
Startled, Alicia instinctively grabbed the towel tighter around herself. “Mr. Lawson…”
“You handed in your resignation?” Vincent frowned, carrying a bag of fruit he’d picked up from a grocery store near her building.”
He never came empty–handed–sometimes a small cake, a bag of fruit, a simple bouquet. But nothing extravagant.
“Yes,” Alicia said quietly. The apartment was, after all, one he’d rented for her, so it made sense he had a key.!!
“Don’t worry about Mira. I’ll handle it. Vincent reached out and pinched Alicia’s cheek, then sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her closer. For once, his voice was gentle. “Are you still in pain??
Alicia dropped her eyes and shook her head.
“I’ve already spoken to HR. Let’s pretend you never handed in your resignation. Take a few days off–come back whenever you want.” Vincent was granting her special treatment.
But to Alicia, it just felt like charity.
It had always been chanty from him–ever since he’d learned his sister was the ringleader in tormenting Alicia, Vincent had treated her with the patronizing kindness of someone in power.
“You’re getting married… aren’t you?” Alicia took a deep breath, summoning the nerve to ask.
Vincent fell silent, not answering.
Alicia forced a smile, blinking away the heat in her eyes. “Im not coming back to the company. I’ll move out of here soon, too. Vincent… let’s end this. I wish you and Miss Holloway all the best.”
She had her own principles. At the very least, she refused to be the other woman.!!
Vincent frowned, clearly displeased. “Are you picking a fight with me?”
Alicia managed a weary smile. “No ”
He pulled her into his arms again, almost comforting. Just stay here. When the wedding day comes, we’ll talk.”
Vincent spoke so naturally, as if he didn’t realize how cruel his words were 8
Maybe he never saw Alicia as a real person at all
“The accident the other day scared Mina. She feels guilty for not looking after you.” Vincent said, his hand sliding around her waist–a waist he’d always been proud of. After all, it was Vincent who’d brought Alicia home as a malnourished teenager, making sure she never had to survive on dry bread and salty pickles again.
“Nineteen–year–old you was so much smaller than other girls,” he mused. “But after I brought you here, at least you could eat three proper meals a day.”
Tomorrow night, Ming’s hosting a family dinner at home–just a few friends. I plan to propose to her there. You should come ear help set things up.”
early to
Vincent tugged away Alicia’s towel, his hands wandering, his breath warm against her neck.
Alicia thought Vincent could be truly cruel–just like his sister, deep down.
Hadn’t Mina satisfied him during their days in the Maldives?
“I’m not going. Alicia said firmly, pushing Vincent away and retrieving her towel, suddenly nauseous. Tomorrow night, she had her meeting with Mr. Lynch.
“If you
don’t go. Mina will get the wrong idea, Vincent said, clearly annoyed–this was the first time Alicia h “She’s been mamned before, she’s sensitive. I don’t want her to suspect anything about us.
had ever pushed him away.
Chapter 5
