Chapter 3
Maybe I was just too stubborn to die–Alicia survived because someone rescued her
When she woke, it was already the next morning.
“Bruising on the right arm, mild concussion, multiple soft tissue injuries…”
The doctor stood by her bed, glancing down at her chart before meeting Alicia’s eyes. “Is there anywhere else you feel pain?”
Alicia shook her head, then reached for her phone. Not a single call from Vincent.
But for the first time ever, Vincent–who never posted on social media–had uploaded a photo. The picture was taken on a sunlit beach, the sea a brilliant blue. The view was stunning.8
But the real focus was Mina, dressed in a flowing bohemian dress, more beautiful than the scenery itself,
Alicia curled up, pulling the blanket over her head, Quietly, she cried.
Four years with Vincent. What did that make her?!
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
After being discharged, Alicia returned to her cramped apartment, swallowed an ibuprofen, and collapsed into bed.
She must have nerves of steel–she slept for an entire day before she finally felt halfway human again.
After slapping on a few pain relief patches, Alicia dragged herself to work.
She needed that inter paycheck, after all.
“Did you see Mr. Lawson’s post? My God, he never shares anything online! He really broke his own rule for Miss Holloway–how romantic is that?“?
“He’s the perfect man, honestly. All these years, so self–disciplined, just waiting for Miss Holloway.”
Alicia had barely stepped into the office when she overheard her coworkers gossiping.
She let out a bitter laugh and dropped into her seat. Vincent really did love Mina.!
But ‘self–disciplined?” Hardly.
Alicia found it all rather ironic. Maybe all men were the same; love and physical desire could be completely separate things.
He loved Mina with his heart. But his body? He’d never hesitated to share that with Alicia.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out near the elevator.
Alicia looked up and felt her blood run cold.
Mira was here.D
et out of my way!” Mira’s heels clicked across the floor as she strode in, clad in a designer suit and radiating entitlement.
“Get
Alicia instinctively ducked her head, shrinking into herself. The shadow of freshman year bullying still hadn’t faded.
“Alicia, my brother’s coming home today. He and Mina are getting married. Mira leaned in, her voice a venomous whisper, like the devil murmuring in her ear
She let out a mocking laugh. “I told you four years ago–the day my brother leaves you is the day you’re finished ”
Alicia froze, every muscle tense.!!
Four years, and Mira still wouldn’t let her go.
Smack! Mira slapped Alicia across the face, right in front of everyone.
Alicia didn’t fight back. She didn’t even make a sound.
She knew she was being a coward, but she couldn’t afford to take Mira on.
No matter how many times she fantasized about killing Mira, the truth was, as long as she wanted to keep living, she couldn’t do it.!!
But if there ever came a day when she was done with life–she’d make sure Mira went with her.
For now, though, she was pathetic, and she still wanted to live.
“Remember this slap?” Mira sneered, fury and amusement twisting her features. “Years ago, my brother hit me for the first time because of you–sent me overseas, too! He never laid a hand on me before, but for you? He did
Giggling maliciously, she picked up a coffee from the desk and poured it over Alicia’s head.
“Alicia, you really think you’ve won just by sleeping with my brother?
a different league. Did you really think he’d ever marry you?”
her? Who do you think you are? Just a nobody, an orphan. My brother’s in
Mira shoved Alicia’s head, then leaned in again, her tone icy. “Get out of Lawson & Co., or fil dump all your dirty secrets in the company group chat.”
Alicia kept her head down, silent.}
“Dirty secrets“-was she talking about those naked photos Mira and her friends took during their freshman year, when they stripped her and bullied her? Or was it about sleeping with Vincent?
No one in the office dared speak up for Alicia. Mira was the company heiress, after all.
“Alicia..how did you end up on the wrong side of the Lawson family?” Only after Mira strutted out did a coworker dare to whisper.!! Alicia wiped her face with a tissue, forcing a smile. “We went to college together. Some old drama…?
In the restroom, Alicia hid in a comer, straightening her clothes.
She didn’t cry.”
Back in her freshman year, she would have sobbed about how unfair the world was
Was it her fault she was an orphan? Did she deserve to be bullied just because she had no family, no connections?
Now, she understood: being an orphan was
sa sin in itself. No family, no power–just an easy target.
People don’t need a reason to hurt you?
Ding!
Her phone vibrated. Vincent had just wired her five thousand dollars.
After all
Il the drama at the office, he must have heard that Mira slapped her.?
Five grand for a slap.}
Not a bad deal.
“I called Mira and told her off. Treat yourself to something nice,” Vincent texted, followed by a voice message repeating the same line. “Buy whatever you want.2
“Thank you, Mr. Lawson
Alicia accepted the money. She’d eamed it, after all.)
Staring at the chat screen, she didn’t know what she was hoping for Maybe that Vincent would show a shred of concern, ask if she was hurt in the accident But he didn’t ask anything.
She powered off her phone and went to HR to hand in her resignation. As an intern, the process was quick and painless.!!
Tomorrow was the thirteenth. That night, she needed to go to Riverside Mansion to meet Mr. Lynch.
If she seized this chance, she could finally escape Seaview City for good.
Escape Vincent, too.
