Chapter 10: Chapter Ten: Did you like my gift?
The next morning, I woke to an empty bed.
Only a shallow crease remained on the sheets beside —proof that Alexander had slept there at so point before leaving.
I should have been used to it.
He always woke early to work out before heading to the office.
But this morning felt different.
The room felt colder.
And for so reason, so did I.
After everything that had happened last night, I hadn’t expected him to return at all. Not when he had spent the evening with Lilian.
Then again... Alexander Blackwood had always done exactly what he wanted.
Still, the thought stung more than I cared to admit.
I reached for my phone and froze.
I had overslept.
Lately, I had been sleeping more and more. The pregnancy was draining
faster each day.
I hurried out of bed, but the mont my feet touched the floor, dizziness struck.
I caught myself against the wall and stayed there until the room steadied.
"Not now," I whispered to myself.
I couldn’t afford weakness today.
After washing up, I made my way downstairs.
"Good morning, Mrs. Blackwood," Maria greeted.
"Morning, Maria."
I sat at the dining table while she placed breakfast in front of .
"Mr. Alexander already left."
"I figured."
I forced myself to eat quickly, though my appetite was poor.
I hadn’t expected to see him anyway.
Afterward, I grabbed my bag and drove straight to the office.
When I entered the conference room, everyone was already seated.
Everyone except Lilian Sumr and her team.
The eting had been scheduled for nine o’clock.
It was now nine-thirty.
Because I had also arrived late, I ignored the restless atmosphere and began discussing campaign adjustnts with the operations manager and creative director while we waited.
Nine forty-five.
Ten o’clock.
Still nothing.
Each passing minute sharpened the irritation in the room.
Finally, I turned to my assistant.
"Call them."
She quickly made the call, then lowered her phone nervously.
"Director Alicia... they said they’re on their way."
I glanced at the clock again.
Another ten minutes passed.
No one ca.
My patience snapped.
"Get
her agent’s contact. If they can’t respect the company’s ti, we’ll reconsider this entire collabor—"
The conference room doors opened.
Conversation stopped instantly.
Lilian Sumr entered first.
Alexander walked beside her.
Her arm was looped through his as though it belonged there.
Soft whispers spread through the room.
"They look perfect together..."
"No wonder they were trending last night..."
A sharp pain stabbed through my chest.
But my smile never moved.
I rose from my seat.
"Boss. Miss Sumr. You’re finally here."
Lilian bead and walked straight toward
as if we were close friends.
"Alicia!"
She reached for my hand warmly.
"It’s so nice seeing you again."
I gently withdrew my hand.
"You too."
She tilted her head, studying .
"You look much more mature now. I still rember when you were in college, following Alexander around and calling
sister-in-law."
Several eyes turned toward
instantly.
Of course they knew I was Alexander’s adopted sister.
And now they knew sothing else.
That I had once stood nearby while another woman occupied the place I secretly wanted.
Three years ago, Alexander had brought Lilian ho and introduced her proudly as his girlfriend.
I still rembered the way he looked at her.
The way he kissed her in the garden when they thought no one was watching.
At the ti, I believed my role in his life was already decided.
To love him quietly.
To watch him choose soone else.
Then one year later, he married .
And I had been foolish enough to believe fate had changed.
Now, seeing them walk in together...
I finally understood.
I had only been borrowing what was always hers.
"Thank you," I said evenly. "You look radiant as well, Miss Sumr."
Her smile brightened.
"Oh! Did you like the signed album I sent you? The singer is a close friend of mine overseas. Since you love her songs, I asked her to sign it for you."
My heartbeat faltered.
Slowly, I turned to Alexander.
I had thought—
No.
I had hoped—
That he had chosen that gift himself.
Alexander t my eyes without warmth.
"What?" he said coolly. "Didn’t you like it?"
The humiliation burned hotter than anger.
I forced a smile.
"I liked it very much. Thank you, Miss Sumr."
Then I straightened the files in front of .
"Now, shall we begin? We’ve already wasted enough ti."
For the first ti, Lilian’s smile thinned slightly.
"Of course."
Then she turned to Alexander and tugged lightly at his sleeve.
"Go back to work. Don’t forget we’re having lunch together."
His expression softened in a way I had never seen directed at .
"Okay."
He left without sparing
another glance.
I watched him walk away.
And sowhere inside , sothing quietly broke.
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