Chapter 88: Chapter Eighty Eight: visit
Alicia stepped inside and picked out a bottle of wine along with a few gifts for Mr. and Mrs. Firestone.
When she reached the counter to pay, the card machine suddenly stopped working. It wasn’t entirely surprising—the store was just a small section tucked into the mall.
"Can I pay through my bank app?" Alicia asked.
The cashier nodded.
She took out her phone and powered it on. The mont the startup animation faded, a flood of notifications appeared.
Voicemails. Work emails. ssages from Alexander.
Ignoring the sudden tightness in her chest, Alicia completed the paynt through PayPal. Then, almost against her better judgnt, she opened her call log.
Dozens of missed calls from Alexander.
Her fingers hesitated before she opened his ssages.
Alicia, where are you? I’ll co pick you up.
I can explain the news.
I’m sorry.
A faint smile tugged at her lips.
Sorry. Always sorry.
It was always the sa with him—he would hurt her, and sohow, she would end up being the one left holding onto those apologies, as if they could fix anything.
Another ssage followed, sent later:
Alicia, the interview at the hospital entrance was edited maliciously. I’ve already had it suppressed. Where are you? I’ll co pick you up. Call
when you see this.
Alicia opened Twitter and searched her na.
It didn’t take long.
The headlines were already spreading:
CEO Alexander Blackwood’s affair partner, Alicia Sinclair, responds to latest scandal.
Responds?
Her brows furrowed slightly. She hadn’t said a single word.
The dia had twisted her silence into sothing else—into guilt, into fear.
The comnts were worse.
Cruel. Sharp. Unforgiving.
"Just a random woman. What does he even see in her?"
"Lilian is so beautiful, and he still chose a mistress?"
"She’s not even close to Lilian’s level."
Alicia’s chest felt hollow as she read them, a quiet numbness settling deep inside her.
Without another glance, she locked her phone and slipped it back into her bag.
By the ti she stepped out toward the garage, her expression had already returned to calm.
Aiden hadn’t expected her to take this long.
Worry creeping in, he stepped out of the car and headed inside—only to et her halfway, arms full of shopping bags.
He imdiately took so from her.
"What are all these for?" he asked, clearly confused.
"They’re gifts for Uncle and Aunt."
Aiden frowned slightly. "There was really no need for all this."
Alicia glanced at him. "What? I can’t show up empty-handed after so many years?"
"But still—"
"Aiden," she cut in gently, "it’s already done."
He let out a small sigh, giving in as usual, and opened the trunk.
Together, they placed the bags inside before closing it.
Alicia slid into the front passenger seat.
"Let’s go."
Aiden said nothing more as he got behind the wheel, the car soon pulling away toward the villa.
After parking, they both retrieved the gifts from the trunk and headed inside.
Aiden called toward the living room, "Mom, guess who’s here?"
"Who?"
Clarissa rose from the sofa and walked toward the entrance. The mont she saw Alicia behind him, her face lit up.
"Alicia! Co here, let
hug you!" she exclaid, pulling her into a warm embrace. Then her eyes fell on the bags in their hands. "Why did you buy so many things?"
"Aunt, it’s been a while," Alicia said softly.
"Just the fact that you’re here makes
so happy," Clarissa replied, beaming. "Put those down—the staff will take care of it. Co, sit."
She gently led Alicia to the couch.
"I haven’t visited in a while. How have you and Uncle been?" Alicia asked.
"We’re doing just fine," Clarissa said with a sigh. "Aiden is always busy—he hardly cos ho. So the fact that you made ti to visit ans a lot to us."
A hint of regret crossed her face. "It’s just a pity your uncle isn’t ho today."
"It’s alright, Aunt," Alicia reassured her. "I’ll make sure to visit more often."
Not far away, Aiden sat quietly, watching the two of them talk.
Clarissa might not have been deeply interested in the internet, but because of Aiden, she paid attention to online gossip. Whenever there was good news about him, she would be delighted. But when rumors spread, she couldn’t help getting upset—sotis even arguing with strangers online, only to be mocked in return.
"You know Aiden so well—are you his mother?" they would say sarcastically.
Naturally, she had also seen the recent news about Alicia.
Over the years, she had co to understand just how ruthless so dia outlets could be—twisting facts, fabricating stories, and taking things out of context.
Reaching out, she gently patted Alicia’s hand. "Don’t take those things to heart. I believe in you."
After all, she had known Alexander for years. If there had truly been sothing between him and Alicia, then where would that leave Lilian?
"Thank you, Aunt," Alicia said with a small smile. "Don’t worry. Let them talk—I’ll just keep living my life. They can’t affect
if I don’t let them."
"That’s good... that’s exactly what I wanted to hear." Clarissa hesitated for a mont before asking, "But with things like this, why hasn’t Alexander stepped forward to clarify? Isn’t he letting you take the bla?"
Alicia lowered her gaze, her smile faint but composed.
"Aunt, the dia and netizens already know I’m the adopted daughter of the Blackwood family—and that Alexander is my brother. But they’re still stirring things up. Clarifying won’t help."
She paused briefly before continuing, calm and steady.
"The best way is to let the attention die down. Once the buzz fades, everything can be cleaned up."
Clarissa nodded slowly. "You’re right... Alexander is always so busy. He probably doesn’t have the energy to deal with all this noise."
There had been rumors about Aiden in the past as well, and their way of dealing with them had always been simple—ignore them.
After a while, everything would fade on its own.
Because of that, Clarissa understood completely.
Aiden and Alicia stayed with her, chatting and laughing, the atmosphere warm and relaxed.
Before long, the sky darkened, and they had dinner together.
Afterward, they lingered on the couch for a while before finally getting up to say goodbye.
Aiden drove Alicia ho.
As the city lights flickered past outside the window, Alicia turned slightly toward him.
"Take
back to the hospital," she said.
"The hospital? At this hour?" Aiden glanced at her briefly.
"Nana’s still there. I told her yesterday I’d visit today."
Without overthinking it, he nodded. "Alright."
Alicia’s POV
The car pulled to a stop in front of St. Victoria dical Center.
"I’ll head in from here. Thank you," I said as I stepped out.
I had only taken a few steps when Aiden caught up with . He cleared his throat lightly.
"How about I co up with you? Since I’m already here... it wouldn’t feel right not to visit your grandmother."
He had a point. I couldn’t refuse such a sincere offer.
I glanced at him. "Then make sure you wear a mask. I don’t want anyone recognizing you."
His face brightened imdiately. "Of course."
He quickly put one on before following
inside.
When we reached the door to Nana’s room, I knocked softly before pushing it open.
Nana was half-reclining on the bed while Aunt Rose fed her.
"Nana, Aunty," I greeted as I stepped in.
Only then did I notice the figure seated on the opposite sofa—leaning back casually, one leg crossed over the other.
Alexander.
Our eyes t.
For a split second, everything stilled.
Then I looked away, my expression turning cold.
Beside , Aiden remained unaware of the shift in atmosphere. He gave a polite nod in greeting.
"Alicia, you’re here," Aunt Rose said warmly. "Have you eaten?"
Her gaze shifted to Aiden. "And who is this?"
"Aunty, Nana," I said, steadying my voice, "this is my friend, Aiden Firestone. He brought
here today."
The mont the words left my lips, I felt it—
A burning gaze settling sharply against my back.
I didn’t need to turn to know who it was.
Reviews
All reviews (0)