Alicia's attempt at being playful and affectionate came off a bit awkwardâbut with her face, that clumsy sweetness was almost endearing.
Tyrone stared at her for a long moment before letting out a soft laugh. "What guilty secret are you hiding?"
He pulled her into his arms, squeezing her cheeks with a mock-seriousness. Alicia winced a little at the pressure, giving him a wounded look. Guilty?
She was just trying to please him.
"I'm notâ" Alicia started to defend herself.
"Upset because I didn't let you go out with Winnie?" Tyrone probed.
She shook her head quickly. "No, it's not that... Now that you're home, of course I want to be here. I wouldn't go out."
"So well-behaved all of a sudden?" Tyrone eyed her with suspicion. Was it his imagination, or had she gotten more obedient since he'd been away?
Where had she picked that up?
"Did you hear something?" He guessed the answerâWilma must have said something, especially since she hadn't come out to greet him, looking all guilty.
"No..." Alicia didn't want to throw Wilma under the bus.
Tyrone ruffled her hair. "Don't worry. We're not getting divorced. And when you're actually pregnant, even he can't force us to split. The Lynch family's old rules are clearâno children outside of marriage. Every heir must be born within wedlock, and divorce isn't allowed while the wife's expecting."
He gave her a gentle smile. "So, how about we try a little harder?"
Alicia immediately caught his driftâhe meant they should put more effort into, well, making a baby. Molly really was the best mentor, she thought, nodding enthusiastically.
After a short pause, Alicia spoke up again. "But... what if your father kicks you out? Takes back your shares in the company..."
Tyrone considered it, then grinned. "As long as you're pregnant, he won't have an excuse to kick me out. Besides, he's getting oldâif he forced me out, he'd wear himself out running the company alone."
He didn't believe his father would really go that farâit was all just pressure to make him marry Nicole. But after this latest clash, he doubted the old man would dare mess with Alicia anytime soon.
"Then... I'll do my best." Alicia grabbed Tyrone's hand and tugged him toward the stairs. "Come on, let's go make a baby."
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
ï¤Chapter 140 Transmigration: I Have Storage Space in the Apocalypse ï¤Chapter 760 - 756: Encountering a Man with Evil Intentions "Sweetheart..." Tyrone laughed, weary but amused, and wrapped his arms around her from behind, leaning into her as he nudged her gently up the steps. "Show me a little sympathy, will you? I rushed back overnight, caught an early flightâI'm exhausted..."
Alicia's ears went bright red. Was Tyrone... being playful with her?
Her heart skipped, and she didn't dare look back at him. That unexpected tendernessâcoming from Tyrone, it was dangerously tempting.
"Felix told me you agreed to pick up Melanie?" Tyrone asked, his voice softer now. "Sleep with me for a couple hours, then we'll go together."
Alicia nodded. "Yeah... She's been bullied at school. Kids call her a freeloader, say she's just leeching off you. She's proud, doesn't want to be a burden, and now she doesn't even want to go to school."
Tyrone was silent for a long while. He took her hand and led her inside, his tone somber. "I haven't been much of a father... But at least she has you."
Alicia's heart ached. Was it because he loved Serena that he treated Melanie as his own daughter now?
"Can I... ask you something?" Alicia glanced up at him timidly.
"There's nothing you can't say to me," Tyrone replied, pulling off his jacket.
Alicia looked away, embarrassed, and spoke quietly. "Why haven't you told Melanie her mom is alive? She must feel so alone without a mother..."
Tyrone paused mid-change, his hands frozen in place.