âAlright,â Tyrone agreed.
Alicia snuck a glance at him. He didnât explain himselfâdidnât bother to hide anything, either.
She turned to gaze out the window, realizing, once again, that she was probably just imagining things.
Humans really are greedy creatures, she thought. Just because Tyrone, the man holding the purse strings, had treated her kindly for a few days, sheâd started to take his concern for granted.
It was almost as if sheâd convinced herself she belonged in the role of his wife.
But for Serena, that role was nothing short of a cruel joke.
The car pulled up in front of the hotel. The valet drove it off to park, and Alicia followed Tyrone inside, heading upstairs in search of Melanie.
Melanie hadnât picked up her phone all morning, and Alicia couldnât help but worry that something might have happened. Girls her age were prone to making reckless choices.
âMelanie, open the door.â Tyrone knocked firmly. There was no reply from inside.
âMelanie!â His brow furrowed, his voice edged with irritation.
Alicia spoke quietly. âWhy donât you go wait downstairs? Let me try talking to her.â
Tyrone nodded, stepping aside.
Alicia knocked softly. âMelanie, itâs me. Your uncleâs goneâitâs just me now.â
Tyrone cast her a look, then turned and walked away.
The room stayed silent.
âMelanie, arenât we friends?â Alicia tried again.
There was a long pause before the door finally cracked open. Melanie peeked out, making sure Tyrone was really gone before she let Alicia in.
The curtains were drawn tight, and the lights were off. The room was shrouded in gloom.
Empty beer bottles covered the tableâa clear sign Melanie had been drinking heavily the night before.
âWhereâd you learn to drink like this? Your eyes are so swollen, you look like youâve been crying for hours.â Alicia sighed, lowering herself onto the sofa.
Melanie flopped down beside her, refusing to make eye contact.
âI didnât do anything to upset you, did I?â Alicia watched her carefully.
âYou knew my mom wasnât dead, didnât you? Youâre just another liar.â The bitterness in Melanieâs voice was unmistakable.
Alicia considered for a moment before answering. âI only found out when I was in Harboridge. I was just as shocked as you. Your uncle went to great lengths to protect her, and he never told anyone. Iâm sure he had his reasons.â
Melanie said nothing.
Alicia took a deep breath. âIâm not sure if Iâm right, but... I donât think your uncle hid your mother away just because he loves her. That accident she had years agoâit probably wasnât just a simple crash, was it? Maybe pretending sheâd died was the only way to keep her safe. You were so young, you might have let something slip if youâd known. If youâd accidentally told someone...â
Melanie stared at her, stunned. Alicia was cleverâshe really did know how to comfort people. âReally?â
Alicia nodded. âI donât know the full truth. But Tyrone is careful about everythingâheâd never ignore your feelings unless your motherâs safety depended on it.â
âOhâby the way, on our way over here, your mom called Tyrone. She asked him to pick you up and bring you to see her at the hospital,â Alicia added with a smile, though her chest ached with a bittersweet pang.
Melanie slowly sat up, looking at Alicia as if searching for words. At last, she managed, âWait here. I need to get dressed.â
She changed her clothes, then hovered awkwardly, hesitating.
âIs there something you want to say?â Alicia prompted gently.
Melanie met her gaze. âAre you... really only with my uncle for the money? Do you have any other feelings for him? Because... well, before I found out my mom was alive, I thought maybe my uncle would fall in love with you...â
Tyrone really did treat Alicia differently. No other woman whoâd come close to him had ever gotten the same attention.
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
ï¤Chapter 183 Transmigration: I Have Storage Space in the Apocalypse ï¤Chapter 760 - 756: Encountering a Man with Evil Intentions