Alicia glanced at Serena. She'd heard the rumorsâSerena used to be a live-in tutor, from a struggling background, yet she could now so confidently claim she'd cover tens of millions in contract penalties on Tyrone's behalf. That could only mean one thing: Tyrone was incredibly generous with her.
On the way over, Jade had mentioned that Tyrone was willing to give Serena his entire fortune as a dowry.
"I'm sorry, but my contract is with Tyrone," Alicia said apologetically, looking at Serena. "If I were to break it, I'd have to discuss it with my boss first..."
"Alicia, you're a good girl. No family, an orphanâthere won't be any trouble, which makes you the perfect choice," Serena sighed. "But you should know, IVF isn't easy. You'll be in and out of hospitals, getting injections, constant checkups... egg retrieval..."
Alicia felt a pang of guilt. Serena seemed so sure that Tyrone would never touch her, but the truth wasâshe and Tyrone had already slept together.
Suddenly, a wave of shame washed over her, as if she were some kind of interloper. It left a bitter taste in her mouth.
She didn't really have any right to call herself his wife.
"I'll do whatever Tyrone asks," Alicia murmured.
"I told you on the way hereâshe's stubborn," Jade said with a resigned smile, pushing Serena's wheelchair. "Don't bother trying to talk her out of it.
Either way, she and Tyrone are bound to divorce eventually. If she wants to have the child, let her. Tyrone's already promised youâthe child will call you âMom,' and Alicia will never have any contact with the baby, ever again."
Alicia stood frozen in place.
Never see her own child?
She should have expected this before signing the contract, but it still stung. Fear, sadness, anxietyâthey all mingled inside her.
"I... I'll head back now," Alicia stammered, eager to escape. Standing in front of Serena, the âreal' wife, only made her feel more like an intruder.
No, not even an intruder. More like a surrogate. Just a toolâto give Serena and Tyrone an heir.
"Serena, get some rest. I'll walk Alicia out," Jade said.
She signaled to the rehab nurse to wheel Serena away, and then strolled unhurriedly after Alicia.
"One more piece of advice: don't fall in love with Tyrone," Jade said lightly.
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
Alicia stopped, turning to face her. "Are you that afraid I'll fall for him? If Tyrone's love for Serena is truly unbreakable, why do you keep warning me?
Even if I did fall for him, what difference would it make?"
Jade paused, frowning. "I just don't want you to embarrass yourself."
"Maybe you should worry about yourself," Alicia replied, keeping her tone polite. Jade was a senior here, and not someone she could afford to cross.
Jade's expression darkened, clearly not expecting a ânobody' like Alicia to talk back. "Know your place, Alicia. You're just a nobody from a group home in the sticks. Trying to match up to Tyrone? Ridiculous. Standing by his side, getting a shot at a contract marriageâthat's as good as it'll ever get for you."
She didn't bother hiding her contempt.
To Alicia, it all seemed a bit much. Jade's hostility was oddly intense.
"I know my place," Alicia said quietly, hoping to end the conversation.
Jade arched an eyebrow. "You spent four years with Vincent, didn't you? And he tossed you aside without a second thought. To men like them, you're just a plaything."
Alicia didn't bother arguing.
Jade's words were cruel, but not untrue.
Guys like Vincent loved girls like herâorphans, rootless, with nothing to lose.
He'd once told her: in their world, everyone was a wolf, ready to eat you alive.
On the way back, Tyrone called Alicia several times.
She didn't answer.
She wasn't sure whyâshe just couldn't bring herself to pick up.
But when he called a third time, Alicia finally answered. Ignoring your boss's call, she thought, was bordering on reckless.
ï¤Chapter 95 Transmigration: I Have Storage Space in the Apocalypse ï¤Chapter 760 - 756: Encountering a Man with Evil Intentions