When we arrived back at the villa, it was already late.
Aimy was already asleep, so we checked her in the room before leaving quietly.
Once we stepped into the master bedroom, he loosened his tie and slipped off his suit jacket.
"I’ll be in the study for a while," he said. "Go ahead and rest first."
"Alright."
I didn’t think much of it.
Alexander often spent some time in his study after important events, so I simply changed into my pajamas and climbed into bed.
The evening hadn’t turned out the way I’d expected.
Although people had whispered about me throughout the event, none of them had dared say anything openly.
Even Alexander’s friends seemed different from two years ago.
Back then, they had only pretended to accept me because of Alexander.
Tonight...
Their congratulations felt sincere.
Even though i had never cared about what they thought of me, I still appreciated their sincerity.
As for the opinions of everyone else...
I’d long stopped letting them affect me.
I was exhausted from the day’s events, and before I knew it, sleep claimed me.
I didn’t even notice when Alexander finally returned to bed...
The next morning was Saturday.
Normally, weekends were reserved for the three of us.
Sometimes we’d stay home.
Other times we’d take Aimy out for the day.
But after breakfast, Alexander picked up his jacket.
"I have to go out and take care of something."
"Alright."
"Will you be back before lunch?"
He hesitated.
"I’m not sure."
"It might take a while."
I nodded.
"Okay. Take care."
He smiled, bent down to kiss Aimy’s forehead, then headed out.
He didn’t return for lunch.
After eating with Aimy, I suddenly found myself with nothing to do.
Since Sophie and I hadn’t been able to meet the other with Ariana, I decided to call her.
After several rings, she finally answered.
"Hello, Alicia."
"Sophie, are you free today? Want to meet up?"
Silence.
I frowned.
"Sophie?"
"Ah... Alicia..."
"I’m actually a little busy with work right now."
"Work?"
"On a Saturday?"
"Yes."
She answered almost too quickly before giving an awkward laugh.
"You know how demanding my work can be."
That was true.
Sophie rarely had proper weekends.
I sighed.
"Alright."
"Maybe another time."
Just as I was about to end the call, I heard a familiar voice somewhere in the background.
"Are you with Ariana..."
"Bye, Alicia!"
The line suddenly went dead.
I stared at my phone in confusion.
What was that about?
She hadn’t sounded like herself at all.
It was almost as if she was afraid she might accidentally reveal something.
A small smile tugged at my lips.
Sophie was always up to something.
Besides...
She and Ariana were practically inseparable whenever work was involved.
It wasn’t unusual for them to be together.
The rest of the afternoon passed quietly.
Aimy and I spent most of it watching cartoons and animated movies in the cinema room on the third floor.
She laughed happily whenever her kitten chased its own tail across the carpet.
I watched her with a smile.
Yet somehow...
I couldn’t shake the strange feeling of loneliness.
Only then did I realize how much I’d grown accustomed to Alexander’s presence in our lives.
Even with so many people in the villa...
Without him, the house felt unusually quiet.
When he texted to say he’d be home for dinner, I found myself unexpectedly relieved.
For the rest of the afternoon, I caught myself checking the time every now and then.
At seven o’clock, Aimy and I finally returned to the first floor.
The aroma of dinner already filled the villa, and the staff moved busily between the dining room and the kitchen.
I had just taken out my phone to call Alexander when the front door opened.
He walked in looking noticeably tired.
The moment he saw me, his expression softened.
"Have you been waiting for me?"
He stepped closer and placed a gentle kiss near my jaw.
"Sorry."
"Things became a little chaotic."
I raised an eyebrow.
"What exactly happened?"
He smiled.
"It’s nothing for you to worry about."
"When the time comes..."
"You’ll find out."
My brows knitted together.
I wanted to ask more.
But I stopped myself.
Alexander always avoided hiding things from me without reason.
If he wasn’t telling me now...
Then there had to be one.
Meanwhile, Aimy remained completely occupied with her kitten, chasing it around the living room.
Alexander smiled before scooping her into his arms.


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