Chapter Fifteen
Alicia's POV
I practically ran to my room after dinner, my heart still racing from what had happened under that table. The moment I closed the door behind me, I leaned against it and let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding.
Malachi was going to be the death of me.
I touched my leg where his foot had been, the sensation still lingering on my skin like perfume. He'd been so casual about it. So calm. While I'd been sitting there trying not to combust in front of his entire family.
Part of me hated how he did that. How he pushed and teased and made me feel things I had no business feeling.
But another part of me, a part I didn't want to acknowledge, loved it.
Loved the attention. The way he looked at me. The way he made me feel seen in a house where I'd been invisible for two years.
I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. This was dangerous. I was playing with fire, and eventually, I was going to get burned.
I changed into my nightgown and climbed into bed, but sleep didn't come easily. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him. That smirk. Those dark eyes. The way his fingers had brushed my cheek when he woke me up.
How was I supposed to survive working with him every day?
The next morning, I woke up feeling exhausted. But when I checked my phone, relief washed over me. All of Malachi's meetings were scheduled online today. Which meant I didn't have to go into the office.
Thank God.
I needed space. Distance. Time to get my head straight.
After breakfast, I told the head chef I'd handle the grocery shopping today. She seemed surprised but grateful for the break.
I grabbed my purse and headed out, happy to have something normal to do. Something that didn't involve Malachi Blackwood and his infuriating presence.
The grocery store was busy, filled with people going about their everyday lives. I grabbed a cart and started down the aisles, picking up fresh vegetables, fruits, and all of Grandpa's favorite snacks. He liked these specific crackers that only one store in the city carried, so I made sure to stock up.
Shopping was therapeutic. Mindless. Exactly what I needed.
After loading the groceries into the car, I decided to treat myself. I hadn't bought new clothes in months. Travis never let me spend money on myself. He'd always said I didn't deserve it. That I should be grateful for what I had.
But Travis wasn't here now.
I drove to the shopping district and parked near one of my favorite boutiques. The store was elegant, with soft lighting and racks of beautiful clothes. I ran my fingers over the fabrics, feeling the silk and cotton beneath my touch.
I picked out a few blouses, a pair of jeans, and a simple black dress. Nothing too extravagant. Just things that made me feel like myself again.
I was heading to the checkout when I saw Sasha.
She was browsing through a rack of designer bags, her expression sour as always. Of all the stores in this city, she had to be in this one.
I tried to slip past her unnoticed, but she looked up at that exact moment. Her eyes narrowed when she saw me.
"Well, well," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "Look who it is. The charity case."
I kept my face neutral. "Hello, Sasha."
"Shopping for more rags?" She gestured to the clothes in my arms. "Trying to look presentable for once?"
I bit back the sharp response on my tongue. Fighting with her wasn't worth it. "Excuse me, I need to pay."
I tried to move past her, but she stepped into my path.
"Listen to me carefully," she said, her voice low and venomous. "When Travis dies, and trust me, he will, you'll be the first person I kick out of that house. You don't belong in this family. You never did."
My chest tightened. Not because her words hurt, but because part of me agreed with her. I didn't belong here. I'd never wanted to belong here.
But I couldn't tell her that. Couldn't let her know about my plans to divorce Travis the moment he woke up. That information was too dangerous in her hands.
"I'll keep that in mind," I said evenly.
She smirked, satisfied with herself, and finally stepped aside. I walked past her to the checkout, my headache already forming.
After paying, I left the store and stood on the sidewalk, taking deep breaths. Sasha's words replayed in my mind, and I hated how much they affected me.
My phone buzzed with a text.
Cassie:
I'm in the city! Coffee? I have SO much to tell you!
I smiled for the first time all day. Cassie. My best friend from before everything fell apart. Before the arranged marriage. Before I became Mrs. Travis Blackwood.
Alicia:
Yes! Where are you?
Cassie:
That café on Fifth Street. You know the one. Get here now!
I drove to the café, my mood lifting with every mile. When I walked in, I spotted her immediately. Cassie sat at a corner table, her curly hair wild and beautiful, her smile bright enough to light up the whole room.
"Alicia!" She jumped up and threw her arms around me. "Oh my God, I missed you so much!"
"I missed you too," I said, hugging her back tightly.
We sat down, and she immediately launched into stories about her time abroad. Paris. London. Tokyo. She'd seen the world while I'd been trapped in a nightmare.
"I went to your old house to surprise you," she said, her expression shifting. "But the neighbors said your family moved away two years ago. What happened?"
My smile faded. I looked down at my coffee, trying to find the right words.
"They sold me," I said quietly.
Cassie's eyes widened. "What?"
"Not literally. But close enough." I took a breath. "The family business was failing. They needed money. So they arranged a marriage for me with the Blackwood family. I married Travis two years ago, and right after the wedding, they took the money and left the city. Started over somewhere new."
"Alicia…" Cassie reached across the table and grabbed my hand. "Why didn't you tell me? I would have come back. I would have helped."
"There was nothing you could do. It was already done."
"Are you happy?" she asked, her voice soft.
I laughed bitterly. "Happy? No. But I'm surviving."
"That's not the same thing."
"I know."
We sat in silence for a moment, and I could see the sadness in her eyes. She'd always been protective of me. Always believed I deserved more than what I'd gotten.
"I'm getting a divorce," I said suddenly. "As soon as Travis wakes up, I'm leaving."
Cassie squeezed my hand. "Good. You deserve so much better."
"Yeah," I whispered. "I do."
We talked for another hour, catching up on everything we'd missed. She told me about her job as a photographer. I told her about working at Blackwood Enterprises. But I left out the part about Malachi.
That was too complicated to explain.
We were laughing about something stupid when the café door opened, and I felt the air shift.
I looked up.
Malachi stood in the doorway, Maurice right behind him. His eyes swept the room until they landed on me.
Surprise flickered across his face. Then that familiar smirk appeared.
He walked over to our table, his presence commanding every eye in the room.
"Alicia," he said smoothly. "I didn't expect to see you here."
Cassie looked between us, confusion clear on her face.
"Malachi," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "What are you doing here?"
"Coffee meeting." He glanced at Maurice. "But it seems I've stumbled onto something more interesting."
His gaze shifted to Cassie, assessing her.
"And who's this?"