Chapter 3 Never Appear in Front of Me Again

Alice had been busy all morning, ensuring that all of the groom's relatives were properly arranged. She leaned against her waist and let out a long sigh of relief.

Jane, her mother, noticed her exhaustion and was about to suggest that Alice sit down and rest for a while when a small, soft hand suddenly tugged at hers. She looked down to see her little grandson, Aaron, who had slipped off his chair.

"Aaron, what's wrong?" Jane bent down and spoke to the child in a gentle tone, a smile on her face.

Aaron held his little bottom, "Grandma, I need to poop."

"Oh, we can't wait for that! Come on, Grandma will take you to the bathroom." Jane took his hand and, before leaving, reminded another child sitting nearby, "Hanna, stay here and don't run around. Grandma will take your brother to the bathroom."

The little girl blinked her big, grape-like eyes, holding a half-eaten chicken leg, her mouth oily, "Okay, Grandma."

Jane patted her little granddaughter's head, saying "Good girl," before leading Aaron out of the banquet hall through the side door.

Alice, noticing the pair, was about to follow when her hand was suddenly pulled by someone. She turned in surprise, only to see Sarah, the groom's mother, with a broad smile on her face. "Alice, I have to thank you today! I just mentioned to my family yesterday that Joyce would be having the wedding today, and who knew so many people would come? If you hadn't arranged everything so quickly, I wouldn't have known what to do."

Alice forced a tired smile. "It was the least I could do."

"I could tell when we had dinner last time that you were someone who could handle big matters. Otherwise, I wouldn't have agreed so quickly to Joyce and Ann getting married. You know, with your little sister being sick, it's hard for families to accept," Sarah continued, her words casual but loaded with meaning.

Alice's brow twitched, struggling to keep her expression neutral. This made her feel uncomfortable.

As far as Alice knew, Joyce had been the one who pursued Ann and promised to marry her, so why did Sarah now suggest that it was Ann who couldn't marry anyone else and was clinging to Joyce?

"Aunt, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Alice didn't want to cause a scene, so she kept her temper in check and spoke calmly.

Sarah chuckled awkwardly, her face shifting through different expressions as she hesitated. Finally, she spoke with a determined look. "You see, with all these guests, we've exceeded our budget for the banquet. I suggested holding it at another hotel where I know people and could get a discount. But Ann really wanted this hotel, and Joyce even argued with me to give her the grand event she wanted..."

Alice understood what she meant, but didn't want to argue. "I'll pay for the extra costs."

Sarah's face brightened with relief, and she didn't say anything more. "I won't bother you then. I'll go talk to the relatives. You go ahead and take care of things."

Alice forced a smile and watched her leave.

She genuinely disliked Joyce's mother. She was calculating and shrewd, and if it weren't for Ann, Alice wouldn't have said a word to her.

After this encounter, Alice couldn't help but worry about Ann's future life after marriage.

Dating was about two people, but marriage involved much more.

"Alice, you've been busy all morning. Come sit and rest for a while," a kind voice said. Alice looked over to see her grandmother, patting the empty space beside her.

Alice smiled and replied, "Okay."

Ronan immediately spotted the woman in the crowd, laughing and talking with others, wearing a gown resembling a wedding dress. Her dark hair was pinned up, and her features had become even more stunning and elegant compared to the past.

His dark eyes narrowed, and he strode towards her. In front of all the guests, he grabbed her wrist.

Many people around looked up in surprise, some curious, others confused, followed by whispers.

When Alice was grabbed, she thought it was Sarah returning with more requests. She turned around, only to freeze in place, her shock far greater than anyone else's.

She had imagined that if Michael saw her, he might tell Ronan, given how close they were. But she hadn't expected Ronan to show up so quickly.

Seeing him, her senses disappeared, as if a magic force had pulled her into another world. She felt dizzy and disoriented.

Ronan didn't care about anyone watching; he pulled her out of the hall. Only when they reached the hallway did Alice snap back to her senses. Her lost senses returned, and she tried to twist her wrist to break free, but the difference in strength was too great. No matter how she struggled, it was futile.

"Sir, please let go of me," Alice said, her voice strained.

Sir?

A sarcastic smile tugged at Ronan's lips, and his already cold face turned even more terrifying.

Alice was very familiar with this side of Ronan. Before she had won his heart, he often wore this frosty expression, pushing her away, warning her to stop.

At that time, she had been fearless, determined to melt his icy exterior, and she had succeeded.

But now... she no longer had the courage to face him.

Ronan dragged her to the end of the corridor, where it was quiet and empty. He released her wrist and slammed her against the wall.

Her exposed back hit the hard wall, and a sharp pain spread through her. Alice gasped, and before she could recover, a large hand gripped her throat, fingers digging into her skin.

The force wasn't great, but it made it hard for her to breathe, her chest rising and falling with increasing intensity.

Ronan leaned in close, his cold face filling her vision. Every word he uttered was like ice, "Alice, how dare you..."

How dare you marry someone else!

Alice avoided looking into his eyes, turning her head away. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay calm. "Sir, you have the wrong person."

Ronan's cold laugh echoed. He had thought she would have some clever excuse to calm his anger, but instead, she pretended not to know him. His hand tightened on her shoulder, flipping her over to face the wall. His thumb brushed over her shoulder blade, the smooth feeling doing nothing to stir any romantic thoughts in him. Instead, all he felt was frustration, his anger seeking release.

Soon, a layer of concealer was rubbed away, revealing a clear bite mark.

Ronan's breath brushed against Alice's ear, hot like fire, making her flinch. His voice was cold and threatening, "Alice, how do you plan to argue now?"

That bite mark was from when they had been intimately tangled together on the bed. It was his mark, proving she belonged to him, that she couldn't heal it.

He wanted her to remember him forever.

Alice's throat tightened, unable to offer any defense.

Her back was against him, so she couldn't see the bloodshot corners of his eyes. All she heard was his increasingly cold questioning, "Alice, didn't I tell you, never appear in front of me again?"

Alice closed her eyes, wanting to explain, It's you who came looking for me. I never wanted to appear in front of you.

But she didn't say a word.

Just then, a small child suddenly appeared, bumping into Ronan's leg. The little fists softly hit him, and the childish voice was full of anger, "Don't bully my mom! Let her go!"

Mom...

Ronan froze, looking down at the child.

The little girl in the pink tutu furrowed her brow, looking displeased.

The girl's features resembled Alice's.

The child seemed to be around four or five years old, and Ronan's mind suddenly clicked. He released Alice, his voice trembling as he asked the child, "How old are you?"

Alice's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly answered, "Four!"

The child, unaware of the adults' situation, tugged at her mother's skirt, innocently saying, "Mom, I'm five! You must have remembered wrong."

Ronan's pupils contracted. It had been six years since he and Alice had parted. This child was five...