Chapter 4 Misunderstanding

"Alice's POV"

It had been two days. Two long, heavy, suffocating days since that incident at the office... and Vincent hadn't called me. Not even once.

I sat curled up on the small sofa in my living room, watching an old cartoon I loved as a kid. The voices and silly jokes should've made me laugh, but all I felt was emptiness.

This was the apartment I once shared with my dad. Thank God I hadn't sold it after marrying Vincent. At least here, I still had a place that felt like mine.

My eyes drifted to the drawer. Slowly, I pulled out the big photo album and held it in my lap. My fingers trembled. For a moment, I hesitated. This album carried both happy and painful memories.

Still... I opened it.

The first picture was of my parents. Dad and Mom, smiling together. They looked happy-at least in that frozen moment.

I turned the page and found myself staring at a silly photo of me as a child, tongue stuck out, wearing ridiculous clothes. A chuckle escaped me, but it was soft, choked with unshed tears.

I flipped further and froze.

It was a family photo-me, Vincent, the old patriarch, and my father-all smiling as if we were truly one happy family. That photo had been staged after our wedding. They did it to make sure the marriage looked real, especially for my father's sake.

Dad had been so happy that day.

Even last night, when I visited him in the hospital, he was still asking for Vincent with that same joy. My throat tightened.

Vincent was a good man... but not a good husband.

Tears slipped down my cheeks before I even realized it.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed loudly, startling me. A message lit up the screen.

" Long hello, Cinnamon. Long time no see, bitch. I'm back. How about we hit the club tomorrow?"

I blinked. That nickname... only one person called me that.

"Morgan..." I whispered, smiling through the tears.

Morgan Spencer. My best friend. My partner in crime from high school through college. She was always the loud one, the bold one-the one who defended me when Lillian sent girls to bully me. She had been my shield.

I hesitated, then typed back: "What time? And what club?"

For the first time in days, I smiled. Maybe I needed this. Just one night to breathe. To cool my mind. Of course, I wouldn't drink-not now. My hand unconsciously caressed my flat stomach.

The next evening, the city street was alive-crowds everywhere, fancy lights glowing from every shop window.

Morgan was already waiting, leaning against her flashy car, her mischievous smile exactly as I remembered. I lifted my hand to wave. For once, my smile was real-not forced, not to please anyone.

But then... I froze.

A tall, blonde man stood beside her. Recognition hit me instantly. Adrian. Morgan's cousin.

I remembered him from college-handsome, kind, with a body that turned heads. Back then, he had chased me endlessly, asking me to be his girlfriend. But I had refused. I had been too focused on studying, too busy surviving.

Still, the memories made me smile softly as I walked closer.

"Alice!" Morgan screamed, dragging me into a tight hug that nearly cracked my ribs. "I missed you! I missed you so much!"

I laughed, covering my ears. "Morgan, do you have to scream? The whole street can hear you!"

"I don't care!" she yelled even louder, grinning like a fool.

Her cousin chuckled beside us. "She hasn't changed at all."

"No, she hasn't," I agreed, shaking my head fondly.

Morgan clapped her hands. "Enough talking! Come on, let's hit the club!"

As she dragged me, she peppered me with questions about my dad, about me, about everything. I smiled softly. "He's still in the hospital, but he's healing.

Inside the club, music pounded and lights flashed. Morgan immediately ordered drinks. When she slid a glass toward me, I shook my head.

"You know I don't drink," I said.

She pouted, then teased, "Oh, I remember-you used to slump over after just one sip."

Heat rushed to my cheeks. Adrian laughed quietly, his gaze warm as he studied me.

He ordered juice for me instead. When I thanked him, he simply said, "Of course."

Morgan soon disappeared to the dance floor, throwing her arms around like a maniac, laughing without a care.

"She never changes," Adrian said with a smile.

I nodded. "Never."

He looked at me then, his eyes serious. "So... how have you been?"

I choked on my juice, coughing. He quickly leaned forward, patting my back.

"I'm sorry," he said, pulling his hand back immediately. "I didn't mean to touch you-I just wanted to help."

"It's fine," I whispered, embarrassed.

He smiled. "I heard you got a job at KNT Company."

I froze. "How... do you know that?"

He hesitated. "I have a friend there. I know there's some... secrecy. I hope I didn't cross a line."

"No, it's okay." I forced a small smile.

"I also heard you're an executive director," he continued.

"Yes," I nodded. Then sighed. "But I don't work there anymore."

His brows lifted slightly, like he had been expecting that answer. "Then... maybe this is fate. I actually have a job opportunity for you. My company is launching a new competition. I really need a designer. I've seen your work, Alice. It's incredible. I'd be honored to hire you."

My heart stuttered. Someone appreciating my work so sincerely... it had been so long.

"I... I don't think so..." I began.

"Please," Adrian said earnestly, half-rising as if to kneel.

"Woah, woah, don't do that!" I quickly stopped him. "There's no need to kneel."

"I mean it," he said, his eyes locking with mine. "Your designs are the best I've seen. You're talented. I want you on my team."

My chest warmed. The only people who had ever spoken of me that way were my dad and Morgan.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"Alice."

The voice sliced through the noise like a blade.

I turned... and my world froze.

Vincent.

He stood there, tall, imposing, with Lillian on his arm. Her lips curled in a smug little smile.

"Oh God, sister," she said sweetly, but her eyes glittered with poison. "I can't believe you're here with another man... when you're *married*."

"Married?" Adrian repeated, his eyes widening.

Vincent's gaze was fixed on Adrian, sharp and furious.

"Mr. Markston-" Adrian began politely.

Vincent cut him off, his voice ice. "What are you doing here, Alice, when I've been calling the house phone, You're right here .At a club? Did you forget you're married? Did you forget you're my wife?"

I clenched my fists. "I didn't forget. And for your information, I'm no longer staying at your house. I'm back in my apartment."

His eyes widened, shock flashing across his face at my defiance.

Adrian turned to me, his voice low. "Alice... you're married?"

I nodded. "Yes."

Before I could say more, Vincent's hand clamped on my wrist. He yanked me to his side.

Lillian's smile faltered for a split second-jealousy burning-but she quickly masked it. "Brother Vincent," she said sweetly, "call me later, okay?"

Vincent didn't answer. He simply ordered his assistant to take her home.

And then he dragged me out.

I followed him home silently, my heart torn between anger and a foolish spark of hope. Maybe... maybe he had come because he cared. Maybe he would finally apologize.

But the moment we stepped inside, my illusions shattered.

He pushed me hard against the wall, his breath hot against my ear. His lips pressed on mine, rough, demanding.

"No!" I cried, shoving at his chest. "Stop, Vincent!"

He ignored me, lifting me, carrying me into the bedroom, tearing at my clothes.

Tears spilled as I struggled. "Please, stop!"

He froze only when he saw the tears streaking down my face. His expression twisted with anger.

"Oh, so you don't want this anymore? Is it because of him? That bastard Adrian?"

I shook my head, sobbing, arms curling protectively over my stomach. He didn't notice.

Instead, he straightened coldly. "Remember the contract, Alice. No relationships. No men. Until it ends."

"And you?" I shouted back, my voice raw. "What about you, Vincent? Does the rule not apply to you?"

He smirked cruelly. "No. Because I make the rules."

And then he walked out, leaving me broken on the bed.

I collapsed, crying until my body ached. I had hoped for an apology. I had hoped for love. But it had all been an illusion.

When I could cry no more, my phone buzzed.

It was a message from Adrian.

" I won't ask what happened today. But I hope you're okay. I wish I could see you again. And... my offer still stands."

My lips trembled as I smiled through the pain. Adrian was kind. Gentle. Everything Vincent was not.

I typed back: "Yes. I'm interested."

For the first time in a long while, I fell asleep with a little hope in my heart.