Bab 33: Chapter 33 Leaving The Martinez's
Henry scowled, saying, "Look, kindness ain't winnin' wars and righteousness ain't makin' bank. I'm all about the dough, and if a businessman ain't chasing profit, they're doing it wrong. I hashed this out with Alicia days ago, and she was cool with it."
Memories of the café fiasco made Alicia's scalp prickle. She really couldn't take that again.
Gently, she brushed Louis's hand off, stood, and told Henry, "We need to chat, just you and me."
Henry shot her an indifferent look, "My study. Let's go."
Louis rose, wanting to go with Alicia.
Alicia waved him off, saying, "Don't worry about it."
Louis gave her hand a comforting squeeze, whispering, "If things get ugly, just come out. You don't have to deal with it."
Alicia nodded her agreement.
She and Henry went to the study.
Louis's grandpa, Frank, was working on a sprawling prairie painting.
Spotting Alicia, Frank looked up, grinning warmly, "Alicia? Good to see you!"
Alicia greeted him softly, "Hey, Grandpa."
Henry pulled up a chair, sat, and motioned for her to do the same.
Alicia stayed on her feet, standing tall, and said coolly, "You got it twisted, Mr. Martinez. I am not here to tell grandma on you. I'm trying to get her on board with our divorce. She's always been sweet on me, so I figured I'd say my goodbyes."
Henry's eyes were a storm of emotions for a few beats, then he asked, "That property Louis had before the wedding was all notarized and stuff, and you are not going to get any claim on anything after. As for paying you off, didn't you get a mysterious 15 million dropped into your account a few months back? That from him?"
Alicia nodded, "Yeah."
Henry pulled out a stack of papers from his briefcase, handing them over, "My guys drew up this divorce agreement. Give it a once-over, and if it's all good, sign it."
Alicia skimmed it; pretty much what she'd expected.
She flipped to the signature page, grabbed a pen, and signed three copies.
Handing them to Henry, she watched as he checked them out, and once he was satisfied, his sour expression morphed into a grin. "I like when kids don't make a fuss. You took care of Louis for two years, so if you need a hand down the line, give me a shout."
Alicia's reply was neither meek nor snarky, "No thanks. I restore cultural relics, and you're all about business. Different worlds, sir. You can't do much for me."
Henry's face went cold, his eyes dripping with arrogance and disdain, as if to say, "You don't know a good thing when you see it."
Alicia shot him a small smile, unfazed by his glare.
Frank kept painting, but couldn't manage the final stroke.
He set his brush down, sighed, and told Alicia, "Even if you and Louis call it quits, you're still part of the family. Drop by whenever; our home's your home."
Alicia's defenses crumbled, and tears threatened to spill. Voice cracking, she said, "Thanks. I'll come see you and Bonnie, I promise."
Frank covered his eyes, leaned back, and waved her off weakly, his voice rough, "You two get outta here. I need some peace and quiet."
"Alright." Alicia gave him a long, meaningful look before leaving the room.
Hearing the door, Louis stood up from the couch.
He strode toward Alicia, his left hand on her shoulder, gazing down at her face, and asked softly, "You okay?"
Alicia shook her head, forcing a smile. Her eyes brimmed with tears.
Bonnie also rose from the couch, eyeing Alicia from a distance, wanting to smile but unable to.
Alicia walked over and embraced her quietly. After a moment, she said, "Grandma, remember to take your calcium pills when your leg hurts. Get some sun in winter. Don't overdo the AC or eat too much watermelon in summer. Your stomach can't take the cold."
Hearing this, Bonnie knew what was happening. Tears flowed down her cheeks.
She hugged Alicia tightly, "Sweetheart, our family let you down. I can't bear to see you go."
Alicia's heart ached, as if pricked by a needle, choking out, "Thank you for caring for me these three years."
Bonnie sobbed, "No, I'm grateful to you. If not for your companionship, I don't know how Louis would've survived those two years."
Henry watched coldly from the side and couldn't help but interrupt, "Louis saved Véronique, bought them a house, and gave Alicia a fortune. We don't owe her anything."
Bonnie glared at him, "Money, money, money! That's all you know! Go live with your money, then!"
Henry's face darkened like a brewing storm.
"I've got other things to do. You all chat." He stormed out, clutching his pricey briefcase.
The chef whipped up dinner, and the servants brought dishes to the table.
Despite the feast, no one had much appetite.
The atmosphere was oppressively somber.
After eating, Louis and Alicia bid their grandparents farewell.
Once in the car, Louis buckled up and helped Alicia with her seatbelt before starting the car in silence.
They didn't speak during the drive.
Arriving at the Valdez residence, Louis parked and turned off the engine.
Alicia unbuckled her seatbelt, saying, "Take it slow on your way back."
Louis didn't respond, his handsome face cold and distant, lips pressed together, revealing no emotion.
"I'm heading home now." Alicia said softly, reaching for the car door.
Louis suddenly caught her hand. He didn't look at her, staring blankly at the road ahead, asking flatly, "Are you really sure about this?"
"Yes, I've already signed the divorce agreement your father made. You should find time to sign it, too. Monday morning, bring your ID and stuff, and we'll sort out the paperwork." Alicia's tone was unusually calm, more so than someone her age should be.
Louis finally looked at her, his meaning unclear, and said, "Finally free?"
His voice was very soft, his alluring lips curved in a smile that seemed cold, more like self-mockery.
"Yes," Alicia sighed softly, "finally free."
She wouldn't have to deal with Madelyn's constant irritation anymore; nor would she have to face Henry again.
That feeling of being despised and looked down upon was unbearable, like a thorn in her side.
Though she had done nothing wrong, it felt like she had made countless mistakes.
Louis silently smiled, taking her injured left hand and gently massaging her middle and ring fingers.
Alicia didn't move, letting him massage her fingers.
After a long while, he finally spoke, "I wanted to help with your finger wounds and rehab. After all, you massaged my leg for two whole years."
Alicia's heart tightened, the pain throbbing within. But she smiled and said, "You've given me so much money, more than many could ever earn in a lifetime. So, you don't have to feel indebted to me, really."
Louis gazed down at her, the smile on his face slowly fading.
He reached out, pulling her head close and resting his forehead against hers. After a long moment, he whispered, "I really don't want to let you go."
Hadiah
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