Alicia returned to Véronique's hospital room.
Genevieve saw her pale face and asked in worry, "What happened, sweety? Why do you look so sad?"
Alicia shook her head, went to Véronique's bedside, held her hand, and started chatting with her with a smile.
But Genevieve, being short-tempered, couldn't wait for more than a few sentences before grabbing Alicia's wrist and saying, "Come out with me."
They went to the corridor.
Genevieve stared into Alicia's eyes and asked, "Did Louis mistreat you again?"
Alicia replied calmly, "No."
"Then who upset you? I'm your mother, why won't you tell me if you have any troubles?" Genevieve was getting impatient.
"Louis's father talked to me."
"Henry troubled you?" Genevieve sneered. "When Louis was in a wheelchair and couldn't stand up, where was Henry to force you to leave him? Now that Louis can walk and jump, he wants you to divorce him? What a heartless pig! Has he no shame?"
Genevieve cursed Henry for a while, then asked, "What did Louis say?"
"He said if we have a child, he won't divorce me," replied Alicia.
"Rubbish! With his shameless ex-girlfriend and a heartless father in the mix, even if you have a dozen children, they'll still be able to break you two apart," Genevieve said angrily.
Alicia nodded, "I was thinking the same thing."
Genevieve impatiently waved her hand, "Divorce him, leave him quickly. The sooner the better! You're young, beautiful, and talented. After you get divorced, you'll be able to find any man you want!"
Alicia's eyes blurred with teas, and she sobbed on Genevieve's shoulder.
Her tears flowed uncontrollably.
Sometimes, crying is a form of release, a way to let go of emotions. It could wash away part of the pain.
Genevieve patted Alicia's back gently, feeling her throat tighten, and said, "It's all my fault, my uselessness has caused you to suffer. Our small family can't match up to their wealthy background."
Alicia was about to speak when her phone rang.
She took out her phone from her pocket and looked at it.
It was Louis calling.
Alicia wiped her eyes and answered the call, "Hello."
Louis said, "Your splint will be removed tomorrow. I've made an appointment for 10:30 a.m. Don't forget."
Alicia replied politely yet distantly, "Thank you."
Louis could sense that something was off in her tone, so he paused and asked, "What's wrong?"
Alicia pursed her lips and said, "I want to spend more time with my grandmother lately, so I won't be going back tonight. I'll stay at my mom's place, which is closer to the hospital. Could you help me pack belongings and have someone deliver them to me?"
Louis fell silent for a moment, "Sure, I'll find time to deliver them to you."
"Thank you."
That evening, Louis delivered Alicia's medical card and some essential items, holding a box of pork rib soup.
He handed the soup to Alicia and said, "Doris made it. Drink more soup, it'll help your bones heal faster."
Alicia took it and thanked him, placing it on the table, and awkwardly said, "You should go back now. You still got work to do."
Louis' brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, "I'm off work now. I can stay here as long as I want."
"You should go home and rest well, have a good day at work tomorrow," said Alicia.
Louis' deep eyes locked onto her. He fell into silence for a while before leaving.
After he left, Alicia opened the thermos and divided the soup into three portions, sharing it with Véronique and her mother.
The soup was delicious, with added caterpillar fungus and wolfberries.
Alicia drank it slowly and carefully.
Genevieve didn't drink any, just staring at the bowl of soup and sighing.
The next morning at ten, while Alicia was waiting for her X-ray outside the radiology department, Louis arrived.
He was dressed in a suit and tie, looking rushed and carrying a file. His phone was ringing non-stop, clearly taking a break from his busy work schedule.
Alicia said, "You're so busy, you don't have to come. It's just removing a splint, I can handle it myself."
Louis put his phone and file into his briefcase and said coolly, "We need to finish what we start."
The word "finish" made Alicia's heart twist inexplicably.
After removing the splint, the doctor gave many instructions, including how to do rehabilitation exercises.
Louis recorded it on his phone and sent it to Alicia's phone.
WHen the two of them returned to Véronique's hospital room, Leo was examining Véronique's body.
Genevieve stood next to him, chatting and laughing. When Louis approached, she intentionally raised her voice and asked, "Doctor, do you have a girlfriend?"
Leo glanced at Alicia and replied, "No, I don't."
Genevieve became interested and said, "What do you think of Alicia? She has been a good girl since she was young, skipping several grades and graduating from college at the age of nineteen. She's well-behaved, has a good temper, and has know how to restore ancient paintings, as you know."
Leo smiled, "Alicia is indeed outstanding."
Genevieve glanced at Louis provocatively and said to Leo, "If you're interested in her, just go after her boldly. Don't be fooled by her quiet demeanor, she's easy to talk to."
Leo straightened up and took off his mask, looking at Alicia with a smile in his eyes and saying, "Great, I'd love to."
Louis stood aside, his gaze changing to a cold and stern one. His lips curved slightly, with a hint of sarcasm, and he watched Leo and Genevieve bantering back and forth.
Genevieve's provocative gaze glanced at Louis, and she said to Alicia, "Alicia, I think Dr. Grainger is really a nice guy. He's handsome and has a good temper. You two should have a lot in common."
Alicia frowned and tried to stop her, "Mom, please stop it."
"Why not let me speak?"
Louis said nothing, slammed the medical records and the on the table with a snap, and turned to leave.
Alicia followed him out.
Louis initially walked very fast, and Alicia had to jog to catch up.
As they approached the elevator, he slowed down a bit and deliberately waited for her.
After entering the elevator, neither of them spoke.
The elevator was crowded, and people were pushing and shoving.
Louis pulled the fabric on Alicia's shoulder and pulled her behind him to protect her.
When they reached the first floor, the wind was cold and harsh, and Alicia shivered uncontrollably.
Louis unbuttoned his suit jacket with one hand and threw it over her shoulder.
Alicia lifted her hand to take it off, but Louis pressed down on her shoulder, refusing to let her remove it, and leaned over to button it up for her.
He used a little too much force, and his handsome face became dark and twisted.
After buttoning it up, he walked away.
Alicia hurriedly walked a few steps and caught up with him.
As they reached the parking lot, he finally came to a halt and looked down upon her with a cold gaze. "You don't want to live at home because it's convenient for you to be with Leo here, isn't it?" he sneered.
Alicia shot him a confusing glance.
Louis hesitated for a moment before apologizing, "Sorry, I was a bit impulsive just now."
Alicia pursed her lips, remaining silent.
Louis lowered his head and looked at her, suppressing his emotions. "I feel like we have a lot in common. That Grainger guy, in terms of looks, is just average at best. And as for temperament, I may not be as good as him, but I've been very self-restrained in front of you this past year."
Alicia's heart was filled with a sour feeling that she couldn't quite describe.
She slowly approached him, leaning her body against his, her face resting against his chest. She didn't even reach out to hug him.
Just like that, leaning against him, she looked so powerless.
Louis was momentarily taken aback, but after a few seconds, he raised his hand and embraced her in his arms.
Alicia held back her tears and whispered softly, "Please have someone prepare the divorce agreement. You had a prenuptial agreement, and you've already given me the breakup fee. The divorce agreement should be easy to prepare."
Louis's eyes narrowed, and he suddenly tightened his grip on her hand, making it hard for her to breathe.
After a long while, he asked, "Did my father approach you?"