"Let me go. I need to get back."

"Back?" Alexander’s voice was low, edged with displeasure. "Back to showing off your closeness with Aiden?"

"Alicia, I already warned you. The two of you aren’t right for each other..."

She frowned.

Showing off affection? What was he talking about?

"Don’t talk about me and Aiden," she shot back. "Aren’t you doing the same thing with Lilian?"

"It’s different."

Alicia let out a cold scoff.

"How is it different? Aren’t you the one who came here to see Lilian?"

"I came because I knew you were here." His voice dropped, carrying a trace of bitterness. "Maria told me you came to visit Aiden."

In truth, Alexander had originally planned to pick Alicia up himself. But after receiving Lilian’s call, he had acted on impulse and come straight here instead.

He lifted a hand and cupped her chin, forcing her to look at him again.

Then, without warning, he kissed her once more.

The kiss was deep and demanding, carrying all the frustration he had kept buried. His other hand slid to her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them.

Alicia felt her strength melting away. Almost unconsciously, she leaned against his chest.

Alexander turned with her in his arms and gently backed her against the nearby wall. His warm breath brushed across her skin as he lowered his head to the curve of her neck.

"There are people waiting for us in the VIP room..." Alicia managed weakly.

"Let them wait."

She fell silent, closing her eyes and biting her lip as she struggled to steady herself.

Alicia didn’t know if it was because of the pregnancy or because Alexander had become far more skilled at reading her reactions, but being this close to him unsettled her more than ever.

The realization only made her more uneasy.

This wasn’t like her.

"What are you thinking about?"

Alexander noticed the distraction in her eyes.

She was in his arms, yet her thoughts seemed elsewhere.

Was she thinking about Aiden? Did she care about him that much?

Was Aiden the person she had been waiting for all along?

The thought instantly darkened his expression. His jaw tightened, and the atmosphere around him turned cold.

His hold on her grew firmer, and his kisses became more urgent.

"Please... be gentle..."

The words had barely left her lips when Alexander suddenly stopped, as if snapping back to his senses.

He stepped away at once.

"Alright. Let’s go."

His tone was calm, almost dismissive.

Alicia remained pressed against the wall, unable to move for a moment. Her legs felt too weak to support her, so she had no choice but to brace herself there in silence.

After a moment, Alicia felt her legs steady again, so she stepped out of the washroom.

Alexander was standing outside, speaking on the phone. Hearing the door open, he turned to look at her.

The memory of what had just happened surged back instantly, and Alicia’s face burned crimson.

She lowered her head and hurried past him, returning straight to the VIP room before taking her seat.

Aiden looked at her in confusion. "Why did you take so long?"

"I wasn’t feeling well," Alicia said softly.

"Not feeling well? Should we go to the hospital?"

"No, it’s just a small issue."

Across the table, Lilian slowly lowered her lashes.

Earlier, she had watched Alexander leave and deliberately found an excuse to follow him—only to see him enter the washroom area after Alicia.

What she witnessed there had nearly driven her mad with rage.

She wanted nothing more than to tear Alicia apart.

But she endured.

Under the table, Lilian’s nails dug into her palms, leaving crescent-shaped marks.

Then she lifted her head and smiled.

The smile was elegant.

Cold.

Mocking.

"Alicia," she said sweetly, "what happened to your lips?"

Alicia’s fingers tightened around her glass.

"An allergic reaction from a product I used."

"You should be more careful with those things," Aiden said with concern.

Just then, Alexander returned.

"Sorry. I had something important to handle."

Lilian’s smile almost cracked.

Something important?

Was Alicia what he meant?

"It’s alright, don’t worry," Director Holland said warmly.

Alicia forced a faint smile and remained silent.

Then her body stiffened.

She glanced downward.

The polished tip of Alexander’s leather shoe brushed lightly against her calf beneath the table.

She shifted away at once.

A moment later, his shoe slid against her leg again—slow, deliberate, impossible to mistake.

At the same time, Alexander calmly placed food onto Lilian’s plate.

"I remember you like this. Eat more."

Lilian smiled sweetly. "It’s too much. I can’t finish it. Help me."

"Sure."

Alicia shot him a glare.

He didn’t even look at her.

Instead, the tip of his shoe moved higher.

Alicia’s breath caught.

How had she never realized before?

Alexander was shamelessly relentless.

How could he tease her like this while acting so composed?

Worse... part of her body still reacted to him.

The torment lasted throughout lunch before finally ending.

The others prepared to head back to the studio.Lilian tugged at Alexander’s sleeve, reluctant to let go.

Alexander opened the car door for her and helped her inside.Before entering, Lilian paused and turned toward Alicia.

Her gaze flickered meaningfully before she smiled.

"Alexander, my birthday is coming up soon. You still remember the date, don’t you? I was thinking of celebrating it properly this year."

Alexander’s movements paused.

That date.

At once, another memory surfaced—

Alicia sitting before him with reddened eyes.

You must really love her... even using our wedding anniversary to remember her birthday.

If you love her so much, why didn’t you wait for her? Why marry me? Why humiliate me like this?

His jaw tightened.

"I already have plans that day," he said calmly. "Choose another date. Earlier or later."

The smile on Lilian’s face nearly froze.

Plans?

What plans could matter more than her?

The answer was obvious.

Alicia.

Suppressing the bitterness in her chest, Lilian wrapped an arm around his and laughed softly.

"What is it? Can’t it be postponed? It’s been so long since you celebrated with me."

"Sorry."

"Alexander, this is my first birthday since coming back. We rarely get time together..."

"Lilian."

His low voice carried warning.

The smile on her lips finally disappeared.

Once inside the car, Lilian’s face darkened with every passing second.

Her suspicions had been confirmed again and again.

Alexander was pushing her out of his heart.

And turning toward Alicia.

Had he truly fallen for Alicia?

No.

She would never allow that.

Aiden, Director Holland, and the assistant director entered the other car and left.

Watching them drive away, Alexander turned to Alicia.

"Let’s go home."

Inside the car, Alexander moved closer and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her near until their bodies was almost pressed together.

The scent of his cologne surrounded her instantly.

Alicia’s stomach lurched.

She turned her face away."Can you move a little farther away from me?" she said, wincing as she gently pushed at his chest, pulling away from his embrace.

Alexander frowned.was she trying to avoid him again and again?.

An unfamiliar irritation—and something heavier—settled in his chest.

"What’s wrong?" he asked, staring at her pale face.

"I’m fine. I just ate too much. I’ll feel better after I rest."

She leaned farther toward the window, creating even more distance between them.

Alexander’s gaze darkened.

For the first time, her rejection unsettled him.

But he said nothing.

<<<>>>>

The weekend passed quickly.

Soon, a new workweek began.Lilian had just stepped out of the studio when her assistant hurried over.

"Miss Lilian, someone is waiting for you in the lounge."

"I’m not seeing anyone."

"I think you’ll want to meet him before he becomes an even bigger threat."

Said Kendra who followed behind the assistant, her face equally tense.

A chill ran down Lilian’s spine.

Without another word, she strode toward the lounge and pushed the door open.