In the car, I couldn’t help but wonder why they were at the hospital.

Was Lilian sick?

I dismissed the thought and drove home.

Since I still felt dizzy and nauseous, I decided to rest. Nana’s birthday celebration would be held at the Blackwood family villa on the outskirts of town, and Alexander and I were supposed to be there tomorrow.

I carefully packed the few things I would need.

That night, I slept alone again.

I wondered if Lilian was truly sick. Perhaps that was why Alexander hadn’t returned home. He must be too worried about her to leave her side—even abandoning his own wife.

Wife.

The word felt bitter in my mind.

The only reason I hadn’t mentioned the divorce yet was because I wanted Nana’s birthday celebration to pass peacefully. I had already realized that Nana was keeping tabs on us, and I didn’t want to upset her.

But after her birthday...

We would definitely get divorced.

The next morning, Alexander called.

"Hello, Alicia."

"Alexander."

"Are your things ready?"

"Yes. Where are you?"

"I just need to take care of something at the office. I’ll come pick you up afterward."

"Okay."

And that was it.

No explanation.

Nothing.

I got ready and waited for Alexander.

He finally arrived almost at noon, and then we made our way to the mansion. The car ride was quiet the entire time. When we arrived, it was already close to evening. The lake house was bustling with preparations.

"Alexander, Alicia—you’re finally here!"

I heard Nadia’s voice behind us. We both stopped walking and turned around.

"Alexander, why did you bring Alicia so late? Nana has been expecting the two of you for a while now."

"I was a bit busy. Where’s Nana?" he asked, looking around.

"Always busy with work," Nadia said, narrowing her eyes teasingly at him. "Nana is in the garden. You two should go say hello."

She led us to the garden in the backyard and left us at the entrance.

Nana loved plants, so I wasn’t surprised to hear she was here. What I didn’t expect was to see Uncle Steve sitting with her, drinking tea in a small shaded area surrounded by flowers.

Alexander also looked surprised to see his uncle, who hadn’t been in the country for quite some time.

"Alicia, come. Why are you two standing there? Come sit with us," Nana called out.

"Nana, Uncle Steve," Alexander and I greeted them as we walked over and sat across the small tea table.

"Uncle Steve, I didn’t know you were visiting," Alexander said.

"How could I miss Mom’s eightieth birthday?" he replied before turning to me. "Alicia, how have you been?"

"I’m fine, Uncle. Why didn’t you inform us about your visit?"

"If I did, would you have been surprised to see me?"

I chuckled.

Alexander poured us some of Nana’s herbal tea as the four of us continued chatting.

Uncle Steve was Grandma and Grandpa’s second son. Although he owned some shares in the company, he had his own business abroad where he lived with his wife and daughter, who was a little younger than me. He was now in his early fifties.

"Here you are! I’ve been looking all over for you guys!"

Grace’s cheerful voice interrupted us. Her eyes widened when she saw everyone gathered together.

"Brother Alexander! Sister Alicia—you’re both here!"

I stood up with a smile and hugged her. Alexander did the same.

"How long has it been? You’ve grown so much already," Alexander said.

"Come on, big brother. I’m twenty now—what did you expect?" she replied teasingly.

"Where’s Aunt Rose?" I asked Grace.

"She’s inside checking the decorations. I think she needs some help."

"I’ll come with you to help then," I said, already standing up. "Nana, Uncle, I’ll go help Aunt for now."

"Alright, dear. But be careful," Nana said.

"Okay, Nana."

With that, Grace and I left.