Alexander frowned slightly, clearly confused.

"Are you saying Sophia did it and blamed the interns?" he asked. "But why would she do that? She lost half her year-end bonus. What would she gain from it?"

I looked up at him.

"What if I told you," I said evenly, "that Sophia likes you?"

A brief pause.

"And that’s why she’s always targeted me?"

Alexander stared at me for a moment—

Then suddenly smiled.

"Alicia," he said lightly, "this isn’t funny. Even if you have issues with Sophia at work, you shouldn’t joke about something like that."

His tone was calm. Certain.

As if what I said wasn’t even worth considering.

I lowered my gaze.

Of course.

It was always going to be like this.

Sophia had been with Blackwood Dominion Enterprises for years. Her work ethic, her reputation—he trusted all of it.

And on top of that, she had a long-term boyfriend.

How could she possibly like him?

To him, my words probably sounded ridiculous.

I said nothing more.

There was no point.

He wouldn’t believe me anyway.

So why pretend he cared?

A faint, almost ironic thought crossed my mind.

Had I forgotten?

Alexander had always been good at this—

saying the right things, showing just enough concern.

And I... had taken it seriously.

...

By the time it was almost lunch hour, my phone vibrated.

A message from Alexander.

Come to my office for lunch. I’ve prepared your favorite.

I stared at the screen.

My fingers moved before I could stop them.

I’m going out with colleagues.

I typed it out.

Paused.

Then slowly... deleted it.

In the end, I only replied:

Okay.

...

When I arrived at his office, the table in front of the couch was already set with lunch.

I walked closer.

And then—

My gaze fell on a familiar package beside the lunch boxes.

My steps slowed.

I recognized it instantly.

Noticing where I was looking, Alexander spoke.

"Your chocolate cookies",he said "I know you like them. You can have them after lunch."

It took me a moment to process his words.

So... this was his way of making up with me?

If this had been before, it might have worked.

But now—

Under the pale afternoon light, the neatly packed cookies only made something in my chest turn cold.

Any trace of appetite disappeared.

I walked over and sat down on the couch, deliberately keeping my distance from the paper bag—as if it might contaminate me.

Alexander took the seat across from me.

We ate in silence.

Halfway through, I set my spoon down. "I’m done."

He looked up. "That’s it? Eat a little more."

For a brief moment, my hand paused.

Then, almost instinctively, I thought of the child growing inside me.

I picked up my spoon again and forced myself to take a few more bites.

"Thank you for the meal, CEO Blackwood," I said once I finished, already standing.

His brows furrowed slightly at my tone.

As I turned to leave, he added, "Take the cookies with you."

My gaze flickered to the paper bag on the table.

A strong wave of resistance rose in my chest.

Once the sweetness was stripped away—

There was nothing left I wanted.

I had never truly liked chocolate.

It was always a little bitter.

Bitter enough to linger.

But now...

It was too late to say I didn’t like it.

I bent down, picked up the bag, and left without another word.

...

Back at my office, I had barely stepped inside when my assistant entered with a stack of documents.

Her eyes immediately landed on the bag in my hand, and she smiled.

"Director Alicia, you got your favorite cookies today?"

"They were given to me," I replied lightly. "But I don’t feel like eating them. If you like them, you can have them."

I handed the bag to her.

Her smile faltered. "But... you used to love these."

"Maybe my taste has changed," I said with a small shrug. "Go on, take them."

She hesitated, glancing at the bag. "Isn’t this a bit... inappropriate?"

"What’s inappropriate about it?" I smiled faintly. "I’ve been away for a few days—you’ve probably been busy. Take it as a small treat from me."

Her expression brightened instantly.

"Thank you, Director Alicia!"

I nodded and turned away, already picking up the documents on my desk.

Third person POV

As Alexander stepped out of his office on his way to a meeting, he passed by the staircase.

Voices drifted up from below.

"Chocolate cookies from Delights? When did you buy that?" one of the female employees asked curiously.

"I didn’t," another replied with a light laugh.

"Then how did it get here?"

A brief pause—

"Director Alicia gave it to me. She’s really so nice."

Alexander’s steps came to an abrupt halt.

He stood at the top of the stairs, his expression darkening almost instantly.

His gaze lowered.

In the employee’s hands was a familiar paper bag.

Delights.

The same one he had placed in front of Alicia not long ago.

...

She had given it away.

Just like that.

To someone else.

For a moment, he said nothing.

His face remained calm, but something in his eyes shifted—subtle, almost imperceptible.

Cold.

Unreadable.

As if something had slipped out of place... without warning.

All of Grandma’s medication and medical equipment had been prepared in advance.

That day, she was finally discharged.

After work, Alexander and Alicia went to the mansion to check on her.

As they reached the entrance, Alexander suddenly stopped.

Alicia, caught off guard, bumped into his back and instinctively rubbed her nose.

"Why did you stop?"

Alexander didn’t answer immediately. He turned, took her hand, and only then led her inside.

Alicia paused for a brief second, her fingers tightening slightly in his grip.

Then she took a quiet breath and straightened herself before following him in.

...

In the living room, Uncle Steve, Aunt Rose, and Grace were seated together.

They exchanged greetings.

"Where’s Grandma?" Alexander asked.

"She’s in her room," Uncle Steve replied.

Without delay, Alexander and Alicia headed upstairs.

When they entered the room, Grandma was visibly delighted to see them and tried to sit up.

Alicia immediately pulled her hand free from Alexander’s and hurried forward to support her.

"Grandma, take it easy."

"It’s nothing," the old lady said with a wave of her hand.

Alexander stepped to the other side of the bed, helping her up without a word.

Grandma looked at the two of them and chuckled.

"Look at you both, fussing over me like I can’t do anything myself."

Dr. Harrison’s assistant had followed her back to the mansion.

Worried about her condition, Alexander had insisted the assistant stay for a while. Grandma had no choice but to agree.

Fortunately, she seemed to be in good spirits.

...

Later, they all moved downstairs.

Alexander and Alicia sat beside her, keeping her company as they chatted.

After a while, Alicia glanced around and asked, "Where’s Nadia? I haven’t seen her."

"She’s upstairs packing," Grace replied. "She’s been busy lately, and now she has to head back."

Just then, footsteps sounded on the stairs.

Nadia appeared, dragging her suitcase behind her.

"Alicia, Alexander—you’re here."

"Sister Nadia," Alicia said, standing up, "why didn’t you tell me you were leaving today?"

"I was going to call," Nadia said apologetically, "but then I figured you’d come to see Grandma."

"Leaving already?" Alexander asked.

"Yes. Work issues—you know how it is."

Grace laughed. "Listen to you. You’re always complaining about big brother being busy."

"Hey, I’m not nearly as busy as Alexander," Nadia shot back.

Laughter filled the room, light and easy.

...

The driver was already waiting outside to take Nadia to the airport.

Everyone walked her out.

"I’ve had such a good time here," Nadia said, taking Alicia’s hand warmly.

"We’ll miss you," Alicia replied.

"Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon," Nadia said with a smile. Then her gaze shifted between Alicia and Alexander. "But next time... I’d like to hold my little niece or nephew."

The words lingered in the air.

Alicia’s fingers tightened slightly.

She furrowed her brows and instinctively glanced at Alexander.

Their eyes met—