Chapter: 222

Alicia, however, showed no emotion. After calmly cleaning up the shattered pieces, she left the kitchen without a word.

In the hallway, Joshua approached her.

He noticed a small cut on her finger, blood slowly trickling down.

Alicia casually grabbed a tissue, pressing it against the wound. "I'm injured, so I guess I can't cook."

Joshua had been observing the whole scene.

He looked at her closely with an unwavering gaze. “You've changed a lot since the divorce."

Alicia kept her face blank and got straight to the point. “Do you really think I should be the one getting blamed in the kitchen right now?"

Her bluntness caught Joshua off guard.

He couldn't think of a retort, because he knew that things had changed between them, and he no Longer felt comfortable speaking harshly to her.

Carefully choosing his words, he said, "Georgia's been with my mom for years. She's practically part of the family, so she has her moments. You're younger-what's wrong with giving her a break?"

Alicia absentmindedly touched her wound, showing no reaction.

She remained quiet.

Joshua sighed and led her into the living room, taking out a band- aid to gently tend to her injury.

"In the past, when I brought you here, didn't you work non-stop from morning till night just to make a good impression? It's just one meal. How exhausting can it really be?"

Alicia pulled her hand away from his. "I never said I wouldn't cook."

"You caused the pot to break on purpose. Isn't that your way of making a statement?"

Alicia didn't know how to respond.

“It was Georgia who broke it," she finally said.

Joshua was convinced she was just shifting the blame.

"But in the end, it's still your fault," he replied. "You already hold a special position here. I'm not around much. Can't you just tolerate a bit more to make things easier for me?"

Alicia said nothing more at this point.

She had been furious just moments ago, but as Joshua continued with his absurd remarks, a strange calm washed over her.

At some point, she had stopped feeling anything when it came to Joshua.

Whatever he did or said, it no longer stirred any emotion in her.

So this was what indifference felt like.

“You can't stand seeing me idle, can you?" she said flatly. “Fine. I'll go help Georgia. If my blood ends up in the food, that's your problem."

Joshua frowned. “Alicia, there's no need to be sarcastic."

Alicia fell silent, choosing not to say anything else.

Had it not been for unfinished business, she might have slapped him right there.

The air between them grew thick with tension.