Chapter: 6

Monica, ever observant, immediately noticed that something about her friend was off. "Your voice sounds all soft and dreamy. What's going on? Did you patch things up with that jerk?"

Alicia cleared her throat, trying to shake the fluster. "Of course not!"

Monica's laughter rang out, hearty and full of mischief.

“Anyway, I got your blood test results. I passed them to a friend of mine with some serious connections. He's digging around to see who bought the stuff."

Alicia sat up a little straighter, her mind sharpening. “Thanks, Monica. Appreciate it."

“If you really want to thank me, do me a favor: stop obsessing over that jerk. And after the divorce, focus on your career. You owe me that much."

Alicia's chest warmed, her head lowering in quiet gratitude. "I know, I know."

Now that she thought about it, she had come to the realization that her feelings for Joshua had never been pure love-they were born out of a debt, a sense of obligation.

Her family's expectations had always weighed heavily on her, and in that lonely, stifled childhood, it was Joshua who had been there.

His companionship had nurtured a vague affection she'd confused for love.

“Lucky for me, love's never been something I've held onto tightly,"

Alicia murmured. “These last two years... I'll just see it as repaying his kindness."

Monica paused, her usual boldness tempered with thoughtfulness. She knew better than anyone how, once upon a time, Joshua had indeed loved Alicia.

But, it turned out love could be a fleeting thing.

"Alicia, I really hope you've let go for good," Monica said with a convicted sigh.

A sharp pang hit Alicia's chest, her eyes stinging as she fought back the urge to cry. Quickly, she pressed her hand to her eyelids, refusing to let the tears fall.

It was only then she noticed something startling.

Stunned, she stared at her hand.

The wedding ring-something she had once held onto so tightly-was gone.

Gone for a whole day and night, and she hadn't even noticed.

Suddenly, her heart felt lighter, the weight of everything she'd been carrying beginning to lift. She whispered, more to herself than anyone, "Yes, I've truly let go."

It didn't take long for Joshua to notice.

He had returned to grab something quickly when his eyes fell on her hand. His brow furrowed as he asked, without thinking, "Where's your wedding ring?"

Alicia's only concern now was leaving Joshua, so she ignored his question and asked flatly, "Are the divorce papers ready yet?"

That word again-"divorce". Irritation flickered across Joshua's eyes.

"What's the rush?" he snapped, his voice cold and sharp. "My father's finalizing his will, and if word gets out about my divorce, it'll ruin my standing. Now, pack your things-we're having dinner at the Yates Mansion this afternoon."

With Caden's return, the family was throwing a welcome-home dinner for him.

They also hoped that by doing so, it'd lift the spirits of Jerald Yates, Joshua's father.

However, maintaining the charade of a happy marriage was the last thing on Alicia's mind.

"I'm not going," she announced curtly. "Just get the divorce finalized and stop wasting my time."