Chapter 3 Maybe I was just too stubborn to die - Alicia survived because someone rescued her When she woke , it was already the next morning . " Bruising on the right arm , mild concussion , multiple soft tissue injuries …" The doctor stood by her bed , glancing down at her chart before meeting Alicia's eyes . " Is there anywhere else you feel pain ? " Alicia shook her head , then reached for her phone . Not a single call from Vincent .

But for the first time ever , Vincent - who never posted on social media - had uploaded a photo . The picture was taken on a sunlit beach , the sea a brilliant blue . The view was stunning.8 But the real focus was Mina , dressed in a flowing bohemian dress , more beautiful than the scenery itself , Alicia curled up , pulling the blanket over her head , Quietly , she cried . Four years with Vincent . What did that make her ?! Nothing . Absolutely nothing .

After being discharged , Alicia returned to her cramped apartment , swallowed an ibuprofen , and collapsed into bed . She must have nerves of steel - she slept for an entire day before she finally felt halfway human again . After slapping on a few pain relief patches , Alicia dragged herself to work . She needed that inter paycheck , after all . " Did you see Mr. Lawson's post ? My God , he never shares anything online ! He really broke his own rule for Miss Holloway - how romantic is that ?

" ? " He's the perfect man , honestly . All these years , so self - disciplined , just waiting for Miss Holloway . " Alicia had barely stepped into the office when she overheard her coworkers gossiping. She let out a bitter laugh and dropped into her seat . Vincent really did love Mina . ! But ' self - disciplined ? " Hardly . Alicia found it all rather ironic . Maybe all men were the same ; love and physical desire could be completely separate things. He loved Mina with his heart .

But his body ? He'd never hesitated to share that with Alicia . Suddenly , a commotion broke out near the elevator . Alicia looked up and felt her blood run cold . Mira was here.D et out of my way ! " Mira's heels clicked across the floor as she strode in , clad in a designer suit and radiating entitlement . " Get Alicia instinctively ducked her head , shrinking into herself . The shadow of freshman year bullying still hadn't faded . " Alicia , my brother's coming home today .

He and Mina are getting married . Mira leaned in , her voice a venomous whisper , like the devil murmuring in her ear She let out a mocking laugh . " I told you four years ago - the day my brother leaves you is the day you're finished " Alicia froze , every muscle tense . !! Four years , and Mira still wouldn't let her go . Smack ! Mira slapped Alicia across the face , right in front of everyone . Alicia didn't fight back . She didn't even make a sound .

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She knew she was being a coward , but she couldn't afford to take Mira on . No matter how many times she fantasized about killing Mira , the truth was , as long as she wanted to keep living , she couldn't do it . !! But if there ever came a day when she was done with life - she'd make sure Mira went with her . For now , though , she was pathetic , and she still wanted to live . " Remember this slap ?" Mira sneered , fury and amusement twisting her features .

" Years ago , my brother hit me for the first time because of you - sent me overseas , too ! He never laid a hand on me before , but for you ? He did Giggling maliciously , she picked up a coffee from the desk and poured it over Alicia's head . " Alicia , you really think you've won just by sleeping with my brother ? a different league . Did you really think he'd ever marry you ? " her ? Who do you think you are ? Just a nobody , an orphan .

My brother's in Mira shoved Alicia's head , then leaned in again , her tone icy . " Get out of Lawson & Co. , or fil dump all your dirty secrets in the company group chat . " Alicia kept her head down , silent . } " Dirty secrets " -was she talking about those naked photos Mira and her friends took during their freshman year , when they stripped her and bullied her ? Or was it about sleeping with Vincent ? No one in the office dared speak up for Alicia .

Mira was the company heiress , after all . " Alicia..how did you end up on the wrong side of the Lawson family ? " Only after Mira strutted out did a coworker dare to whisper . !! Alicia wiped her face with a tissue , forcing a smile . " We went to college together . Some old drama … ? In the restroom , Alicia hid in a comer , straightening her clothes . She didn't cry . " Back in her freshman year , she would have sobbed about how unfair the world was Was it her fault she was an orphan ?

Did she deserve to be bullied just because she had no family , no connections ? Now , she understood : being an orphan was sa sin in itself . No family , no power - just an easy target . People don't need a reason to hurt you ? Ding ! Her phone vibrated . Vincent had just wired her five thousand dollars . After all Il the drama at the office , he must have heard that Mira slapped her . ? Five grand for a slap . } Not a bad deal . " I called Mira and told her off .

Treat yourself to something nice ," Vincent texted , followed by a voice message repeating the same line . " Buy whatever you want.2 " Thank you , Mr. Lawson Alicia accepted the money . She'd eamed it , after all . ) Staring at the chat screen , she didn't know what she was hoping for Maybe that Vincent would show a shred of concern , ask if she was hurt in the accident But he didn't ask anything . She powered off her phone and went to HR to hand in her resignation .

As an intern , the process was quick and painless . !! Tomorrow was the thirteenth . That night , she needed to go to Riverside Mansion to meet Mr. Lynch . If she seized this chance , she could finally escape Seaview City for good . Escape Vincent , too .