LOGINALICEI stared at her as she walked closer to me, her assistant standing behind her like a bodyguard."It is quite a game today and I can see you enjoyed yourself," Mrs. Steven said with a smug smile, though her voice was softer than the way she spoke to me the last time she came to my mom's boutique."Yes, and Devon's team won, so I am happy," I replied with a fake smile to match her vibe."Yeah," she muttered. "They always win, but Dominic has his own way of making the whole team stand out." Her gaze lowered, taking me in from head to toe.I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest. "We both know it is not just his effort. So what do you want, Mrs. Steven?"She scoffed as if I had slapped her face. I wished I could actually hit her, since I had not returned the favor from her last visit. "You seem happy for a girl whose mother's shop is falling apart. I heard the city plans to tear down the building."My heart thudded against my ribs when I heard those words, but I forced my f
ALICEI rolled my eyes at Brea before handing her the jersey. "It's your call, so I wish you the best with it."She let out a breath, taking the folded shirt from my hands. "I hope so too, because if this turns out wrong, I might go crazy."I chuckled as we stepped through the wide gates into the stadium. The game had not started yet, but people were already filling up the stands, taking their seats in rows. Brea and I found two spots right in the front row and sat down. I kept a confident smile on my face as I looked around the smooth ice rink, watching for Devon as the rest of the hockey team skated out from the tunnel.Devon was the last one in line. He glided onto the ice with a steady presence that commanded the entire arena. His eyes searched the crowd until they locked right onto me in the front row. He held my gaze for a long moment before the whistle blew and the game started.Brea began shouting at the top of her lungs, cheering for Devon. I knew she was doing it mostly so s
ALICE"Mom, we shouldn't be talking about this," I said, trying to steer her mind away from Devon. "After everything that has been happening lately, I don't know if feeling anything for anyone is the right thing for me to do right now."My mom stared at me with a warm smile that I hadn't seen on her face in days. "I understand, Alice. We all get to a point where we try to deny what is right in front of us. But the way Devon looks at you... I can tell he cares for you, and you should open your heart to him."I forced a small smile as she chuckled. For once today, she was talking like there was no huge problem hanging over our heads. "Okay, Mom. We are married anyway, so of course we take care of each other."Cherry, who was sitting on the sofa near the window, let out a soft laugh. "That is what people say when they are in total denial of the real thing."I shook my head, shifting my focus back to my mother. "Why are we talking about this now? Let's focus on you getting better and ever
DEVONMy phone kept buzzing in my hand as I stared at Alice and her mother. They talked in an affectionate way that reminded me of my own family. It had been so long since I felt that kind of warmth, and I had almost forgotten what it felt like to care so much for someone.The only people I had in my corner were Alma and June. They were my family.The buzzing sound continued against my palm. I looked down at my phone screen, knowing fully well it would be Mac. He was probably calling to remind me that we had a major match against a team that traveled from out of state.I looked away from the screen, turning back to Alice and her mother before I stepped out to take the call."Mac, I'll be there in a few minutes," I said, pacing back and forth along the quiet hospital lobby. "I just had to stay with Alice and her mother for a while."Mac let out a long sigh through the speaker before he spoke. "Oh really? Now you are playing the husband role so well," he chuckled. "I know you have to be
ALICEI had just finished eating the eggs benedict with crispy potatoes and fresh fruit, along with the coffee Devon had ordered for us, when my phone sitting on the table started ringing.I looked at the screen, and when I saw Cherry's name pop up, I answered the call, bringing the phone close to my ear.Devon, who was sitting opposite me, stared at me curiously, wondering who was calling me. "Is it Cherry?" he mouthed across the table.I nodded, and he leaned closer. "Hello, Cherry. Is my mom awake now?" I asked, turning my gaze away from Devon's face."Yes, she just woke up not quite long and she's asking for you," Cherry replied.I heard my mom's faint voice in the background asking her where I was and why I wasn't there. Cherry obviously pulled the phone away because her voice became low as she answered my mom. "She was here not long ago. You were asleep, so she went out to get some fresh air.""Cherry, I'm coming over right now," I said, already standing up from the chair."Okay
DEVONI lowered my head slightly to place a soft kiss on Alice's head as she sniffled softly against my chest. My heart ached at the sight and the fact that this had gotten to her so much that her usual pretense of being strong had become a difficult thing for her to do.I lifted my head as my gaze caught the sight of her mother as she slept peacefully on the hospital bed, her face still. The feeling that I needed to do something clawed at me. If Dominic tried to hurt her mother, it would break Alice completely. And if that pushed her into kneeling before him again, I would never allow it to happen."Are you okay?" I asked, looking down at her.Alice pulled away as though she had suddenly realized how close we were. She wiped her nose with the back of her hand and sniffled before turning her attention back to her mother. "I'm fine.""Alice, please don't stress yourself too much about what's going on," Cherry said in a soft voice as she stepped forward from her chair. "Your mom is goi







