Chapter Thirty One

The dining hall of the Sanders mansion was as grand as ever, bathed in the soft, golden glow of the chandeliers that hung like glittering constellations above. The long, polished table was set with an extravagant feast—crystal glasses filled with wine, silver platters laden with delicacies, and fine china that gleamed under the light. Yet, despite the opulence, the atmosphere was unusually light, almost cheerful. For the first time since returning from the cruise, Alice felt a semblance of ease. Conversations flowed effortlessly, drifting from business matters to travel anecdotes, and even lighthearted childhood memories as Grandma Janet indulged in her favorite pastime: storytelling.

Kelvin sat beside Alice, his presence a constant reminder of the life she was still tethered to. He was as composed as ever, his sharp features softened slightly by the warm light. But Alice noticed the way his eyes flickered toward her occasionally, as if he were studying her. He pretended to focus on his meal, cutting into his steak with precision, but she could feel his gaze lingering. She knew he was trying to gauge her mood, to see if the distance between them had lessened. And while there was no hostility in her demeanor tonight, there was still a wall—one she wasn’t ready to let down.

Then, just as Alice reached for her glass of water, Grandma Janet’s voice cut through the pleasant hum of conversation. Her tone was casual, yet there was an undercurrent of firmness that made everyone pause.

“I’ve been thinking,” she began, dabbing the corner of her lips with a napkin, “now that you two have had your time together on the cruise, it’s about time we discuss something important—having a baby.”

The room fell into an immediate, heavy silence. Alice choked slightly on her water, quickly setting the glass down as her eyes widened in shock. Kelvin stiffened, his fork pausing midway to his mouth, his expression a mix of surprise and discomfort.

“A baby?” Alice echoed, her voice trembling despite her efforts to keep it steady.

“Yes, dear,” Grandma Janet replied, as if it were the most natural suggestion in the world. “You two have been married for a while now. It’s time to expand the family.”

Kelvin cleared his throat, setting down his utensils with deliberate care. “Grandma, we’ve not even been married for a year. That’s not something we just—”

“Nonsense,” Grandma Janet interrupted with a small wave of her hand, her tone brooking no argument. “I’m not getting any younger, and I want to see my great-grandchild before I leave this world. You two are a married couple; this is the next step. And from what I saw on that ship, I’d say you’re finally getting along just fine.” She gave Alice a pointed look, as if expecting her to agree.

Alice felt a swirl of emotions she couldn’t even begin to untangle. A baby? With Kelvin? The man who, just weeks ago, had treated her with cold indifference? The man she was still struggling to understand? The man she had vowed to divorce after three years? And what about Daniel? Her heart ached at the thought of him, at the love she had begun to feel for him—a love that felt real and true, unlike anything she had ever experienced with Kelvin.

She cast a quick glance at Kelvin, who for once seemed at a loss for words. He was clearly just as shocked, and perhaps just as conflicted. But Grandma Janet wasn’t finished. “I won’t force you, of course,” she added, her tone softening slightly. “But I do expect to hear some good news soon. It would make me very happy, Alice.”

There was something in the way she said it, something weighted with expectation, that made Alice swallow hard. She felt the weight of the world pressing down on her, the walls of the dining hall closing in. A baby. A family. A future with Kelvin. The very thought made her stomach churn.

Kelvin finally found his voice, his tone smooth but careful. “We’ll... talk about it, Grandma.”

Grandma Janet nodded, satisfied for now. The conversation resumed, but Alice barely heard a word of it. Her mind was spinning, her thoughts a chaotic whirlwind of shock, anger, and something else she couldn’t quite place. A baby. A family. A future she had never wanted with Kelvin.

And yet, in the back of her mind, the image of Daniel’s deep, longing gaze haunted her, making her heart tighten with emotions she wasn’t ready to face.

The tension in the dining room lingered even after Grandma Janet had retired for the night. Alice remained seated at the table, absentmindedly tracing the pendant of her necklace—the one Daniel had given her. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions—shock, anger, and something else she couldn’t quite name. A baby. Grandma Janet wanted them to have a child.

She scoffed under her breath. As if that could magically fix everything.

Across the room, Kelvin rose from his seat and adjusted his cuffs. His movements were smooth, almost too nonchalant, but Alice had been watching him long enough to recognize when he was about to leave the house. Her eyes followed him as he strode toward the door.

“Where are you going?” she asked, her voice sharper than she intended.

Kelvin paused mid-step, his shoulders tensing slightly before he turned to face her. “Out.”

Alice let out a bitter chuckle, shaking her head. “To Anita?”

Kelvin’s jaw tightened. He didn’t answer, but his silence spoke volumes.

Alice stood, her fingers curling into fists. “So that’s it? Grandma Janet just talked about us having a baby, and here you are, sneaking off to your mistress?”

Kelvin sighed, rubbing his temple. “Alice, don’t start—”

“Don’t start?” she cut in, her voice rising. “What exactly do you expect me to do? Smile and nod while you keep running back to her? While I sit here and pretend to be the perfect wife in front of your grandmother?”

Kelvin exhaled heavily, stepping closer. “You know that Anita is my love. Clearly, it shouldn’t bother you whenever I go to see her.”

Alice’s chest tightened. He was right. She was beginning to fall in love with Daniel, but she still couldn’t understand the anger within her. “You’re worse than the worst, Kelvin,” she spat out.

The words hung between them, thick and heavy.

Kelvin scoffed, shaking his head. “Yeah, yeah... and you’re the angel, always acting like you’re the victim.”

Alice took a step forward, fire burning in her eyes. “You know what? I really don’t care. Go and enjoy your time with your girlfriend.” A bitter smile curled her lips as she took a step back.

Kelvin clenched his jaw, hesitating for a split second. Then, without another word, he turned and walked out the door, leaving Alice standing there with her heart hammering in her chest.

And for the first time in a long time, she wasn’t sure if she was angry at him—or at herself for still caring despite everything.

---

Kelvin drove through the quiet, dimly lit streets, his mind heavy with the argument he had left behind. Alice’s angry words still echoed in his ears, but as he approached Anita’s private suite at the luxury hotel, he pushed all thoughts of his wife aside.

The moment he stepped into the living room of Anita's house, the scent of lavender and vanilla greeted him, wrapping around him like a familiar embrace. The lights were dimmed to a sultry glow, and soft jazz played from hidden speakers. Anita was waiting by the floor-to-ceiling window, draped in a silk robe, a wine glass in her hand.

“You took your time,” she murmured without turning around.

Kelvin smirked, undoing the top button of his shirt as he walked toward her. “I had to shake off some unwanted company.”

Anita finally turned to face him, her dark eyes gleaming with amusement and something deeper—desire. “Let me guess… Alice?”

Kelvin exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “She’s becoming a problem.”

Anita set down her glass and approached him, her fingers trailing down his chest, feeling the tension in his muscles. “Forget about her,” she whispered. “You’re here now. With me. I missed you badly.”

Kelvin’s breath hitched as Anita pulled him closer, her lips brushing against his jaw, her hands sliding under his unbuttoned shirt.

“I want you, babe,” she continued, her voice sultry and laced with promise.

Their lips met in a slow, deliberate kiss, filled with unspoken hunger. Kelvin lifted her effortlessly, carrying her to the king-sized bed in her bedroom as their robes and shirts slipped to the floor. The city lights outside flickered against their skin as they lost themselves in each other—familiar yet urgent, rough yet tender.

For that night, in Anita’s arms, Kelvin let go of everything else—his marriage, his doubts, even the nagging feeling that something was shifting inside him.

For that night, he belonged only to her.

---

Kelvin slipped into the Sanders mansion just as the first rays of dawn streaked across the sky. The house was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of the morning breeze through the open windows. He moved with careful steps, his shirt slightly wrinkled, the faintest trace of Anita’s perfume still lingering on his skin.

His goal was simple—get to his room, freshen up, and pretend like last night never happened. He knew that Grandma Janet wouldn’t miss an opportunity to lecture him if she caught him sneaking in like a teenager past curfew.

Kelvin exhaled in relief as he reached his bedroom door. But as soon as he pushed it open, his relief evaporated.

Alice was lying on the bed, wide awake, with a book in her hand.

“So,” she said, her voice eerily calm, “enjoyed your night, did you?”

Kelvin sighed, already bracing himself for yet another confrontation. He closed the door behind him and loosened his tie. “Alice, please. It’s too early for this.”

Alice scoffed, still in a nonchalant manner. “Too early? Oh, I didn’t realize there were specific hours for discussing your adulterous habits.”

Kelvin ran a hand down his face. He was tired, physically and mentally drained from his night with Anita, and not in the mood for another round of accusations. “I don’t owe you an explanation.”

“Oh, but you do,” Alice countered, “I am your wife after all.”

He met her gaze, his usual arrogance flickering back into place. “You already know the answer, Alice. Why are we playing this game?”

Alice clenched her fists. “Because I want to hear you say it. I want to hear you admit that you spent your entire night with Anita.”

Kelvin exhaled slowly, tilting his head as he studied her. “Alice, please, I’m tired. I want to catch a brief sleep before heading to the office.”

Kelvin finally sighed and walked past her, kicking off his shoes and unbuttoning the rest of his shirt. Then he threw himself on the bed beside Alice.

Alice’s jaw clenched. She wanted to yell, to throw something at him, but instead, she just shook her head, swallowing the lump in her throat.

“So unbelievable,” she whispered before turning her back to him and focusing on her book.

Kelvin laid there for a moment in silence. For some reason, he felt pained and wasn’t sure why.

************

By mid-morning, Alice found herself standing at the gates of Kimberly’s grand mansion, a sprawling estate that exuded quiet luxury. The mansion was a masterpiece of modern architecture, with tall glass windows that reflected the morning sunlight and manicured gardens that stretched out like a lush, green oasis. The air around the property carried a sense of calm and sophistication, much like the woman who owned it. Kimberly’s home was as breathtaking as she was—elegant, warm, and inviting.

The butler greeted Alice with a polite nod, already accustomed to her frequent visits. Without a word, he ushered her inside, and Alice made her way through the grand hall, her footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floors. She knew exactly where to find Kimberly at this hour—the patio, where her friend loved to lounge in the mornings, soaking in the tranquility of the day.

Sure enough, Kimberly was there, reclining on a plush lounge chair, dressed in a sleek silk robe that shimmered in the sunlight. A steaming cup of coffee rested in her hand, and she gazed out at the gardens with a serene expression. But as Alice approached, Kimberly turned her head, her sharp eyes immediately catching the tension etched on her friend’s face.

“Well, that’s a face I don’t like seeing on you,” Kimberly remarked, setting her coffee down on the small table beside her. Her tone was light, but her concern was evident. “Sit. Tell me everything.”

Alice didn’t hesitate. She sank onto the cushioned lounge chair beside Kimberly, letting out a heavy exhale as she ran a hand through her hair. The weight of the morning’s events pressed down on her, and she felt the need to unload it all. She began to recount the previous night—how Kelvin had left the house after their argument, how he had spent the night with Anita, and how he had returned at dawn, unapologetic and dismissive. As she spoke, her voice wavered between anger and hurt, her emotions raw and unfiltered.

Kimberly listened intently, her expression shifting from concern to quiet indignation. When Alice finished, Kimberly reached out and placed a reassuring hand on her friend’s arm. “Alice, love, stop hoping on that guy. He’s not worth it,” she said firmly, her voice laced with both sympathy and frustration.

Alice let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “You’re right. I’ve decided not to care about him anymore. It’s just… the disrespect still gets to me. It’s hard to ignore.”

Kimberly leaned back in her chair, her gaze steady and unwavering. “Just ignore it, Alice. You have people who respect you—people who truly care about you. There’s me, Daniel, Grandma Janet, and everyone working for the Sanders. You’re surrounded by love and support, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. And don’t forget, after three years, you’ll be free. You’ll be a billionaire, living life on your own terms. Kelvin will be nothing but a distant memory.”

Alice smiled faintly, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. “You’re right,” she said, exhaling deeply. “I just need to keep reminding myself of that.”

Kimberly gave her a playful nudge, a small grin tugging at her lips. “That’s the spirit. Now, let’s focus on you. You’re stronger than you think, Alice. Don’t let him dim your light.”

For the next few hours, Alice stayed at Kimberly’s mansion, allowing herself to be enveloped in the comfort of her friend’s presence. They talked, laughed, and even indulged in a bit of daydreaming about the future. By the time lunch rolled around, Alice felt a sense of calm she hadn’t experienced in days. The weight of Kelvin’s actions still lingered, but it no longer felt suffocating. With Kimberly by her side, she felt a renewed sense of strength and determination. She knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but she also knew she wasn’t walking it alone.