Chapter Thirty Seven

Kelvin had no choice but to go home with Alice that moment. He went after her with hastened steps and caught up with her just as she was about to enter the car. Alice noticed his presence but said nothing as they both entered and the driver drove off into the city.

The soft hum of the engine filled the silence, the only sound breaking the stillness inside the sleek black car. Streetlights spilled golden patches of light onto the windshield as the car glided through the quiet night, away from the glittering chaos of Mr. Raphael’s birthday party.

Alice's profile was bathed in the gentle glow of her phone. Her fingers danced lightly over the screen, and every now and then, a small, genuine smile tugged at her lips. The kind of smile that lingered in Kelvin's mind, making him confused. The smile wasn't forced or cold. It was real, coming from the depths of her heart.

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

That smile again.

It burned something in his chest—an odd twist of jealousy, curiosity, and something heavier he couldn’t name. Who was she texting? Who was making her smile like that?

His hand tightened on his knee, jaw clenching slightly.

Alice didn’t notice as she was engrossed in her conversation with Daniel.

Daniel: "Still recovering from your sudden disappearance. It felt like someone stole the moonlight out of the room."

She chuckled under her breath and typed back.

Alice: "That's cheesy. You know I can't stay there forever."

Daniel: "I don't mean to be cheesy. I'm missing you so much already. I wish you can stay with me together, forever."

Alice gave another smile.

Kelvin couldn’t take it anymore.

“You seem… entertained,” he said coolly, eyes still fixed ahead.

Alice didn’t even turn to look at him. “I am.”

He swallowed hard. “You didn’t seem that happy at the party. You even stubbornly refused to dance with me.”

She shrugged lightly. “Because I wasn’t going to pretend to be happy by dancing with you."

The answer was simple. Sharp. And it cut deep.

He didn’t respond. What could he say? That it bothered him she was smiling like that? That he hated the thought that someone else could pull joy from her when he only seemed to bring bitterness? That he brought her into this marriage with a plan—and now he wasn’t sure he liked the consequences of his own choices?

The air grew heavier in the car. The gap between them felt both physical and emotional—an ocean of unspoken things. And yet, Kelvin couldn’t stop glancing at her, taking in the soft curves of her face, the way her eyes lit up at whatever was on her screen.

Alice typed back on her phone:

Alice: "I'm missing you too Daniel."

Daniel: "Maybe we should plan another meeting?"

Alice: "You know we can't afford frequent meetings. I have a feeling that Kelvin suspects me to have someone outside this marriage"

Daniel: "You're right. I can deal with just chatting with you for now. I don't want Kelvin to have any reason to hurt you."

Alice sighed, her smile fading into something more thoughtful. Her thumb hovered over her keyboard, her heart tightening for a reason she couldn’t explain.

Finally she replied,

Alice: "Thank you Daniel"

Daniel: "Don't thank me. I love you more than anything"

She ended the chat with a heart emoji and drifted off in her thoughts.

Kelvin turned to her again—really looked at her this time. She wasn’t just beautiful. She was becoming a mystery he couldn’t solve. A woman he didn’t understand. A soul he couldn’t seem to control, no matter how tightly he held the strings.

And strangely… he didn’t want to anymore.

_______

Weeks trickled into each other, and the mansion that once echoed with tension between Alice and Kelvin began to take on a quieter, more distant rhythm.

Alice kept mostly to herself. She no longer concerned herself with Kelvin’s comings and goings, nor did she care about his affairs with Anita or his endless phone calls. She no longer had arguments with him about Anita. That chapter was closed.

Instead, she found comfort in solitude… and in her phone.

Her fingers always seemed busy — typing, scrolling, smiling. And always, it was Daniel.

Their conversations had become a routine she cherished. Mornings began with his witty check-ins, afternoons carried soft encouragements, and evenings were filled with quiet chats that often left her smiling into her pillow. He didn’t try to possess her. He simply… listened. And with every message, he reminded her that she was more than what Kelvin wanted her to be.

When she wasn’t curled on the sofa or the bed texting Daniel, Alice spent some of her time with Grandma Janet, playing cards or helping her with other tasks. Their conversations were light, sometimes nostalgic, sometimes quietly meaningful. But mostly about Alice and Kelvin's children - a moment that made Alice feel bad and a bit guilty for keeping grandma Janet in the dark.

Occasionally, Alice went out — always with Kimberly, Marla, or Flynn. Laughter became her armor, and friendships became her refuge. Whether it was brunch at a chic café, or a short shopping trip downtown, her world was beginning to stretch beyond the confines of the golden cage Kelvin had placed her in.

Meanwhile, Kelvin watched constantly.

He noticed how she glowed differently now. How her laughter came more easily. How the supposed timid village girl now walked with a grace and confidence that caught not only his attention but the admiration of others.

He tried to throw himself into work, into late meetings and endless calls. He surrounded himself with Anita — who continued to feed his ego, play her part, whisper promises of a future they could build together if only Alice was gone. The plan was clear. He had already taken the first steps. All that remained was to follow through.

But each time he saw Alice walk past him in the house…Each time he caught her smiling down at her phone, her face glowing with quiet joy…

Something tugged inside him.

She was supposed to be temporary. Just a small detour on his road to his financial freedom. He had never intended to want her… but he did gradually.

And the worst part was that he couldn’t even say it out loud - not to Alice. She would only use it against him, mock him with that smart mouth and steel resolve.

And definitely not to Anita. She would never forgive such a betrayal.

So he remained silent, pretending not to notice the way Alice’s presence stirred something restless in his chest.

But every day his heart grew more conflicted.

_____

Grandma Janet had planned the charity event for weeks — an evening to bring the city’s elite together for a noble cause: raising funds for orphaned children. Every detail had been personally overseen by her sharp eye and refined taste, and now, as the event unfolded in the heart of a luxurious city park, her vision came to life.

The garden sparkled under the glow of golden fairy lights strung high across elegant white tents. Soft classical music drifted from a quartet under a blooming archway, their violins sending notes fluttering into the air like butterflies. Waiters in crisp uniforms moved between guests, offering drinks and food as laughter and light conversation blended with the sweet scent of roses.

Alice, for once, found herself easing into the atmosphere. There was a calmness there — even if temporary. After spending time helping with a few last-minute errands behind the scenes, she now made her way toward the refreshment table. Her emerald gown hugged her slender figure, shimmering subtly with every step she took under the string lights. Her hair had been swept into a soft updo, and diamond studs sparkled in her ears.

She reached for a glass of chilled fruit juice, fingers brushing the crystal rim as she took in her surroundings.

Her gaze swept across the crowd — and then stopped.

Across the lawn, Kelvin stood surrounded by a group of men in sleek suits, presumably business associates. His smile was charming, polished, professional — the kind of expression he wore effortlessly when networking. But he wasn’t listening to the man speaking beside him. He was staring at her.

Alice's fingers tightened around her glass. Her body stiffened slightly, though her face remained unreadable. Their eyes locked across the space between them, and in that moment, the entire event seemed to mute itself — the music, the laughter, the sparkle — it all dimmed under the silent weight of their stare.

Something cold twisted in her stomach. Not fear. Not even anger. But a bitter reminder of the truth: she was a showpiece. A temporary fixture in a fake marriage.

And yet his stare wasn’t indifferent. It lingered a second too long, intense, searching — as though he was trying to remember something about her he had forgotten. Something that, perhaps, had nothing to do with the agreement or their bitter exchanges.

Alice turned away first. She lifted her glass to her lips, forcing herself to sip and smile faintly at a passerby.

"Alice!" she heard her name.

She turned and saw Grandma Janet walking toward her slowly, leaning on her cane. Alice forced a smile and rushed to her, gently holding her arm.

“You look beautiful, Alice,” Grandma said warmly, eyes scanning her face.

Alice exhaled softly. “Thank you grandma.”

“I hope you're enjoying the event” Grandma Janet asked.

Alice offered a tiny nod and widened her smile. “I am Grandma.”

"I'm glad you are" Grandma Janet said, "I love doing this. Helping people and putting a smile on their faces. I do hope that you'll continue with this act when I'm gone. Kelvin would never really think to do things like this on his own."

Alice swallowed. Grandma didn't know that she would be out of the family soon. But still, her smile remained and she replied, "Of course grandma"

That widened Grandma Janet's smile.

Alice gently guided Grandma Janet to one of the quieter tables near the flower-covered trellis. The older woman’s silver-gray shawl draped gracefully over her shoulders, her smile content as the evening unfolded just the way she’d envisioned. Guests were still arriving in clusters, the air was laced with the soft glow of sunset, and laughter chimed faintly in the background like music.

As they chatted lightly, Alice’s gaze wandered naturally, scanning the crowd. A familiar pull stopped her.

Daniel.

He was seated alone near one of the edge tables, his sleeves rolled halfway up his forearms, a glass of water in front of him untouched. He wasn’t dressed to draw attention — a simple navy suit, no tie — and yet, he stood out. Not because of what he wore, but because of how he looked at her.

Their eyes met.

Alice’s breath hitched subtly, caught between surprise and a rush of comfort. She hadn’t seen him since the start of the event, but he had seen her — that much was obvious now. His eyes had been quietly watching her from the moment he arrived.

A soft, knowing smile tugged at his lips.

He raised his phone a little to her, gave a faint tilt of his head, and lowered it again, fingers moving smoothly across the screen as he typed.

Alice’s heart skipped.

Moments later, her phone vibrated soundlessly in her small clutch.

Keeping her movements discreet, she drew it out and opened it beneath the table, just as Daniel's message lit up the screen:

Daniel: “You look like a dream tonight, Alice. I can barely think straight.”

Alice couldn’t help it. Her cheeks flushed the moment her eyes landed on Daniel’s message.

The words weren’t dramatic or overdone. But something about their simplicity, their sincerity, made her heart flutter. She stared at them a moment too long, her lips parting slightly, eyes softening. The world around her dimmed for a breath of time, and all she could feel was the rush of warmth blooming beneath her skin.

An involuntary smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

She quickly glanced up at him across the crowd. Daniel was still watching her.

Grandma Janet was engrossed in her talk that she didn't seem to notice Alice. Alice quickly realized herself and maintained composure. She replied to Grandma Janet's comment before replying Daniel's chat.

Alice: "You want to put me in trouble with Grandma."

Daniel: "No. You needed to see how much you just glowed, smiling as you read my message."

That deepened the blush on Alice’s face. She could feel it rising like heat from a quiet flame—spreading across her cheeks, tingling down her neck.

She prayed Grandma Janet hadn’t noticed. And luckily for her, Grandma Janet was needed somewhere and so she excused herself.