When the sliding door opened, Alicia froze.
Sitting inside was Evelyn. She appears calm, elegant, and smiling faintly, as if she’d been waiting for this moment for a long time.
Alicia blinked several times, her mind struggling to process the sight.
Her throat tightened as she shouted in a trembling voice, "Oh my... God! E–Eve. Is... that you?"
Alicia was holding Stella’s hand tightly, too afraid she might lose her balance, too shocked by what she saw.
Evelyn stood up slowly, her eyes softening. "Hi, Alice. Yes, it’s me..."
Hearing Evelyn’s voice was enough to make Alicia cry. Her eyes were blurry and filled with tears as she stumbled forward.
Evelyn caught her in a tight embrace before she could fall.
"Eve... oh, sweetheart," Alicia whispered through her tears. "I thought I’d never see you again. I thought God had forgotten all my prayers to bring you back to me."
Evelyn smiled faintly against Alicia’s shoulder.
"I missed you, too, Alice."
Stella stood at the door, smiling through her own tears.
"Mom... I told you someone special wanted to meet you."
Alicia turned to Stella, still holding Evelyn’s hand as if afraid she’d vanish.
"You little brat," she said to Stella through her tears. "You could’ve warned me. I’m shaking now... I almost fainted... Worry, my eyes are playing tricks on me. My Eve might vanish."
"You always look fine," Stella teased. "Even when you’re crying, you look like you’re about to star in a skincare commercial."
Alicia let out a watery laugh. "Don’t flatter me when I’m looking ugly with tears, child."
"Stella, stop teasing Alice," Evelyn said, glaring at Stella before turning her gaze to Alicia and smiling. "Let’s sit first... Alice... I’m worried you might really faint..."
"Yes, yes, I felt like my knee was about to turn to jelly." She smiled and settled into the chair.
They sat down, and for a few seconds, no one spoke, just the quiet hum of soft Japanese music from the hidden speaker and the sound of running water from the outside fountain.
Alicia’s hand was still held tightly by Evelyn, her eyes beaming with happiness.
"Why didn’t you tell me you were back?"
Evelyn smiled sadly. "I wanted to wait until things with him... settled."
"Settled?" Stella interrupted, "Mom just cursed at him. It’s not settling... It’s started, and it will be a blood bath duel."
Evelyn chuckled softly, and even Alicia couldn’t help but laugh.
But then Alicia’s expression turned serious again as she looked at Evelyn’s face, gently brushing her cheek.
"Is your life happy now, Eve? Tell me honestly."
"Yes, I live a happy life... with my son and husband."
Alicia’s eyes shined with happiness again, and her smile stayed steady.
"Then that’s enough for me..." She paused as she realized something. "Wait...Son? Son? Where’s he? Where is my grandson?"
She glanced around the room, anxious not to overlook the small boy in the corner, but she found no one.
Only the three of them were in the room, with plenty of Japanese food served on the table.
"Alice... I didn’t bring my son. Next time, I’ll make sure you meet him," Evelyn said softly.
"Oh, Eve..." Alicia sighed with disappointment, her eyes soft but filled with longing. "You should have brought him today. I’ve always dreamed of meeting my grandson."
"Mom," Stella chimed in between mouthfuls of tuna sushi, "Little Oliver is super handsome and smart."
"You’ve met him already?" Alicia asked in disbelief.
"Of course!" Stella said proudly, straightening her back. "I even met my crazy-rich brother-in-law—"
Before she could finish, Evelyn swiftly shoved a piece of egg roll into her mouth.
Stella glared at her sister with puffed cheeks full of food, while Evelyn just gave her a pointed "don’t you dare" look before turning back to Alicia.
"Alice, stop talking about my son and husband for now," Evelyn said firmly. "We’ll talk about them later."
Alicia frowned, confused by her sudden seriousness. "Eve, but..."
"Alice, what’s important right now is you and your husband. That’s what we need to discuss."
The light in Alicia’s eyes dimmed instantly. The warmth from moments ago vanished, replaced by the familiar heaviness she carried for years.
Her fingers trembled against the teacup, and Evelyn noticed how cold they were when she reached over to hold her hand.
"Alice, I’m really sorry for you," Evelyn said, her voice thick with emotion. "All this time, you endured humiliation alone. But things are different now. You don’t have to live in his shadow anymore. That man doesn’t deserve you, me, or Stella."
Alicia’s lips parted slightly, her eyes glassy but strong. She refused to cry. Not again, not for William Walters. She gave a light sigh and nodded.
"I’ve already made a decision, Eve," she said softly. "I’ll divorce him."
Evelyn was surprised, not because of her decision, but because she didn’t expect Alicia to say it so calmly and confidently.
All this time, she knew Alicia had clung to hope, despite how violent and cruel her husband was toward her. But now, she finally sounded relieved and free.
"Perfect, Alice," Evelyn finally said, smiling faintly. "That’s exactly what I hoped to hear."
"Hmm... this is a better situation for all of us."
"Alice, I’ll arrange the best lawyer for you. But listen to me carefully... You must not sign ANYTHING William or anyone from his side gives you. Not a document, not a statement, not even a note. Understand?"
Alicia nodded once, firmly. "Understood."
Evelyn smiled before she could continue her words... a soft gasp sounded from the other side of them.
Stella had stopped chewing mid-bite. Her chopsticks froze in the air as she glanced between her mother and sister.
"Wait... Sis, are you suspicious of the worker in our house?"
Alicia smiled faintly, sadness flickering behind her calm face. She answered, "We have to be careful, Stella. Even though they were all nice to me all this time, we can’t trust anyone."
Stella let out a sigh.
"Wow! I hadn’t considered that. Still, I agree... Dad might be using them to get his way. He’s been acting more and more malicious lately..."