"You're being difficult, Alicia," Leo snapped, tossing the file onto the table. "You can't dress like that in my mansion. Even the servants here don't look this ridiculous."
Alicia turned slowly, arms folded, one brow raised. "Did I just hear a please in there?"
Leo's jaw tightened. "Ughh… you're driving me insane. "Is it a crime to say please?" she asked, smirking mockingly. "You're unbelievable. "That word doesn't exist in my vocabulary. And you should know that by now."
He stood up and walked over to her, eyes sharp. "My mother is waiting for you in the kitchen. Something about breakfast. I think it's related to cooking though I don't know why she still clings to that ancient tradition."
Alicia blinked. "Leo… I don't know how to cook. "And how exactly is that supposed to be my problem?" he said dryly.
"What the—" She clenched her fists. "I swear, I feel like strangling you right now!" She stormed off, slamming the door behind her with enough force to rattle the hinges. Crazy girl…" Leo muttered with a rare smirk, shaking his head.
He walked to the mirror and caught his own reflection smiling. His gaze lingered for a second too long. And just like that, the smile faded. His eyes grew cold again. No way… I was smiling because of her?" he asked himself, frowning. "No, Leon. You cannot let her get to you.
Alicia descended the stairs, her bare feet hitting the marble fast and hard. Her mind boiled with rage, but her expression stayed blank. She pushed open the kitchen doors.
"Good morning," she said flatly. The maids turned to her and instantly, their expressions twisted. Their eyes scanned her outfit with judgment so sharp it could slice skin. Some of them turned away with disgust.
Her oversized black top and worn jeans stood out like a sore thumb in the palace-like kitchen filled with pristinely dressed staff.
She lifted her chin. Let them stare. Suddenly, the doors burst open. Lisa entered, holding a silver tray stacked with elegant ceramic bowls. She barely glanced at Alicia until she turned then her hands froze.
SMASH!
The tray slipped from her grip and shattered on the tiled floor. Alicia jumped back. "What the hell?!" Lisa gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "Oh my God. What are you wearing?! I think I'm going to have a heart attack!" Alicia's eyes narrowed. "Why does everyone keep asking that silly question? These are my clothes."
Lisa stepped closer, eyes full of scorn. "Just look around you, sweetheart. Even the maids look better than you. You're married to the heir of this empire, and you're dressed like… like a street rat." Alicia inhaled sharply, holding back the sting.
"Ma'am, I respect you a lot," she said slowly, her voice trembling just a bit. "But please, watch how you speak to me." Lisa scoffed, unbothered. "Oh, would you look at that. The little wife has some attitude." She folded her arms. "If you want to live in peace here, learn to obey. I have no choice but to accept you, but you better start adapting to the life you've been gifted."
Then her tone dropped into something colder.
Now, march back to your bedroom, and put on something that doesn't make me want to scrub your existence off the floor." Alicia's vision blurred for a moment. Tears brimmed, but she blinked them away fast. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction.
"Y-Yes, ma'am," she murmured, her voice nearly breaking. She turned around, holding her head high, but her chest burned. Lisa wasn't done. "And don't waste time. You'll be preparing breakfast today. It's a tradition the Hart family has upheld for generations."
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I—I don't know how to cook," Alicia confessed, her voice low.
Lisa looked at her like she was an alien. "You can't cook? This is unbelievable! What exactly do you know, girl?!" Alicia bit the inside of her cheek. "You could teach me instead of running your mouth."
Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and stormed toward the kitchen exit
Thud. She bumped into a hard chest. She staggered back, quickly adjusting her shirt and brushing her hair out of her face. And then she looked up and froze. Leo.
His face was unreadable, but his eyes were darker than usual, jaw clenched tight. He had heard everything. "I'm… I'm sorry," Leo whispered. She looked away, blinking fast but a single tear slid down her cheek before she could stop it. She wiped it quickly and tried to move past him, refusing to meet his eyes again.
But she could feel his gaze burning through her back as she ran upstairs, broken and breathless.