Dinner at the Alejandro estate was nothing like Alicia expected.
It was quieter.
Too quiet.
The long dining table felt even bigger at night. Candles flickered softly, casting shadows across the polished surface.
Alicia sat at one end.
Michael sat at the other.
Miles apart… even in the same room.
James Whitmore stood nearby, overseeing everything with calm precision, while Maria and Lina moved quietly, serving each course.
"Would you like more water, Mrs. Alejandro?" Lina asked gently.
"I'm fine, thank you."
Her voice sounded small in the large room.
Across from her, Michael ate in silence.
No conversation.
No acknowledgment.
Just distance.
Alicia set her fork down.
"I saw the office rooms upstairs," she said, breaking the silence.
Michael didn't look up. "And?"
"I'll need some materials delivered regularly."
"Handle it through James."
That was it.
Alicia felt irritation rise in her chest.
"Do you always talk like that?" she asked.
Michael finally looked at her.
"Like what?"
"Like I'm just another business arrangement."
A pause.
"You are."
The words landed harder than she expected.
Alicia forced a small, tight smile.
"Right. I almost forgot."
James subtly signaled the staff to step back, sensing the shift in tension.
Later that night, Alicia sat on her bed, her phone in her hand.
She stared at the screen for a moment… then called.
"Sophie."
"Alicia?!" Sophie Carter's voice came through instantly. "Oh my God, are you okay?"
Alicia let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"I don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know? How is he? Is he horrible? Cold? Rude?"
Alicia gave a small laugh.
"All of the above."
"Ugh, I knew it," Sophie groaned. "You should've run away."
"I couldn't."
Silence fell for a moment.
Then Sophie's voice softened. "How's your dad?"
Alicia's expression changed.
"He sounded relieved," she said quietly. "Like everything is finally going to be okay."
"And you?"
Alicia looked around the massive bedroom.
The luxury.
The emptiness.
"I feel like I don't belong here."
"You do," Sophie said firmly. "And don't forget who you are."
Alicia's grip tightened on the phone.
"I won't."
Across the city, inside a sleek office building, Daniel Reyes stood in front of Richard Anderson.
The older man looked nervous, his hands clasped tightly together.
"The merger will begin soon," Daniel said calmly. "Mr. Alejandro keeps his word."
Richard nodded quickly. "Thank you… truly."
"This is business," Daniel replied.
Richard hesitated.
"My daughter… Alicia… she's adjusting, right?"
Daniel paused.
For a brief moment, something thoughtful crossed his face.
"She's strong," he said.
Richard exhaled, relief washing over him.
"I just want her to be okay."
Daniel didn't respond immediately.
Because in Michael Alejandro's world…
Being "okay" wasn't always guaranteed.
Back at the mansion, Alicia stood by her window, staring out at the dark city.
Her reflection stared back at her.
A stranger in a life she didn't choose.
Her phone buzzed.
A message from Sophie:
"Don't lose yourself."
Alicia read it twice.
Then slowly… she turned away from the window.
Her eyes landed on her design room across the hall.
A small spark lit inside her chest.
"No," she whispered.
She wouldn't lose herself.
Not here.
Not in this marriage.
Not to him.
Even if everything around her tried to change who she was…
Alicia Anderson was going to fight back.