Chapter 3 In No Position

Erick stopped at the door.

Without turning around, he laughed softly. "You think you're in a position to make deals with me just because I'm being nice? That's funny."

He swiftly grabbed his coat and headed downstairs without a second thought.

Alicia watched him go, feeling numb. It took her a moment to realize there was a strange sensation on her cheeks.

When she touched her face, she discovered tears were streaming down without her even knowing.

Three years had passed, but she still couldn't hold onto him.

No matter the day or what had just happened, there was Michelle standing there, effortlessly undoing everything Alicia had worked for in these three years.

Alicia had never been harsh with Erick, but this time was different.

She knew if he walked out that door, it was really over.

Slowly, she moved to the window, looked down, and saw Erick quickly approaching Michelle. Michelle leaned slightly and fell into his embrace.

Erick quickly helped Michelle into his car, their closeness noticeable. Alicia couldn't help but wonder, did Erick still have her fragrance?

Yet, the woman he held now was different.

She watched the car fade into the subsiding rain.

The rain had passed by swiftly.

But the storm in Alicia's heart seemed endless.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden ringtone. Reluctant at first, she finally turned and answered the persistent call.

It was from her stepmother, Lana Singh.

After Alicia's mother went missing, suspected of running away with someone, her father, heartbroken, remarried Lana a year later. Lana brought her own daughter, Michelle, who was a year younger than Alicia.

Alicia understood her father's struggles. She carried guilt and embarrassment over her mother's actions for years.

Gradually, Lana and Michelle filled her home, even replacing her in her father's affections.

A car crash three years ago destroyed any facade of peace between her and Michelle.

Lana's voice was warm, almost too familiar. "Alicia, have you had your hospital check-up? How did it go? I don't mean to nag, but you've been married for a while. It's about time for a baby, don't you think? It'll satisfy your mother-in-law."

Alicia had tied the knot with the Ellis family, and Erick's mom, Helen Ellis, wasn't too happy about it.

The Singh family couldn't compete with the Ellis family in wealth and status.

Despite Erick's distant attitude towards Alicia, her family had gained some benefits from his over time.

In this situation, with no positive word on Alicia's pregnancy, both sides of parents were discontented.

But Alicia was in a tight spot.

She and Erick hadn't even shared a bed. A baby under those circumstances would be strange.

Lana, on the other hand, was pushing Alicia hard, which puzzled her. Lana's own daughter hadn't ended up marrying Erick, so Alicia expected Lana to despise her.

Yet, there Lana was, insisting Alicia have a child.

Alicia was too stressed to engage. "Okay, Lana."

Alicia's words to Lana were gentle, yet they clearly touched a nerve. Lana, still talking, said, "Remember the Vertriver land we mentioned earlier? Has Erick said yes? I don't want to interfere, Alicia, but it's important for you to realize our family's situation is getting worse. Your mom ran off with someone, and that's messed up our family's name. Without a child, how do you expect to stand strong in the Ellis family?"

"My mom just went missing. She didn't run off with anyone," Alicia retorted quickly, her anger rising.

Her mom had disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Her dad, who had married into her mom's family without a penny to his name, was left to deal with the consequences and the rumors of an affair.

The news hit Alicia like a bolt of lightning.

Every time it was mentioned, she felt a piercing pain in her heart.

"Fine, fine. She's missing, not run away." Lana's voice was like she was talking to a child. Her sneer showed her contempt for Alicia's denial. "Regardless, missing or running away, we've spent years hiding your mother's shameful actions. We're family. Helping your father is helping you. You wouldn't want Erick and his family, who always look down on you, to find out, right?"

Alicia's face stiffened, and she bit her bottom lip without thinking.

She knew she couldn't let Erick and the Ellis family, who always scorned her, learn about her mother's secret.

That was why she bore this burden, constantly pleading with Erick for Singh family's benefits, only to be looked down upon even more.

Weary, she gave Lana an affirmative response. After getting the desired answer, Lana continued with some small talk.

Just as Alicia was about to end the call, her face went pale, and she stared at the coffee table nearby.

Erick had just been sitting there.

Now, there was a small white pill on the table.

Alicia's heart raced. She dropped her phone and walked over to the small, unnoticed pill.

It was... It was the contraceptive pill Erick had left for her.