“Enough. It doesn’t matter to me who he is and what relationship you have with him. Because it won’t affect me in any way,” Alden grumbled, walking away, leaving Alice behind, frightened by his sharp gaze.
Both of the girl’s knees weakened, and she slumped down on the cold floor. Alice stared blankly at Alden’s back as he disappeared behind the bedroom door.
The back of the man who had officially become her husband. The husband who would lead her life from now on.
“Sis, are you sure Alden is the best for me?” Alice murmured, asking again to the figure of Chloe, who was now gone. Alice wanted to make sure if Alden was truly the best for her. Once, Alden had been kind to her, showing care and affection like an older brother to his younger sister.
Every time Alden contacted Chloe, he would always ask about Alice’s whereabouts. So it was no surprise that when Alden and Chloe made video calls, Alice’s face would also be there. The three of them exchanged jokes and banter with each other. Their relationship was so close, as if they were three siblings born from the same womb.
Unfortunately, that was in the past, before Alden knew that Alice was Chloe’s Replacement Woman. Replacing Chloe, who had long been yearned to be a wife, to accompany him until death parted them.
When Alden saw the woman who met him wearing bridal attire, Alice, his loving gaze turned into one filled with hatred. Alden accused Alice of wanting to snatch Chloe’s position and replace her.
Alice sighed, trying to rise and lift her face. Although it was difficult, and her heart kept refusing, it wouldn’t hurt to try to accept it sincerely. After all, when Alden grew tired and gave up, it was certain that divorce would be imminent between the two of them.
Alice smiled faintly, laughing at her own fate, which was both funny and pitiful.
**
“Since grandma is no longer here to accompany us, you and Alice will stay here, Alden,” Luna, Alden’s mother, spoke up as they sat in the living room. The guests who attended Chloe’s funeral had already left. Now only their extended family gathered to discuss Alden and Alice’s living arrangements.
Alice, who was now Alden’s legal wife, naturally had to go wherever Alden took her. However, at the moment, Chloe’s grandmother was living alone, and it would be impossible to leave her all alone, even with many household assistants in the luxurious house.
“No need, Lun. Mother can stay here with the others. As Alden’s wife, Alice should naturally stay with him,” Chloe’s grandmother said, while gently patting Alice’s head, as the girl was now sleeping in her lap. The elderly woman forced a smile to ensure that no one objected to her suggestion.
Although deep down, she really hoped Alice would still live with her, spending the remaining days of her life. However, seeing Alden's expression turn sour upon hearing his mother's words, Maryam, Chloe's grandmother, felt that it was not the right decision. It seemed she had made a mistake in allowing Alden to marry Alice. Since Chloe's departure, Alden had not shown any kindness towards Alice.
The grandmother could only hope that Alice would be able to face Alden even without her presence.
"You can't do that, dear. Even though I won't be alone here, it's still only Alice who can fully accompany and take care of me. Besides, Chloe just left, and only Alice's presence can alleviate the sorrow in my heart," Luna said. The middle-aged woman could feel that Maryam was forcing herself to say that Alice was fine with going with Alden. However, her eyes couldn't deceive her true feelings, revealing that she needed Alice by her side.
"You're right," Maryam mumbled. Her eyes now gazed at Alice, who was slowly falling asleep, becoming misty. A tear drop fell gently on Alice's long hair. Maryam could no longer hide her grief and sadness. She cried silently, mourning the unfortunate fate that had befallen both her and Alice. Losing the light in their lives.
After this, there would be no one to make her laugh. After this, there would be no one to whine about wanting fried rice with a runny fried egg on top.
After this, there would be no more teasing and playfulness between Alice and Chloe, and the lively atmosphere in the house would be gone.
The warmth of the house, filled with love, would not be the same without the light that had now returned to its Creator.
"Or how about this? Alice stays here, and I'll go home with Mom. Occasionally, I'll come here to visit her," Alden interjected, without any hesitation towards Maryam and the others.
Alden said this for a reason, to indirectly express that he didn't want his marriage with Alice.
"Alden!" Luna snapped, giving her son a sharp look.
"That's also fine," Maryam quickly interrupted. She agreed with Alden's wish, showing that she, too, regretted marrying Alice to him. Maryam didn't want Alice to suffer with a man who didn't love her and wasn't loved by her. She couldn't forgive herself if that happened.
"Mom, you can't do that. The marriage between Alden and Alice is legally and religiously valid. And I think it's not right to play around with such a sacred and holy marriage," Luna continued. She really didn't want Alice and Alden's marriage to end just like that.
Even Chloe's grave was still fresh. It wouldn't be fair if Alice and Alden were separated, as it would make it easier for them to get divorced.
"But, Mom, can't you see that Alden doesn't like this marriage?"
"No, dear. That's not true. Alden entered this marriage out of his love for Chloe. By marrying Alice, it means he will take Chloe's place in taking care of her. And I believe that, with time, love will grow between them."
"Mama..."
Luna raised her hand to silence Alden because she wasn't finished talking.
"I will ensure Alice's happiness in Alden's care," she said to Maryam, but her gaze was directed at Alden, making him grunt irritably and stand up abruptly.
"Alden, your belongings will be brought here by the driver later. And you and Alice should rest," Luna said again, making Alden scrunch up his face.
"...and please take your wife to the room!" Luna requested firmly but with a flat tone.
With reluctance, Alden walked towards Alice, who was still sleeping in Maryam's lap. The girl seemed comfortable, the only remaining family member.
"Grandma," Alice mumbled as she felt her body being lifted into the air.
"Don't put Alice down here. Put her on your bed," Luna quickly added when she saw Alden about to put Alice down from his arms.
Alden let out a heavy sigh, showing his displeasure with the current situation.
Once in the room, Alden gently placed Alice on the bed. Without saying a word, he sat down on a nearby sofa, staring blankly at the photo hanging on the wall.
The photo depicted two girls hugging each other. One of them was Chloe, the one he loved so much. And the other girl was Alice, whom he married this afternoon.
Alden pulled the corners of his lips, laughing at his fate of losing Chloe so soon and being trapped in a loveless marriage with Alice. It was miserable.
Alice, who never expected any kindness from Alden, chose to continue sleeping. Her head hurt from crying all day and getting wet in the rain earlier, causing her body to feel slightly warm, indicating that she might catch a fever later.
Not long after, Alice fell asleep, and she didn't notice that Alden had left the room shortly after their family said their goodbyes and went home. Maryam, seeing Alden leaving without a word, could only hold her chest, hoping she would live long enough to take care of Alice until she found her happiness. However, Maryam's wish would never come true. Her hopes and dreams would be buried with her today.
As morning approached, the luxurious house, still shrouded in mourning fog, was filled with the screams of a middle-aged woman calling out to all the residents of the mansion, including Alice, who was still asleep, startled to hear her name being called.
"What's going on?" Alice whispered, forcing her weak body to edge down from the bed, hoping her frail body wouldn't give out.
With what little strength she had left and the support of the staircase railing, Alice descended each step, trying to find the source of the voice that had been calling her.
"What's happening? Why is everyone gathered in front of grandma's room? Grandma is okay, right?" Alice whispered. A sense of unease engulfed her as she saw the mansion's staff standing in front of her grandmother's room.
"Young Miss, you must be strong," murmured one of the housekeepers, approaching and immediately embracing her. "Grandma has passed away."
Alice felt her heart drop at those words, and tears welled up in her eyes. She couldn't believe that her beloved grandmother was no longer with her. She clung to the housekeeper for support, unable to contain her grief.
The mansion that had been filled with laughter and warmth was now engulfed in sorrow. The light in Alice's life had gone out, and she was left to face the harsh reality of her loveless marriage without her grandmother's comforting presence.
The days ahead would be challenging for Alice, but she knew that she had to be strong and face whatever life threw at her. She hoped that one day she would find the happiness she deserved, and the memories of her beloved grandmother would be her guiding light through the darkest times.