Chapter 34 Alicia Getting Slapped

A sudden ache pierced Alicia's heart. Alicia felt as if it had been squeezed mercilessly, causing unbearable discomfort. She wanted to plead: Let's not split up, let's stay together.

But then she recalled Henry's words: The reason she became Louis's wife in the first place was because Madelyn was overseas, and she just happened to resemble her.

"It could have been me or anyone else who looked like Madelyn. Louis could've developed feelings for any woman that shared Louis's life day and night for three years," Alicia thought to herself.

In that moment, she felt smaller and couldn't get the idea out of her mind: "It's like raising a kitten or a puppy, only to suddenly lose it. He'll mourn for a while, but eventually, he'll move on. When it does cross his mind, maybe someday in the future, it will be with a nostalgic sigh, and that's all."

Alicia fought back tears, tenderly touched his chin, and said with a grin, "It's late, you should head home."

Louis took her hand, "I'll walk you to the entrance."

Alicia didn't object. They left the car and went into the apartment complex. The night air was invigorating, tree shadows danced, and the crescent moon seemed like a gash in the sky.

They strolled along the brief path. Shadows on the ground extended, long and narrow beneath the dim streetlights, appearing together but lonesome. Neither of them spoke, sensing that words would be unnecessary.

As Alicia's figure vanished entirely, Louis turned and walked away. Back in the car, he grabbed his phone, called his assistant, and commanded, "Stop looking for the guy who wrecked Madelyn's left hand."

The assistant was puzzled by the sudden shift and asked, "Mr. Martinez, what's up?"

"Nothing," Louis replied, and hung up.

The man who had shattered Madelyn's hand was unmistakably Chuck Hanson. Once the divorce went through, it wouldn't be long before Chuck returned to Alicia's life. If Louis had Chuck hurt, Alicia would surely despise him. Louis didn't want to be hated.

After silently finishing a smoke, he started the car.

The next day at noon, Alicia brought her mom's homemade lunch to the hospital for Véronique. Her poised manner, elegant silhouette, and radiant complexion made her a stunning sight, even in plain clothes, turning heads as she went by.

Walking down a serene, tree-lined path, Alicia heard a familiar voice behind her, "Alicia, fancy meeting you here."

She turned to find Madelyn, dressed to the nines, striding towards her. Madelyn waved her left hand and snarkily said, "Thanks to you, I'm here to get my splint off today."

Alicia glanced at her hand nonchalantly and replied icily, "Your hand's injury isn't my problem. As for my hand, I don't know if you had a hand in it."

Madelyn hesitated before scoffing, "Give me some proof. Don't throw shade without evidence."

Alicia offered a faint smile, "Same goes for you."

Madelyn arched an eyebrow and circled Alicia, "I heard you've signed the divorce papers?"

Alicia's grip on the lunchbox tightened. It seemed Henry couldn't wait to spill the beans to Madelyn. Madelyn bragged, "I told you before, I'd definitely win Louis back. So what if Frank, Bonnie, Aunt Paige, and Lily all like you? You still got the boot."

Sometimes Alicia thought Madelyn was cunning, but at other times, she appeared too hasty. For instance, now, Alicia was set on divorcing Louis, but Madelyn's taunts made her want to fight for him.

Alicia replied coolly, "I only signed the papers; I haven't been to the court office yet. I heard Louis's been very busy, so there may still be a month before we finalized everything. A lot can happen in a month, so I suggest you not get too cocky. Watch out, or you might get very disappointed."

Madelyn laughed, "What's the difference between a month early or a month late for a done deal?"

Alicia grinned, "Really? But your actions looks you're on edge to me. No wonder, snagging a man with your wealthy dad must make you uneasy. If the Martinez family finds a better match, you could be tossed aside. Miss Monroe, you're being a steppingstone yet feeling so proud of yourself. That is quite impressive."

Madelyn's smile vanished. She raised her hand and slapped Alicia's face. Caught off guard, Alicia's ears rang and her vision blurred. She took a moment, set the lunchbox down, and calmly fixed her tousled hair.

Suddenly, she raised her hand and slapped Madelyn's face hard. In those two years of caring for Louis, she had done her share of physical work, gaining strength that delicate Madelyn couldn't match.

Madelyn's face swelled instantly, and she stumbled back several steps, steadying herself by gripping a nearby tree. She covered half her face and sobbed.

As she cried, Madelyn's eyes suddenly lit up, and she wailed towards someone behind Alicia's back, "Louis, Alicia hit me…"

Alicia turned and saw a tall, handsome man with long stride walking towards them. He was carrying a large take-out box from a restaurant. It was Louis.

Alicia's heart churned. Louis might not have seen Madelyn slap her, but he definitely witnessed her slap Madelyn. She feared Louis would be angry with her and even more afraid he would stand up for Madelyn, which would humiliate and sadden her.

That being said, Alicia said nothing, merely stood there quietly, expressionless, watching Louis.

Louis's handsome face was cold and inscrutable. As he approached, he nodded slightly to Madelyn, placed the take-out box on a nearby table, took Alicia's right hand, and examined it. Seeing her reddened palm, he asked, "Does your hand hurt?"

Alicia was taken aback, thinking she had misheard. "Madelyn is Louis's childhood sweetheart and future wife, yet he chose to care for me instead?"

Alicia was slightly puzzled and quickly shook her head, then realizing that wasn't right, so she corrected herself, "Yeah, it hurts."

Louis held her hand in his palm and rubbed it, scolding, "If it hurts, why use your hand? Are you silly?"

The implication: couldn't you have used your feet?

Madelyn was dumbfounded, staring blankly at the two of them for a long time before finally yelling, "Louis, my face is swollen because Alicia hit me, and it hurts so much."

Alicia didn't want to lose and shot back, "You hit me first, and I was just fighting back."

Louis stayed silent, rubbing Alicia's hand for a while before releasing it. He pointed to the take-out box and said, "I was having dinner with a client earlier, and the restaurant's cuisine was good. I packed some for you. It's for three people; we should eat it while it's hot."

If Madelyn wasn't there, Alicia would politely say to him: "we're getting a divorce in no time; don't do this anymore, it's messy and confusing."

But Madelyn was watching intently now.

Alicia smiled sweetly, "You're so good to me, always thinking of me."

Louis noticed her little scheme and played along, "You realized how good I am to you just today? You ungrateful little thing."

His voice was deep and booming, like a beautiful cello. His gaze was gentle and doting, looking at her affectionately. It seemed as if there was stars in his eyes.

Alicia found him warm and handsome, absolutely charming. The anger from Madelyn earlier had completely dissipated.

Alicia wanted to hug and kiss him, but only in her thoughts.

Louis looked at her face and gently touched it, "Your face is a bit red; remember to put ice on it when you get back."

"Okay," Alicia smiled even sweeter, her big eyes curved like crescent moons, slightly upturned.

Madelyn, with her red and swollen face, feeling ignored the whole time, couldn't take it anymore. She covered her face and ran away crying.

When she was far away, Alicia returned to normal, politely saying, "Don't bring me food next time."

Louis hummed softly, his eyes losing their gentleness. "I didn't remembered our divorce on Monday until I had the hotel prepare the food. I'll try to be more careful next time."

Alicia's heart felt sour as she replied, "Thank you for just now."

Louis looked indifferent, "She hit you first, I saw it."

Alicia paused, "Thank you anyway, you can go back to work now." Her voice was dry, but her heart was wet.

"Okay, I'll give you a ride." Louis picked up the take-out box and Alicia's lunchbox.

He dropped her off at Véronique's hospital room door.

Louis turned to leave.

The next morning.

As soon as Alicia opened her eyes, she received a message from Lilith Martinez, a photo.

She curiously clicked on it, enlarged it, and was startled.

In the photo was a young woman's face, both cheeks red and swollen, like a hairless pig's head.

Only by carefully examining the photo could one recognize the disfigured face as Madelyn's.