Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 21

That day, Alicia was overwhelmed with emotion.

Ever since she could remember—whether it was the orphanage or the cramped dorms at school—she'd never had a room of her own, never a place she could truly call hers.

And now, she was leaving this apartment—a high-end place in the most luxurious part of Seaview City.

Alicia had once loved this place deeply. She'd cleaned every nook and cranny, making it spotless each day. Back when she was young and naïve, she even imagined this was her home, hers and Vincent's.

Her eyes burned with tears, but she forced herself not to cry. Silently, she began to pack up her things.

It was time to go.

She was leaving the place she'd called home for four years.

This was Vincent's apartment, a place he'd given her. She couldn't stay here anymore.

It took her an hour to pack. Everything she owned fit into a single suitcase and a canvas bag.

She didn't have much. Even her clothes were few.

Dragging her suitcase to the door, Alicia paused and looked back one last time at the apartment she'd lived in for four years.

Goodbye. Goodbye, Vincent.

…

After leaving the apartment, Alicia checked into a small motel near her university.

She negotiated a long-term rate with the manager—a modest woman with a warm, reassuring voice. It came out to eighty a night, with a discount to twenty-three hundred for the month.

The place wasn't fancy, but it was far more affordable than renting an apartment on her own.

"Senior year intern already, huh? How come you're still living near campus?" the manager's wife asked as she chatted with Alicia.

Alicia smiled. "I'm hoping to apply for a graduate program overseas. If that doesn't work out, I'll stay here and apply for a master's at the university."

The woman nodded approvingly. "Good for you. You're an ambitious kid."

She was from up north and had a hearty laugh that made Alicia feel at ease.

Carrying her suitcase back to her room, Alicia sat on the bed and stared into space for a long time.

The call rang and rang. No answer.

Vincent's irritation shifted slowly into unease.

For four years, Alicia had always been so gentle and compliant, always agreeing to whatever he asked.

But this time… this time she'd really gone too far.

"Franklin Ford, find out where Alicia went," Vincent said when his closest friend picked up.

Franklin was the only one who knew about his relationship with Alicia.

"Your little bunny ran away?" Franklin teased, not hiding his amusement. "Didn't I warn you? That girl was bound to bolt someday. Guess it's finally your turn to get what's coming to you, huh?"

"Cut the crap and get to work," Vincent snapped, his voice low and rough, not quite sure why this was bothering him so much.

He knew perfectly well… Once he got married, things with Alicia would have to end.

So why did the thought of letting her go feel so impossible? Why did it make him so unwilling to do it?