Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 231

The best thing that had happened lately was meeting Yvonne.

Ever since she’d met Tyrone, Alicia felt like luck had finally turned her way.

“Alicia.” She was just about to head home when she caught sight of Melanie, crouched by the door like a lost puppy that no one wanted.

Melanie’s eyes were red and swollen, as if she’d been crying only moments ago.

Alicia hurried over. “What happened? Did you break up with someone?”

Melanie shook her head and looked up at Alicia. “Can I stay with you for a few days?”

“Of course.” Alicia nodded and led her inside.

“How’s your mom doing? Is she feeling any better?” After all, Melanie’s mom had helped Tyrone once, so Alicia felt she should ask.

“She’s… okay,” Melanie replied, her voice hoarse.

There was a pause, then Melanie looked at her. “Alicia… is it true? Are you really pregnant?”

Alicia glanced down and nodded. “Yeah. I’m going to have a baby.”

Becoming a mother—it was still such a strange, miraculous feeling.

Melanie stared at Alicia’s belly, silent for a long time.

Her mother had sent her here, told her to find a way to push Alicia down the stairs and end the pregnancy.

“Were you always on your own, Alicia?” Melanie suddenly asked.

Alicia, pouring water for her, froze for a second, then nodded. “Yeah. I was left at an orphanage right after I was born.”

Melanie took a sip of water.

“I was adopted twice as a teenager, but both times I was sent back,” Alicia said, almost casually now. She’d finally learned to talk about her past without pain.

“Why?” Melanie’s curiosity was gentle.

“Both families eventually had kids of their own.” Alicia shrugged. “Blood ties really are strange that way.”

Melanie didn’t reply. Sometimes, blood wasn’t a blessing at all.

For a fleeting moment, Alicia actually felt grateful she’d grown up alone. Compared to having a mother like that, maybe being an orphan wasn’t so bad.

“Melanie, you have your own life. If your mom wants to trap herself, you don’t have to let her trap you, too. Go live for yourself.” Alicia didn’t know if Melanie could hear her, but she had to say it.

She turned and started down the stairs.

Melanie, desperate, reached out to grab her—her hands clenching tighter than she meant to.

She hadn’t meant to push her…

She just couldn’t take Serena’s tears anymore, her begging, her insistence that Alicia’s baby had to go.

Alicia tumbled down the stairs. Pain exploded in her body, the world going black around her.

Melanie stood frozen, sobbing, then scrambled down, fumbling to help Alicia and dialing 911 with trembling hands.

“Alicia, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…”

She kept repeating it, over and over, her voice breaking with guilt.