Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 32

Smack!

Alicia's breath came in sharp, panicked bursts as she slapped Vincent across the face, her eyes burning with stubborn defiance.

Vincent stood frozen, stunned by her reaction. Clearly, he hadn't expected her to hit him.

The small, windowless motel room felt stifling, the air thick and oppressive, making it hard to breathe.

Alicia stared at him, her eyes slowly filling with tears. "Mr. Lawson, what do you think we are? I don't even live with you anymore… If you touch me again, that's assault. I'll call the police."

Vincent's expression soured. He knew he'd lost control just a moment ago.

But it was her unflinching refusal—the way she looked at him, daring him to lay a finger on her—that made his heart pound with a sudden, inexplicable panic.

He wanted Alicia to be as obedient as she used to be.

"What will it take for you to listen to me?" Vincent's voice was low, almost pleading.

Alicia pulled her knees to her chest, pressing herself into the corner of the bed, her breaths shallow and rapid. "Please, Mr. Lawson. From now on, stay out of my life. Forever."

Her words rang with finality. She'd been trying to escape him for so long—there was no turning back now.

She was just nineteen when she first met him, naïve and unworldly, a girl who'd been bullied and beaten down. Vincent had shown her just the slightest bit of kindness, and she'd fallen for him, hopelessly.

She'd hated herself for that, loathed her own weakness.

But eventually, she learned to forgive herself.

She couldn't blame herself forever. She could allow herself to have made mistakes once.

But she refused to keep stumbling down the same path, blind and unrepentant.

"Alicia!" Vincent frowned, his voice tense. "Is that what this is about? The scholarship? If I get you that spot to study abroad, will you finally do as you're told?"

Was that opportunity really so important to her?

Alicia glared at him, her whole body trembling with anger and hatred.

"Fine," Vincent said coldly, "I'll figure something out about the scholarship." Tomorrow, he'd talk to the university, see if he could pull some strings for an extra slot, or else reach out directly to the professor in Italy and ask if they could take on one more student.

He had to admit it—he was compromising. He couldn't stand to see Alicia looking at him with so much loathing.

Her finality scared him more than he cared to admit.

Bzzz!

"Vin, I'm fine…" Mina's voice was soft and shaky as she squeezed his hand, her eyes red from crying. "As long as you're here, I'll be okay."

Vincent nodded, holding her tighter. "Mina, as long as you turn around, I'll always be here for you. Always."

Mina had been married abroad for four years. Vincent had waited—if waiting was the right word.

Though, if he was honest, he hadn't exactly deprived himself in her absence.

Men—well, their hearts and bodies aren't always in sync. It's a sad truth.

"Vin, let's move in together," Mina whispered.

She'd tried to kiss him earlier, but he'd pulled away—startling her, scaring her. For the first time, she was afraid Vincent's feelings might have shifted toward Alicia.

She needed to end things between Vincent and Alicia, and fast.

The day Vincent had proposed, she hadn't said yes—not yet. She wanted to secure more benefits for the Holloway family before tying the knot. She knew exactly how to turn a man's love and marriage into maximum leverage.

But now, she was starting to worry—if she delayed any longer, Vincent's heart might slip away for good.

Vincent stiffened, caught off guard. For the first time, he hesitated.