Chapter 122: Finally Made a Decision
Third Person POV
"ALEXANDER, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lied to you. Can you forgive me?"
For the past several days, Lilian had sent countless messages like this.
She knew Alexander would not answer her calls.
Ever since the truth came out, he had grown colder with each passing day, until even hearing his voice felt like an impossible luxury.
Still, Lilian refused to give up.
She sat on the edge of her bed, clutching her phone tightly, staring at the silent screen as though sheer desperation could force him to reply.
Then another message was sent.
ALEXANDER, will you still come to my birthday party tomorrow? It’s my first birthday after returning home... I really hope you’ll come.
There was hesitation beneath every word.
The party had been planned long in advance.
But now, after everything that had happened, even getting him to attend felt uncertain.
Meanwhile, in his office at Blackwood Dominion Enterprises, Alexander glanced down at the message.
His expression remained unreadable.
After a moment, he typed a single word.
Yes.
When Lilian saw the reply, her eyes instantly brightened.
Joy surged through her chest so suddenly that she nearly laughed aloud.
He answered.
He was still willing to come.
That meant he had not completely abandoned her.
She hurriedly typed back.
Great! Thank you, ALEXANDER! I thought you were still angry and wouldn’t come.
There was no response.
But Lilian no longer cared.
As long as he came, she still had a chance.
She bit her lip, then carefully sent another message.
ALEXANDER, will the promise you made about tomorrow still stand?
Several seconds later, another short reply appeared.
Yes.
Lilian’s pulse quickened.
He was still willing to make her birthday memorable.
Tears of relief almost filled her eyes.
Thank you, ALEXANDER. You’re so good to me.
Her fingers trembled as she typed another message.
ALEXANDER... are you no longer angry? I’m truly sorry. Everything I did... I only did it because I love you. I really love you so much...
This time, Alexander finally responded with more than a single word.
Is there anything else you want? I’ll do my best to make it happen.
Lilian’s breathing became uneven.
He still loved her.
Even after learning she had lied.
Even after all the chaos.
He was still willing to do anything for her.
Her lips curved into a relieved smile.
Perhaps everything could still be fixed.
Perhaps she had not lost after all.
Then another message appeared.
And the smile on her face froze.
"This will be the last birthday I celebrate with you. I’ll do my best to make it memorable."
The color drained from Lilian’s face.
Her heart plummeted.
Without thinking, she called him immediately.
The line connected.
"ALEXANDER!"
Her voice shook violently.
"What do you mean? What do you mean by the last birthday you’ll celebrate with me?"
Alexander leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on the night skyline outside his office windows.
His tone was calm.
"From now on, every September twenty-fifth will only be my wedding anniversary with Alicia."
"It will mean nothing else."
Lilian’s entire body stiffened.
"ALEXANDER..." she whispered, then her voice rose in panic. "Does that mean you’re not divorcing Alicia? You don’t want me anymore?"
Alexander’s gaze darkened slightly.
"When I agreed to try and get along with Alicia, I already warned you this could happen."
"If you chose to leave the country, I promise you would never need to worry about money, status, or security."
"If you chose to stay, I would do everything possible to support your career."
Lilian’s tears fell uncontrollably.
"I don’t care about money!" she cried. "I don’t care about my career!"
"I only want you!"
"You promised to take care of me for the rest of my life. Have you forgotten?"
Alexander’s jaw tightened.
"You were the one who rejected me."
Years ago, after the incident that had separated them, he had gone back to her once more.
He had even spoken of engagement.
Marriage.
A future.
But Lilian had chosen to leave the country over him.
And now, after everything that had happened, whether those promises still remained was no longer her decision.
"I... I was scared back then..."
"I’ll make it up to you in other ways."
"I don’t want anything else!" she sobbed. "I just want you!"
"Lilian."
His voice dropped lower.
Sharper.
Whenever Alexander used that tone, it meant the last of his patience was running out.
Just like today.
Lilian’s chest tightened painfully.
Then, in a trembling whisper, she asked the one question she feared most.
"ALEXANDER... have you fallen for Alicia?"
Silence.
No answer came.
But that silence was more devastating than any words.
Alexander finally spoke.
"If there’s nothing else, I’m busy."
He ended the call.
Then, as the phone rang again moments later, he muted it and turned it face down on the desk.
He loosened the collar of his shirt and exhaled slowly.
For the first time in days, a strange sense of relief settled over him.
As though a truth he had resisted for too long had finally been acknowledged.
Maybe it was because he had finally made a decision.
On the other end of the line, Lilian stared at the darkened screen in disbelief.
Her chest felt hollow.
How had it come to this?
He had been preparing to divorce Alicia.
She had been one step away from becoming Alexander’s wife.
One step away from having everything.
Yet now, all of it had shattered like glass.
Her eyes slowly filled with hatred.
Alicia Sinclair.
That woman had ruined everything.
But beneath the rage, Lilian knew the truth.
This was not Alicia’s doing.
This disaster had begun with her own choices.
And with one man.
Daniel Caldwell.
If not for him...
She and Alexander might have married years ago.
But Lilian refused to accept defeat.
If fate had cornered her this far—
Then she knew she couldn’t let Alicia win either.
Alicia’s POV
The business trip was supposed to last five days.
However, by the morning of the third day, I had already finished all my work, leaving me with nearly two extra days. I gave my assistant some time off and told him to enjoy the city as though he were on vacation.
Then I received a message from Aiden on WhatsApp.
"Got any free time these days? I’m available—let’s grab a meal."
"Haven’t you started filming?" I replied.
"You haven’t seen the news? Because of safety concerns after Lilian’s incident, productions across the industry have been put on hold for a few days."
Aiden had been cast as the male lead in a television drama sponsored by Arclaire Entertainment, and filming had originally been scheduled to begin within the last two days.
A moment later, another message came through.
"I’m in Nevaris City for a publicity event, but I’ll be heading back soon ."
I paused before replying.
"Funny. I’m in Nevaris City too, on a business trip."
"Really? Finished with work already? How about I treat you to dinner?"
"Sure."
"Okay. I’ll find us a place."
Aiden booked a table at an exclusive private members-only club—quiet, discreet, and known for its excellent reputation.
He was already there when I arrived. He had reserved a private room and ordered several simple dishes.
The moment I stepped inside, I announced, "I’m here."
"Take a seat."
As I sat down across from him, I asked, "Why are you in town for publicity?"
"I’m appearing as a guest on a reality show," he said. "Take a look at the menu and order anything else you’d like."
I glanced at the table and shook my head.
"No need. You’ve already ordered all my favorites."
Aiden smiled, then asked casually, "So, how are things with your boyfriend?"
I stiffened for a moment before waving my hand dismissively.
"Don’t mention him."
"Had a fight?" Aiden asked, though I caught the faint trace of satisfaction in his tone.
"We’re probably breaking up soon."
