Chapter 63:
Caden scoffed. “Then just take the whole bottle.”
Shelia was left speechless. She was accustomed to Caden’s bluntness, but this level of directness still caught her off guard.
With a pat on Jerald’s chest, she feigned kindness. “Let it go, Jerald. There’s no point in arguing with the younger generation.”
Whether it was the effect of the medicine or Shelia’s attempt to comfort him, Jerald, though pale, said nothing further. He had long accepted that Caden’s personality wasn’t one to contend with. Arguing wouldn’t solve anything, and Jerald knew he couldn’t risk worsening his health.
He brushed off Shelia’s hand. “Where’s Joshua? Why isn’t he here yet?”
Shelia smiled. “Joshua’s always busy, staying late at work until eleven or twelve most nights. But I made sure to tell him we’re having dinner tonight, so he should be back by eight.”
She wanted Jerald to see how hard Joshua worked.
Just then, Jerald’s eyes landed on Alicia. He blinked, disoriented by his illness. “Is that Alicia?”
Alicia slowly approached, her hands folded in front of her. She responded softly, “Yes, Jerald.”
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Jerald frowned. “Why are you acting so distant?”
Shelia eagerly chimed in. “Alicia and Joshua are divorced. Joshua’s now engaged to Lilliana, the Green family’s daughter. She’s three months pregnant.”
Jerald, hearing the name “Green,” showed little reaction. “I don’t meddle in young folks’ affairs. But why is Alicia still staying here after the divorce?”
Alicia kept her head lowered, silent.
Shelia chuckled. “Joshua feels sorry for her. He lets her stay here to look after you. And, of course, she’s paid monthly for it.”
Caden let out a quiet laugh at that.
Alicia remained expressionless.
Jerald waved it off, disinterested. “Let her be.”
Without another word, Alicia retreated to the tea room. She mixed a packet of cold medicine with water, hoping for some relief from her growing illness.
As she stirred, Georgia’s voice suddenly sounded behind her. “Ms. Bennett, are you feeling unwell?”
Alicia glanced back at her, her tone distant. “It’s nothing.” With that, she downed the medicine in one gulp.
Georgia, always careful to maintain a pleasant facade, especially now that Jerald was awake, couldn’t afford to slip up. “You were out in the rain for so long today. You’re bound to catch a cold. Let me make you some ginger tea to warm you up.”
Alicia wasn’t convinced. There was no way Georgia had suddenly turned kind-hearted.
“Then make enough for everyone,” Alicia replied flatly. “Shelia and Caden were in the rain too. They could use some tea.”
Without a word or any sign of emotion, Georgia turned on her heel and left.
When the tea was ready, bowls were placed in front of each person. Shelia didn’t touch hers, claiming she avoided anything spicy at night. Caden was even more dismissive, not bothering to look at his.
Alicia stared at her own bowl. The ginger tea, sweetened with brown sugar, had a comforting aroma. But something felt off. Her mind raced.
What could be in this? Poison? Mosquitoes? Laxatives?
Shelia interrupted her thoughts. “Why aren’t you drinking it? Georgia made it with good intentions. Don’t waste it.”
Alicia hesitated, the bowl warm in her hands.
At that moment, footsteps echoed from outside. The door swung open, bringing with it a cold, damp gust of wind.
Joshua had returned earlier than expected.
Alicia’s gaze flickered. Though wet from the rain, Joshua didn’t seem to mind.
As he entered, he greeted his father respectfully. “Dad, how are you feeling?”
Jerald responded with a casual grunt.
Alicia stood and asked, “Why did you get caught in the rain?”
Joshua, never suspecting anything, answered as he always did.
“I had to meet a client before coming home,” Joshua explained, wiping rain from his coat. “The car was parked a bit farther from the entrance, so I got wet walking those few steps.”
Alicia saw an opening. “Perfect timing. Georgia made ginger tea. You should have some to ward off a cold.”
Georgia’s face stiffened slightly. She opened her mouth to protest, but Alicia turned, catching her eye and silencing her with a sharp look.
Without hesitation, Alicia passed her bowl to Joshua.
Shelia quickly interjected, “It’s just a bit of rain, Alicia. No need to make a fuss. You’re the one who’s sick, and Georgia made the tea especially for you.”
With that, Shelia moved toward the kitchen, calling for the staff to serve the meal. Joshua ignored Shelia’s remark, glancing briefly at Caden before resting his arm casually over Alicia’s shoulders.
“Caught a cold?” Joshua asked softly.
Alicia forced a smile. “It’s nothing serious. Do you want to try the ginger tea?”
“I’ll drink it,” Joshua insisted. “You take a sip first, then I’ll finish the rest.”
Alicia blinked, caught off guard. His behavior was odd.
Pursing her lips, she rationalized that if there was anything wrong with the tea, it couldn’t be too harmful. After all, Georgia wasn’t panicking, and she would have if something were wrong.
Alicia took a small sip.
As she shifted the bowl, she heard a faint sound coming from the liquid. She paused, a suspicious thought crossing her mind. Joshua then took the bowl from her, drinking from the exact spot where her lips had touched.
A wave of nausea hit Alicia.
Her eyes darted away, only to lock with Caden’s intense gaze.
Caden’s eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Joshua drink, his lips curling into a twisted smile.
Alicia froze for a moment before the sound of Joshua spitting the tea out snapped her focus.
With a look of disgust, Joshua exclaimed, “What is this garbage?”
