From Heir's Ex to His Aunt novel Chapter 8

David finally pieced everything together—the way she had seemed on the verge of speaking but held back, the secret tears, and her sudden tenderness despite always being independent and career-driven.

So, that was why she suddenly wanted to marry—she knew her days were numbered and only wished to fulfill her last dream.

Meanwhile, what had he done?

While she was coughing blood, weak and in need of comfort, he had been out with another woman.

Just then, David remembered the hidden camera.

He pulled up the recordings and saw she hadn't gone to work in days.

Alicia had been quietly packing away her belongings, pausing often to clutch her stomach and retch blood.

Each time, she would fumble for painkillers, then curl up on the couch, wiping her tears alone.

It pained him to see her like that.

He had always known she had stomach problems, but never dreamed it was cancer.

The young heir, part of Litchbrook's elite, who had never once shed a tear growing up with the world at his fingertips, had not stopped crying since.

When he overheard the call from Lily, his face went pale. It turned out Alicia had already known about his betrayal—and even then, she never confronted him.

When she hung up, all she gave was a faint, bitter smile. "David, I hope you'll live happily with someone else."

The footage stopped rolling just as she dragged her luggage out the door.

Recalling how she had begged him yesterday to take her to Sylvoria, David hastily wiped his tears and asked around for answers.

Soon, Reggie reported back.

"David, I found Ms. Gibson's name on a flight to Sylvoria. The plane leaves in one hour."

"It's too late to make that one," Reggie added. "I'll book you the next flight—"

"Shut up! Do you want me to abandon her again? Buy the earliest ticket you can. If there isn't one, get me a private jet!"

"Alright, don't panic. I'll get it done."

While David wept in his room like a broken man, he never realized there was another hidden camera in the corner.

…

At that very moment, Alicia sat in the VIP airport lounge, chin resting lightly in one hand, smiling as she watched his pathetic state. Buckle up, David. I've prepared a special gift for you, so make sure to sign it.

It was time to board.

"Let's go, Ms. Gibson."

David never realized that if he hadn't stepped away earlier, he would have been on the same flight as Alicia.

What was more, they would have run into each other in first class.

Meanwhile, Alicia thought she had executed the perfect plan, but the moment she entered first class, an uninvited guest appeared before her.

It was Austin.

Dressed in a crisp suit and his silver-rimmed glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, Austin's fingers moved quickly over his laptop.

His handsome brows were drawn together, his entire presence cold and intimidating.

Sensing someone's stare, he suddenly looked up.

His gaze, sharp and dangerous like a blade, landed on Alicia's face.

When he saw it was her, the icy hostility faded slightly, replaced by a flash of surprise.

At once, he grinned.

"Fancy seeing you here, Ms. Gibson."

The sight of his strikingly handsome face dragged her mind back to that reckless night.

Realizing he was staring at her, Alicia's body grew inexplicably hot.

Her seat happened to be right next to his.

Without acknowledging him, she told the flight attendant that she wanted to rest and not be disturbed.

After placing her things down, she reclined her seat, only to find his gaze still fixed on her.

She muttered, "What bad luck."

She quickly slid the divider shut, blocking him from view.

Southam was at the southernmost tip of the country, and the flight would take five hours.

Alicia put on an eye mask, lowered the window shade, and slipped on some noise-canceling headphones, preparing to catch up on sleep.

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