My CEO HUSBAND sign the divorce novel Chapter 223

Chapter 223: Take me to the mansion

Alexander’s POV

When Jane relayed the results of the shareholders’ meeting, I was sitting in the study, trying to review some documents.

Alicia’s eating had improved slightly since last night, and for the first time in days, I had allowed myself to relax a little. At least she didn’t seem like she was just forcing herself anymore.

I thought I could finally focus on something else.

I was wrong.

The moment Jane finished explaining the contents of Nana’s will, every document on my desk suddenly lost its importance.

After ending the call, I walked onto the second-floor balcony.

The evening breeze brushed against my face as I lit a cigarette.

The flame flickered briefly before disappearing.

I took a slow drag and exhaled, watching the smoke dissolve into the air.

My thoughts were far heavier than the cigarette in my hand.

I never imagined things would end like this.

Before Nana passed away, she had met with Lilian.

After learning that, I had spent countless nights blaming myself.

Even during our last conversation in the hospital, I thought she was only trying to comfort me because she didn’t want me carrying the guilt after she was gone.

I thought she would be disappointed in me.

Disappointed in the mess I had made of my marriage.

Disappointed in the choices I had made.

Disappointed in the grandson she had raised.

But even after everything...

She still chose to protect me.

The shares.

The position.

The responsibility.

In the end, she had entrusted all of it to me.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

What right did I have?

For the first time in a very long time, I felt afraid.

Not afraid of losing power.

Not afraid of losing money.

Not even afraid of public criticism.

I was afraid of failing.

Nana had spent her entire life building and protecting Blackwood Dominion.

Now she had placed that responsibility in my hands.

What if I disappoint her?

What if I fail her the same way I had failed Alicia?

The thought settled heavily in my chest.

I lowered my gaze and tapped the ash from my cigarette.

Then my eyes drifted toward the villa.

Alicia had come downstairs for breakfast earlier that morning.

Afterward, she had returned to the bedroom to rest.

The doctor had said her condition was improving, but every time I looked into her eyes, I could still see traces of the grief she was carrying.

The guilt.

The sadness.

The exhaustion.

As for Nana leaving five percent of the company’s shares to Alicia...

Truthfully, that didn’t surprise me.

Nana loved Alicia as if she were her own granddaughter.

Perhaps even more than that.

The woman had spent years worrying about Alicia’s future.

What concerned me was something else entirely.

Would Alicia even accept it?

Knowing her, I wasn’t sure.

Alicia had never been someone who relied on others.

She didn’t care much about wealth, status, or inheritance.

When she graduated, Nana had given her more than enough money to live comfortably for the rest of her life.

Anything she wanted could have been handed to her without effort.

Yet Alicia refused.

She insisted on working.

Insisted on earning her own achievements.

That was why Nana arranged for her to enter the company in the first place.

And from there, Alicia climbed every step through her own ability.

Her promotions weren’t gifts.

They were earned.

Anyone else in her position would have chosen an easy life surrounded by luxury.

But Alicia had always been different.

That was one of the things I admired most about her.

I stood there for a long while, lost in thought.

Eventually, the cigarette burned out between my fingers.

I crushed it in the ashtray and turned back toward the villa.

No matter what happened, Alicia deserved to know.

And sooner or later, we would have to talk about Nana’s final decision.

Taking a deep breath, I left the balcony and headed toward our room.

When I entered the room, Alicia was sitting on the bed scrolling through her phone.

I paused slightly.

It was the first time in days I’d seen her holding it.

Since returning from the hospital, she’d spent most of her time staring blankly into space or sitting quietly on the balcony.

Hearing my footsteps, she looked up.

Our gazes met.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then I walked over and sat beside her.

"Something?" she asked, her brows furrowing slightly.

I nodded.

"I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Nana’s will was read today."

Alicia lowered her phone.

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