Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 10

How could something this good just fall into her lap out of nowhere?

A husband in name only, a secondary credit card she could use freely, and a guaranteed apartment even after divorce? It almost sounded too good to be true.

"What about studying abroad...?" Alicia ventured, her voice tentative as she broached the subject she truly cared about.

She admitted the offer was generous—almost outrageously so. But compared to investing in herself, these perks didn't hold much allure. Money could always run out, but her own abilities were the only thing she could rely on to survive in this world after leaving Vincent, to make sure she wouldn't be pushed around.

Tyrone looked up at her, eyes thoughtful.

He noticed that when he'd listed out the material benefits, Alicia barely reacted. But the instant he mentioned studying abroad, her eyes lit up with genuine excitement.

"I can sponsor your studies overseas," Tyrone said finally, meeting her gaze. "But I need to be upfront about something." He paused, his voice steady. "I need a marriage of convenience for one reason only: to give my grandfather some peace of mind."

Alicia suddenly understood why Tyrone was seeking out someone like her—a woman with no family, no background—for a marriage contract. Marrying an equal from a powerful family would make divorce a nightmare down the line, complicated by endless negotiations and obligations. And he wasn't marrying for love anyway, just to fulfill his duty to his grandfather.

An orphan like her was easy to manage, and came with little baggage.

Besides, Tyrone clearly thought he was offering her more than enough. He didn't seem remotely worried that she'd cause trouble in the future.

"I chose you partly because, that day at the club, I saw how patient and attentive you were with Vincent. That's exactly the kind of daughter-in-law my grandfather would approve of," Tyrone explained calmly. "And secondly, because you've turned me down more than once, which tells me you're not greedy. But if you want to study abroad, I'll have to ask you to wait until after my grandfather passes and we're divorced. I need you here, at least for now."

He spread his hands, an apologetic gesture.

He was being perfectly clear: all he wanted from Alicia was to provide his grandfather with a sense of comfort and family. Studying overseas—meaning long periods apart—just didn't fit into that arrangement.

Alicia's eyes dimmed for a moment. Senior year was her best chance to apply to grad schools abroad, the perfect age and timing. If she gave that up now, who knew what the world would look like in three or five years? She wasn't willing to risk missing her shot at climbing higher.