Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 108

Alicia sat quietly in the car, gazing out the window.

Outside, Vincent and Mina emerged together, both looking grim, as if their hearts had truly drifted apart.

Mina probably meant to slip her arm through Vincent's, but he instinctively edged away before she could.

Leaning her cheek against the glass, Alicia watched them in silence, a faintly mocking smile on her lips.

Childhood sweethearts, the one he once put on a pedestal—had even Vincent's first love become nothing more than an unsightly stain he couldn't scrub away?

"Vincent, what's going on with you?" Mina snapped, her voice sharp with frustration. "I asked you to come with me to Harboridge City for the gallery opening and you refused. But the moment you hear Alicia's in town, you're all in."

Vincent rubbed at his temple, exasperated. "You're reading too much into this."

"Oh, am I?" Mina's voice shook as she pressed on, desperate to secure her place. "Fine. If I'm overreacting, let's just get married, Vincent. Today. Let's make it official."

Beneath her bravado, panic flickered in her eyes.

She could see it—Vincent's feelings for Alicia were impossible to ignore, at least his possessiveness was.

"It's too soon to talk about marriage. Let's just head home." Vincent opened the car door for her, his tone brooking no argument.

Mina clasped her hands tightly, holding back words she couldn't say. After a long, heavy silence, she climbed into the car.

But Vincent didn't follow. He lingered outside, glancing over at Alicia's car, lost in thoughts he kept to himself.

He leaned against the door, watching as Tyrone approached. Pulling a cigarette from his pocket, Vincent offered it to him. "Mr. Lynch, do you have a moment to talk?"

"I quit," Tyrone replied coolly. "Alicia can't stand the smell of smoke."

Vincent's eyes darkened, a storm brewing behind them. He put the cigarette between his own lips, flicked the lighter, and took a drag.