Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 186

Serena took her time crossing the short distance—three meters, maybe less—moving so slowly it felt like minutes passed with every step. Yet her smile was infectious, warm enough to draw tears from the nurse standing nearby.

“Mr. Lynch, your wife has worked so hard during her recovery,” the nurse said, her voice thick with emotion. “To come this far, she’s truly given it her all.”

The nurse had always assumed Serena was Tyrone’s wife. Serena never corrected her, always referring to Tyrone as her husband. Alicia felt a pang in her chest, a hollow ache she couldn’t ignore. Of course it hurt.

Tyrone heard the nurse’s words and gently corrected her. “Actually, you’re mistaken. This is my wife,” he said, gesturing to Alicia.

Alicia’s mind went blank. She was standing a little further away, her hearing not what it used to be—she didn’t quite catch what Tyrone said. All she wanted was to disappear, to find a crack in the floor and slip through. Caught between the three of them, she felt like the odd one out, painfully out of place.

Serena’s expression darkened for a moment, her smile fading as she turned her gaze to Alicia.

Alicia stood frozen, forcing a smile only when Serena came closer. “Miss Sinclair… we meet again.”

Serena nodded gently, heading toward the front passenger seat as if it was the most natural thing in the world—if Tyrone was driving, of course she’d sit up front. Her leg wasn’t fully healed, so Alicia didn’t overthink it; she hurried to open the door, helping Serena settle in.

But Tyrone intervened, opening the back door instead. “Melanie’s missed you,” he said, guiding Serena toward the rear seat. “You two haven’t seen each other in so long—you should sit in the back and catch up.”

Serena hesitated, her face clouding over, but she didn’t protest. Alicia hovered awkwardly until Tyrone told her to get in, and she slid into the front seat, still dazed.

Maybe Tyrone just wanted to give Serena and Melanie some space to reconnect as mother and daughter. But something was off. Melanie didn’t say a word to Serena the whole drive, and Serena didn’t speak to her either. Glancing in the rearview mirror, Alicia saw them sitting side by side like strangers, neither willing to break the silence.