Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 271

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here.” Tyrone pulled her closer, his voice low and soothing as he held her in his arms.

Alicia caught the metallic scent of blood and the sharp tang of whiskey clinging to him. Alarmed, she flicked on the lamp and stared at the crimson stains blooming across his white shirt. Her hands trembled as she ran them over his body, searching for wounds, until her fingers brushed over the fresh marks where his skin had been broken.

“You went back to the family estate?” she whispered, then immediately turned to fetch the first aid kit, her movements quick and anxious as she began tending to his wounds.

Tyrone didn’t answer. He just sat there in silence, watching her.

Once she’d patched him up, Alicia looked up at him. “Easton’s come to Harboridge City, hasn’t he?”

He said nothing. Instead, he pulled her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her as if needing to anchor himself. “Alicia…”

The smell of alcohol clung to him—he’d clearly been drinking heavily.

Alicia’s heart ached for him. She hugged him tighter. “I’m here.”

“You’re all I have left…”

His voice was raw, almost breaking, as he buried his face in the crook of her neck.

Alicia felt her eyes sting with tears. This time, she thought, his father must have truly broken his heart.

“But… I can’t even keep you safe…”

It wasn’t his own pain that tormented Tyrone most—it was the agony of realizing that, after years of careful planning, he’d still let Alicia get hurt again and again.

No one knew how much joy their first child had brought him, how deeply he’d cherished those dreams of a family with Alicia. He’d imagined it wouldn’t be long before they’d have a real home together.

He’d tried so hard to prepare himself to be a good father—even though he’d had no one to teach him, he’d thrown himself into books and videos, trying to learn from others.

But in the end, he hadn’t been able to protect that fragile life.

He’d failed as a son, never wanted by his family; and now, as a father, he hadn’t been able to safeguard his own child.

“Tyrone, thank you for coming into my life… Because of you, I found my way back from the edge. If you hadn’t been there, I honestly don’t know if I’d have made it this far.” Alicia leaned her head on his shoulder. “You’re all I have, too…”

The truth was, they’d saved each other.

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