Chapter 3

At dinner, Chloe even made a show of coyly serving food onto Alexander's plate right in front of me.

Dad couldn't stand it. He dropped hints more than once that Alexander should move out.

Each time, Chloe threw a massive fit — crying, screaming, threatening that if they kicked Alexander out while his hand wasn't healed, it was the same as sending him to his death.

Everyone expected me to be jealous. Everyone expected me to snap.

But I didn't.

Every day, I followed Dad to the office, learning the core business operations, and handled several important documents with swift, decisive action.

When I came home, I didn't spare either of them a single glance.

That total indifference sent Alexander into a panic.

He was used to me chasing after him. He was used to me making him the center of my entire world.

Now that his prey had suddenly slipped out of his control, his pathetic ego took a massive hit.

On Saturday evening, I had just stepped out of the shower when there was a knock at my door.

Alexander pushed it open and walked in.

He was wearing a clean shirt. The bandages on his right hand were already gone, leaving behind a jagged scar.

He was holding a neatly packaged dessert box.

"Vicky." He softened his voice and walked toward me.

"Chloe's been working so hard taking care of me these past few days. I spent a little extra time with her — don't give me the silent treatment anymore."

He set the box on the table, his tone carrying the air of someone bestowing a favor.

"These are the mango mille crepe cakes from your favorite place. I stood in line for two hours to get them."

This is Alexander.

Every time he hurts me, he tries to make it up to me with some cheap gesture like this.

In my past life, the tiniest bit of sweetness from him was enough to move me to tears.

Even though I'm severely allergic to mangoes.

To avoid putting a damper on his mood, I'd force myself to swallow every bite, endure the agony of my swollen throat in silence, then sneak antihistamines in the middle of the night.

I stared at the beautifully wrapped box and let out a cold laugh.

"Take it away."

I didn't even glance at him. I went back to flipping through the proposal in my hands.

Alexander's expression darkened.

"Victoria, how long are you going to keep this up?" His patience had run out. "I already swallowed my pride to come and smooth things over, and you're still going to push me like this? Do you have any idea how unreasonable you're being right now?"

I finally closed the proposal and looked up at him.

Staring at the face I once loved with every fiber of my being, all I felt was nausea.

"Alexander, do you think all you have to do is snap your fingers, and I'll come crawling to you like a dog wagging its tail?"

I stood up, grabbed the dessert box, and walked over to the trash can.

Let go.

With a thud, the delicate mango mille crepe hit the bottom and turned into a pile of mush.

"I'm allergic to mangoes. Did you not know that?" I watched his expression freeze, and said each word slowly. "When you bought this — was it actually to make me feel better, or just to make yourself feel good about the gesture?"

Alexander's face twisted.

He stared hard at the ruined cake in the trash, his hands balling into fists at his sides.

"Victoria, my patience has limits!"

I smiled.

"Funny. Mine just hit its limit too."

I pointed at the door.

"Now get out of my room. First thing tomorrow morning, pack your things and get out of the Astor family home."

Alexander went completely still.

He finally realized — I wasn't throwing a tantrum. I was genuinely done with him.

A flicker of panic crossed his eyes, but it was quickly swallowed by something darker.

Just then, Chloe's timid voice drifted in from outside the door.

"Victoria, please don't kick Alexander out."

Chloe pushed the door open and walked in, her eyes red.

"Alexander's hand may be injured, but he's really talented. Dad already agreed to let him intern in Astor Group's R&D department."

I narrowed my eyes, looking at the two of them.

So that's what this is about.

Couldn't even wait a little longer before trying to sink their hands into the core of Astor Group, could they?

Alexander met my gaze, his chin lifting slightly, that familiar air of cold arrogance settling back over him.

"Victoria, I'll prove to you that I'm not some deadweight who needs to leech off you."