Chapter 888
If Wade had found out about everything, then…
Alicia struggled to maintain her composure, but the subtle shifts in her expression betrayed her.
Wade had been bluffing about having proof. Even so, he had seen the flash of panic in her eyes–proof enough that Janice had been telling the truth.
He had come demanding an explanation, and now everything was clear.
Alicia had succeeded. After three years of meticulous planning, she had finally driven Janice away from him.
The realization hit Wade like a physical blow. His eyes reddened as he fixed a malevolent gaze on Alicia,
“Alicia Newman, it sickens me to know how vile and despicable you are, You slandered a woman who never once treated you with malice or hostility. Did you actually think I would ever fall for you?”
He bent down, staring straight into her eyes, which instantly welled with tears. This was her usual tactic- playing the victim to evoke his sympathy and a sense of duty to compensate for Janice,
But now, only a cold light shone in Wade’s eyes. He seized her chin, his grip so forceful she felt her bones might
shatter.
“You don’t deserve to be loved. A sneaky, wicked person like you could never compare to Jan!”
Wade was close to having a mental breakdown. All the guilt and sympathy he had once felt for Alicia had vanished, replaced by a bitter, burning resentment. Punishing her felt like a way to atone for his own guilt toward Janice.
He was acutely aware that his own thoughtless, half–hearted attitude had contributed to this outcome. He was squarely among those responsible for Janice’s torment. If Alicia was the villain, then he was her accomplice.
“Wade… that’s not it. There’s been a misunderstanding. You know how much I care about you…” Alicia lost her composure completely.
The current Wade before her was unrecognizable, driven mad by the pain of losing Janice.
Wade’s gaze remained stony. “If you’re the culprit, then your mom is the accomplice. She must be terribly concerned about missing out on the Garner family’s inheritance, judging by how eager she is to pair you with me. You and your mom are equally disgusting.”
His words hit their mark. Alicia’s face turned as white as a sheet, consumed by terror and a refusal to accept his rejection. “What are you going to do to us?”
With a look of unmistakable loathing, Wade immediately used a tissue to cleanse the hand that had touched Alicia.
“You and your mom have lived comfortably here for the last few years. I’m sure you’ve squandered quite a fortune. My father has other companions to keep him company. It’s time for you both to pack your things and leave.”
His words shattered her last sliver of hope. Ignoring the pain in her leg, she scrambled out of bed.
“Wade… Wade, you’re joking, right? We’re family. We’ve lived together for all these years…”
“Did you really think I saw you as family? If it weren’t for Jan, I would never have given you any special treatment to begin with!” Wade stepped back.
Alicia tried to grab his arm, but he evaded her touch. She lost her balance and fell heavily to the floor. His cold rejection was a crippling blow.
Just minutes ago, she was pleased and excited. She never imagined her luck would turn so quickly.
She couldn’t believe Wade felt no sympathy after discovering her lie about her accident from years ago.
She thought she had secured a place in his heart, but she had overlooked the truth–Wade’s kindness had always been for someone else.
He didn’t spare her another glance. Even if she died that instant, it wouldn’t matter to him. And there was still someone at home he needed to cast out.
Charles was a very capable businessman, but the family business had taken a serious hit after the wedding scandal. To compound that, their relationship with the Swansons was strained, and they had lost multiple business deals.
When Charles learned the whole truth, he flew into a rage.
It was a sleepless night for the Garners.
Though the details remained private, news broke the next day. Charles announced to his circle that he and Heidi had separated, revealing they had never been officially married.
Some even saw Alicia lingering outside the Garner residence, pleading for someone to open the door, but she was left waiting all night.
Rumors began circulating after that.
The high society of Humberston had always assumed Wade favored Alicia over Janice, given how caring he seemed toward her. As a result, they had treated Alicia with respect. Now, it was clear both she and her mother had been cast aside.
No one knew the exact reasons.
Meanwhile, Janice accepting another man’s proposal at her own wedding remained a hot topic of discussion- especially since the man was Chad, the only son of Carlos Hockney.
People were curious about how Wade was coping.
Wade no longer cared about appearances. More than once, he drank himself into oblivion and dialed Janice’s number, even in front of friends.
The calls never went through since Janice had blocked him. But he would still cry out the name “Jan” in a choked voice, over and over again.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.