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When the tears welled up in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks, Alesya began to sob softly. Her crying seemed to be enough to make Nicholas turn around.

For a few seconds, Nicholas just silently watched Alesya's shoulders rise and fall. He felt touched and realized that his words to Alesya had been too harsh and unwarranted. It was an excellent strategy, and he forgave Alesya's mistake.

Nicholas gently turned Alesya around and hugged her. "Next time, listen to me when I speak."

Alesya nodded.

"I acted that way because I care about you."

Alesya tensed up. The word "sayang" had been spoken, and she had thousands of hopes for Nicholas.

"Like a big brother to his little sister," Nicholas corrected himself. He didn't want Alesya to misunderstand and end up hating him. Nicholas didn't want to hope for more; this was enough. If it went beyond this, Nicholas was afraid Alesya would get angry and hate him.

"I understand," Alesya replied. She clenched the pajamas Nicholas was wearing, trying to dull the pain that had surfaced because of her brief moment of hope. It hadn't even been a minute, and Nicholas had already corrected himself. He clarified that what he felt had boundaries, unlike love for a partner.

Could she hope for that? It seemed impossible to Alesya. Nicholas didn't have feelings for a woman, so how could there ever be love for her?

"Don't cry," Nicholas raised Alesya's chin with his index finger. Alesya complied, letting Nicholas approach and erase Bryan's traces. He touched the same spots Bryan had, and she was lulled into complacency.

She wanted more, but Nicholas stopped when Alesya lowered a thin strap from her shoulder.

"Nik," Alesya murmured softly, asking Nicholas to continue because it hurt her. She desired more touches, but Nicholas always held back. He didn't even dare to taste the ice cream, even though he had acted normally at the restaurant earlier. At least, that's what Alesya thought.

"If you're damaged, the man who will be your husband later will be disappointed because that is your precious crown," Nicholas caressed Alesya's forehead. "I will guard it for you so that someday you can offer it to him."

Alesya smiled wryly, accepting Nicholas's sweet words, which were, unfortunately, not meant for her. To Alesya, those were words of rejection. How else could she make Nicholas fall in love with her? Should she be the one to initiate things, even if it meant forcing herself on him?

Nicholas felt extremely reluctant to get up from his bed because he had only slept for about two hours earlier. If there hadn't been thesis work to be done at the university, he would have preferred to sleep all day. Writing a thesis was not an easy task for Nicholas. For him, who had no interest in theory, compiling and writing a thesis drained his brain to the last drop.

"I was going to wake you up in your room, and here you are already."

Nicholas forced a smile. His eyes, still very sleepy, made him not want to move now.

"I'd love to curl up under the blanket. But the professor asked me to come. It's the weekend, and I feel like I could just decline," he said, resting his cheek on the table. "Devin is also giving me a headache. Yesterday he said he was in the main building, today he's in a hotel. Tomorrow, who knows where he'll be. I'm so annoyed."

"You're not allowed to complain like that," Alesya said as she placed a piece of blueberry jam-covered toast and a cup of somewhat bitter coffee on the table. "Out there, many people want to go to college but can't afford it. Many people want to work, but there are no job openings at all. You're just working on your studies."

Alesya scolded Nicholas. He didn't accept it, and before she could get up, he pulled her down to sit on his lap. Nicholas hugged Alesya.

"Don't act like Mom, nagging endlessly," Nicholas grumbled. He was rewarded with a nose flick from Alesya.

"I'm not nagging. But what I said is true. Just think about it..."

"If you want to be affectionate, go to the bedroom, not the dining room," Shabila scolded. She was responding to Nicholas's treatment of her earlier.

Alesya quickly jumped off and sat down in a chair beside Nicholas. She was glad to finally be able to enjoy her breakfast, which had been delayed because Nicholas had chosen to hold her instead of having breakfast together.

"Don't scold me when you do the same thing," Nicholas retorted nonchalantly. He cut a piece of toast and fed it to Alesya.

Shabila sneered. She mocked the affection Nicholas had shown to Alesya. Meanwhile, where was her husband? He had come down but had yet to make an appearance.

"Is Aunt not coming?" Shabila asked when she saw an empty seat in front of her. Meanwhile, there was toast in front of Nicholas and Alesya.

Answer? How could Nicholas respond to Shabila's statement, which didn't mention a name? It was unclear who the woman was addressing her question to. So, Nicholas shook his head and signaled to Alesya, preventing her from answering Shabila's question.

Nicholas and Alesya had no intention of responding. This, of course, only made Shabila angrier. She got up from her seat but stopped when she saw Bryan coming with two plastic bags in his hands.

"Get a bowl and a spoon. I just came back from buying chicken porridge. Auntie couldn't come because she's sick."

"Why don't you do it? I'm tired," complained Shabila, massaging her neck.

"Tired from what?"

"Nothing, really. But I'm just tired, Bryan. Sometimes, why don't you help out?"

"Me? Are you sure?" Bryan pointed to himself.

Shabila nodded, annoyed because Bryan was being so talkative.

"Alright then. If you can't and you're tired," Bryan turned to Alesya. "Al, can you help me? I'm exhausted from buying food, and she won't move."

Before Alesya could answer, Shabila had already stood up, huffing, and walked away with a grumble on her lips. Suddenly, Bryan regretted going all the way to the end of the complex to buy chicken porridge. Shabila didn't appreciate it at all.

Once back, Shabila poured the porridge into a bowl without being asked, including getting a glass of warm water for Bryan. Although it was just a glass of warm plain water, Bryan was happy to see this change in Shabila.

During their silent breakfast, Shabila never focused on the food in front of her. She was busy glancing at Alesya's phone. The latest flip phone? What about hers?

"I forgot to buy a phone yesterday," she said when she finally got a definite answer about who owned the phone. Alesya and Nicholas had already left the dining table.

Nicholas had finished with all his belongings, leaving behind the phone. It became even more certain when Alesya pocketed it.

"Your phone is still new," Bryan shook his head. "You spent a lot of money yesterday. If this continues, we might go bankrupt."

"We might go bankrupt? Isn't that wrong? You might go bankrupt. Your business is unclear, but debts are everywhere."

"Sha, don't start."

"I'm not starting, Yan. It's just the way it is. I've been used to a luxurious life since I was a child. So, please don't compare me to Alesya. We're different... she and I are very different. Can't you have some pity on me? You force all your desires onto me, demand that I become someone else. Can't you look at me like you look at Shabila?" Shabila poured out her feelings.

Continuously pressuring Bryan like this, how could she withstand it? She loved him, but when she was asked to be like Alesya and constantly compared, how could Shabila agree?

"Forgive me." Bryan embraced Shabila, trying to calm her down and listen to her complaints. Bryan realized that it was indeed right to change Shabila for the better. However, Bryan was confused, why did Alesya have to be the benchmark and measure of perfection? Aren't there still many examples of great women as benchmarks?

"You know, women are created and destined to be wives. I know and understand that. But one thing you don't know, a wife is not a servant. If you see a wife as a high-class servant, you'd better find another woman. Or maybe you should just marry a maid here. Or... make Alesya your only wife." Shabila pushed Bryan away.

The embrace was released, and Shabila left. Honestly, this was the first time Shabila felt hurt by Bryan. And this was also the first time Shabila truly wanted to separate from Bryan.

“Sha… Shabila!!” Bryan exclaimed, chasing after Shabila who ran away from him.

Shabila shrank her tears. Erasing all the wounds that were reflected in the tears flowing down his cheeks.

"I came straight home from campus to pick you up."

Shabila's steps stopped. See and hear what Nicholas and Alesya are doing in the living room. The man seemed to be rubbing the top of Alesya's head, full of great and sincere affection.

“Sha…”

Bryan's steps also stopped as Shabila raised her hand. Ask Bryan to be quiet. Closed his mouth. Just look at what he sees now.

"No need to pick me up. I'm just at home. Auntie won't come in, I want to cook lunch for the gentlemen who are in front. It's a shame if you have to spend more money to buy lunch. Meanwhile, in the refrigerator there are lots of food ingredients. "Later it will rot and be wasted," said Alesya, this time refusing Nicholas' invitation.