Chapter Thirteen

Alice entered the massage room, her senses immediately enveloped by the soothing ambiance. The space was dimly lit, with soft, golden light emanating from small sconces on the walls. The gentle sound of a waterfall played in the background, mingling with the faint aroma of essential oils—lavender, eucalyptus, and hints of citrus.

The masseuse, a serene woman with a calming presence, greeted Alice with a warm smile. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Sanders. My name is Lila, and I’ll be your masseuse today. You’ve selected a full-body relaxation massage, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right,” Alice replied, her voice softer than usual as the tranquil environment began to lull her into ease.

“Perfect. Please change into this robe and lie face down on the table. I’ll step out for a moment while you get comfortable.”

Once Lila left, Alice slipped out of her clothing and into the plush, white robe provided. She settled herself onto the massage table, lying face down with her head resting on the cradle. The table was warm, its gentle heat adding to the cocooning comfort of the room.

A soft knock at the door signaled Lila’s return. “Ready?” she asked, her tone soothing.

“Yes,” Alice murmured, closing her eyes.

Lila began by adjusting the towel that draped Alice’s back, ensuring she was covered while preparing the oils. “We’re going to start with your shoulders and neck, working our way down. Let me know if the pressure feels too much or too little.”

Alice nodded, already feeling the tension in her body beginning to unravel.

The first touch of Lila’s hands was firm yet gentle, kneading into Alice’s shoulders. “You’ve got quite a bit of tension here,” Lila remarked softly. “Have you been stressed lately?”

Alice let out a small, dry laugh. “You could say that.”

“Well, you’re in the right place. Let’s work all that stress away.”

As Lila’s hands worked expertly along the knots in her shoulders and neck, Alice felt herself sinking deeper into the table. Each stroke and press seemed to melt away a layer of the invisible armor she carried, her breathing growing slower and steadier.

Lila moved to her arms next, using long, sweeping motions to ease the muscles there before transitioning to Alice’s back. Warm oil glided over her skin, the fragrance of lavender intensifying. With each press and pull, the heaviness in Alice’s chest seemed to dissipate, replaced by a growing sense of lightness.

“Is the pressure okay?” Lila asked, her hands pausing briefly.

“It’s perfect,” Alice murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

The massage continued down to her lower back, where Lila focused on the tension Alice hadn’t even realized she was carrying. By the time she reached Alice’s legs, her mind was a haze of comfort and serenity.

“You’re holding a lot of stress in your lower back and hamstrings,” Lila observed.

“I’m not surprised,” Alice replied faintly, her words slow and languid. “It’s been... a complicated few weeks.”

“Well, I think we’re making good progress here,” Lila said with a smile in her tone.

The final part of the massage was devoted to Alice’s feet, each stroke drawing out the residual tension. She felt as though every inch of her body had been renewed, her muscles loose and her thoughts finally quiet.

When Lila finished, she placed a warm towel over Alice’s back and stepped away. “Take your time getting up,” she said gently. “I’ll bring you some water to help with the detox.”

Alice laid there for a few more moments, unwilling to let go of the blissful stillness that had overtaken her. Eventually, she sat up slowly, stretching as the warmth from the massage table seeped into her skin.

When Lila returned with a glass of water, Alice accepted it gratefully. “Thank you,” she said sincerely.

“You’re welcome. It was a pleasure,” Lila replied. “I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.”

Alice left the massage room feeling lighter than she had in weeks. As she walked back toward the spa lounge, she thought about Kimberly’s invitation to the dance class that evening. Maybe it was time to let herself enjoy more moments like this.

She decided to take the scenic route back to her suite, enjoying the quiet of the ship’s interior corridors.

As she turned a corner near the grand staircase, she suddenly found herself face-to-face with Anita.

The air grew heavier instantly, and Alice felt her mood shift. It was the first time they’d encountered each other directly since the wedding—since her world had shifted into this surreal new reality.

Anita froze for a second, then narrowed her eyes. She was impeccably dressed, as always, her slim figure accentuated by a sleek black dress and sky-high heels. But there was no warmth in her gaze, only cold disdain.

“Well, well,” Anita began, her voice dripping with venom. “If it isn’t the blushing bride.”

Alice said nothing, her face carefully neutral as she prepared herself for whatever was about to come.

“Don’t act like you don’t know who I am,” Anita sneered, stepping closer. “You’re the one who’s been meddling where you don’t belong. You think you’ve won, don’t you? Parading around with his last name, living off his wealth like some… opportunist, getting to control him...”

Alice’s lips pressed into a thin line, but she refused to respond. She had no intention of giving Anita the satisfaction of engaging.

Anita’s voice rose, her anger bubbling over. “I know what you're trying to do. You want him to care about you, to love you. You’re nothing to him! Do you hear me? You’re just a pawn in his game, and once he gets what he wants, he’ll toss you aside.”

Still, Alice said nothing. Her silence seemed to enrage Anita further.

“Do you know how pathetic you are?” Anita continued, her words biting. “thinking that a man like Kelvin will ever fall for an uneducated villager like you. Kelvin can never ever love you. You’re just a stepping stone—a placeholder for what he really wants. And do you know what that is?” She jabbed a finger at her own chest. “Me.”

Alice tilted her head slightly, her expression unchanging.

“You’re nothing but a village girl trying to fit into a world that doesn’t belong to you,” Anita spat. “And no matter how much you try, you’ll always be out of place. Always.”

For a moment, there was silence between them, the weight of Anita’s words hanging in the air. But then, to Anita’s utter shock, Alice laughed.

It wasn’t a small chuckle or a nervous giggle—it was a full, deep, unrestrained laugh. A sound that echoed through the corridor, slicing through the tension like a blade.

Anita blinked, stunned. “What’s so funny?” she demanded, her face flushing with anger.

Alice finally stopped laughing, but the amused glint in her eyes remained. She leaned in just slightly, her voice calm but razor-sharp. “It’s funny how stupid you sound, making a fool out of yourself. He loves you, right? but I'm the one he married, the one who is bearing his name. I am the one who actually gets to tell him what to do and he will do it, just as he's about to kick you out on my command. I'm the one who will be getting half of his wealth. Just think about it, Stupid"

Anita’s face turned crimson, her mouth opening and closing as she searched for a retort.

But Alice didn’t wait for one. Straightening her posture, she adjusted her bag on her shoulder and walked past Anita without another glance, her heels clicking confidently against the polished floor.

Behind her, she could hear Anita muttering angrily under her breath, but Alice didn’t care. For the first time in a long while, she felt a flicker of power in her corner of this twisted game.

From the shadows of the staircase, Daniel had been a silent observer of the confrontation between Alice and Anita. He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but as he turned a corner, the sharp tone of Anita’s voice had drawn his attention.

Leaning casually against the rail, Daniel watched the exchange unfold, his eyes narrowing at Anita’s venomous words. The insults, the accusations, the sheer audacity of her anger—all of it struck a chord in him. He clenched his fists, resisting the urge to intervene. This was Alice’s moment, and she didn’t need rescuing.

When Alice laughed, the sound caught him off guard. It was rich and unapologetic, filled with a confidence he hadn’t expected. His lips curled into a faint smile as he watched Anita’s expression shift from smug superiority to utter disbelief.

That’s my girl, he thought silently, a surge of admiration swelling within him. Alice had faced Anita’s wrath with grace, her silence more powerful than any retort. When she finally spoke, her words were like a dagger, precise and devastating.

As Alice turned and walked away, Daniel couldn’t take his eyes off her. There was something magnetic about her in that moment—the way she carried herself, un-bothered and composed. He waited a bit, watching Anita’s futile attempt to recover her dignity, before deciding to follow Alice.

Keeping a respectful distance, he trailed her through the ship’s corridors. She didn’t seem to notice him, her focus ahead as she moved with purpose. He admired the subtle confidence in her stride, a far cry from the tentative way she’d carried herself during their earlier encounters.

When she finally reached he suite, Daniel paused for a moment, debating whether to approach.

Summoning his courage, Daniel stepped forward, and knocked on the door. Alice opened and let him in.

“Daniel,” she said, her tone guarded. “What are you doing here?” she asked, closing the door behind him.

“That was... impressive back there,” he said as he entered the room, his voice light but sincere. "I saw what happened back there.”

Her brows furrowed slightly. “You were watching?”

“Not intentionally,” he admitted, raising his hands defensively. “I happened to walk by and... well, I couldn’t look away. You handled yourself brilliantly.”

Alice crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. “Brilliantly? I laughed at her.”

“Exactly,” Daniel said, stepping closer. “You laughed at her. You didn’t stoop to her level or let her get under your skin. That takes strength.”

She glanced back at the ocean, her lips pressing into a thin line. “I wasn’t trying to be strong. I just... couldn’t take her seriously.”

“That’s what made it so perfect,” he said softly.

Alice turned to face him fully, her gaze sharp. “Why do you care, Daniel?"

He held her gaze, his expression calm but earnest. “It's nothing complicated, Alice. I’m just... here. I admire you, that’s all.”

She scoffed, turning back to the ocean. “Admire me? For what? Being deceived into this ridiculous marriage? Enduring insults from women like Anita?”

“For being you,” Daniel said simply. “For holding your head high when most people would crumble. For standing your ground even when it feels like the world is against you.”

His words hung in the air between them.

Alice didn’t respond immediately. After a moment she sighed, “It doesn’t feel like strength. Most of the time, it just feels like surviving.”

“Surviving takes strength,” Daniel said, his voice steady. “More than most people realize.”

She glanced at him then, her tough exterior softening for just a moment. There was something in his eyes—something genuine and unspoken—that made her feel seen in a way she wasn’t used to.

But the moment passed quickly. Alice straightened, pulling her guard back up. “Thank you for the kind words, Daniel. But I don’t need a cheerleader.”

He chuckled, the sound warm and un-bothered. “Noted. But I’m here anyway, whether you like it or not.”

With that, he stepped back, giving her space. “I’ll leave you to your thoughts. Just... don’t forget how strong you are, Alice. I'll see you later.”

He turned and walked away, leaving the room.

As Alice watched him go, a small part of her wondered what his intentions truly were. He was frustratingly persistent, yet there was an honesty to him that she couldn’t quite dismiss. Shaking her head, she laid on her bed, ready to take a relaxing nap till she would go for the dance class that evening.