Chapter 16

The breakfast rejection made Alice quite nervous as she brought her lunch into the room. It felt as if she was participating in a cooking contest, and her nervousness was like presenting food to a panel of judges.

Her steps were heavy, even though all she carried was a tray with a plate of white rice topped with spicy shrimp, a small bowl of clear spinach soup, a small plate of mango slices, and a glass of warm water.

From the doorway of the room, Alice's steps became even heavier. She hesitated whether to wake Alden up or wait for him to wake naturally.

"I'm not sleeping. Just closing my eyes and thinking about something," Alden said when Alice turned around, deciding to wait for him.

Suddenly, she shuddered at the thought of waking her sleeping husband. She was afraid that the tray in her hands might fly to the ceiling.

"I thought you were still asleep," Alice replied, getting closer and placing the tray on the nightstand.

Sitting on the edge of the be