Chapter 4

"Enough. It doesn't matter to me who her is and what relationship you have with him. Because it won't affect me in any way," Alden grumbled, leaving Alice behind, frightened by his sharp gaze.

The girl's knees weakened, and she slumped on the cold floor. Alice stared blankly at Alden's back as he disappeared behind the bedroom door.

The back of the man who had officially become her husband. The husband who would lead her life from now on.

"Sis, are you sure Alden is the best for me?" Alice murmured, asking again to the figure of Chloe, who was now gone. Alice wanted to make sure Alden was indeed the best for her. Once, Alden had been kind to her, showing care and affection like an older brother to his younger sister.

Whenever Alden contacted Chloe, he would always ask about Alice's whereabouts. So it was no surprise that Alice's face would also be there when Alden and Chloe made video calls. The three of them exchanged jokes and banter with each other. Their relationship was so close as if they were three siblings born from the same womb.

Unfortunately, that was in the past, before Alden knew that Alice was Chloe's Replacement Woman. Replacing Chloe, who had long yearned to be a wife, to accompany him until death parted them.

When Alden saw the woman who met him wearing bridal attire, Alice, his loving gaze turned into one filled with hatred. Alden accused Alice of wanting to snatch Chloe's position and replace her.

Alice sighed, trying to rise and lift her face. Although it was difficult, and her heart refused, it wouldn't hurt to accept it sincerely. After all, when Alden grew tired and gave up, it was confident that divorce would be imminent between them.

Alice smiled faintly, laughing at her fate, which was both funny and pitiful.

**

"Since grandma is no longer here to accompany us, you and Alice will stay here, Alden," Luna, Alden's mother, said as they sat in the living room. The guests who attended Chloe's funeral had already left. Only their extended family gathered to discuss Alden and Alice's living arrangements.

Alice, who was now Alden's legal wife, naturally had to go wherever Alden took her. However, at the moment, Chloe's grandmother was living alone, and it would be impossible to leave her all alone, even with many household assistants in the luxurious house.

"No need, Lun. Mother can stay here with the others. As Alden's wife, Alice should naturally stay with him," Chloe's grandmother said while gently patting Alice's head, as the girl was now sleeping in her lap. The older woman forced a smile to ensure that no one objected to her suggestion.

Although deep down, she hoped Alice would still live with her, spending the remaining days of her life. However, seeing Alden's expression turn sour upon hearing his mother's words, Maryam, Chloe's grandmother, felt it was not the right decision. It seemed she had made a mistake in allowing Alden to marry Alice. Since Chloe's departure, Alden had not shown any kindness towards Alice.

The grandmother could only hope that Alice would be able to face Alden even without her presence.

"It can't be like that, Mom. Even though you are not alone here, you are still the only Alice who can accompany and fully care for you. After all, Chloe has just left, and of course, only Alice's presence can dispel the sorrow in Mother's heart," said Luna. The middle-aged woman could feel Maryam was forced to say Alice's statement that it was okay to go with Alden. But his eyes couldn't lie to his heart, which said he needed Alice by his side.

 "You're right," muttered Maryam. His eyes, now staring at the sleeping Alice, slowly blurred. Until one clear drop fell on Alice's long hair. Maryam, who could no longer hide her grief and sadness, finally gave up. He cried silently. Lamenting the bad luck that befell him and Alice. Losing a lamp figure in their lives.

After this, no one would laugh at him anymore. After this, no one whined anymore, asking for fried rice with a melted sunny-side-up egg on top. After this, no one made fun of Alice anymore, and they ended up in the swimming pool. The house's atmosphere, which was always bustling with Alice and Chloe's laughter, will no longer be heard after this.

The warmth of the house, filled with love, would not be the same without the light that had now returned to its Creator.

"Or how about this? Alice stays here, and I'll go home with Mom. Occasionally, I'll come here to visit her," Alden interjected, without hesitation towards Maryam and the others.

Alden said this for a reason, to indirectly express that he didn't want his marriage with Alice.

"Alden!" Luna snapped, giving her son a sharp look.

"That's also fine," Maryam quickly interrupted. She agreed with Alden's wish, showing that she, too, regretted marrying Alice to him. Maryam didn't want Alice to suffer with a man who didn't love her and wasn't loved by her. She couldn't forgive herself if that happened.

"Mom, you can't do that. The marriage between Alden and Alice is legally and religiously valid. And I think playing around with such a sacred and holy marriage is wrong," Luna continued. She didn't want Alice and Alden's marriage to end just like that.

Even Chloe's grave was still fresh. It wouldn't be fair if Alice and Alden were separated, as it would make it easier for them to get divorced.

"But, Mom, can't you see that Alden doesn't like this marriage?"

"No, dear. That's not true. Alden entered this marriage out of his love for Chloe. By marrying Alice, it means he will take Chloe's place in taking care of her. And I believe that, with time, love will grow between them."

"Mama..."

Luna raised her hand to silence Alden because she wasn't finished talking.

"I will ensure Alice's happiness in Alden's care," she said to Maryam, but her gaze was directed at Alden, making him grunt irritably and stand up abruptly.

"Alden, your belongings will be brought here by the driver later. And you and Alice should rest," Luna said again, making Alden scrunch his face.

"...and please take your wife to the room!" Luna requested firmly but with a flat tone.

With reluctance, Alden walked towards Alice, who was still sleeping in Maryam's lap. The girl seemed comfortable, the only remaining family member.

"Grandma," Alice whispered. His eyes blinked as he felt his body float in the air. "Don't put Alice down here. Put her down on your bed," said Luna quickly. When he saw Alden intended to lower Alice from his arms. Alden took a deep breath. Shows his displeasure with the situation he is currently in. Arriving at the room, Alden immediately dropped Alice from his arms.

And without speaking, he immediately sat on a sofa before the bed. There Alden sat silently. I don't know what he's thinking now. His eyes looked blank, staring at the photo on the room's wall. Image of two girls hugging. One of those girls was Chloe, whom he loved deeply. And one other girl is Alice, whom he married this afternoon. Alden tugged at the corners of his lips. Laughing at his fate, having to lose Chloe this quickly. And now must be trapped in a loveless marriage with Alice. Sad.

Alice, who never expected anything good from Alden, continued sleeping. Her head hurts so much from crying all day. As well as the rain this afternoon, making his body a little warm, a sign that he will have a fever after this.

Not long after, Alice immediately fell asleep and didn't realize that Alden had come out of the room not long after her family said goodbye to go home. Maryam, who saw Alden leave just like that, could only stroke her chest. Wishing her a long life so she can care for Alice until she finds her happiness. However, Maryam's wish will never come true. His hopes and dreams will be buried with his body today.

 When morning came, the luxurious house, which was still shrouded amid sorrow, was boisterous with the screams of a middle-aged woman. That called for all the inhabitants of the luxury house. Including Alice. Who was still asleep in his sleep, until he was surprised to hear his voice called.

"What's wrong, huh?" whispered Alice. Forcing her weak body to edge out of bed. Hoping her soft body wouldn't just collapse. With the remaining strength and support for the stairs, Alice descended one step at a time. Looking for where the voice calling his name had come from.

 "What's wrong? Why are you all busy in front of Grandma's room? Grandma's okay, right?" she whispered. He suddenly felt terrible. Seeing the workers in the house standing in front of the grandmother's room.

"Young lady must be steadfast," muttered a household assistant. Get close and hug him. "Grandma is gone, Miss."