pped at t

u think you're in a position to make deals wit

at and headed downstairs

t took her a moment to realize there w

discovered tears were streaming

ed, but she still co

as Michelle standing there, effortlessly undoing eve

arsh with Erick, but th

ed out that door, i

nd saw Erick quickly approaching Michelle. Mich

ir closeness noticeable. Alicia couldn't help b

he held now w

car fade into th

ad passed

Alicia's heart

ringtone. Reluctant at first, she finall

er stepmother

meone, her father, heartbroken, remarried Lana a year later. Lana bro

es. She carried guilt and embarrassmen

lled her home, even replacing h

destroyed any facade of peac

check-up? How did it go? I don't mean to nag, but you've been married for a whil

llis family, and Erick's mom, Helen

compete with the Ellis fam

wards Alicia, her family had gained

word on Alicia's pregnancy, both s

was in a

ed a bed. A baby under those c

ch puzzled her. Lana's own daughter hadn't ended up m

as, insisting Ali

tressed to engag

rlier? Has Erick said yes? I don't want to interfere, Alicia, but it's important for you to realize our family's situation is getting worse.

n't run off with anyone," Alicia r

ho had married into her mom's family without a penny to his name,

icia like a bol

ioned, she felt a pier

Alicia's denial. "Regardless, missing or running away, we've spent years hiding your mother's shameful actions. We're family.

, and she bit her botto

he Ellis family, who always scorned h

y pleading with Erick for Singh family's ben

ponse. After getting the desired answer

call, her face went pale, and she

ust been si

small white pil

ped her phone and walked over

contraceptive pill Er