Chapter 227


    "Where have you been?" Frederick asked.


    Frederick was hot under the cor after waiting for her all night long. However, for some unknown


    reason, he couldn''t get angry that instant. He narrowed his eyes and questioned her coldly.


    "You seem happy. Did you earn extra money again?"


    Other than that, Frederick couldn''t really think of anything else that would make her this excited.


    She was so delighted as if she had won a lottery.


    Frederick frowned without realizing it.


    No matter how dense she was, she could tell that Frederick was not in a good mood. She wrapped


    her arms around his neck and touched his forehead with hers.


    "I wouldn''t dare. Hubby, I remember what you said before. You told me that I could ask you for extra


    money whenever I needed it. How would I forget? I was hanging out with my mother and enjoyed


    myself so much that I forgot to let you know. I''m sorry and admit it is my mistake. Hubby, please


    don''t be mad at me."


    Life had never been better. Alicia felt that she was on a roll. She was genuinely happy as if she was


    the princess that the nchard family cajoled back then. She was beaming with joy.


    In fact, Alicia did not tell anyone, including Frederick, about Martin. Right then, she avoided


    mentioning him.


    Alicia was clear that not everything was worth sharing, especially the bad that happened to her


    parents. This was the same for the man she wanted to rely on. Over the years, she had learned to


    bear the burden and be careful with her words. She would always choose to remain silent over


    telling the truth.


    Knowing how much Alicia cared for her family, Frederick actually felt relieved that she was with her


    mother that night. He pulled her towards him and ced her on hisp. Then, Frederick pinched her


    nose lightly.


    "I''ll forgive you but there can be no next time!" Frederick said with a soft tone.


    In actual fact, he was actually quite envious of how close Alicia was with her family.


    "Tee-hee!"


    Alicia only realized that she hadn''t taken her shoes off yet. Taking off her shoes, she swiftly put her


    legs on Frederick''sp and said, "Hubby, bring me upstairs! My legs are sore after walking for a


    whole night!"


    Alicia wiggled in his arms, getting cozy. Suddenly, she thought of something and asked, "Hubby, are


    you hungry? I can make you supper. Consider that as me making it up to you."


    Alicia was reading ready to hop off without waiting for his answer but she was held down by


    Frederick. "I''m not hungry! This won''t make it up to me. You can make it up to me in bed!"


    Frederick teasingly looked at Alicia, put his hand on her leg, and gave her a firm squeeze. Alicia


    immediately giggled.


    Then, Frederick carried Alicia in his arms all the way upstairs.


    That night, another glorious chapter was written of their simple yet exciting life.


    Martin waking up had brought hope to the nchard family. Both Alicia and Mrs. nchard were


    happier than before.


    One day, Alicia went to the hospital after work. Outside Martin''s ward, she overheard her parents''


    conversation. "Flora, thank you... for everything that you and Ally had done..."


    Several days after recovery, Martin could speak normally, albeit a little slow.


    In the ward, Mrs. nchard was nonchntly speaking as there was a hint of joy in her voice.


    "What are you talking about? We''re supposed to take care of you. We need you as our pir of


    support! We have no one in Casterwich City and we need someone who could level with us in times


    of need. Don''t you dare leave us again! Alicia has a job now and I have been managing a small


    business. We are not as rich as we used to be but we''re getting by. We''ll be stronger as a


    family! I''ve gotten older from missing you the past three years! I''ve been the happiest thest


    couple of days!"


    Holding Flora''s hand, Martin said, "You''re still as beautiful as ever."


    "Gee! Flirty as always! I no longer care about how I look anymore. I just want my family to stay


    healthy and together. That''s all I wish for. Now, have another drink. For the past few years, you were


    relying on nutrient liquids. You''ll need to regain your appetite again..." Flora replied.


    Looking at how loving her parents were, Alicia barely restrained herself from crying as she could


    see the gray hairs on their heads. Although life was tough, their love for each other was stronger


    than ever. Alicia felt something stuck in her throat.


    This was the life Alicia was yearning for!


    Growing old together with the beloved one and nothing could ever break them apart.


    The past three years had been rough for their family. Martin was in aa while life was tough for


    Flora. Alicia felt that it was probably God''s doing that she had gone this far. Not wanting to interrupt


    them, Alicia went to Marshall''s office to enquire about the situation before she returned to Martin''s


    ward.


    "Dad..."


    Alicia felt guilty as she sat at the bedside and looked at her father. She subconsciously lowered her


    head.


    Holding Alicia''s hands, Martin smiled and said, "My Ally is all grown up and has gotten prettier!


    You''ve changed!"


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    "Dad, I''m sorry! It''s all my fault!"


    "Nonsense! The reason why we punish you is that we love you. There are no qualms between


    family. Plus, you''re strong and independent now. I am proud of you! Why would I me you? All


    these years, if it wasn''t for you, we wouldn''t have made it this far."


    Martin''s eyes glistened with tears as he finished.


    "Don''t talk about anything unhappy anymore. Money is not everything. No matter what you


    do, you will always be our favorite daughter. Our daughter will always be the best. What we hope is


    that you could live your life happily and stay safe. You understand?"


    "Yes!" Nodding, Alicia nodded and her cry turned into a smile.


    "Remember Ally, never think less of yourself. You can only experience the best by being your best


    self. I believe in you! Sometimes, things are inevitable. No matter what happened between Jeremy


    and our family, it''s over now. Let it go and move on. There''s no point in going back and forth about


    it. The truth wille to light one day. We won''t cause trouble but let''s not be fearful of trouble. He


    won''t do anything to us but if worsees to worst, we will definitely retaliate! He needs to know


    his ce."


    "Okay, Dad! I will work harder and earn an honest living. I will move on! Let us enjoy each other''s


    company once you''re recovered!"


    Alicia was liberated from the burden she had been carrying for the past three years. When she


    walked out of the ward, she burst into tears. Yet, she felt energized as if a force had filled her body.


    She walked out of the ce with her head held high and a smile on her face.


    At the supermarket, Alicia saw Lindsay standing at the exit the moment she walked out. Lindsay


    seemed to be looking for someone.


    What a coincidence!


    Alicia immediately turned around. She nned to take a detour before returning to her car but as


    soon as she walked out of the mall, a familiar voice came from behind.


    "Alicia nchard, stop right there!"


    Alicia closed her eyes and sighed. Then, she subconsciously sped up but Lindsay managed to


    block her way near the parking lot.


    "Shameless b*tch! Where you n to hide!"