By admin Addicted Ex 8
The light in the stairwell was a dim shade of blue. It was like the flickering water reflections in a shallow sea, gently enveloping Alyssia. For a moment, Leonard almost didn’t recognize her.
She had appeared so suddenly. She had vanished from his world and then reappeared just as abruptly in front of him.
The unexpected encounter hit Leonard like a wave stirred by a violent wind, crashing against his eyes–tonight, Alyssia looked like a stranger.
She wore a black pullover knitted sweater with a classic Polo collar trimmed in white and primary colors. Her navy–blue jeans and white sneakers made her legs look slender. She seemed fresh, lively, and neat, giving off a cool elegance.
Leonard couldn’t remember the last time he had seen Alyssia wearing anything other than white.
It was as if, from the moment they met, Alyssia had always been dressed in a white dress, the same in every season, as if it were permanently attached to her. Her soft long hair always flowed behind her in a neat cascade.
But tonight, Alyssia had shed her ladylike, elegant look, instead dressing in a sharp and lively manner. Her long hair curled casually around her shoulders in a playful way. She almost seemed like a completely different person.
Something about Alyssia changed. But as Leonard looked closely, he realized she was still as stunning and mesmerizing as ever. No words in the world could capture her beauty, just as it had always been. She was simply beyond description.
Soon, Leonard’s eyes darkened, his expression hardening. He sneered, “Are you having fun?”
He pondered, ‘I used to think Alyssia disappeared because she had some backbone. But it turns out she hasn’t changed at all in the ways that disgust me–her scheming and relentless persistence have only grown.
Alyssia disappeared on purpose, and then followed me here. If I hadn’t accidentally walked into the stairwell, I wouldn’t have even known she’s been hiding here. While causing chaos for my family, she secretly follows me.
She must be feeling pleased watching me get criticized by my mother because of her. Who does Alyssia think she is? Does she really believe that, just because of the Clairmont family’s past favor to my family, she can play us all like puppets?‘
Alyssia had snapped out of her daze. When Leonard barged in, she almost thought she was imagining it.
After all, just last night, Leonard was at Rosewood Manor, threatening her on the phone about the consequences of not coming home. Now, here he was, in the stairwell of the fifteenth floor of the Halston Hotel in Ravendale.
But in a split second, Alyssia realized something, thinking to herself, ‘Milena is here, so it’s actually pretty normal for Leonard to be here too.
‘I just didn’t expect their relationship to have come this far–they’re so inseparable that they can’t even stand a moment apart. It only makes my past thirteen years seem like a joke!
A cold, silent chill slid across Alyssia’s heart, swiftly melting and then vanishing.
Her clenched fingers instantly loosened, and she subtly adjusted her shoulder bag. “Mr. Rivera, your relationship with Ms. Johnson is real, right?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she saw Leonard’s expression darken. His already unwelcoming expression now seemed stormy and threatening.
Leonard asked, his gaze turning cold, his hostility apparent, “Is this why you came here? And you even took membership card, pretending to be her to get in?
my
mom’s
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“But Alyssia, no one has the patience to play these cheap tricks with you. Do you think I’ll think more of you just because you’re pulling these humiliating stunts?”
Leonard thought to himself, ‘Whether Alyssia ran away from home or followed me, or even tried to drive a wedge between me and my mother, it wouldn’t work.
He then reached out, grabbing her slender arm with a firm grip. “Alyssia, stop playing these games. I’ve already seen through your schemes.”
The pain spread from Alyssia’s still–healing arm, slowly creeping up her body. His words and expression were like a sharp knife, relentlessly carving into her. Slice by slice, each word and each look tore her apart.
In the past, whenever Leonard showed this expression and spoke these hurtful words, Alyssia would shrink away, like she was trying to hide.
To protect herself, she would become cautious and fearful, not daring to make a sound. She would either distance herself from his gaze or cry quietly.
Alyssia would swallow the pain bit by bit, using the beautiful memories from the past–those fleeting moments that felt like dreams–to deceive herself and numb the hurt. Whether it was sweetness or pain from Leonard, she never complained.
But now, after the familiar pain faded, Alyssia only froze for a moment. Suppressing the discomfort in her chest, she forced herself to regain her composure and met Leonard’s eyes directly, her gaze clear and unwavering.
‘You still haven’t answered my question,” Alyssia said, adopting a determined stance. “Yesterday afternoon, Milena made the official announcement. This morning, Vanguard Media’s entertainment section had a detailed report about you two.”
And you believe that?” Leonard sneered. “Alyssia, you almost went into this profession yourself. Do you really not know what kind of people journalists are?”
Alyssia thought, ‘Nice. With just a few words, he insulted both me and my profession. He killed two birds with one stone. Well done, Leonard.‘
She took a steadying breath and composed herself. “I read the article. The journalist who wrote it had clear logic and solid evidence-”
Leonard arrogantly and coldly interrupted Alyssia with a snort, “I see nothing but lies and rumors. He’s no different than
you.”
If she wasn’t sure that Leonard didn’t know she was currently working at Vanguard Media, Alyssia would’ve thought he knew the journalist who wrote the article was her.
She thought, ‘Otherwise, how could he have done such a good job at insulting the journalist and belittling me at the same time?‘
Alyssia pressed her lips together, hiding the deep wounds in her heart. “Leonard, please answer my question from earlier- are you and Milena officially together?”
Tonight, she had to get this answer. For this answer, she was willing to face any harm Leonard threw her way. Even if it meant self–destruction, she demanded his response.
Alyssia scoffed inwardly, ‘Am I really still afraid of being hurt again? After all these years, from the inside out, is there a single piece of me that hasn’t been wounded? I’ve already got nothing to lose.‘
Charlie had once praised Alyssia, saying she was a natural at questioning people, never easily provoked, always logical and focused on her goals.
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Chapter 8
No matter how the other person dodged or twisted their words, or steered the conversation off–topic, once Alyssia set her sights on them, she would relentlessly stick to the truth without wavering.
She would calmly wait for the perfect moment, find the crack, and tear it open–striking precisely at their weaknesses with ruthless precision.
But all those skills seemed to fail when it came to Leonard. He had once freely grown inside Alyssia’s heart, his roots firmly embedded in her very flesh, occupying her every thought and breath.
Each time Alyssia confronted Leonard, it felt like she was tearing herself apart. But he simply stared coldly at her, his brooding eyes filled with disdain and mockery.
Leonard asked, “What’s this? When clinging and begging didn’t work, now you’re resorting to jealousy? Do you really think you can compete with Milena?”
Alyssia smiled. She turned her head slightly to the side, making sure her eyes didn’t betray her with tears. The green emergency exit sign glowed faintly, as if mocking her with its relentless light.
Alyssia thought, ‘He’s right. I can compete with Milena. I’m an orphan, with no one to rely on, surviving only thanks to the Rivera family. How could I possibly be worthy of the heir to the prestigious Rivera family?‘
Alyssia felt like even breathing was painful, but she forced herself to ask the final question, “So, you and Milena are really together, aren’t you?”
After that, she clenched her bag tightly, making sure that the hidden camera inside it had captured every inch of Leonard’s face.