Alicia's POV
It was the weekend and I had I told myself wouldn't leave the house. I told myself I needed rest
from all the weeks work, that I deserved one quiet day.
But deep down, I didn't want to risk running into Rowen. Not again. I was tired.
The last encounter I had with him, got me stressed. Anytime I saw him, I would always
remember the past.
The way Rowen alway looked at me, like nothing had happened between us. Like the damage
hadnt already been done.
By noon, the walls of my apartment felt like they now a prison. I walked from the bedroom to the
kitchen and back again at least more than six times, pretending I was hungry, stress cooking,
stress cleaning.
I just needed to get out.
Eventually, the need for fresh air and a few groceries pushed made me resolve to leaving the
house.
So I grabbed my coat, put no makeup on, no list. I pulled my hoodie up and stepped out the
door, locking it.
Please…..not today. Let me have today. I repeated to myself as I walked into my car.
Everything seemed to go smoothly. My walk to the grocery shop was a very peaceful one. The
streets were quiet, it was a sunny weather, the kind of weather that made most people stay
indoors.
Perfect.
Hopefully he doesn't come out today.
The grocery store, just as the streets, wasn't busy, it helped. I moved through the different aisles
with no purpose at all. I picked up milk, bread, a few fruits, some tea. I shopped with a little
pace. Like I was running from someone.
I was.
But it was peaceful, for the least part. For a moment, everything felt normal. Like my new life
feeling had returned. Like maybe the world had given me a small break from all that had been
going on.
But just as I reached the doors, my groceries in hand, I saw him.
Rowen.
Standing across the parking lot like he'd been waiting. Like he knew I couldn't stay in my house.
I froze. He stood there like a character brought out of a horror movie, waiting to torture its victim.
My grip tightened on the bag handles as dread curled in my stomach.
He stood there, still pretending like nothing had happened between us. Like the past hadn't
broken me. Like the lies, the betrayal, the heartbreak he brought to me, never existed.
My stomach twisted the moment he started walking towards me. He still had that smile on his
face.
Just his presence was enough to spoil my whole day, whatever peace I had managed get
today. He took it with his presence.
He had made my days tiring since he showed up.
I turned to my left without a word, holding my grocery bags tighter and heading straight for my
car. Maybe if I just keep walking, I can make it to the car before he reaches me.
"Alicia….please wait."
But no. Of course not.
I could hear his footsteps hurried behind me. I turned and saw him following me like a lost
puppy, calling out my name softly, like I was ready to forgive him.
I finally reached for my car, my keys already in hand, when I heard i heard it. "Alice."
That was the nickname he used to call me. When he wanted to tease me or get me to do
something. He found it sweet to call me and here he was using it after all those years.
I paused, heart pounding faster in my chest. I turned just enough to see him standing a bit too
close to me. His eyes were full of fake concern for me..
"Hey, how are you doing?," he asked softly. "Are you eating okay?"
"I'm fine." I replied him coldly
"Do you still work late at the hospital? You look really tired." he continued with his fake
questions.
"I said I'm fine." I replied him sharply.
But he didn't stop with his questionings. He kept asking, Like he had any right to care. Like he
hadn't broken me and told me to walk away without looking back.
I had enough. I turned and left my car, deciding I rather take a taxi or even choose to walk as
long as I get as far away from him as possible.
I just needed to get away.
But just before I could leave him, he grabbed my hand.
I froze.
"Don't walk away from me," he said, with his low voice, pleadingly.
My breath caught, a mix of rage and confusion in my expression.
That was it.
The moment his hand touched mine, something inside me snapped.
With the rage burning inside me, wait to explode, I slapped him. Hard. The sound burst into the
air, causing a few heads to turn our way. A few nearby shoppers froze, staring at the both of us.
But I didn't care about anything. Not anymore.
"Don't you ever touch me again," I spat, my voice sharp and firm. "And stop following me. Stop
showing up like you didn't tear everything apart with your own hands."
His eyes widened. He froze. but I didn't just stop there.
"You had a wife, Rowen. And you still chose to have an affair with someone lying in a damn
hospital bed. And you also tricked me Into saving that same woman. You don't get to stand here
now and pretend to care about me. Go back to your lover."
Murmurs erupted from the bystanders, but I couldn't even hear them. All I could hear was my
heart pounding in my chest.
I turned towards my car and opened the door and got in, slamming the door shut. Not sparing
him another glance. My hands trembled as I gripped the steering wheel. I finally started the
engine and drove out the parking lot
The second I got into line with other cars, away from the crowd and far from Rowen, the
strength I had held onto tightly, crumbled within me.
Tears filled my eyes, making the road ahead blurry.
My marriage. The shame. The betrayal. All he brought me
No I couldn't forget.
Not yet.