Chapter 192 Evasion
Seeing her completely love-struck, Abigail was at a loss for words.
The room went dead silent.
Tricia noticed the tension and asked, confused, "Abigail, you used to be all for me chasing my happiness. What's with the sudden beef with Tom?"
Abigail hesitated.
Just when Tricia thought she wouldn't answer, Abigail blurted out, "Tom is Gregory's half-brother."
Worried Tricia might freak out, she quickly added, "Don't stress. I just found out a few days ago, and I think Tom might have another reason for coming back."
"What are you talking about?" Tricia's mind went blank. She blinked, trying to make sense of it. 'Tom is Gregory's half-brother?'
Abigail sighed and spilled everything she knew.
Tricia went quiet, her head down, her long lashes hiding her expression.
Abigail couldn't read her thoughts and quickly grabbed her hand. "I don't have proof yet, but I want you to be ready."
If Tom had a hidden agenda, they might end up on opposite sides.
Tricia looked up, disbelief in her eyes. "No way! Even if it's true, I can't believe Tom would do something like that!"
Tom's background wasn't his fault, and he didn't choose it.
As his girlfriend, Tricia felt she should stand by him.
Abigail knew without proof, her words were just noise, but she had to warn her, "I just want you to be aware. If Tom truly loves you, I'd be happy for you."
The news hit Tricia hard; she didn't even remember how she got home.
She lived in a cheap area with lousy security but affordable rent. Fresh out of college, she couldn't afford anything better.
She turned on the light, collapsed on the couch, hugged a pillow, and replayed Abigail's words in her mind.
She didn't care about Tom's background, but she feared Abigail might be right—that Tom was using her to get close to Abigail and Gregory.
Time flew by, and around nine, she heard keys jingling outside.
The door opened.
Tom walked in, wearing a white suit and carrying a bag of groceries.
Tricia stared at him, dazed.
Tom was really handsome. The suit fit him perfectly, making him look tall and elegant, his features sharp and refined. He seemed out of place in her shabby apartment.
Lost in thought, she didn't notice Tom had walked over. He leaned down and smiled, "What? Am I that irresistible?"
Tricia snapped out of it and forced a smile. "No, why are you back so late?"
"Had some stuff to wrap up at work. It's a busy time." Tom smiled and started putting the groceries away.
As he was about to close the fridge, Tricia suddenly hugged him from behind.
Her slender arms wrapped around his waist, and she pressed her cheek against his back, saying nothing.
Tom glanced down, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. Then he smiled, placing his hand over Tricia's. "What's up? You seem down."
"Yeah, I went to a bunch of job interviews today, but no luck," Tricia sighed. Unlike Abigail, she didn't come from money, and her grades were just so-so.
From childhood to now, luck never seemed to be on her side. If she had to count, there were only three good things in her life: becoming best friends with Abigail, getting into Aramore University, and meeting Tom.
Tom was always so kind and thoughtful. After they got together, he didn't care about her background and was cool with living in this crummy apartment. He was the brightest spot in her otherwise dark world.
So, she tried hard, desperately wanting to hold onto this light.
Tom held her hand, turned around, and pulled her into a hug. "It's okay. Even if you can't find a job, I got you."
Hearing that, Tricia couldn't help but smile, feeling a warm glow inside. But she still said, "I want my own job. I don't want to rely on you all the time."
"I'm okay with you relying on me," Tom said, his sweet talk always so captivating.
Tricia looked into Tom's eyes, her heart racing. She thought, no wonder Abigail was so hooked on Gregory.
Who could resist this?
"Tom, thank you. With you backing me, I know I'll nail those interviews!" Tricia stood on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around Tom's neck, and leaned in for a kiss.
But just as their lips were about to meet, Tom instinctively turned his head.
Her lips landed on his cheek instead.
Tricia froze, her initial joy crashing down.
Tom looked surprised too. He cleared his throat, let go of her waist, and turned to the kitchen. "Have you eaten? I'll make you some noodles."
Tricia stared at his back, silent.
Her fingers brushed her lips, and Abigail's words came flooding back.
She couldn't help but wonder, 'Does Tom really love me?'
Even though they were a couple and Tom often stayed over, they hadn't been intimate since that one night.
Every time she brought it up, he had some excuse.
She was in love, but she wasn't stupid. Even if Tom agreed to be with her, his gut reactions didn't lie.
Her chest tightened, a sour feeling rising.
Tricia lowered her head, fighting back tears, and said, "I've already eaten. Don't worry about it. I'm really tired, so I'm gonna hit the sack."
Without waiting for Tom's response, she headed straight to the bedroom. She even locked the door behind her.
Leaning against the door, she slid down, unable to hold back her tears any longer. Her heart felt like it was being torn apart, the pain unbearable.
Soon, there was a knock on the door, and Tom's voice came through. "Tricia, I cleaned up the kitchen. I'm heading out now."
Tricia stayed silent, curling up into a ball and biting her lip hard.
She was afraid that if she made a sound, he'd hear her crying.
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