Chapter 1 – When His Wife Can’t Forgive

Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive

In the dimly lit, opulent private cinema, the most exclusive jewelry auction was being broadcast live.

The rich cadence of the auctioneer’s voice echoed through the room. “One million, going once, going twice…”

Alicia Bennett barely registered the words, her thoughts completely consumed by the man beneath her. His intensity overwhelmed her, pushing her to sink her teeth into his shoulder in a desperate attempt to brace herself against the onslaught.

The man merely grunted in response, neither stopping nor slowing down.

“Loosen up, will you?” he rasped, his voice thick with strain as he tightened his grip around her waist, commanding her body to yield to his will.

Alicia, still biting his shoulder, hesitated. Slowly, she eased her jaw, her teeth releasing their hold. Just as the apology began to form on her lips, he let out a low, almost teasing laugh.

“That’s not the part I asked you to loosen.”

Alicia froze, heat rushing to her cheeks. The apology died in her throat, replaced by a wave of embarrassment that turned her skin crimson.

But the intensity between them only grew fiercer as time passed, their bodies entangled in a battle of passion and control.

The auctioneer’s gavel fell. “Sold for ten million! Let’s give a round of applause to Mr. Joshua Yates!”

The name struck Alicia like a lightning bolt. Her body instantly went rigid, something that the man couldn’t help but notice. His movements paused as his eyes, half-lidded with satisfaction, flicked lazily toward the screen.

The camera zoomed in on Joshua Yates’s face, every detail of his familiar features displayed in perfect clarity.

“Joshua Yates, the second son of the Yates family… an acquaintance, perhaps?” he drawled, the corners of his mouth curving into a sly smile as he playfully nibbled Alicia’s earlobe.

Alicia’s frown deepened. The last thing she wanted was to discuss it.

“Is gossip part of your services too?” she snapped, her voice cold and laced with irritation.

He chuckled softly at her retort, the sound reverberating in the space between them.

He didn’t bother denying it. Instead, his grip on her waist tightened further, his movements growing more relentless, his rhythm chaotic and untamed, as if challenging her.

The room seemed to pulse with their passionate desires, the air thick with lust, their ragged breaths merging into one. Together, they reached a breathless crescendo. When it was over, Alicia took advantage of the man’s time in the shower and quietly made her escape.

She fished a stack of banknotes from her purse and left them on the chair. Then, she inched her way toward the door, as quiet as a mouse, wincing at the soreness in her lower body.

When Caden Ward finally emerged from the bathroom, his gaze instantly fell on the neat stack of dollar bills waiting for him on the chair. Amusement flickered in his eyes, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

Casually, he reached for a cigarette, lighting it leisurely before sinking into the chair, his fingers toying with the crisp notes.

Moments later, his assistant, Hank Ford, burst into the room, clearly on edge. The faint, unmistakable scent of sex still hung heavy in the air, making Hank’s scalp prickle with discomfort.

“Er, apologies, Mr. Ward. I let my guard down. Give me a moment, and I’ll have her brought back immediately.” They had just returned to the country, taking every precaution. And yet, a woman had managed to slip through the cracks of their security.

Caden exhaled a lazy stream of smoke, his features calm, almost indifferent.

“No need. I was… a willing participant.”

Hank’s eyes widened in shock.

Only then did he notice the faint red marks decorating Caden’s chest.

Hank’s vision started to spin. In all the time he’d known Caden, the man had never slept with a woman, not even for a casual one-night stand. There were even rumors that Caden might suffer from some secret ailment, which was why he had never been with a woman.

Yet now, those whispers seemed to evaporate in the face of this unexpected turn of events.

Before Hank could make sense of it, Caden’s deep voice pulled him back to reality.

“I want you to look into Joshua’s personal life. Have the report on my desk in half an hour.”

Tonight, Alicia had stumbled into his room, feverish and desperate. It was obvious she’d been drugged.

And just like that, all his years of restraint and abstinence crumbled the moment he took her into his arms.

And then came the revelation-Alicia was still a virgin.

Two years of marriage to Joshua… and yet, she was still untouched?

The memory of last night’s passion stirred something in him, and his lips curled into a satisfied smile. The unexpected always had a way of intriguing him.

But as he reflected, one thing became abundantly clear: Alicia had no idea who she had been with due to the drug’s effects.

By the time Alicia returned home, the first light of dawn filtered through the windows.

Only then did she realize how long she had been out. She paused at the door, gnashing her teeth in frustration.

Even after she had pushed herself to the brink of collapse, he refused to let her go, as though his stamina were never-ending.

Who was supposed to be the client here?

But before she could dwell on it any further, her phone rang. It was her best friend, Monica Flynn, calling.

“Alicia!” Monica practically screeched from the other end of the line, her voice high-pitched with worry. “How are you now?”

Alicia exhaled deeply, kicking off her shoes carelessly. “I’ve been better,” she murmured.

Monica’s anger bubbled over, her words sharp and relentless. “Joshua’s such a piece of shit! He’s beyond disgusting! If he doesn’t want to stay married, he should just grow a spine and divorce you already! What kind of sick man would scheme against his own wife?”

The sharp pain of betrayal shot through Alicia’s chest.

Yesterday had been their second anniversary. Joshua had texted her, suggesting they celebrate. Daring to hope he had changed, she had dressed up to the nines, only to be met with disappointment and a drug-laced drink that sent her spiraling into a night of confusion and chaos.

Was Joshua really the mastermind behind this?

Swallowing the bitterness that tried to claw its way to the surface, Alicia forced herself to climb the stairs, her movements slow and weary.

“It’s fine, Monica. I’ll handle it.”

Monica, ever protective, wasn’t convinced. “Handle it? What do you mean you’ll handle it? Just say the word, and I’ll be over in a heartbeat. I’ll even put on my sharpest heels, ready to kick him in the nuts!”

Alicia couldn’t help but let out a small, tired smile, though her heart still felt heavy.

Monica’s tone suddenly shifted, curiosity sparking in her voice. “But seriously, who was that guy you were with last night?”

Alicia froze mid-step, a bad feeling creeping up her spine. “Didn’t you hire that male escort for me?” she asked uneasily.

“I did call one,” Monica replied, her voice suddenly serious. “But you never showed up. He texted me this morning, saying he waited all night and didn’t see you. So… who were you with?”

Alicia’s breath hitched as the realization slammed into her.

Before she could respond, the door to her bedroom creaked open.

She lifted her gaze, and almost instantly, her stomach dropped. There, fresh from a shower, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, stood Joshua. His damp hair clung to his forehead as he stared down at her, his voice low and menacing.

“What male escort?”

Alicia snapped out of her daze the moment she met the icy gaze of Joshua, her so-called husband.

His expression remained unchanged, cold and indifferent as ever, as though he was looking at a stranger. The only thing out of place was the love bite on his lips. Was the kiss he shared with someone else so intense?

A wave of disgust washed over her, and it was all she could do not to gag. Her fingers tightened around her phone as she turned it off with a soft sigh. “It’s nothing.” Without waiting for a response, she started to walk inside.

Joshua frowned, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist. “Alicia, what’s with the attitude?”

He seemed quite unhappy with her this time, which was a rare thing, considering how little he bothered to come home.

Normally, Alicia would have welcomed him back with open arms, a flicker of joy lighting up her tired features. But today, she looked drained, almost hollow.

She didn’t resist his grip, meeting his gaze with a calmness that unnerved him.

“Haven’t I always been like this? Obedient, sensible, making sure the house is in order, ensuring you’re comfortable, ready to give your best at work.”

A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. “Isn’t that what you like most about me? It makes things easier for you, doesn’t it? Frees up time for your other… ‘special someone.'”

Joshua’s eyes darkened at the veiled accusation.

Denial hovered on his lips, but he didn’t bother. Why should he? He dropped her hand and said gruffly, “Actually, that’s why I’m here. We need to talk.”

Alicia vigorously rubbed her wrist, as though she were trying to erase his touch.

“So, are you planning to finally go public with her?”

Joshua’s expression twisted instantly, his calm facade cracking. “What do you know? Did you have me stalked by a private investigator or something?”

Alicia let out a soft, humorless laugh. “Is that necessary? Last night, you spared no expense to make her happy. Even a blind person could tell you’re mad about her.”

He stared at her, unsettled by her icy tone.

It was still her voice, still Alicia, but there was something different about her now. For some reason, he felt inexplicably hurt, like a thorn pricking his heart.

Perhaps it was the way she looked at him now-her eyes, once warm and filled with love for him, were now completely empty.

There was no anger, no pain-just… nothing. It was a stark contrast to the woman who used to look at him as if he were her entire world.

For reasons he couldn’t explain, the sight of her like this stirred something in him-an unfamiliar dissatisfaction. Annoyed by his own reaction, Joshua decided to hit back, his voice harder now.

“She’s pregnant. It’s a delicate pregnancy, so I bought her a little something to lift her spirits.”

Alicia’s fists clenched before she could stop them.

Pregnant?

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