Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Caden quickly interjected, “It’s not money I’m interested in.”
If not money, then it must be something else. Caden seemed poised to make an unwelcome request. Alicia prepared herself, determined to endure embarrassment rather than comply.
As she was about to enter the mansion, Caden spoke up.
“I’m only asking for a few words.”
Alicia stopped, wary. “Are you being generous?”
“Sometimes,” he replied casually.
“What exactly do you want me to say?” Alicia inquired.
Caden gave her a pointed look. “Miss Bennett, with your eloquence, can’t you offer a kind word when seeking a favor?”
Alicia paused, momentarily taken aback. Was that all?
After a brief hesitation, she smiled. “Thank you for your assistance today, Mr. Ward. I owe you a meal sometime.”
Caden responded with a nonchalant gesture, rolling up his sleeves. “That’ll suffice.”
Relieved, Alicia turned toward the trunk. “Where are you headed?” Caden inquired.
“I’m going to fetch the gifts.”
“They’re not in the car. I have them with me,” he informed her.
Confused, Alicia looked at him. “You have them with you?”
“Yes, I came with goodwill,” Caden asserted.
Speechless, Alicia followed him, her expression turning sour. “You tricked me!”
Caden’s tone remained relaxed. “Isn’t goodwill itself a gift?”
“You were just playing with me,” Alicia retorted.
Caden continued ahead with long strides.
Alicia quickened her pace to keep up. She may not have brought any gifts, but she hoped they could share the embarrassment-especially if Caden had nothing as well. However, his long strides meant she had to jog to stay beside him.
Frustrated, she called out, “Caden, slow down!”
Caden reached the main doors, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on Joshua, who was busy with guests. He halted suddenly.
Alicia, caught off guard by his abrupt stop, collided with his back.
His solid build sent a jolt through her, and she felt a sharp throb in her forehead.
Clutching her head, she groaned in pain.
Caden glanced over his shoulder at her exaggerated response. “Really? So dramatic? Seems like ‘The Trick of Manipulators’ was quite fitting.”
Alicia snapped back, “What nonsense! I’m actually hurt.”
Caden quipped, “Even that response was perfect.”
Absurd.
Just then, a deep voice interrupted. “Alicia.”
Regaining her composure, Alicia turned to see Joshua approaching.
Alicia diverted her gaze and continued rubbing her forehead, choosing not to engage with Joshua.
Joshua pulled her gently toward his side, careful to maintain some distance from Caden.
He acknowledged Caden with a polite yet distant tone. “Caden.”
Alicia discreetly pulled her hand away, wiping off the area on her dress where Joshua had touched.
Caden responded with a slight curl of his lips, his acknowledgment casual.
Joshua then asked, “You’re always so busy. How did you manage to bring Alicia here today?”
Caden answered with indifference, “It was merely a chance encounter.”
“Quite the coincidence, isn’t it?” Joshua remarked, his tone still carrying a hint of hostility.
Caden let out a soft chuckle.
“If you’re intrigued by the coincidence, perhaps you should inquire with your ex-wife,” he suggested.
This left Alicia speechless, as Caden’s implication seemed to hint at an affair.
Was it not Caden who had offered her a ride?
Joshua’s intense gaze made Alicia uncomfortable, so she decided to use a tactic from the book.
“I was walking too quickly and accidentally collided with Caden,” she explained softly, her hand still on her forehead. Feeling overwhelmed, she added, “I’m feeling a bit dizzy. May I go inside to rest for a while?”
Joshua brushed off her hand, revealing a red mark on her forehead.
Alicia was not typically so yielding, but she didn’t resist.
Joshua chose not to probe further at that moment. “Go and rest in my room. I’ll check on you later.”
Reluctantly, Alicia questioned the appropriateness of resting in his room.
“Is it really okay for me to be in your room?” she asked with a worried expression. “What if Miss Green finds out?”
“She’s not here today,” Joshua reassured her.
“But someone could see,” Alicia persisted, still hesitant.
Joshua reassured her confidently, “With my permission, no one will dare gossip.”
He gently guided Alicia by the shoulders toward the interior. “Proceed, I need to discuss a few things with-“
Alicia pressed her lips together but reluctantly moved away.
Joshua then turned to confront Caden, a rare moment given their usual avoidance of each other. “Do you have an interest in Alicia?”
Caden responded with a dismissive scoff. “What makes you think that?”
Joshua’s frustration was palpable as he clenched his fists. “You two have always been at odds. Why did you assist her at the police station yesterday?”
Caden moved toward the living room, explaining, “She’s an old classmate. I was merely helping her out. Is there an issue with that?”
Not satisfied, Joshua persisted, following Caden.
“This isn’t just about old school ties, is it?”
His tone was accusatory.
Caden settled into a chair in the side room, crossing his legs, and smirked up at Joshua.
“You seem quite touchy,” Caden remarked, provocatively adding, “Does it bother you, thinking something might be going on between me and your ex-wife?”
Joshua’s expression darkened instantly.
“Caden, you’re crossing a line.”
Caden, ever unperturbed, retorted, “Just a question. Why so defensive?”
Joshua balled his hands into fists, his usual indifference toward women overshadowed by the recent shifts in Alicia’s behavior.
The thought of Caden accompanying Alicia to the police station, their arrival together today, and their exchanged glances-all of it unsettled him deeply. “Alicia is with me now,” Joshua stated assertively, standing tall. “You should maintain some distance from her,” he advised.
Caden’s laugh was hollow, amusement not quite reaching his eyes.
“You divorced your ex, got engaged to the Green family’s heiress, and now you’re back with your ex. Quite the tangled web you weave.”
Joshua maintained his composure, replying calmly, “Alicia hasn’t been able to move on from me. She’s loved me for years. It would be cruel to disregard that.”
Caden commented, “Seems like Alicia still has a few tricks to keep your attention.”
Joshua’s expression tightened, his denial evident.
“I merely pity her,” he confessed.
“Do you genuinely care for Lilliana then?” Caden inquired, a hint of mockery in his voice. “You criticize me for helping Alicia, yet you overlook your fianc?e’s frequent visits to my office. Quite intriguing.”
Joshua had a matter to address. “Once Lilliana has the baby, we might consider her returning to work. She slipped up slightly this time. I’ll secure her a position with another agency. You don’t need to concern yourself, Caden.”
Caden responded indifferently, “As you wish.”
This exchange only deepened Joshua’s suspicions about Caden’s spiteful motives. He remembered a past scheme, one that had been designed solely to cause him financial loss and distress.
Meanwhile, the area outside was buzzing with activity. With responsibilities awaiting, Joshua left, his expression grave.
At a nearby table, a variety of fruits lay spread out. Caden casually picked up a mangosteen.