Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Alicia pulled her hand back repeatedly.
With Caden, intimacy felt right. With Joshua, it was utterly terrifying, and she felt complete aversion.
As Alicia resisted, Joshua’s frustration mounted.
“What’s the issue? Don’t you want to?”
Alicia, clenching her jaw and bowing her head, confessed, “I’m too anxious. I don’t know how to proceed.”
Joshua ceased his instructions.
He unbuckled his belt and pushed her towards the bed.
Overwhelmed, Alicia started to gag.
Joshua recoiled in shock.
His expression turned icy. “What’s causing this reaction, Alicia?”
Alicia blurted out the first lie she could think of. “My period makes me sick, especially when I’m nervous, and I start to vomit.”
Joshua paused, his eyes shut briefly, then he released her and stood upright.
At that moment, his phone buzzed.
Irritated, he was ready to dismiss the call, but upon seeing Randolph’s name, he moderated his tone and answered.
Alicia escaped to the bathroom, frantically scrubbing her hands.
It took a long time for her to regain her composure.
She inhaled deeply, torn between retreat and resilience. She had hoped she might tolerate Joshua’s presence briefly to fulfill her objectives, but now doubted she could endure another moment.
After a considerable time, she dried off her face and stepped out, ready to leave. Joshua had just ended the call.
He then looked at Alicia, his eyes questioning.
Alicia tensed up, her lips pressed tightly as she waited for him to speak.
In frustration, Joshua threw his phone aside. “Did you go see Randolph?”
A pang of anxiety tightened Alicia’s chest.
She was unsure how much Joshua knew about her meeting with Randolph or what Randolph might have shared.
Yet, she realized honesty was her only viable option at the moment.
“Randolph? Mrs. Gray’s husband?” Her face remained composed as she responded, “Today, I had the opportunity to accompany Mrs. Gray to a party and met him there.”
Joshua continued to scrutinize her intently.
He had recently learned from Randolph about her actions at the party, prompting Randolph to question his motives. It was really no significant matter.
She had merely defended Rachel during a fleeting unfair situation.
However, Randolph was the unintended focal point of her actions.
The clandestine dealings between Randolph and Joshua, now complicated by her involvement, caused Joshua to become suspicious.
“Do you know Rachel?” Joshua inquired.
Alicia shook her head. “Not really. We met for the first time today at the beauty salon and had a short chat.”
“How did you end up speaking to her? Don’t mingle with the Gray family anymore,” Joshua cautioned. “You’re out of your depth with them.”
Alicia offered a smile. “Why? I’ve simply made a new friend. But your concern seems excessive.”
Joshua’s line of thought shifted abruptly when the question turned to him.
He chuckled. “You married me shortly after graduation, yet you’ve hardly interacted with the elite. Rachel is a socialite. Do you think you can fit into her circle?”
Alicia responded with a calm demeanor, “It is quite odd. Despite my seeming simplicity, she reached out to befriend me.”
Joshua’s face darkened further.
He wondered inwardly, Why is Alicia acting against my wishes?
He then remarked, “She’s merely being polite. To her, you are insignificant. Trying to connect with her makes me look foolish.”
Alicia, puzzled, asked, “How would that embarrass you? We are divorced, and no one is aware of our current relationship.”
His irritation evident, Joshua snapped back, “Just follow my instructions!”
Alicia concealed a smirk, choosing to keep quiet. The atmosphere turned sour, and Joshua lost interest completely.
He exited the room.
Alicia donned her coat and followed him outside. It was too late for Joshua to stay. He needed to return to Lilliana.
Alicia bid him farewell.
She then filled a glass with water and subtly dropped a pill into it.
It was undetectable in taste and appearance.
As she handed him the glass, she whispered, “Take care not to overdo things.”
In his irritable and parched state, Joshua drank without giving it a second thought.
A fleeting look of triumph crossed Alicia’s face as her scheme unfolded successfully, and she chose to remain silent.
Joshua, burdened with a slew of tasks, departed promptly. Alicia returned to her bedroom.
She then meticulously examined the document Caden had provided.
The record of Joshua’s transactions over the past three years was displayed before her, perfectly intact. A smile of relief spread across her face.
She was amazed that after so many complex years, it was Caden who finally lent a hand.
However, she puzzled over why he possessed such documents.
As she was contemplating this, her phone rang.
It was Rachel calling.
Alicia felt her heart jump as the phone rang late in the evening.
She picked up the call.
“Mrs. Gray,” she greeted, her voice warm.
Rachel replied in a soft tone, “Are you available in the next few days? I’d love for you to visit my home for some company.”
Alicia inquired, “Is this for a special occasion?”
“Not really,” Rachel explained. “I often host friends for tea and conversation. I’m eager to introduce you to them as a new and talented friend.”
Alicia paused briefly, then reluctantly replied, “I’m sorry, I might have to disappoint you.”
Rachel responded, “You declined Randolph’s offer for a ride before, and now you’re turning down my invitation. Have we upset you somehow, Ms. Bennett?”
“No, not at all,” Alicia assured her quickly. “I just already have plans.”
“My influence seems too limited then. I guess I’ll need Randolph to extend the invitation personally,” Rachel noted, her smile lingering.
A wave of anxiety washed over Alicia.
She felt as if a knife were pointed at her throat. Rachel’s persistence made Alicia suspect that something was amiss.
Her intuition screamed that attending would lead to trouble.
However, avoiding the gathering might anger Randolph, a situation she preferred to avoid. It might be wiser to act diplomatically.
Facing adversity could be inevitable, yet there was also a chance to prevent any crisis.
“Alright, Mrs. Gray,” Alicia accepted with a forced smile. “Just let me know the time, and I’ll be there,” she confirmed.
Rachel expressed her relief.
“Great. I won’t keep you any longer.”
Once the call ended, Rachel turned to Randolph with a concerned look.
“You’re adamant about her coming. What are you planning?”
Randolph scoffed. “I need to set her straight. I won’t be manipulated by just anyone. Do they think I’m a pushover?”
Rachel attempted to calm him. “You’re not really bothered by this, are you? Why not just let it go?”
“Do you think those people are fools? Everyone’s watching me,” Randolph snapped back.
Rachel became quiet.