Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
He barely remembered who had given him that motorcycle.
It was a new model, born from a collaboration with a motorcycle brand, and had been collecting dust in his garage since its arrival.
She hadn’t shown much interest in it.
Alicia, undeterred, reached out to touch the motorcycle. “I’ll take this. I rode one back in college, and it was incredibly cool.”
Caden could see she was truly enchanted by it.
She looked as delighted as a child in a candy store.
He gave in, shrugged off his suit jacket, and walked over. His build was reminiscent of an international male model, particularly his strong, lean legs. Once he climbed aboard the motorcycle, he dominated it like a seasoned rider.
Alicia held on tightly to his clothes, her legs swaying freely since her feet couldn’t touch the ground. Caden donned his helmet and noticed Alicia struggling with the safety buckle.
He turned to assist her with the buckle.
Just then, Alicia caught the helmet’s display lighting up, resembling the glowing eyes of a panther at night.
She grinned. “So cool.”
Caden chuckled in response.
She bashfully clarified, “I meant the helmet.”
Knowing she admired him greatly, Caden simply smiled and revved the engine.
Alicia wrapped her arms around him securely.
Caden had said this was a ride for youthful thrill-seekers. Yet, once he set off, he drove it as aggressively as a race car, slicing through the traffic with precision.
Initially, Alicia laughed along, but after several near misses, all she could do was scream.
The ride was so intense it felt like her soul was struggling to keep up with her body.
They weren’t far from Monica’s place, yet Caden took several extra laps around the overpass. It was late by the time he finally decelerated.
“Want to go for another ride next time?” he inquired of the woman clinging to him.
Alicia, her arms tight around his waist and her voice shaky, managed to say, “Yes.”
Caden let out a hearty laugh.
As they approached Monica’s place, he slowed to a gentle pace.
Exhausted and drowsy, Alicia removed her helmet and rested against his back.
Suddenly, an animal darted into their path, heading straight for the front wheel. Caden promptly braked, narrowly avoiding an accident.
Alicia was abruptly brought back to alertness, confused.
“What just happened?”
Caden peered into the distance ahead.
They had almost hit a scruffy old dog, which now trembled as it approached the motorcycle, pawing at the wheel.
Alicia caught her breath as she noticed a small puppy lying on the ground, barely alive. “It’s trying to get us to help its baby,” she murmured.
Caden’s expression turned sour.
“Just leave it,” he said, ready to drive away.
However, Alicia couldn’t just leave it there and dismounted the motorcycle.
She wasn’t one to shy away from getting dirty and immediately picked up the puppy to check on it. The puppy, likely only a month old and starving, began to suck on her finger instinctively.
Caden looked away, feeling nauseated by the scene. The mother dog passed away just after Alicia picked up the puppy.
Alicia, heartbroken, looked up at Caden pleadingly.
“Caden, we have to-“
Caden interrupted her sharply. “No way.”
Alicia paused, taken aback.
Realizing he wasn’t going to help, she said, “Then I’ll take care of it myself.”
She wrapped the shivering puppy in her helmet.
“Look, Caden, it fits perfectly.”
Noticing her determination, Caden inquired, “And where do you plan to keep it?”
“I’ll leave it with Monica initially, and once I get my own place, I’ll take it there,” she explained.
Caden frowned more deeply. “You’re not planning to stay at my place anymore?”
“Why would I stay there?” Alicia retorted, puzzled by his tone.
Caden responded pointedly, “For convenience.”
Alicia was momentarily speechless, remembering that until their recent argument, she had been staying at his place temporarily.
She considered his question.
“If I decide to keep the puppy, will you still let me stay?”
Caden was left speechless, unsure how to respond.
Alicia stood quietly in place, holding her helmet and fixing Caden with an intense gaze.
He struggled against his penchant for cleanliness. “I’ll find someone to adopt it,” he declared.
Alicia responded firmly, “I want to keep it.”
Caden relented slightly. “I’ll contact the best pet store in Warrington to ensure it’s well taken care of, alright?”
Alicia persisted, “I want to keep it myself.”
Caden’s expression grew stern. “Is that really necessary?”
Alicia, resolute, replied, “I can rent a place outside. You won’t be disturbed.”
Caden was silent for a moment before coldly instructing, “Get on.”
Alicia’s face brightened, and she quickly mounted the motorcycle.
She realized Caden had consented to keeping the puppy. Smiling, she said, “Its teeth are so soft, and it feels soothing when it nibbles on your fingers. Want to try?”
Caden shivered and cursed softly.
“Stay away from me.”
They then visited a nearby pet hospital to have the puppy vaccinated and dewormed, also picking up puppy formula and a range of dog supplies.
Alicia loaded the supplies onto Caden’s motorcycle.
“Take these back to the apartment first. I promised Monica I’d spend time with her today, so I must go.”
Caden looked deeply displeased.
The puppy, now fed and content, was sound asleep.
Back at the apartment, Caden took out the pink cushion Alicia had chosen and frowned.
He set the puppy on it and casually checked its gender.
It was a male.
A pink cushion for a male dog?
He thought she should at least check if the puppy was comfortable with it.
After handling these tasks, Caden washed and sanitized his hands thoroughly.
By the time he finished, it was already late into the night. Yet, he wasn’t ready for bed and sat down at his desk to catch up on unfinished work. His grandmother Ciara called him.
He picked up immediately. “What’s up, Grandma?”
Ciara sounded tired. “I’ve already slept once. Why aren’t you resting yet?”
Caden let out a quiet sigh of relief.
“I’m working,” he muttered.
“At eleven-thirty?” Ciara exhaled deeply. “Spend more time with women, Caden.”
Caden massaged his temples.
He had, in fact, spent a considerable amount of time with Alicia today.