Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Alicia was beyond frustrated, her nerves frayed from the whirlwind of sensations.
Without a word, Caden scooped her up effortlessly and carried her straight to the bedroom.
His breath was warm against her ear as he whispered, “I have many more surprises for you, and I’ll show you all of them, one by one.”
In the bathroom, the sink had been lowered to the perfect height for her to sit comfortably as he entered. Additionally, a sturdy handle had been installed in the shower.
After what felt like an eternity spent in the steamy bathroom, Alicia collapsed onto the bed, utterly drained. As she cracked her eyes open, her heart lurched at the sight above her.
“Caden, you pervert!” she exclaimed, burying her face into the pillow.
There was yet another mirror-this time, on the ceiling! Heat flooded her cheeks, and she squeezed her eyes shut, unable to face the reality of it.
Caden, however, seemed fascinated, his smirk growing wider.
He wasn’t done with her yet-not by a long shot.
There was something about her that drove him insane, pushing him to heights he’d never explored before.
In fact, things in bed got so intense that they inadvertently activated the smart bed’s security system.
An alarm blared, and a bright red beam of infrared light swept over them.
“Warning-potential danger detected,” the AI system chimed in a mechanical voice. “Mr. Ward, do you need me to call the authorities?”
Alicia stifled a giggle, barely managing to keep her composure.
Even Caden couldn’t help but let out a low chuckle. He wanted to shut it off but refused to pull away from Alicia’s soft, warm body.
“Shut up,” he commanded, trying to hold onto what little dignity remained. “Don’t you dare say another word.”
“Mr. Ward, your voice seems strained. Are you in need of assistance?”
Grumbling, Caden muttered, “What a useless system… Can’t you see? I’m just… enjoying myself.”
The AI paused, as if processing his statement, before replying, “I’m sorry, Mr. Ward. I don’t understand.”
Caden was left speechless, his frustration growing as Alicia’s quiet snickers turned into full-blown laughter. Her smooth, soft legs slipped from around his waist as she collapsed onto the mattress, breathless.
He caught her ankles swiftly, giving her a playful smack on the buttocks. “What’s so funny? And who said you could let go?”
“Mr. Ward, please clarify what you mean by ‘let go’,” the system chimed in again, ever helpful.
Caden groaned, shaking his head in disbelief.
Alicia was a giggling mess, gasping between uncontrollable bursts of laughter, “I’m… I’m dying…”
The AI system, picking up on the trigger words, responded in its usual mechanical tone, “Understood. Initiating emergency call.”
Unable to stop herself, Alicia burst into laughter again, the sound grating on Caden’s nerves.
Already on edge, he shot her a sharp look before finally taking matters into his own hands. He flicked his fingers, manually shutting the system down.
The next moment, the room settled into a tense silence. “At last,” he muttered, his deep voice breaking the quiet as he regained his focus. “I’ll have someone take it down tomorrow.”
Later that night, as Alicia drifted off to sleep, Caden glanced at his phone and saw he had two missed calls.
The familiar number made his jaw tighten, instantly cooling the embers of desire that had been burning through him moments ago.
Stepping outside, he dialed the number back.
“Uncle Blake,” he greeted.
On the other end of the line, Blake Langstaff’s voice was steady and serious, cutting straight to the point. “The Moss family is willing to negotiate with us.”
Caden wasn’t surprised. He leaned against the railing, his eyes scanning the quiet night.
“What were their terms?” he asked, his tone calm and composed.
“No terms. They just asked when you’d be available to come to Devarlton and meet them,” Blake answered. After a pause, he added, “Remember Yolanda?”
Caden’s brow furrowed. The name stirred a distant memory.
He replayed it in his mind until a flash of recognition hit. “Yolanda Moss? The youngest daughter?” he murmured.
“Exactly. You met her once when you were five. There was some joke about marrying you off to her back then.”
Caden’s throat tightened for a split second. Absentmindedly, he lit one of the scented candles nearby-the one Alicia had made.
Its familiar, soothing fragrance filled the air, subtle and calming, like her presence. He had grown accustomed to falling asleep to that scent.
“We were kids,” he said, his voice laced with indifference. “That joke means nothing now.”
Blake’s tone became more measured. “Maybe to you. But her father, Dorian Moss, has always liked you. He’s been cozying up to Ciara.”
Caden twirled the lighter in his hand, his eyes distant. “I respect the man’s preferences, but I’m not into men.”
Blake sighed in exasperation. “Come on, be serious. He wants you as his son-in-law.”
A ghost of a smile touched Caden’s lips. “I’m not into women either.”
His patience running thin, Blake cut to the chase. “What if the deal is on the condition that you marry Yolanda?”
The living room fell into a brief silence. Caden pressed his lips together before responding, “Did he really say that?”
“When I was with Ciara, I overheard him subtly asking about your love life. He even mentioned waiting for Yolanda to finish her studies before bringing it up with you.” As relatives of the bride, they wouldn’t be overly deferential. That would only tarnish their image.
Caden seemed to ponder this for a moment before falling silent again.
Blake wasn’t opposed to the idea. “Ciara feels the same way. You and Yolanda can discuss whether you want children or not. If things don’t align, you can go your separate ways. Just remember what’s most important.”
It was Caden who had initially sought an agreement with the Moss family. Being in a weaker bargaining position, he was forced to make some concessions.
“Are you seeing anyone?” Blake asked, sensing Caden’s hesitation.
Caden answered slowly, “No.”
“Then it’s fine. It’s no sacrifice for you,” Blake replied.
Caden hesitated for a moment before saying, “That’s true.” His tone was nonchalant. “Get some rest. I’m off to bed.”
After ending the call, Caden slowly closed his eyes, tapping the armrest of the sofa, his brows furrowing in thought. Why had things taken such a sudden turn?
At nine in the morning, Alicia finally rose from bed. Caden was in the dining room on the phone, with breakfast that had been delivered to the table. Feeling sore and weak, Alicia moved slowly, using the table for support.
Caden held his phone in one hand and draped his other arm around her.
Despite his caution, Alicia’s soreness made her flinch, and in frustration, she struck him.
“Instead of pretending to be nice, why don’t you just castrate yourself?” she muttered, her voice raspy and gentle, carrying no hint of menace.
On the other end of the line, Ciara paused her chatter, clearly bewildered. “Brat, is there a woman there with you?”
Caden popped a doughnut into Alicia’s mouth. “Yes, my personal assistant,” he replied casually.
Alicia, doughnut in her mouth, shot Caden a glare. Caden, deep in thought, showed her the name on his phone. It was his grandmother.
Alicia froze.
Ciara’s voice came through the phone again, “Isn’t Hank your personal assistant?”
“He’s my executive assistant,” Caden corrected her.
“I was under the impression you didn’t employ women on your personal staff,” Ciara remarked, her curiosity piqued.
Lies often took more words to weave, and Caden glanced at Alicia before answering offhandedly, “She insisted so much, I had to give in.” Alicia was at a loss for words.
Ciara wasn’t convinced. “I’ve seen women hassle you before. Without your interest, would she even dare to overstep? And what did she mean by ‘castrating you’? Why would she say that?”
Caden rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to hide his growing frustration. “She’s a bit of a lunatic. I’m letting her go today.”
Alicia, incensed, tried to kick him, but her leg was too weak. She couldn’t even raise it. Instead, she accidentally kicked the leg of the chair with her little toe and nearly fainted from the pain.
Ciara could sense the oddity in their interaction. With confidence, she said, “You have a girlfriend.”
Caden remained calm. “If that were true, you’d be the first to know.”
Ciara trusted her instincts and wasn’t ready to drop the matter. After ending the call, she turned to the maid standing next to her. “If she’s just a secretary, why would Caden put up with being scolded? He must be indulging her.”
The maid smiled and suggested, “Why not ask Hank?”
Ciara scoffed, “They’re too close. Hank won’t spill the truth.”
Determined, she said, “Book me a plane ticket. I’m going to Warrington now.”
The maid assisted her in standing up. “If Caden is really seeing someone, do you think he should marry her?”
“Definitely, if he’s fond of her,” Ciara replied, her tone resolute.
“What about the Moss family, then?” the maid inquired, reminding her. “They sent a representative yesterday. It won’t be easy to dismiss them.”
Ciara frowned. “I don’t like Yolanda. She’s not right for Caden. I don’t want this marriage, but from what Blake mentioned, Caden needs the Moss family’s support.”