Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Caden was both proud and headstrong. His only soft spot was for his late mother. His resolve often wavered when it came to anything related to her.
Ciara’s gaze grew somber.
The maid sighed. “It’s tough seeing Caden so determined. It truly saddens me.” Tears welled up in Ciara’s eyes as she spoke, deeply sympathizing with Caden’s situation.
Before heading out, Caden donned his coat, and Alicia helped him choose a tie.
Caden observed her compliance, remembering Ciara’s earlier question.
Ciara had asked what his stance would be if Yolanda was eager to marry him. He had responded nonchalantly. To him, marriage was just another tool in negotiations. As long as Yolanda felt she wasn’t losing out, he didn’t care.
Yet, in that moment, standing in the small cloakroom and looking down at Alicia, an impulse struck him.
“Alicia, would you consider remarrying?”
Alicia looked up, her eyes bright and soft, meeting his gaze with an almost serene look.
“No,” she responded, her voice firm.
Caden had expected this answer. Alicia showed little interest in the subject and didn’t elaborate further. Instead, she gently patted his thigh.
With a concerned expression, she inquired, “It’s gotten colder today. Are your pants thick enough? Maybe you should wear some long johns.”
Caden was momentarily at a loss for words.
He looked at her and asked, “What are those?”
Alicia turned to a drawer, sifting through it before pulling out a pair of black pants.
“These,” she said, holding them up. “I picked them up last week. We’re expecting snow soon, and it gets biting cold. You’re often outdoors, and I figured you wouldn’t want any lingering cold-induced aches.”
Caden examined the pants, and a look of disgust spread across his face.
He started walking away. “Thanks, but no. I’m not going to freeze.”
Alicia caught his arm gently. “Age isn’t on your side, and style won’t keep you warm. These are lightweight. They won’t add bulk. It feels like you’re wearing nothing at all, but they’re incredibly warm.”
Caden pulled away. “I can’t wear these. Just get rid of them.”
Suddenly, he pointed to the puppy outside. “Why not repurpose them into a couple of warm belly bands for him?”
Alicia responded with a smile, “He already has his outfits. You need to wear yours.”
She insisted, “Just try them on. Don’t be so stubborn.”
Caden remained firm, refusing to wear them. Noticing his scornful expression, Alicia said, “I’ve already removed the tags, so they can’t be returned. I can’t just let them sit unused, can I? They cost several thousand dollars each.”
Caden shrugged dismissively. “Do what you like with them.”
Alicia thought for a moment and then followed him. “What about giving them to Hank? He’s always outside, so he must get cold.”
Caden stopped but remained unimpressed. “He wouldn’t wear them.”
“How do you know? Hank isn’t as particular as you.”
“He has a lot of leg hair. They would itch.”
Alicia fell silent. After a pause, she suggested, “Then let’s give them to Mr. Hopkins.”
Caden shrugged again. “Gerry doesn’t want second-hand items.”
“They’ve never been worn,” Alicia replied with a smile.
“Once the tags are off, they’re considered second-hand,” Caden insisted, his frown deepening. “And really, who would appreciate long johns as a gift?”
She shot back, “Not everyone is as picky as you. Do you think they’re going to wear them over their trousers or something?”
Alicia was determined to find a new owner for the long johns. She figured if Hank and Gerry didn’t want them, she’d come up with another plan.
She went to grab a bag to pack them. “I actually bought two pairs-one for Hank and one for Mr. Hopkins. If you’re free today, you could deliver them.”
Caden was momentarily speechless. He couldn’t fathom why Alicia was so persistent. Nor could he understand why it bothered him so much. If she wanted to give them away, why should it concern him?
Just as Alicia was about to pack the pants, Caden snatched them from her.
He scowled. “I’ll test their quality first.”
Alicia’s lips quirked slightly. What was going through his mind? He was so unpredictable.
Without warning, Caden slipped into the long johns right there in front of her. His long legs and well-defined muscles filled them perfectly, but the fit wasn’t quite right at the crotch. The fabric tore under the strain of his physique, unable to contain his dimensions.
Alicia, familiar with the sight, still couldn’t help but marvel. “What did you eat to grow like that? It’s like you’ve mutated.”
Caden, clearly amused, teased, “You didn’t seem to mind enjoying it.”
Alicia was at a loss for words, rubbing her chin thoughtfully as her gaze lingered on him. Caden raised an eyebrow. “Can you see clearly? Do you need me to take them off for a better look?”
She responded with a smirk, “Why don’t you become a hitman? If you tucked a gun in your pants, the bodyguards would never find it.”
For a moment, Caden was speechless. He knew he’d have to find a way to silence her someday.
He also had quite a bit of leg hair, and this was his first experience with long johns. Soon enough, they started to itch. Restless, he shifted in his office chair, trying to get comfortable.
Caden’s demeanor kept everyone at a distance.
When Hank entered, he noticed Caden frowning and adjusting his tie. Caden was clearly frustrated.
Hank was puzzled. “Mr. Ward, are you overheating?”
Caden replied briskly, “Open the window. I need some fresh air.”
Hank hesitated, glancing at the weather outside. “It’s raining and quite chilly. Maybe I should just lower the air conditioning?”
Caden’s chest rose with a slight intake of breath. “I’m not hot. I feel restricted,” he said impatiently. “Just open the window.”
Recognizing Caden’s firm tone, Hank reluctantly complied. Caden’s office was on a high floor, and the wind gusted in as soon as the window opened.
Turning to Caden, Hank asked worriedly, “Mr. Ward, what’s making you feel restricted? Is it your clothes?”
Caden struggled to find an explanation. He chose to remain silent, his frustration mounting.
Shifting to business matters, Hank continued, “Mr. Ward, we need to leave by ten to meet Mr. Wade from the art exhibition.”
Mr. Wade was the anonymous buyer of Joshua’s painting. The exhibition was imminent, and Joshua would be there to finalize the contract and the remaining payment of 150 million dollars.
Caden nodded and reached for his coat. “Let’s go.”
As they exited the building, the harsh wind and rain hit them. Despite the short walk, the cold was biting. Hank held an umbrella over Caden to shield him from the rain and wind.
However, Caden wasn’t bothered by the cold.
He nudged the umbrella aside. “Don’t worry about me. I don’t feel cold.”
As soon as Hank settled into the car, he grumbled, “Warrington is colder than anywhere else I’ve been.”
In other cities, winters were filled with endless snowstorms. The snow piled up so high that when someone ventured outside, their shoes would disappear beneath it.
But in Warrington, it was different.
In other places, the cold was dry and bearable, but here, the sleet drenched everything, leaving a damp chill that seeped into one’s bones.
Caden wiped the droplets of rain from his coat and stared out the window, his expression distant. “I can’t find anything appealing about this city,” he remarked. “Not the people, not the weather.”
If it weren’t for his late mother, he would have never come back here.
Hank chuckled. “That’s a bit unfair. Isn’t Ms. Bennett quite pleasant?”
A hint of softness appeared in Caden’s eyes, but he quickly frowned, as a thought crossed his mind. “She’s quite a handful,” he muttered.
Hank noticed that, although Caden’s expression remained stern, there was a hint of indulgence in his tone. Even though Caden complained about Alicia, he clearly tolerated her and listened to her.
Hank couldn’t help but chuckle. “Isn’t that a good thing? She challenges you and scolds you, but she also stirs your emotions and makes you happy. It’s better than you burying yourself in work all the time.”
“Who says I’m happy?” Caden retorted.
“Aren’t you?” Hank pressed. “Yesterday, when Ms. Bennett came to pick you up at the airport, you must have known she was coming. You were excited the moment you boarded the plane. I’ve never seen you so eager for a business trip.”
Caden didn’t have a response.
His excitement hadn’t been because Alicia came to meet him; in truth, he was just expecting a surprise.
But he refused to admit it, so he kept his gaze fixed on the window.
Suddenly, Caden remembered something important. He pulled out his phone and called Alicia.
“What is it?” Alicia asked.
“I had a new bed delivered. Has it been set up yet?” Caden asked.
“The workers just arrived and are assembling it now,” Alicia replied. “How are the long johns? Are they comfortable? The workers’ hands are red from the cold. Is it very chilly today?”
Caden knitted his brows. “No,” he answered.