Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
He began rolling up his sleeves, the tension in the room palpable.
The man’s eyes widened in fear. “What are you planning to do?”
Caden replied, “It’s been a while since I’ve had a good workout. You seem like a perfect practice opponent.” After washing his hands, Caden noticed Alicia outside, looking bewildered.
He frowned briefly, then casually dried his hands. “Didn’t I ask you to wait in the car?”
Alicia had overheard the altercation. The realization that Caden had defended her stirred conflicting emotions within her, feelings she hadn’t fully processed yet.
After a moment of silence, she moved closer to him. “Well… is he alright?”
Caden looked at his reddened knuckles, his expression detached. “He bullied you, and you’re concerned about him?”
Alicia blurted out instinctively, “I’m not concerned about him. I’m worried you might face repercussions. What if there are consequences?”
Caden’s features softened slightly. “It’s fine. His injuries are minor. I’ve already called for an ambulance.”
Alicia exhaled a sigh of relief.
Soon after, medical personnel arrived to take the man away.
Alicia caught a glimpse of the scene and was taken aback.
“Fuck! You call that minor?” she burst out, her voice rising in alarm before she caught herself and lowered it, giving Caden a stern look. “His face was covered in blood. You call that ‘minor’?”
Caden put his arm around her as they climbed into the car. “He’s still breathing, isn’t he?” he said nonchalantly.
Alicia couldn’t suppress a laugh. She understood that Caden had everything under control. Despite his rough handling of the man, there was nothing she could change about it. Deep down, she actually felt a sense of satisfaction.
As they settled into the car, Caden guided her gaze to look at him. “Did you just swear?”
Alicia blinked. “So what if I did?”
“Impressive,” he commented, a slight smirk forming. He rarely heard her use such language. “Swear again.”
Without hesitation, and in a playful tone, Alicia said, “Caden, you stupid asshole.”
Caden was momentarily speechless.
Alicia then sat on his lap, gently applying ointment to his knuckles. His punches had been powerful, and his skin had cracked, but he hardly noticed the damage.
Caden felt no pain, yet Alicia insisted on caring for his wounds. He allowed it.
After she finished applying the ointment, Alicia said, “All done. Now go drive.”
As she attempted to slide off his lap, Caden gripped her hips and pulled her back. “Feeling sympathetic toward me? Are you not angry anymore?”
Alicia replied awkwardly, “You defended me. It’s only natural I’m concerned.”
Caden flashed a smile.
Silently, he released her.
He moved to the driver’s seat, while Alicia looked on anxiously. “Are you sure you can drive with that hand?” she asked.
Caden replied with a smirk, “I could drive with one hand tied behind my back.”
She was left speechless.
After the unsettling event at the studio, Alicia could no longer bear to stay there. Caden arranged private sessions with a coach for her.
Exiting the elevator, Alicia thought about what was left in their kitchen. “We’re out of groceries. How about tomato pasta for dinner?”
Caden simply nodded in agreement.
Upon entering their apartment, Alicia was shocked to find the room scattered with jewelry boxes. Caden casually tossed his jacket onto her.
“It’s almost Christmas. These are gifts from clients. They’d just collect dust in storage, so I thought you might like to choose something to wear,” he said.
Alicia felt doubtful. She peeked inside one of the boxes. Even the least expensive item was valued at over $100,000.
During her two-year marriage to Joshua, she had lived frugally. The opulence before her now seemed excessive. She sighed and said, “These could be worth my entire savings. Your clients really are extravagant.”
Caden responded, “I only work with those who aren’t shy about showing off their wealth.”
Alicia laughed softly and then carefully stored the jewelry in the cloakroom.
Later that evening, Caden embraced her from behind, placing soft kisses along her neck.
Alicia’s eyes glistened with moisture and tenderness as she savored the moment, gazing at him dreamily.
Caden’s heart fluttered.
She really was fond of him.
It seemed she couldn’t keep anything from him, could she?
His emotions surged, leaving soft marks on her skin. The phone next to Alicia vibrated.
She intended to ignore the call but inadvertently answered it.
Realizing it was Hank on the line, Caden quickly covered her mouth.
However, in her panic, she bit his hand.
Hank, oblivious to the commotion, continued, “Mr. Ward, Mrs. Ward has arrived in Warrington.”
This time, Caden and Alicia were intimate only once. Afterward, he leaned back against the headboard and dialed Ciara’s number. Meanwhile, Alicia quietly picked up her phone and prepared to leave. Caden noticed her movement and looked up.
After a few brief words with Ciara, he ended the call and asked, “Where are you going?”
“Out,” Alicia whispered back, subtly nodding toward his phone. “Be careful, or your grandmother might overhear.”
Caden’s expression was unreadable as he watched her. “She’s in Warrington. That call this morning probably piqued her curiosity,” he mused, spreading his arms in frustration. “I’ve already hung up. No need to act so secretive. Come here.”
Alicia hesitated, then lay back down beside him.
Nervously, she asked, “Is Ciara going to come here?”
“No,” Caden reassured her. “She’s curious but knows to keep her distance.”
Alicia curled up in the blanket, finding comfort beside him. “Why does she care so much about whether you have a girlfriend? A guy like you must have plenty of admirers.”
He gently touched her cheek. “She’s eager for me to marry.”
Alicia was taken aback, but since she was facing away from him, he couldn’t see her expression. After a long pause, she finally said, “That makes sense. She’s getting older; it’s about time she had a great-grandchild.”
Caden glanced down at Alicia, noticing her tightly closed eyes. She appeared sleepy, but her long lashes fluttered occasionally, betraying that she was still awake. He smiled and asked, “How much would you give as a wedding gift if I were to marry?”
Without opening her eyes, Alicia replied, “Two hundred dollars.”
“Only two hundred?” Caden teased. “How about thirteen hundred? That’s the fee for my first overnight stay.”
Alicia’s eyes snapped open, and she elbowed him. Then, turning serious, she said, “If you get married, I’m not coming. It wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“Feeling embarrassed?” he asked with a smirk.
She pulled the blanket over her face, her voice muffled. “I’m going to sleep.”
Caden chuckled softly, turned off the light, and lay down beside her, pulling her into his arms. For a while, silence enveloped them. Then Alicia gently moved his arm away.
“Do you have someone to marry?” she asked softly.
“My family has arranged someone, but I haven’t met her yet,” he replied lazily.
“So, you do,” she murmured, realization dawning on her. Sensing her unease, Caden added, “I’ll only get married after our collaboration is over.”
But Alicia felt a tightness in her chest, the weight of their situation pressing down on her.
“You should have told me sooner,” she whispered. Tossing aside the blanket, she sat up and began adjusting her clothes, her back turned to him.
Caden’s expression darkened, a rare flash of anger crossing his features. “Didn’t I mention it? Nothing is definite yet.”
Alicia pressed her lips together, grappling with her emotions. Deciding that silence was best, she stood up to leave.
“Where are you going?” Caden asked, his voice deepening.
“I’m going to sleep in the guest room,” she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
“Trying to avoid any awkwardness?” His tone turned icy. “Or do you think you’re somehow interfering with my engagement?”
Stunned by his directness, Alicia paused. “I’m not that influential. It’s just that the new bed makes it hard for me to sleep. I’d be more comfortable in the guest room.”
Caden’s expression darkened further, his eyes narrowing. He knew his engagement unsettled her, even if she refused to admit it.
“I haven’t agreed to any engagement,” he said icily. “You don’t have to be so uptight.”
Alicia’s body tensed. She knew he didn’t take marriage seriously, yet it still made her uncomfortable. She quietly stepped back.
“Have you forgotten our agreement?” Caden’s voice was sharp.
Alicia responded firmly, “The agreement doesn’t stipulate that we share a bed.”