Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Caden’s expression stiffened for a moment. His face became completely detached.
“Are you sure about this?” he asked, his voice laced with impatience.
Alicia braced herself. “What is there to consider? You’ve said the same things over and over. What exactly do you expect me to say? Are you having second thoughts about letting me go?”
Caden sneered again. “You know very well who’s having trouble letting go,” he replied, his patience thinning. “Stop being so dramatic. I’m done with it.”
Alicia remained equally resolute. “I didn’t ask you to enjoy my dramatic flair. You can proceed however you want with our agreement.”
Realizing that Caden wasn’t going to hold onto her, she added casually, “If you think this partnership has been a burden, let me know. I’ll take care of it.”
With those words, she picked up her bag, opened the door, and walked out.
She didn’t cause a scene, but as she left, the office fell into an unsettling silence. It felt almost lifeless.
Caden felt his anger rising uncontrollably. He was on the edge.
But he wasn’t the type to express his frustration with outbursts. Instead, he sat back down, trying to focus, and began reviewing documents as usual.
A few moments later, Hank knocked and entered the room, his expression puzzled.
“Mr. Ward, what happened with Ms. Bennett? She refused to let me arrange a driver for her.”
Caden’s expression remained cold. “Just ignore her.”
Hank hesitated, sensing something was off. Had they had a disagreement?
The room felt heavier, and as darkness settled, the rain began to fall.
Aware of Caden’s mood, Hank still found the nerve to suggest, “It’s getting dark, and it’s starting to rain. Mr. Ward, maybe you should drive Ms. Bennett home. What do you think?”
Caden lost his temper. “Why? She’s an adult. Do you think she can’t find her way?”
Hank, intimidated, felt too nervous to react. “I apologize, Mr. Ward. It was out of place for me to suggest that.”
“Leave now.”
Hank promptly shut the door behind him.
Caden had planned to work longer but found he couldn’t concentrate. He turned off his computer and decided to take the medical report to Joy Mansion.
Ciara was enjoying some music when he arrived. Caden didn’t interrupt her, but instead quietly placed the medical report before her.
Ciara immediately sensed something was off. “What’s wrong?”
Caden kept a neutral expression. “Nothing. Just some work issues.”
Seeing that he was reluctant to say more, Ciara didn’t push further. She started to look over the report. Everything appeared to be in order for her.
Her only wish was for his continued good health.
When Ciara knew Caden would be eating there, she asked the kitchen staff to prepare some additional dishes.
She turned around to find that he had disappeared.
Eventually, she found him on the terrace. Caden was silhouetted against the sky, a tall figure shrouded in the night, with faint trails of smoke swirling around him.
Ciara approached him. “Why are you smoking? I thought you didn’t smoke.”
Caden crushed the cigarette under his foot, waving his hand to clear the smoke. “Stay away from me when I’m smoking,” he responded, avoiding her question.
Ciara watched him closely. “You don’t usually get this…”
Caden frowned. “Stop worrying about me.”
Ciara replied, “If you don’t want me to worry, then don’t make it so obvious. Your feelings are written all over your face. I can’t just ignore that.”
After making her point, she smiled, somewhat pleased. “That girl really gets to you, huh?”
Caden’s expression turned colder still. He turned and walked away, not wanting to stay any longer in Ciara’s presence. Everything she did or said seemed to irritate him.
But no one annoyed him as much as Alicia. Just the thought of her infuriated him, though he couldn’t quite understand why.
She had feelings for him and refused to leave, yet always resisted him at every turn. She was stubborn, determined-so hardheaded. He found himself fantasizing about confining her, making her submit until she was too exhausted to argue.
It was late after dinner, and he had no intention of going out. He decided to stay for the night.
Ciara had a room ready for him, complete with everything he needed.
“Let’s see if you can manage to sleep alone tonight,” Ciara teased. “You’re not scared of the dark, are you, my dear grandson?”
Caden was momentarily at a loss for words.
He responded dryly, “I’m not scared of the dark. It’s the constant talking I can’t stand. No talking after nine. It’s irritating.”
Ciara laughed softly, then hummed a tune as she left to tend to her flowers.
Caden settled onto the sofa to watch TV. He was distracted, his mind wandering, barely paying attention to what was on the screen.
Then, his phone, which he had carelessly tossed aside, began vibrating.
It was Gerry, sounding excited. “Get out here and have a drink, Caden!”
Caden wasn’t feeling it. “I’ve stopped drinking.”
“Sure you have,” Gerry replied, his voice filled with amusement. “I’m texting you the address. Come join us. It’ll be fun.”
The loud music blaring in the background on Gerry’s side was overwhelming.
Then a soft female voice could be heard. “Alicia! Wait for me!”
Caden furrowed his brow.
“Alicia?”
Caden was fairly certain he’d heard correctly. What was she doing here? When Gerry asked him again about joining them, Caden finally relented. “I’ll be there soon.”
He didn’t bring much with him, just a jacket, and moved quickly.
Ciara, though already knowing the answer, asked pointedly, “Are you going to bed this early?” Caden chose not to answer.
But Ciara pressed, “You’re going the wrong way. Your room is inside. Why are you heading toward the door?”
He answered briefly, “Going to bed early.” Then he closed the door behind him and left.
The music in the bar was deafening.
Alicia was tucked away in a booth, her attention fixed on her phone. Occasionally, she checked to make sure Monica was safe as she danced in the crowd.
Gerry, aware that Alicia didn’t drink alcohol, filled a glass with cola and slid it toward her.
Alicia nodded her appreciation. “Thanks. Don’t worry about me, Mr. Hopkins. I’m fine on my own.”
Gerry peeked at her phone screen. “Still caught up in work?”
“No,” Alicia replied, “I was just bored, looking for something to do.”
“But you’ve been on that same page for a while. Is something on your mind?” Gerry asked.
Alicia remained silent.
She powered off her phone.
It was impossible to focus on her studies or enjoy herself. Hours passed, yet her recent argument with Caden kept replaying in her mind.
He was disturbed by the fact that he saw her only as a sexual partner, and Alicia couldn’t understand why it bothered her so much. Would she have agreed if Caden had suggested they date? She felt torn. Meanwhile, Gerry, oblivious to their tension, ate contentedly.
Suddenly, he stood up and waved. “Caden, over here!” Alicia was startled.
She looked up.
Caden, dressed in a black shirt with his jacket casually slung over his arm, moved through the noisy crowd. His tall figure and striking features stood out under the bar’s vibrant lights, adding an almost magnetic aura to his presence.
He made his way directly to their table.
Alicia quickly turned her head, leaning back in her seat, not wanting him to notice her.
But Gerry’s excitement ruined her attempt to stay unnoticed. He turned to Caden and said, “I was going to drink by myself, but then I saw Alicia. I thought it’d be more fun with more people, so I invited you.”
Caden didn’t acknowledge Alicia at all. He sat down and focused elsewhere, acting as though she didn’t exist.
Gerry asked, “Aren’t you going to say hi to her?”
Caden responded coldly, “No.”
Alicia was momentarily taken aback.
Gerry clucked his tongue, looking between them. “What’s the issue between you two? Does it really have to be like this?” He opened a bottle and took a drink, while Caden joined him, his gaze elsewhere.
As Caden drank, his eyes briefly met Alicia’s.
Gerry, sensing the awkward tension, tried to lighten the mood, leaning towards Alicia. “Want to play something later?”