Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
She tried to pull away, but Caden held her firmly in place and kissed her, reopening the scab on her lip.
Blood began to trickle down, sending a sharp sting through her.
Alicia whimpered from the intense pain.
Caden, momentarily softening, loosened his grip, though his tone remained icy. “Remember this pain. Avoid it next time.”
“You’re looking for trouble in the future,” Caden said, his voice cold.
“How am I looking for trouble?” Alicia responded defiantly.
“What do you think?” he retorted.
Caden then pulled out a pack of wet wipes and started cleaning her hands. She tried to pull her hands away, but Caden held them firmly, leaving red marks on her pale skin. He cleaned each finger with care, focusing on the ones that had touched the male escort.
Alicia flinched at the rough handling. Through clenched teeth, she demanded, “What are you doing?”
“They’re filthy,” Caden replied curtly.
Alicia was left speechless for a moment before she snapped, “Why do you care about my hands? I didn’t touch you. Let go, Caden!”
Caden seemed indifferent to her protests, continuing to clean each finger until he was satisfied. Then, his focus shifted to her lips.
“Did he kiss you after you left the bar?” he asked.
Alicia, irritated, shot back, “So what if he did? You swallowed any trace of him, didn’t you?”
Caden’s gaze grew even more intense. “Answer me. Did he kiss you?”
“None of your business!” Alicia asserted, each word deliberate.
Caden forcefully held her face, his eyes burning with anger. It was the first time Alicia had seen him so enraged, and the intensity left her confused. Was he jealous? Why would he be? He had always claimed to have no feelings for her.
Alicia tried to turn her head away, refusing to meet his gaze, but he persisted, undeterred. Tears welled up in Alicia’s eyes, her gaze intense yet silent.
For a brief moment, Caden’s expression softened.
He released her, his voice demanding, “He didn’t touch you, did he?” The urgency in his tone was unmistakable.
Tears began to spill down Alicia’s cheeks.
Caden’s expression softened slightly with concern. “Since when are you so sensitive to pain? I wasn’t that harsh.”
He scrutinized her face, searching for any signs of injury. But as he drew closer, Alicia’s vulnerability shifted into defiance. She grabbed a fistful of his hair and, with a burst of fury, bit his face.
Her teeth sank into his skin with all the resentment and frustration she had bottled up. Caden let out a sharp cry of pain.
Alicia released him, her breathing uneven, but a sense of satisfaction flooded her. “Now we’re even.”
He had bitten her lip, and she had retaliated by biting his face. Both were injured-an odd balance of pain.
Caden stared at her, a mix of defiance and dissatisfaction on her face. But then, to Alicia’s surprise, he seemed to forget his discomfort altogether.
He laughed softly, his gaze lingering on her slightly swollen lips.
“That mouth of yours,” he mused, his voice dropping to something husky and provocative. “What should I feed it to keep it quiet? Tell me.”
Alicia, accustomed to his provocations, imagined several responses, none of which she vocalized. She stood her ground, her eyes flashing a warning. “Try anything, and I’ll bite it off.”
“We’ll see about that later,” Caden replied, unshaken and almost anticipatory.
He released her and started the car.
Alicia clenched her teeth, bracing herself for whatever came next. As they drove, she mentally plotted her escape strategies. But when they arrived at the apartment building, Caden retrieved a bag from the trunk and pulled out a dark object.
He handed it to her, his voice neutral. “Put this on your lower abdomen. It should help with the cramps.”
Alicia looked at him, puzzled. “What is this?”
“A thermos with hot water,” he explained simply.
Alicia, taken aback, examined the item carefully. Her emotions were conflicted as she looked back at him.
Alicia had just slipped the thermos under her clothes when Caden lifted her out of the car.
As they entered the apartment, Cade rushed over excitedly, weaving between Caden’s legs. Caden nudged him away gently, but despite tumbling over, Cade’s excitement didn’t falter. He continued to follow them, barking enthusiastically.
Alicia watched Cade with a twinge of guilt. She turned to Caden and asked, “Did you feed him today?”
While carrying her to the bedroom, Caden replied, “No.”
“Why not?” Alicia’s brow furrowed in concern.
“It’s simple. Just canned food and milk,” Caden answered dismissively.
A hint of sarcasm crept into his voice as he added, “Why didn’t you think of him when you left with that male escort?”
Alicia fell silent at his remark. Choosing not to engage further, she stood up, clutching her stomach, and moved to leave.
Caden, clearly annoyed, asked, “Where are you going?”
“To feed him,” she replied.
Caden sighed deeply and pulled her back toward the bed. “I’ve already fed him.”
At that moment, Cade scampered in, hopped onto the bed, and curled up next to Alicia. His tail wagged eagerly, and his breaths were heavy, clearly seeking affection.
Alicia’s heart softened, and she began to pet him gently, her frustration melting away as she felt the warmth of his presence.
Caden stepped out briefly but soon returned with warm water and a painkiller.
Alicia took the glass, still looking perplexed. “So, you can be thoughtful.”
Caden’s face remained expressionless as he replied, “Only when I realize it’s needed.”
Alicia thought about her father. So accustomed to being served by maids, he could hardly do anything for himself except work.
Alicia took a sip of the warm water, feeling its soothing heat spread through her throat and ease her stomach cramps.
“I’ve known many men who rely entirely on maids,” she commented.
Caden responded nonchalantly, “It’s not that they’re incapable. They simply choose not to.”
Alicia, having been pampered by her mother and aware of Joshua’s duplicity, was not easily impressed by a mere glass of water. Their issues required more than superficial fixes. They needed serious conversation.
Exhausted, Alicia lay in bed, slipping in and out of consciousness.
It was late when Caden finished his work and entered the room. He instinctively pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her.
“Have you changed your mind?” he inquired.
Alicia opened her eyes and whispered, “No.”
Caden, unsurprised by her response, continued, “You’ve seen my medical report and understand my condition. Only you have the power to affect me. Don’t you see the unique opportunity here?”
Alicia responded sharply, “If you were in my position, would you agree to be used as a physical remedy?”
Caden’s retort was cutting. He scoffed, “If I were you, I’d have myself completely in control.”
Alicia rolled her eyes as he looked away. She remained silent.
The differences in thinking between men and women were stark. Sometimes, no amount of words could close that gap.
Caden nestled his face into her neck, his breaths slow. “Are you certain you won’t commit to me until we’re officially together?”
Alicia’s heart fluttered. She was uncertain of her true feelings for Caden. That was the root of her confusion.
She questioned him, “Why do you resist committing?”
As Caden caressed her, he stopped momentarily. His mind flooded with memories of his parents, who had once loved each other deeply, forming a perfect family. Then his father’s mistress arrived, a child in tow, born the same year as him.
His mother, overwhelmed by the revelation, suffered a miscarriage and died during surgery. Everything beautiful crumbled that night. It had all been a facade.
Jerald had been unfaithful from the first year of their marriage, keeping Shelia as his mistress for seven years. Love, Caden mused, was absurdly cheap.
As these bitter memories surfaced, his tone grew colder. “You seek love, and I respect that. But for me, marriage is merely a bargaining chip for business negotiations. I can’t offer you that.”
Alicia’s smile faded, tinged with sadness. “A bargaining chip… So, you’ll choose someone else.” She hesitated before asking, “If I agreed, what would our relationship be like until you marry?”
Caden gazed at her deeply, his hand gently caressing her face. “Your situation, right after leaving me, shows that both the Yates and Green families are watching you closely. Doesn’t that scare you?”
Alicia’s voice softened, almost uncertain. “Are you suggesting I’ll always be under your protection?”
“You could be,” Caden replied without hesitation.
Alicia’s breath caught in her throat. “You see me as your mistress?” she stammered. “Caden, haven’t you learned from your family’s downfall? Would you have me become another Shelia or Lilliana?”
Alicia’s stubbornness surpassed Caden’s expectations. He scoffed. “You can’t even ensure your own safety, yet you fuss over trivialities.”
“If I can’t live, so be it,” Alicia responded, her voice raspy as she clutched the blanket tightly. “What’s the point of living if I’m always under someone’s control?”
She turned away, unable to stop the tears that burned her cheeks and fell onto his arm. Embarrassed, she pushed him away.