Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Caden gripped his golf club and swung with calculated precision. The ball shot through the air like a bullet, striking Joshua directly in his right eye.
The impact was devastating. Joshua’s vision went black, and blood began to seep from the wound.
Unbothered, Caden wiped his golf club clean and turned to the person beside him. “Has Ms. Bennett arrived yet?”
“We’ve contacted her. She’s on her way,” came the reply.
Caden offered no response. He simply swung again, sending the second ball straight into Joshua’s other eye.
Joshua screamed, his voice filled with both rage and desperation. “Caden, this will be your downfall!”
But his defiance meant nothing. It was as fleeting as dust carried away by the wind.
Expressionless, Caden handed his golf club to another person and walked away, his cold demeanor unshaken. He left the final ball for Alicia.
Moments later, Alicia arrived, a fierce-looking dog by her side. The animal was lean and menacing, with sharp eyes and teeth that gleamed like razors. It was managed by a professional handler, though its intensity was palpable.
Caden glanced at the dog but chose not to question its purpose. Instead, he focused on Alicia, showing her how to swing the golf club.
Alicia had played golf before, though it had been over two years since her last game. Under Caden’s close guidance, she quickly regained her form, following his instructions on how to apply just the right amount of force.
It wasn’t long before she was approaching the hole, her strokes smooth and deliberate.
Alicia glanced at Joshua, who sat across from her. His bloodied eyes were now concealed under thick bandages, hiding the damage beneath.
Unaware of what had transpired earlier, Alicia asked, “Why are his eyes covered?”
Caden raised his head, his tone casual and cold. “I pity him. Watching us this closely would break his heart.”
Alicia was momentarily speechless. Caden’s ruthlessness was unyielding, a trait she could neither ignore nor fully accept.
Tightening her grip on the club, she asked hesitantly, “Do you want me to hit him with the ball?”
Caden’s deep voice resonated close to her ear. “Yes. Where would you like to hit him?”
Alicia’s gaze swept over Joshua as she hesitated. Finally, she said, “No matter where I hit him, it won’t change his bad nature.”
Caden chuckled, a low and chilling sound. Why show mercy in a game where the wealthy played by their own brutal rules? He found her hesitation oddly endearing.
He decided for her. “How about aiming for his groin?”
Alicia blinked, momentarily confused. When his meaning became clear, she faltered. “I don’t want to do that.”
Caden stepped closer, his long fingers enveloping hers around the club. His presence surrounded her entirely, leaving her no escape.
“If you want to protect yourself, you need to face harshness head-on and get used to it,” he said, his voice steady and uncompromising. “If Joshua isn’t your target, someone else will be. Would you rather it be him or another?”
Alicia’s breath caught. She understood his intent-to harden her against the cruelties of their world-but she struggled to comply.
“Give me some time to prepare,” she said softly, attempting to negotiate.
Caden’s expression turned serious. “Did Joshua give you time to prepare?”
He held her gaze firmly. “Hit him. I’ll handle the consequences.”
Alicia pressed her lips together, inhaling deeply. She knew she lacked the strength to truly harm Joshua on her own. But with Caden’s unwavering support, she realized Joshua wouldn’t emerge unscathed.
Then, as if sensing her hesitation, Caden delivered the final push. “Remember? He tried to have Monica assaulted.”
Alicia’s pupils narrowed, her hesitation replaced by a flash of anger.
Caden, sensing the shift, guided her hand, helping her swing the club with force.
The ball flew with precision.
From that moment on, Joshua’s manhood became a question of the past.
Alicia briefly closed her eyes, bracing herself for horror.
She expected to feel revulsion at the gruesome scene unfolding before her. Yet, as Joshua’s anguished cry pierced the air, an unexpected surge of joy coursed through her.
The betrayal, the deceit, the years of manipulation, and his cold-heartedness had weighed on her for far too long. In that moment, it was as if those burdens were stripped away.
She couldn’t fully comprehend the depth of her hatred for Joshua at that instant. The more he suffered, the stronger her urge to laugh became.
A small chuckle escaped her lips, though tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
Caden pulled her into a firm embrace. She was trembling, her body unable to hide the storm of emotions within her.
If she were to learn that her parents had also been victims of Joshua’s cruelty, would she be driven to kill him?
Most likely.
Killing him wouldn’t change anything. Joshua deserved every ounce of suffering, and justice-however brutal-was finally being served.
If her hands became stained with blood, Caden would clean them for her.
He had never cleaned up such a massive mess for anyone before, but as he held the trembling woman in his arms, he found himself ready to do so now.
It took time, but Alicia eventually regained her composure.
Caden kissed her cheek softly.
“Go inside and rest,” he said, wiping the perspiration from her hand. “Your blood sugar’s low. Have something sweet.”
Alicia stubbornly claimed she was fine, but her deathly pale complexion told a different story. She turned to leave but paused after a few steps.
“I still have something left to do,” she said firmly.
Caden stepped forward, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Wasn’t earlier enough?”
Alicia gestured toward the fierce dog she had brought along.
“That dog took a piece of Monica’s calf,” she said, her voice tight with pain at the memory. She straightened her back as if steeling herself. “I want Joshua to lose a piece of flesh too.”
Caden’s lips curled into a soft laugh, his amusement tempered by admiration for her resolve.
He looked at her and said, “I thought you brought the dog to enjoy the show.”
Alicia shivered, dizziness threatening to overwhelm her again.
Noticing her state, Caden motioned for a bodyguard to bring a piece of candy. He unwrapped it and gently placed it in her mouth.
She frowned immediately.
Catching her reaction, he asked, “What’s the matter?”
“Strawberry-flavored candy is too sweet,” she replied.
“If you don’t like it, spit it out,” he said dismissively, guiding her into the lounge with his hand still firmly on her waist. “I went through the trouble of feeding you, and you’re still complaining.”
Alicia rolled her eyes at him, her annoyance clear. Glancing at the plate nearby, she asked, “Do you have any grapefruit-flavored candy?”
“There’s a meat-flavored one,” he teased with a smirk. “I have it. Want to try?”
Alicia blinked, momentarily at a loss for words. Then, her competitive streak kicked in, and she refused to back down. “Sure. I want it freshly made. Will you get it for me?”
Caden smiled knowingly.
As they opened the door to the lounge, the two bodyguards inside exchanged amused looks.
Alicia froze, realizing the playful banter between her and Caden had been overheard. Embarrassment washed over her, and she wished she could disappear on the spot.
The bodyguards coughed awkwardly before bowing their heads and leaving the room.
Caden didn’t enter the lounge immediately. Instead, he turned to address the “unfinished business” Alicia had mentioned earlier.
Joshua had been subjected to two hours of unrelenting torture before being sent to the hospital. By the time he left, his condition was pitiful.
Alicia, however, had been consumed by work obligations and couldn’t stay with Caden any longer. She had left earlier.
After wrapping up his tasks, Caden sat in the back of his car on the way home, a cigarette between his fingers. His eyes, cold and distant, reflected a maturity and indifference far beyond his years.
As the car moved through the dark streets, he began watching a video on his device. It was footage of Joshua enduring his injuries, every moment meticulously captured.
With a flick of his finger, Caden forwarded the video to Jerald.
Then, he turned off the device, leaned back, and took a slow drag from his cigarette. The faint glow of the embers illuminated his expression, one that held no remorse or hesitation.
The bodyguards observed Caden with unwavering respect. Despite the severe falling out with his brother, Joshua, he maintained a composed and commanding presence. He was undoubtedly a man destined for significant achievements.
Caden suddenly broke the silence. “Get some grapefruit-flavored candy for the lounge.”
The bodyguards responded promptly, “Yes, Mr. Ward.”
But Caden paused, reconsidering.
“Forget it.”
The bodyguard quickly interjected, “It’s no trouble. We can have someone go out and get it.”
“There’s no need.”