Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
She rested the entire day before venturing outside. Her wound throbbed slightly, but Cade scratched at the door, eager to go out.
Alicia bundled up in a heavy coat and took him for a walk through the neighborhood.
He frolicked joyfully, his excitement clear.
After a while, she found a bench and sat down, using her legs to keep Cade close.
She then sent a message to her real estate agent. “Have you found any suitable properties?”
The agent quickly called her back.
“Ms. Bennett, I’ve found three properties that meet your criteria. If you’re free tomorrow morning, I can show them to you.”
Alicia knew she wouldn’t be able to go.
“Send me the details and locations. I’ll make my choice,” she replied, knowing she needed to find a new home soon.
Securing a new place was preferable to facing eviction from Caden.
After the call, she glanced down, noticing that Cade was missing.
A moment of panic gripped her as she started searching for him.
Suddenly, a figure in white appeared in front of her.
Alicia stopped and looked up to find Yolanda standing there.
Yolanda, holding Cade in her arms, greeted Alicia with a smile. “Ms. Bennett, we meet again.”
Alicia watched Yolanda warily as the latter gently petted Cade. Normally, Cade, who was usually cautious around strangers, wouldn’t have allowed anyone to hold him like this. But now, he was frozen, a wire tightly wound around his neck, its threat clear-one wrong move and it could cost him his life.
Alicia was taken aback by Yolanda’s ruthlessness.
Yolanda had set her sights on a dog!
With her fists clenched, Alicia cautiously said, “Yolanda, let’s sort this out. Please return the dog.”
Yolanda flashed a harmless smile. “It’s so obedient. I tempted it over with some food. If only you were as compliant.”
In a moment of distraction for Yolanda, Alicia made her move.
But instead of stepping back, Yolanda tightened her grip on Cade. The dog whimpered as a faint red began to stain his fur.
A pang of agony struck Alicia’s heart, forcing her to halt abruptly.
“What do you want?” she demanded, her voice hardening. “If he suffers any harm today, I swear you won’t leave this neighborhood unscathed.”
Yolanda let out a soft laugh. “Was I not clear? Alicia, is it really so terrible to live without pride?”
Alicia understood Yolanda’s intentions well.
‘You came for Caden? Don’t worry. He will be yours in time. There’s no need to rush my departure.’
Yolanda asked, “Then why stay here? Are you unwilling to leave?”
Alicia met her gaze without flinching. “Leaving is inevitable,” she replied smoothly.
Yolanda, sensing a shift in Alicia’s demeanor, suspected it had to do with the Averibon incident.
Amused, she asked, “So, when will you leave?”
Alicia’s gaze dropped to Cade, her expression hardening.
“Return the dog to me, and I’ll leave today,” she declared.
Yolanda couldn’t suppress her amusement.
She approached Alicia, still holding Cade in her arms, and teased, “You really adore your dog, don’t you? Would you perish alongside it?”
In response, Alicia grabbed Yolanda’s wrist, twisting it forcefully.
Yolanda cried out in pain and released her grip, allowing Alicia to secure Cade. Without hesitation, Alicia delivered a sharp slap across Yolanda’s face.
Yolanda, stunned by Alicia’s aggressive reaction, couldn’t believe it. On Caden’s territory, was Alicia truly disregarding her own image?
Alicia freed Cade from the wire around his neck, tended to his wound, and then shot Yolanda a chilling look. “If he dies, you’ll be the first to go down with him.”
Taken aback by Alicia’s icy demeanor, Yolanda clenched her teeth and touched her cheek. “Consider this a warning, Alicia. If you keep interfering with me, you’ll regret it.”
Unmoved, Alicia retorted, “Is that so? Show me what you can do.”
Seeing that her threats had no effect, Yolanda mocked, “Do you even know why I came to Warrington?”
Alicia ignored her, preparing to leave with Cade.
Yolanda pressed on, “Caden begged my father to allow me here, on the condition that he marries me.” The words stopped Alicia in her tracks, and her heart sank. Yolanda smirked, adding, “Caden may still have eyes for you, but he’ll tire of you. Eventually, he will marry me. You’d be wise to cut your losses now. Find yourself a wealthy husband while you can, instead of wasting away as Caden’s plaything. Otherwise, you’ll end up with nothing.”
Alicia rushed Cade to the veterinary hospital, where he was treated just in time. Thankfully, her quick actions saved his life.
As she gazed at Cade’s severe wound, Alicia pressed her lips together tightly, grief and frustration swelling within her. She comforted him by his side until he was stable. Only then did she return to Caden’s apartment.
She later visited the security office to retrieve the day’s surveillance footage. Yolanda had been careful. None of the cameras had captured her face. Alicia took the footage to her company and asked a skilled technician to enhance the images.
Once the footage was secured, she returned to her office, exhausted, and slumped into her chair.
As dusk settled, she gazed out the window, her reflection mirroring her drained and vacant expression. She realized that her own demanding standards might have compromised her happiness with Caden. Yet, she couldn’t settle, especially knowing his infidelities.
The buzz of her phone snapped her back to the present. She answered it, and heard Caden’s cold tone.
“Where are you?”
Alicia composed herself. “I’m at the gallery.”
“Return by nine tonight. We need to settle some accounts,” Caden instructed.
Alicia bowed her head slightly. “We’ll see. Your schedule might be too full today.” She promptly ended the call.
Caden stared at his phone, his face clouding over. Before he could think further, Hank entered after a knock.
He mentioned an incident involving Yolanda.
“There are about ten bodyguards downstairs, ready to escort you,” Hank reported anxiously. “They were sent by Mr. Moss,” he added.
Caden looked out the window and saw the bodyguards-tall and formidable-blocking the entrance. It was clear Dorian meant business.
Without a word, Caden loosened his tie and stepped out. “What’s the situation with Yolanda?” Caden inquired.
Hank, looking gravely serious, trailed him. “Uncertain. Mr. Moss has sealed all information.”
“Ensure someone checks on Joy Mansion. Make sure Ciara is safe,” Caden directed.
“Understood,” Hank confirmed.
The bodyguards, though menacing, did not touch Caden. They respectfully escorted him to the vehicle and drove directly to Dorian’s place.
Yolanda was found asleep on the bed, her face still bearing marks, and her lip appeared injured.
Remembering Alicia’s earlier words, Caden made the connection.
The slap had been Alicia’s handiwork.
Caden looked at Yolanda, then exited the room. As he turned, he found Dorian standing there, looking particularly somber.
“Dorian, a phone call would have sufficed for a meeting. There’s no need for all this commotion,” Caden remarked, maintaining his composure.
Dorian, holding back his anger, asked, “Have you seen Yolanda?”
“Yes, I have. Are there other injuries?” Caden inquired calmly.
His detached tone only made Dorian angrier. “Do you think a harsh slap was not enough? Should she have endured more?”
Caden offered a smile. “I didn’t expect something minor. Given the uproar tonight, I anticipated worse injuries.” He had expected Yolanda might be severely injured.
Dorian, enraged, exclaimed, “Yolanda is my cherished daughter. How can you be so indifferent? If you were in her place, would you remain so composed?”
This struck a chord in Caden. He remembered being slapped by Alicia on more than one occasion.
Gathering his thoughts, he asked, “How did Yolanda end up hurt?”
Dorian scoffed. “You already know, don’t you? Who but Alicia could be responsible?”
“Alicia must have had her reasons,” Caden responded.
Dorian perceived Caden’s response as supportive of Alicia. Though he didn’t want to escalate tensions, he couldn’t let it go.
“Regardless of her reasons, it was wrong for Alicia to become physical,” Dorian asserted. He loomed over Caden. “Caden, Alicia acts so boldly because she has your backing. I support Yolanda, and I’ll make sure Alicia understands the consequences of her impulsiveness.”
Anger flared in Caden’s eyes. “Mr. Moss, overreacting won’t serve you well.”
Dorian’s sneer lingered. “Rest assured, I won’t resort to violence against a woman.”
After Dorian departed, several bodyguards emerged and obstructed Caden’s way. Despite their imposing presence, they posed no challenge for him.