Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
“Christmas is coming up. Let’s end it on a peaceful note, shall we?” Regina said, giving Caden a reassuring pat. “We’re leaving the day after tomorrow. In the future, during the holidays, Caden, you can visit us in Devarlton. We won’t be coming here.”
Caden nodded. “Understood, Regina.”
Regina then asked, “Is Lina fully optimized?”
“Almost,” Caden responded.
Regina sighed softly. She felt sympathy for him, but she couldn’t help adding, “Nothing can replace family.”
“Only find true happiness once you learn to let go.”
Caden lowered his head in silence.
Just then, the door upstairs creaked open, and Yolanda stepped out, looking unusually cheerful.
The living room was eerily quiet, and she didn’t glance down at first. As she descended the stairs, she finally noticed Caden standing there.
Dorian had already spotted her and got to his feet. “I told you to rest. What are you doing down here?”
Yolanda froze on the stairs.
She had assumed that Caden and Alicia were on bad terms, yet here he was.
What would happen when he saw Alicia in her current condition?
At that moment, Caden looked up, locking eyes with her. She couldn’t hide the unease that flickered across her face.
Yolanda feared Caden.
His attention to detail was sharp, like that of an eagle. Yet, Caden chose not to probe further. With unresolved doubts, he stood, one hand casually tucked into his pocket, watching silently.
Dorian inspected Yolanda’s bruised cheek.
“Feeling any better? Is it still painful?”
She offered a smile. “It’s okay now, Dad. Just came down for some water.”
Regina interjected, “There’s water in your room. Why come all the way down here? You’ll be out of breath again.”
Yolanda responded, “I forgot to take my evening medications. I thought I’d do that while I’m here.”
Dorian went off to get her medication.
Caden approached Yolanda.
“Why did you come down by yourself?”
It was only then that Yolanda looked up, maintaining a composed face. “I was just wrapping up a conversation with Ms. Bennett. She’ll join us shortly.”
Caden’s response was direct. “She wouldn’t spend time in your room. It’s not to her taste.”
Yolanda’s lips quivered.
“What are you implying, Caden? Can’t I have a friendship with Ms. Bennett?” she said.
Caden’s suspicion deepened.
His stare intensified. “Where’s Alicia?”
At his question, Yolanda instinctively bit her lip and looked down.
Without another word, Caden headed upstairs.
As Dorian returned with the medication, he noted Caden’s abrupt departure and frowned.
“What’s happening?”
Yolanda, looking unsteady, remained silent.
She mused over her actions. It was merely a bit of cold wind, trivial and not worth fussing over. So naturally, Caden wouldn’t fuss either.
Moreover, Dorian and Regina were there to support her. However, when Caden flung open the balcony door, the sight that met him was gut-wrenching.
Alicia was visibly suffering from the cold, her face a ghastly shade of purple, and her soaked clothes had stiffened, cutting into her skin like shards of ice.
Caden hurriedly brought her inside, removed her frozen clothes, and wrapped her in his coat.
Alicia was alert but immobile, her thoughts foggy as he cradled her in his embrace.
Bare-chested, Caden pressed her close, his body warmth trying to revive her.
Soon, the chill in her body began to recede, but Alicia didn’t stir much. Her gaze was downcast, her eyes reddened with distress.
Caden touched her fevered forehead, his tone tinged with irritation. “Where’s your fiery defiance now? You let Yolanda trample over you just like that?”
Her eyelashes fluttered faintly.
Weakly, she placed a hand on Caden’s chest, attempting to push him away but failing due to her exhaustion.
In a whisper, she said, “Who can I stand against… Caden, crossing the Moss family means losing my gallery. Can I really afford to stand strong?”
A mocking smile crept onto her lips. “So, is Yolanda satisfied now? What about you?”
Her eyes closed gently, overwhelmed by weakness and the piercing cold that made her tremble uncontrollably.
Caden then carried her downstairs.
The three below were visibly shocked at the sight.
As Alicia’s remaining strength ebbed away, she collapsed into unconsciousness in Caden’s arms. Her appearance briefly flashed before Regina, who had never bothered to look Alicia up online.
Now, faced with Alicia’s distressing state, Regina felt an odd constriction in her chest, compelling her to follow them without a second thought.
“What happened?” Regina inquired softly.
Caden remained silent, swiftly exiting and getting into his car.
Dorian, equally baffled, turned to Yolanda. “What did you do to Alicia?”
Yolanda realized she couldn’t conceal the truth any longer.
Glancing at Caden’s hurried departure, she reluctantly clenched her fists. “I was angry at Alicia, so I made her stand outside in the cold. That was her punishment, her way of apologizing to me.”
Dorian’s brow furrowed. “Yolanda, it’s snowing and freezing outside.”
“It was just for a little while. She wouldn’t freeze to death!” Yolanda’s eyes began to tear up. “Didn’t you bring her here to make amends? I was just letting off some steam, and now you’re upset?”
Dorian replied firmly, “Apologies should be verbal. How can you treat her life so lightly?”
“She’s not dead. Why are you scolding me?” Yolanda cried out, feeling wronged, and then ran upstairs.
Dorian made to follow her, but Regina grabbed his hand. “Did you see how upset Caden looked?”
Dorian had indeed noticed it.
The situation had escalated.
This was not going to be resolved easily.
Alicia was in a dire state when Caden rushed her to the hospital, suffering from severe frostbite and unconsciousness.
The doctor admonished him as they examined her. “She’s been feverish for hours and exposed to the cold! Young people really need to take better care of each other.”
Caden remembered how frail she had appeared back at the apartment.
He hadn’t realized it at the time.
She had mustered her strength, despite being sick, to offer an apology to a rival, only to endure such harsh treatment. His heart was heavy with sorrow.
After admitting her to the hospital, she was swiftly taken to a ward. Ointment was applied to treat her condition, and gradually, her fever began to decrease.
She was still unconscious.
Caden took a seat beside her, gently holding her hand.
His phone buzzed with incoming messages on the table next to him.
Looking at the screen, he noticed messages from the veterinarian. Upon unlocking his phone, he was confronted with detailed images of injuries.
The images were graphic, displaying swollen, bloodied wounds.
Caden scowled as he scrolled through the photos. A particularly shocking image showed Cade’s neck, nearly severed-an appalling sight. For a moment, Caden held his breath.
Had Yolanda been responsible for this?
Alicia had slept through the entire night. When she woke up, her fever had finally subsided. During the doctor’s morning rounds, he explained her condition to her.
“From now on, you need to be more careful. Gentle handling during intimate moments is essential for your health. The fever was caused by an inflamed wound that didn’t heal properly. It’s not a serious issue, but roughness in those moments can lead to gynecological problems in the future.”
Still feeling groggy, Alicia nodded absentmindedly.
Just then, Caden walked into the room. After the doctor left, he took a seat beside her, setting down breakfast. His face showed faint signs of exhaustion, likely from a sleepless night. Alicia shut her eyes with a blank expression.