Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Dorian, clearly in the wrong, couldn’t lift his head.
From the corner, Yolanda watched as the Ward family stood united around Alicia, a mix of anger and fear swirling within her. She dreaded the consequences, but the thought of Caden targeting her terrified her even more.
Who could guess what he might do?
Clenching her jaw, she resolved to confront Alicia directly.
At the entrance of the hospital room, Yolanda leaned against the doorframe, her lips bloodless, tears brimming in her eyes. She asked Caden, “If I apologize to Ms. Bennett, do you think she will forgive me?”
Caden’s smile was insincere. “If apologies could fix everything, what need would there be for men?”
Hearing this, Yolanda felt a sharp pain in her heart. How could he so openly defend Alicia? She clenched her teeth. “But she slapped me. Should I just ignore that?”
Caden, seated on the couch, gave no indication of his emotions. “Why don’t you slap Alicia in return?” He looked up sharply at her. “What about the cut on the dog’s neck? Should I let you experience that as well?”
Yolanda’s complexion grew even paler. Yet, Caden’s attitude made her even more resistant to backing down. Why should she be the one to apologize to Alicia? She was the Moss family’s daughter, used to having her way.
Her voice heavy with grief, she told Caden, “If you insist on defending her, so be it. She suffered frostbite because of me, so today I’ll stay outside until I freeze!” With that, she turned and dashed off.
Dorian noticed her and started to approach, but Ciara held him back.
“Dorian, do you really want things to get worse?”
Caden moved to the window and looked out. Yolanda had indeed gone outside. The wind and snow were harsh, and with few people around, her slender figure was clearly visible.
The driver below phoned him. “Mr. Ward, is something wrong with Miss Moss? Should I bring her inside?”
Caden responded coldly, “No, just stay there and ensure no one goes near her.”
The driver was confused but obeyed.
Just before ending the call, Caden said, “Try to get her to remove her clothes.”
The driver was startled. “What?” Alicia furrowed her brow and looked at Caden. “Caden, what are you trying to achieve?”
Caden turned to face her again. “Don’t worry. I’m here for you, no matter what happens to Yolanda today.” His words pierced deep into Alicia’s heart, but there was also a hint of discomfort.
“If I was scared of her, I wouldn’t have confronted her physically. The only reason I apologized was to use the opportunity to break things off with you.”
Caden narrowed his eyes. “Break things off with me?”
Alicia’s heart shattered. “Yes. When you insisted I apologize to her, I made my decision. I would stop loving you.”
Caden felt a sudden wave of dread. Panic surged unexpectedly through him. Had she shown any sign of relenting, he would have never let her leave. But their stubbornness prevailed. Now, both of them were wounded, and there was no turning back.
Alicia’s gaze met his, her beautiful eyes empty of emotion. “Caden, you’ve supported me, helped me gain success and recognition. I owe that to you.” She paused, fighting back tears. “The gallery is yours. I’m stepping down. You need Yolanda, and you have the Moss family to think about. You’re stuck in the middle. It’s okay. I’ll withdraw. I refuse to be a pawn in your rich people’s games. Caden, I cared about you once. Even if there’s no love left, my efforts weren’t in vain. Remember the times we shared, and let me leave.”
Caden lifted her in his arms.
Alicia’s frame was delicate, and she lacked the strength to resist. He noticed tears starting to form in her eyes. His expression was intense as he studied her, his chest filled with fury. For a moment, he was speechless.
Then he managed to say, “Alicia, are you really making such a big deal out of this?”
Alicia gave a cold smile. “A big deal? When I was in a car accident in Averibon, you called to say Yolanda was critically ill. Did you ever consider what I was going through? Weren’t you worried I might die there?”
Her voice cracked with sadness as she spoke.
Caden tightened his embrace around her.
He hadn’t rushed to her side because the caller had assured him her injuries were minor.
Alicia’s voice dropped to a lower tone. “You’ve made your choice between me and Yolanda clear. I wanted to turn a blind eye and stay because my love for you was so deep. But Caden, you’ve let me down too many times. You’ve made me feel… insignificant. I asked if you would marry me, and you couldn’t even offer me a comforting lie.” A single, hot tear fell onto Caden’s finger.
His body stiffened. His throat tightened as he spoke, his voice rough. “I was wrong.”
Alicia cried harder, yet managed a small smile. His stubbornness was legendary. His rare vulnerability only deepened her sorrow.
“No need to apologize to me,” she whispered. “I’m the one who stands to lose.” Gently, she unwrapped Caden’s fingers from hers. “Let’s just leave it here.”
Caden’s eyes darkened, filled with swirling emotion. “Alicia.”
She interrupted him softly, “There’s no need for more words. You’re the high and mighty Mr. Ward. Why should you tarnish your pride for me?”
Caden tightened his grip on her wrist, pulling her gaze to meet his.
“Do you really want it to end like this?”
An extended silence filled the hospital room. Caden’s phone continued to ring, but he ignored it, his gaze fixed firmly on Alicia.
Her eyelashes fluttered as tears streamed down her face. “Caden, if I could turn back time, I wish I could go back to the night you returned to the country. I’d rather face death than have sought you out.”
Caden remained quiet, his grip on her slowly loosening. “Alright. As you wish.”
Alicia’s eyes looked even more swollen, but she stubbornly held back her tears, determined not to break down.
He stood, his tone distant. “Rest well.”
As he exited the room, he paused for a moment. It felt as if his heart was shattering, and the cold wind in the corridor swept through him, chilling his blood until it nearly froze. After a long pause, he walked away.
He made his way to the lounge, where only Ciara and Dorian were present.
Noticing the grave expression on Caden’s face, Dorian’s gaze narrowed slightly. “How is Alicia? Is she doing alright?”
Caden took a seat. “Her hands and feet are frostbitten, and she’s just gotten over a fever.”
Dorian’s face grew heavy with remorse. “If Alicia needs anything, just let me know.”
Caden replied, “Is that so? Then let’s go over the details.”
At that, Dorian sensed something was amiss, though he couldn’t find the words to protest.
Only Ciara noticed the change in Caden. “What’s wrong? Was there a misunderstanding with Alicia?”
Caden hesitated before responding coldly, “No. Everything’s fine.”
Caden was thorough in the discussion that followed, addressing every single detail. Two hours slipped by unnoticed.
Then, a sudden knock at the door interrupted the conversation.
Caden’s driver entered, saying, “Mr. Ward, Miss Moss can’t hold on much longer.”
Dorian reacted with shock. “What?”
The driver, startled by Dorian’s reaction, quickly clarified, “She’s in a critical state, sir.”
Caden gave a firm instruction, “What are you waiting for? Bring her up for rescue.”
The driver hurried off.
Dorian, eyes reddened with fury, turned on Caden. “Did you really let Yolanda stay out in the cold for so long?”
Caden’s expression remained unreadable. “Me? You give me too much credit. She chose this method to apologize, not me.”
“Why didn’t you intervene?” Dorian shouted, visibly upset. “Her health is fragile! How could she endure the cold?”
Caden responded flatly, “You wanted her to apologize to Alicia, yet you expect me to stop her. Dorian, you can’t have it both ways.”
Dorian realized that Caden had orchestrated the situation, but his anger couldn’t suppress the truth. He stormed off in frustration. Ciara, observing the exchange, understood this was part of Caden’s strategy to defend Alicia.
Still confused, she asked, “Caden, you seem really upset. What’s actually happening?”
Caden glanced down, his voice calm but cold. “Nothing. I’ll take you back.”
Ciara didn’t rush him. “I’d like to see Alicia.”
Alicia was taken aback when she learned that Ciara was Caden’s grandmother. She had no idea.
Ciara observed Alicia’s frail state, feeling a surge of empathy. “That brat has been causing you trouble, hasn’t he?”
Alicia responded truthfully, “No, he didn’t.”
Ciara, not one to place blame, acknowledged that Caden was primarily responsible. It was up to him to resolve the issue. She shifted the conversation to lighter topics, aiming to ease the tension in the room.
As they were chatting, Caden returned. He looked at Ciara without showing any emotion. “You came here alone, without even a bodyguard?”
Ciara was unfazed. “There are so many people around in the hospital. What could possibly happen to me? Besides, I’m with Alicia. What danger could I face?”
Caden’s response was cold. “She caused Yolanda muscle tears with a single slap. What do you think?”
Ciara was taken aback, momentarily speechless. She felt a strong urge to knock some sense into Caden. Such an infuriating kid! Even now, he continued to upset Alicia.
Caden said flatly, “Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”
Ciara dismissed him with a wave of her hand. “Go away. I want to stay and chat with Alicia.”
Caden looked frustrated. “She might not want your company.”
Ciara shot back, “You’re the one she doesn’t want around. Leave!”
Caden fell silent.
At that moment, the doctor arrived to apply new medication to Alicia. The severity of the frostbite was startling.