Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
The words came out strained.
He felt deeply embarrassed.
Alicia caught his intense gaze. She was seething with anger but had no way to vent it.
Who would have guessed Caden was like this? The colder she treated him, the more his passion seemed to grow.
He seemed to recognize no limits.
Alicia didn’t want to stay in the chilly wind any longer, nor did she want to be the object of mockery for bystanders.
She bowed her head and walked straight to the car.
Sensibly, Caden hastened to open the car door for her. Alicia refused his gesture, walking around to the other side and getting in on her own.
Even if they weren’t arguing, Caden would have still opened the door for her. He didn’t see any need for her to fuss over such small details.
Alicia started the car.
Just as he was about to join her in the passenger seat, she placed her bag there, blocking him.
He looked up and wanted to ask, “Why take it this far?” But after a moment’s thought, given their strained relationship, he said, “Alright, I understand. Out of sight, out of mind, right?”
He moved to the back seat, and as he was settling in,
Alicia abruptly drove off.
His tall, solid frame meant his head directly hit the car’s headliner with a dull thud.
He steadied himself using the armrest, gazing gloomily at Alicia in the driver’s seat.
After a brief pause, he muttered, “Nice driving.”
Alicia caught his reflection in the rearview mirror. He straightened his clothes and settled into his seat, appearing unaffected.
She clenched her teeth.
She should have slammed the gas pedal to make his head hurt even more!
She entered a destination into the GPS and followed the navigation instructions.
Caden glanced at the location. He wasn’t familiar with it, but that didn’t concern him. His attention was on Alicia.
“Grandma said the actress who played the ghost tonight wasn’t your doing,” Caden remarked.
Alicia kept her face neutral, choosing not to respond.
It was quiet in the car.
Caden massaged his forehead.
He genuinely regretted their ongoing conflicts and wanted to clear the air with Alicia. However, their habitual arguing made the idea of a sincere conversation feel daunting.
He remained silent for an extended period.
He even considered whether he should kneel once they exited the car.
The thought was so ridiculous that it nearly made him cringe.
He must be crazy.
His thoughts had gotten away from him.
How could he even contemplate such a humiliating gesture for an apology?
Eventually, the car came to a halt. Alicia said, “Get out. This is the place.”
Caden looked around.
They were at a high-end private club.
Such establishments often had reputations for offering services beyond simple entertainment.
However, with Alicia there, Caden didn’t dwell on those thoughts.
After Alicia provided the reservation details, the receptionist smiled knowingly, sized Caden up, and led them inside.
Caden’s suspicion grew.
He tugged Alicia along as they followed.
“What’s going on?”
Alicia pulled her hand away and replied coldly, “You said you wanted to talk, right? I chose a quiet place for our discussion.”
Caden’s frown deepened. “But you paid for more than just a private room.”
Alicia flashed him a mocking smile.
Caden’s thoughts raced. “I’ve heard rumors about places like this. I’ve never actually been to one.”
Alicia kept her expression neutral. “Your personal life is not my concern.”
Caden tightened his grip on her hand and stood his ground.
He motioned for the attendant to leave them alone.
Once they were by themselves, he looked into Alicia’s eyes. “If you don’t care about my private life, maybe you’ll listen to what my heart has to say.” Alicia didn’t resist.
He gently caressed her hand, looking down. “I’ve taken care of Yolanda. She won’t be back in Warrington. I’m sorry for the frostbite-that was my fault. I shouldn’t have made you apologize to her. If you’re still angry, you can punish me however you want.”
Alicia sneered. “Why should I punish you? It’s my own fault for being inadequate. I owe her an apology.”
Her sense of inadequacy made her feel as if she could never win Caden’s affection.
Now, it seemed like everything was her burden to bear.
She pushed him away, her expression hardening. “Caden, you’re a man of prominence. I don’t want to upset you, so I’ll hold back my harsh words. Keep some dignity for yourself.”
Caden’s gaze intensified.
“Alicia, I don’t want to hear that,” he said, his voice strained. “I want only you.”
He pulled her into his embrace.
Then he murmured, “I can’t live without you.”
He truly couldn’t.
After their argument, Caden left Warrington, hoping that work would help him forget about her.
But it only made things worse. Staying away from her only deepened the pain.
Alicia looked at him, her voice steady as she asked, “Caden, do you really love me?”
Caden nodded in response.
Alicia gently pushed him away, her eyes searching his for clarity.
“Do you love me, or is it just about the physical?” she asked.
Caden’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Those are two separate matters,” he replied. “My desire to be with you comes from my love for you.”
Alicia pressed on, “If we were together, but I refused to let you touch me, would your love for me still remain?”
Caden’s expression grew noticeably serious. He didn’t believe these two aspects of their relationship should even be compared.
His pause elicited a small smile from Alicia.
She shrugged, adding, “See? You can’t give me a straight answer.”
Caden’s voice turned gravelly. “Alicia, why do you want me to deceive you?”
Caden wasn’t the kind of man who acted impulsively, ready to sleep with just anyone. Naturally, when he was with someone he truly loved, physical desire followed.
Yet, in this hypothetical scenario, he was forced to lie.
He had no desire to be dishonest. It felt profoundly insincere.
Alicia recognized that her request was unreasonable.
She didn’t want to continue the conversation. They arrived at the private room she had booked, and Alicia stopped, turning to face him.
“We’re done with this conversation. You can head inside,” she said. “Tonight’s expenses are on me.”
Caden glanced into the room.
“What do you mean by that?”
Alicia replied, “You came all this way, swallowing your pride, just for a night of intimacy, didn’t you? I can’t give you what you want, but there are others who can. This place boasts the highest ratings, and the women here are known for their reputation. If you enjoy yourself tonight, you won’t need me anymore. So, please, leave me alone.”