Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Caden shot her a look. “You need to stop reading those cheesy romance novels, Aylin.”
Aylin just rolled her eyes, unable to respond.
Over an hour later, Ciara and Jasmine returned from their walk. As they approached, they heard Alicia’s voice from the side room, her tone filled with playful exasperation. “Caden, are you out of your mind? Be gentler!”
Ciara, instantly understanding what was likely happening, quickly held Jasmine back with a knowing smile. She gestured for Jasmine to stay quiet and not go in, sensing that it was best not to interrupt.
Inside, Caden’s voice responded, mildly annoyed. “I am being gentle enough. Any gentler, and this won’t work.”
“You’ve already made a mess of it!” Alicia replied, sounding frustrated.
There was a brief silence, followed by a sudden, sharp sound as something hit the table. Alicia’s voice rose. “Did you hear that?”
Ciara held her breath, exchanging an awkward look with Jasmine. Both seemed to think this was getting a bit out of hand.
Caden’s voice remained calm. “Yes, I heard. I’m adjusting.”
After a short pause, Alicia spoke again, exasperated. “That’s too much! It’s about to spill over-take some out before it overflows!”
“Is this a little bit too much for you?” Caden asked.
“Can you stop messing around?”
“Alright, alright. I’ll take some out.”
Ciara couldn’t bear it any longer, feeling embarrassed. “They’re going way too far! There’s even a child in the house. Aren’t they worried he might come downstairs and see?”
Jasmine stifled a laugh. “But look at Mr. Ward – he’s so compliant! I never realized he was so quick to compromise.”
Ciara snorted. “Men always are in those situations. Once their pants are back on, they’re a different person.”
Jasmine frowned slightly, still puzzled. “But… something feels off. Shouldn’t there be more noise if that’s what they’re up to?”
Ciara paused, her curiosity piqued, and she perked up her ears.
Moments later, she heard Alicia’s cheerful voice. “Aylin, you’re amazing! Your technique is even better than mine!” Aylin’s humble response followed. “Thank you, Ms. Bennett. You’re too kind.”
Ciara’s eyes widened in shock.
Jasmine stood there, equally stunned, exchanging a long, confused look with her.
The silence between them was so thick it felt like a crime scene had unfolded.
Ciara’s lips twitched. “It can’t be what I thought… right?”
Jasmine shook her head. “Definitely impossible.” Just then, the birds in Jasmine’s arms chirped loudly, breaking the tense quiet.
Hearing the commotion from the side hall, Alicia asked, “Is Ciara back?”
Clapping the flour off her hands, she stepped out to see what was happening.
She spotted Ciara and Jasmine standing frozen like statues.
Putting on a warm smile, Alicia greeted, “Ciara, you’re back!”
Ciara’s expression froze momentarily as she took in Alicia’s neat appearance. “Alicia… what were you doing in there just now?”
Alicia laughed. “We were making pies, but Caden kept getting in the way.”
Ciara blinked, speechless. She’d never felt so enthusiastic about pies in her life.
As the family gathered for a harmonious meal, Caden’s phone suddenly rang.
It was on the table beside him, and Alicia, seated next to him, caught a glimpse of the caller ID.
Yolanda.
Caden casually declined the call and resumed eating while Alicia lowered her gaze, pretending not to notice. But two more calls came in afterward, and each time, Caden ignored them.
Finally, when Dorian’s name appeared on the screen, Alicia suggested, “Maybe you should answer it, just in case it’s something urgent.”
Looking slightly annoyed, Caden picked up the phone and stepped outside to take the call.
Dorian’s voice came through the line. “Caden, nothing urgent. Just wanted to let you know Yolanda’s doing fine now.”
Caden’s tone was cold. “Dorian, there’s no need to update me on such matters. I didn’t answer because I thought you understood my stance.”
Dorian’s tone turned equally tense. “I understand, but are you really going to cut all ties with us, as if we’re outcasts? Did Yolanda commit some unforgivable crime that you won’t even take her calls?”
“Dorian, I understand your concern for your daughter, but there’s no need for Yolanda and me to stay in touch unless it’s essential,” Caden replied firmly. “I have a girlfriend now, and I don’t want any misunderstandings.”
Dorian’s frustration boiled over, a sharp pain tightening in his chest. “So, you’re willing to sever all ties with the Moss family?”
“I’m fine with that,” Caden replied, his voice unyielding.
Angered, Dorian continued, “Caden, I know Yolanda made mistakes, but she deserves time to adjust. You led her on, then left her. Now she’s emotionally fragile, bordering on depression – and you’re partly responsible. If I had any other option, I wouldn’t have reached out!”
Caden’s expression grew colder. Depression? The person who caused so much turmoil was now claiming to be the victim.
He doubted the sincerity of the claim, though Dorian’s call hinted that it wasn’t just Yolanda feeling hurt – it was a plea for Caden to show some responsibility.
After a moment’s thought, he responded, “Dorian, I’ll handle my mistakes. Don’t worry. And please, take care of yourself.”
Dorian stood anxiously at the bedroom door as he ended the call. Just then, Regina stepped out, shaking her head. “She is still refusing to eat.”
Yolanda had been on a hunger strike all day, and her fragile body couldn’t bear such strain.
Dorian felt an ache so deep that tears blurred his vision. “Why would she hurt herself like this over a relationship?” he whispered, his voice heavy with concern.
Regina’s expression turned somber. “Dorian, I’ve been thinking about this a lot,” she admitted. “Yolanda… she’s different now, but at the same time, it feels like she’s always been hard to understand.”
Dorian looked at her, puzzled. “What do you mean?”
Regina hesitated, her shoulders slumping with a weary sigh. “I don’t think I have it in me to love her anymore.”
Dorian was taken aback. “You don’t love Yolanda? She hasn’t done anything terrible – she just acted rashly, and Alicia happened to catch a cold because of it.”
Regina’s face softened but remained resolute. “Dorian, Yolanda is our daughter. I don’t hate her. But… I realize now I don’t love her the way I thought I would.” The words felt strange, even to her. During her pregnancy, she had adored the baby in her belly deeply. For those ten months, they were inseparable, and Regina had counted down every moment until she could finally hold her.
But over the years, something had shifted. The way Yolanda looked at her, always distant and guarded, made Regina feel as though the bond between them was somehow hollow.
Taking a deep breath, Regina murmured, “Forget it. Let’s not talk about it anymore.”
She picked up her bowl and walked away, leaving Dorian alone in the silence.
Unbeknownst to them, Yolanda stood just behind the door, her fists slowly clenching.
By the time they were finished, the sheets were a lost cause.
Caden carried Alicia into the bathtub, then casually stripped the bed and tossed the sheets into the washer. Alicia soaked in the warm water, dozing off. When Caden didn’t return after a while, she wrapped herself in a towel and walked out of the bathroom.
Caden stood on the terrace, his upper body bare, revealing his muscular chest and arms. He was having a quick smoke.
Despite the lack of light, Alicia could still make out the solemn expression on his face. She had a pretty good idea of what was troubling him.
She didn’t want to interfere, but she felt the need to ease some of the burden she carried in her heart.
“Didn’t you say you don’t like to smoke?” Alicia called out.
Caden turned at the sound of her voice, stubbing out the cigarette before facing her. “I was just a bit stressed,” he muttered.
“Stressed with work?” Alicia prodded.
Caden was silent for a few seconds. “That’s right. I need to go out tomorrow. I’ll probably be back the day after.”
Alicia thought of Yolanda. It sounded like he was heading to Devarlton.
She knew Caden had no feelings for Yolanda. He was merely compromising out of respect for the Moss family. If she wasn’t mistaken, his mood had soured after receiving that call from Dorian during dinner. They must have had a disagreement.
“Go and deal with your business,” Alicia said without prying any further. “Take care of yourself.”
Without warning, Caden picked her up and carried her back to the bed. For a long while, they just lay there, his hands caressing every inch of her body he could reach.
“Do you have anything you’d like to ask me, Alicia?” he suddenly asked.
“Do you have anything you want to tell me?” she countered.
Caden realized then that she already had a rough guess about his plans. He said nothing more, and they both drifted to sleep.
The next morning, Caden left. Alicia stayed at Joy Mansion, planning to catch up on some work online.
The gallery had been receiving significantly more orders ever since Blake became her assistant, and Alicia’s workload had lightened considerably.
Eventually, Alicia decided to offer him a partnership, so they could run the business together, on equal ground.
Blake hesitated at first, since he wasn’t from Warrington, and he still needed to send his brother back to school. Without batting an eye, Alicia quickly took care of those concerns on his behalf. She valued Blake’s talent and was willing to invest in him in every way possible.
In light of this, Blake made a special trip to Joy Mansion to discuss the matter.
When he arrived, Alicia was teaching Ray to play the piano. Set against the orange glow of the setting sun, they painted quite a magnificent scene.
Blake paused in his tracks, mesmerized by the sight before him. Alicia’s beauty was truly beyond words. It was no wonder that Caden had taken a liking to her. Or that Blake himself found himself at a loss whenever he faced her.