Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
When she saw Ciara, Alicia greeted her with a soft smile. “Hello, Ciara.”
Ciara smiled, patting the chair beside her. “Come sit here, Alicia.”
Alicia nodded and walked over.
Caden pulled out the chair for her.
Once seated, Alicia asked about Ciara’s health.
“Much better. Seeing you here always lifts my spirits,” Ciara replied.
Alicia smiled. “We’ll come by as often as we can.”
Benedict cut in, “As often as you can? I know Caden’s busy, but what’s keeping a gallery owner occupied all day?”
Alicia stayed quiet, holding back her response.
Ciara shot Benedict a displeased look. “Can’t you hold your tongue at the dinner table?”
Benedict fell silent.
Alicia kept her head down, eating slowly, half hoping Caden would say something for her.
But all she heard was the quiet clinking of his utensils beside her.
After a few minutes, her heart sank, a chill settling in.
So, this was his idea of handling things.
Even with Benedict’s criticism, he remained silent.
Ciara reached out, her hand covering Alicia’s with a gentle touch. “Don’t take it to heart, Alicia.”
Alicia forced a smile. “I won’t, Ciara.”
From the corner of his eye, Caden watched her. Alicia took a small bite of food, chewing as if weighed down.
It made him both angry and heartbroken.
With a quiet sigh, he placed a piece of steak on her plate.
“Are you that poor? Why the miserable act?”
Alicia had no interest in arguing with him.
She didn’t even want to speak.
Normally, she would’ve left the piece of steak untouched, but with Ciara sitting beside her, the last thing she wanted was for her to notice any tension.
If Ciara sensed they were at odds, it would only make her anxious – and with her history of strokes, Ciara couldn’t handle that kind of stress.
So, Alicia calmly took a bite, telling herself that if she could just get through this dinner, everything would be fine.
Perhaps picking up on the tension, Ciara spoke less than usual, and everyone ate in uneasy silence.
After dinner, Ciara pulled Benedict aside, her tone firm. “She’s Caden’s girlfriend. Why are you treating her so coldly? If they break up because of you, I won’t stand for it.”
Benedict, who had been holding back his frustration, finally let it out. “That’s exactly why I’m concerned! Caden’s my nephew, and he deserves better. She has no real skills, just an oversized temper. The last time we spoke, she gave me a piece of her mind like she owned the place. She’s already so full of herself before they’re even married – just imagine afterward! She’ll be walking all over us.”
Ciara looked at him in disbelief. “She yelled at you? That doesn’t sound like Alicia at all.”
Benedict scoffed. “You’re just as fooled by her act as Caden is.”
Ciara dismissed Benedict’s complaints with a wave of her hand. “I’m not going to believe your one-sided story. Whether Alicia’s right for him or not, Caden will decide for himself. I’ve seen how much he cares for her.” She looked him squarely in the eyes, her tone firm. “And let me make one thing clear – if you dare interfere with my grandson’s happiness, I’ll be the first to stop you.”.
Benedict stared at her, speechless.
It seemed everyone had been charmed by Alicia.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Alicia and Caden were alone.
Caden sat back with his legs crossed, lazily flipping through the gallery’s financial reports from the last six months. “Not bad,” he remarked offhandedly.
Alicia, finally free from any need to put on a show, said nothing, ignoring his commentary.
Every cent earned was a result of her own hard work; she didn’t need his approval.
Caden glanced at her, catching the subtle defiance in her silence.
Deciding to push her buttons further, he said, “Blake owns ten percent of the shares, and I won’t shortchange him. In fact, I’ll give him a nice bonus for helping you out.”
Alicia’s patience snapped. “What do you mean, ‘you’ll give’? This is my company. Who asked you to interfere?”
Caden’s expression remained impassive. “Why separate what’s yours from what’s mine? I have more than enough money; giving him some is like… charity.”
Alicia was livid, her fists clenched.
Caden relished the sight of her frustration.
He added, “Ray likes it here, so I’ll let him stay and continue studying. But Blake needs to be out of Warrington within three days.”
Alicia was so frustrated that she could barely find the words.
“Fine, do whatever you want,” she said, shrugging. “Once Mr. Langstaff leaves, I’ll just welcome Mr. Gilbert or Mr. Nelson. Who knows, maybe they’ll be even more handsome and kind.”
Caden sneered, “I know you too well. Your heart has room only for me. Even if a parade of handsome suitors lined up, you wouldn’t let any of them lay a finger on you.”
Alicia’s frustration flared, fueled by his accurate assumption. She shot back defiantly, “Is that so? Tonight, I’ll prove you wrong. Maybe I’ll go find one of those handsome men myself.”
He raised an eyebrow, amused. “You really think you’ll find quality out there? I could pick someone better for you.”
“Fine,” Alicia snorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Go ahead, find someone. I’ll head over right now, and let’s see whose taste is better!”
Though he knew she was deliberately provoking him, Caden’s face darkened.
Alicia gave him a light kick. “Well, go on. Show me some options, I’ll choose by their looks and guess their… potential. Make sure they’re more impressive than you!”
In one swift move, Caden pulled her into his arms. She lost her balance, bumping her head against his chin with a hiss of pain.
Taking advantage, she gave him a sharp pinch, dodging as he leaned in to kiss her.
Just then, Benedict walked in, frowning at the scene before him. “Really? Have you both forgotten your manners?”
Alicia quickly pushed away from Caden, shooting him an annoyed look and stomping on his foot as she stepped back.
Caden didn’t seem to mind at all; he merely adjusted his clothes, unfazed.
“Uncle, has Grandma gone upstairs?”
“Yes,” Benedict replied, clearly irritated, his gaze disapproving as he looked at Alicia. “This is Joy Mansion, not your private quarters. There are people around. Are you really that bold?”
Alicia bristled but kept quiet, unwilling to provoke further tension with Caden standing beside her.
Unbothered, Caden replied smoothly, “Uncle, you were young once. Surely, you remember what it’s like to want to hold the one you care about close.”
Benedict’s eyes narrowed. “That doesn’t excuse this behavior.”
“Then don’t watch,” Caden countered.
Benedict fell silent, taken aback.
Alicia, eager to escape their bickering, turned toward the door. “I’m heading back.” She made to leave without another word.
Caden seemed about to stop her, but Benedict responded first, looking at Alicia with disdain. “You’ve ignored every courtesy since you got back. You haven’t even greeted me properly.”
Alicia hesitated but, instead of replying, quickened her steps, leaving the room.
Caden’s expression turned cold. “Uncle, Alicia is my girlfriend. I can’t bring myself to speak harshly to her, and it’s certainly not your place. If I hear you scolding her again, don’t expect me to stay polite.”
Benedict’s temper immediately flared. “Did I say anything out of line? Isn’t she a bit lacking in manners?”
Caden responded, “Even if she is short on manners, it’s a result of my indulgence. If you have a bone to pick, address it with me. Moreover, weren’t you the one who disapproved of her? Why should she greet you properly?”
Benedict fell silent, feeling a mixture of irritation and frustration. His temple pulsed as he muttered, “My mother angers me, and now you’re adding fuel to the fire. I shouldn’t have returned!”
Caden said softly, “You have no one to blame but yourself.”
The tension between the two men often escalated quickly, only to dissipate just as swiftly.
Benedict had intended to discuss a pressing matter with Caden. Once the storm within him calmed, he said, “I need to have a word with you about the Moss family. Let’s head to the study.”
When it came to the Moss family, the conversation inevitably circled back to Yolanda.
Benedict continued, “Caden, my wife has always sought stability, which is why she nudged me toward early retirement. I’ve been out of the business for years and am blissfully unaware of its cutthroat nature. You are young and accomplished, and I’m proud of that. However, you should be more attuned than I am to Dorian’s substantial influence in Devarlton.”
The Moss and Ward families had their roots deeply embedded in the soil of Devarlton.
In Devarlton, Dorian’s influence ran deep, a web of connections woven through the fabric of society that could not be underestimated.
Caden, who also began his career in Devarlton, was gradually shifting his focus from international ventures to domestic business.
If Dorian wanted to ruin his company, it would be too easy.