Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Caden gripped his phone tightly. It felt as though a vice was squeezing the nerves at the back of his head, rendering him tense and short of breath. He pressed his lips tightly together and walked out.
Dorian’s presence at the hospital wasn’t just to taunt Caden. He was there primarily to check on Yolanda. While he was discussing Yolanda’s condition with the doctor, the door burst open abruptly.
Caden stormed in, pushing Dorian against the desk. Dorian’s chin was gripped tightly, causing his face to turn red, yet he was effectively immobilized. Still, his eyes betrayed no fear. He looked calmly at the furious Caden.
“It seems I might hear some good news,” Dorian said, his tone tinged with amusement.
“Is Gareth dead?”
Caden pulled a sharp dagger and slammed it into the desk right next to Dorian’s ear. The blade nicked his ear.
“He’s still alive, but if he dies, you’re not getting off easy.”
Dorian sneered. “Caden, you’re all talk. You’ve never killed anyone. Do you think you can start with me?”
“Want to test me?”
A fierce light flickered in Caden’s eyes.
Dorian smirked. “I’m waiting.”
Caden’s breathing was heavy as he fought to control his anger. He pulled the dagger out and let go of Dorian.
Dorian took his time fixing his attire.
“Caden, if Gareth dies today, that’s his destiny. But if he survives, then it’s your destiny that’s sealed.”
Caden didn’t turn around.
“I control my own fate.”
Dorian burst out laughing, his tone full of mockery.
“Control your own destiny? Don’t flatter yourself.”
When Caden returned to the operating room, the doctor came out looking exhausted.
“Mr. Ward, the medication still hasn’t arrived?”
“No, there was a complication.”
Caden had sent someone else to retrieve it, but too much time had passed. Even if it arrived now, Gareth’s chances were slim.
Determined not to give up, he offered his other arm.
“Continue the transfusion.”
The doctor was taken aback.
“Your body can’t take much more.”
“I won’t die. Go ahead.”
Bag after bag of blood was transferred to the operating room. Caden sat silently next to the blood collection machine, utterly still.
When he was nearly finished, the doctor finally said, “Mr. Ward, we can’t take any more.”
Caden slowly closed his eyes, exceedingly weak.
“How is Gareth?”
The doctor responded, “His condition hasn’t improved, but it hasn’t worsened either.”
“Be ready for any outcome.” Caden acknowledged with a low noise.
Once the doctor left, Caden got up to grab something to eat, his movements shaky. Just then, a bodyguard hurried toward him.
“Mr. Ward!”
Caden stopped, supporting himself weakly on his hands.
“Has Gareth passed?”
The bodyguard was out of breath.
“No. A woman named Alicia insists she needs to see you right away.”
Caden’s brows furrowed deeply as he turned to look.
“Alicia?” he asked.
“Yes. She claims she brought the medication, and it’s ready for use. But we don’t know her, so I came to get you.”
Caden didn’t let him finish, taking off with urgency. He moved so briskly that he momentarily forgot his weakness from the blood loss and nearly tripped.
Alicia did show up. She rushed into the operating room and passed the medicine to the surgeon. The surgeon, taken aback by the unconventional scenario, hesitated to administer it. He didn’t dare to speak up until he saw Caden.
“Mr. Ward, this young lady has brought a lot of medicine, but none of it is labeled,” he said.
Caden paid no attention, clutching Alicia’s hand firmly. He guided her to one side. After ensuring she was safe, he asked with concern in his voice, “How did you manage to get here?”
Alicia, who had rushed over right after getting off the plane, was still trying to catch her breath.
“Cliff flew me here in a helicopter because the medicine I brought couldn’t pass through airport security,” she explained.
Caden was overwhelmed with emotions, feeling as if his heart was being ripped apart. He had so much he wanted to say but knew there was no time to waste.
“What type of medicine did you bring?” he asked.
Alicia noticed his pale face, and her heart ached for him. But she quickly explained the medication.
“It’s from Monica’s team, a range of new formulas. Use whatever is necessary.”
To Caden, everything felt like it was happening in a dream. He squeezed her fingers gently.
“Yes, we need all of them,” he said.
Alicia hurriedly added, “Although this research isn’t commercially available yet and carries some risks, these special medications were developed over endless days and nights. They are more effective than what’s currently available on the market. Don’t worry. They’ve been extensively tested.”
Everything around Caden felt increasingly unreal. He signaled for the surgeon to administer the medication to Gareth without delay. They couldn’t remain in the operating room for too long, so Caden guided Alicia outside.
He leaned back on a bench and softly pulled Alicia close, allowing her to sit on his lap.
Alicia shifted uncomfortably.
“Don’t. Someone might see.”
She took a seat on the bench next to him.
Caden was unsure of the events happening inside, but it was enough to allow him a moment of relief. He reclined, showing a rare sign of fatigue.
“Alicia, how did you find out that I needed the medicine so urgently?”
Alicia was surprised.
“Did you really need it?”
Caden gazed into her dark eyes.
“Was bringing the medicine just a coincidence?”
Alicia attempted a smile but struggled. She carefully checked his pale face.
“When I called you and found out you were at the hospital, I assumed something serious had happened. I wanted to come to you but didn’t want to arrive empty-handed, so I grabbed some medicine from Monica, hoping it might be useful.”
Caden’s expression was intense as he held her hand tightly.
“Was it really just a mere coincidence?”
Alicia felt anxious beneath his gaze.
“Yes, it was a coincidence.”
At that moment, she didn’t know why, but she felt a strong urge to find Monica. She collected a lot of medicine and went straight to the Hopkins family’s residence, asking Cliff to take her there. It seemed like a gut instinct had driven Alicia to address Caden’s urgent needs.
Caden suddenly laughed. Without saying anything, he drew Alicia into his arms, disregarding her slight resistance, and embraced her firmly.
Alicia felt his tension, so she stopped resisting and hugged him in return. She sensed that something major must have occurred. Her instincts had been correct.
Caden’s mind was overwhelmed by Alicia’s unexpected arrival, yet her presence calmed him. He didn’t want to think about anything else, only to cherish the warmth of this moment.
After a while, a bodyguard came over to give an update. While still embraced by Caden, Alicia’s cheeks turned pink with embarrassment.
The bodyguard cleared his throat.
“Mr. Ward, are you paying attention?”
Caden remained silent.
Alicia pulled at his hair.
“Hey, Caden, he’s speaking to you.”