Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
There was a brief silence.
Caden turned around.
Alicia stood there, her long hair flowing, highlighting her delicate features.
She wore a casual black hoodie, loose and comfortable.
Her eyelashes seemed moist.
Her presence carried a fresh scent, like the earth after a light rain, filling Caden’s senses.
His heartbeat quickened.
In that instant, he felt more alert.
He yielded and retrieved the plush dinosaur.
The small green toy sat in his large hand, seeming almost insignificant.
Alicia reached for it and said, “Thank you.”
Caden pulled his hand back sharply.
In a stern voice, he said, “This isn’t for you.”
Alicia looked at him, taken aback by his response.
Despite his eagerness moments earlier, he stubbornly held onto his view, determined to preserve some sense of dignity.
She withdrew her hand.
“If not for me, then who? That little girl you were trying to impress?”
Caden confirmed her suspicion and responded, “Yes.”
Alicia laughed softly.
She pointed to a nearby corner and said, “Too late. She’s busy kissing her boyfriend and doesn’t have time for you.”
Caden glanced casually in that direction, his face showing a hint of disappointment.
“If I had a daughter and she ran off to kiss a boy that young, I would be furious.”
Alicia’s heart squeezed a little.
She imagined a future where they had a daughter together, a little girl who would be the center of their world and cherished forever.
But the reality was clear.
Caden often retreated into silence when confronted with issues.
Would they ever reach a day where they had a child?
Alicia looked down, opened her umbrella, and said, “Well, I wish you a happy family life, Mr. Ward. Make sure to invite me to your wedding.”
Caden looked at her sharply.
Who else would he marry but this woman who only knew how to provoke him?
Alicia was already walking away.
Caden’s face turned sour, yet he remained silent, placing the little dinosaur inside his coat to keep it dry as he hurried after her.
Alicia had driven to the spot, and without asking, Caden got into the car.
In the middle of the night, Alicia didn’t feel like arguing, so she didn’t ask him to leave, nor did she initiate any conversation.
Caden sat in the back seat, quietly watching her profile.
The silence hung heavy, making Caden twitch uncomfortably.
He said, “Pass me a tissue.”
Alicia compressed her lips but handed one over.
Shortly after, he said, “I need some water.” Alicia passed him a water bottle.
He unscrewed the cap, took a sip, and then handed it back to her.
Seconds later, he requested, “Another sip, please.”
Alicia could no longer hold her patience. She pulled over, turned to him, and asked, “What do you really want?”
Caden’s expression was blank.
“Water.”
“Water, really?” Alicia exclaimed.
“Why don’t you just come sit in the front?”
Caden responded flatly, “No, it’s dirty.”
Alicia raised an eyebrow.
“Excuse me?”
Caden’s mouth set into a firm line.
“Your front seat was used by that guy Blake, and I find it… dirty.”
Alicia was momentarily speechless at his response.
Alicia was seething with anger.
She had already gone to bed that night, but the thought of Caden out drinking and her unease made her go out to pick him up.
She also wanted to fix their relationship and end their ongoing rift.
Yet, Caden seemed intent on creating more drama and continued to stir trouble.
Clutching the steering wheel tightly, Alicia clung to her last bit of patience and asked, “What have you been doing these past few days?”
Caden swallowed hard. He wasn’t ready to disclose his recent activities.
The timing wasn’t right.
He falsely said, “I was on a business trip.”
Alicia scoffed, “A business trip or just avoiding me? After being together so long, you avoid dealing with me directly, disappearing for a few days, then returning as if nothing’s wrong, right?”
Caden’s face remained serious.
“And what about you? Why did I send Blake away? I wanted no interaction between you two. What role were you playing when you went to the airport to pick him up today?”
Alicia raised her voice, “Then why are you involved with Yolanda?”
As she spoke, the car fell into silence.
Caden looked at her gravely and asked, “Are you still upset that I helped her? I did it out of respect for the Moss family. If something had happened to her at one of my venues, Dorian would have held it against us. Didn’t I explain that already?”
Alicia was aware, but Yolanda was a constant pain in her heart.
She turned her head, her breathing heavy with distress, and asked sorrowfully, “Is this what our future looks like? Do we always have to make adjustments for Yolanda? Do we always have to be under this woman’s influence?”
What if Yolanda never let go? Did she have to be stuck between Caden and Yolanda for the rest of her life?
Caden irritably loosened his tie.
The influence of the Moss family was significant, and resolving issues with them wasn’t a quick or simple task.
On top of that, Corey had started interfering.
“As long as I maintain my boundaries, what harm can Yolanda really do to me?” Caden taunted.
“Unlike you, who doesn’t know how to keep a distance from other men and even tries to get closer to them.”
Alicia was quickly losing patience with his sharp comments.
“What do you mean by ‘get close to them’? Do you know what you’re saying?”
Caden responded logically, “You went to the airport to pick up Blake, didn’t you? Isn’t that strong evidence?”
“Even if Mr. Langstaff has been reassigned, he is still an employee at my company. What’s wrong with me picking him up? According to your logic, giving someone a ride means cheating. So, what about Hank picking you up all the time? Are you two having an affair?”
Caden sneered, “Why are you so angry? Did I strike a nerve?”
Alicia was so angry that it felt like physical pain.
She decided to give up, saying, “Alright, have it your way. I love finding comfort in others; I’m excessive. Why does it matter to you? You’re just my boyfriend, so what right do you have to meddle in my personal life?”
Caden was left speechless.