Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
He wasn’t much of a smoker, but in that moment, the nicotine seemed to soothe him.
His expression was filled with unresolved feelings.
He said, “I’m only twenty-six, and Dorian is well over fifty. How long can he keep up this battle?”
Even if he didn’t come out on top this time, future opportunities would arise.
Wealth could be regained, but losing Alicia would be permanent.
Caden inhaled deeply from his cigarette, his resolve hardening.
Dorian was pressuring him to marry Yolanda.
However, he was determined to cherish Alicia and had every intention of marrying her.
Caden’s driver had brought Alicia to the corporate office.
As the evening set in and a chill wind picked up, Alicia warmed her hands and noticed the slight redness in Caden’s eyes.
She asked gently, “Were you very busy today? I tried calling, but I couldn’t reach you.”
Caden drew her close as they sat down together.
Instead of replying, he questioned, “What was it you wanted to discuss?”
Alicia chuckled softly.
She looped her arms around his neck and said, “I dreamt we had a daughter who looked just like you. Caden, would you like to have a daughter?”
A soft smile touched Caden’s eyes.
“Why wouldn’t I? I want to sow my seeds in your belly tonight, and then we can have a family-perhaps two kids in a few years.”
Alicia’s face turned a bright shade of red.
“What do you mean by ‘sowing seeds in my belly’? That’s such a crude way to say it.”
Caden’s hand moved as if with a mind of its own, slipping beneath her shirt to caress the soft skin at her waist.
His touch was light, restless, gliding back and forth.
He smirked playfully.
“Alright, so what would you call it? Or do you prefer something more direct, like-“
Before he could continue, Alicia pressed her hand over his mouth, cutting him off.
But Caden took advantage of the distraction, letting his hand slide a bit higher.
Alicia clicked her tongue in frustration and grabbed his arm, holding it in place.
“Can you behave for even a moment? You’re hopeless, like a lovesick puppy.”
Caden chuckled.
“Only for you.”
She swatted his hand away with a playful huff.
“I went to the hospital today because my stomach was hurting.”
Instantly, Caden’s smile faded.
He pulled back, eyes filled with concern.
“Are you okay now? Does it still hurt?”
Alicia offered a small smile.
“If it did, do you think I’d let you be this close?”
He frowned, his brow furrowing.
“Why did it hurt? Wait – are you pregnant?”
Alicia’s eyes widened, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.
“Pregnant? No way.”
“We’ve been careful, remember?” But even as she said it, a memory surfaced, making her heart skip a beat.
The day they went to buy their rings…
The moment that hadn’t gone as planned.
They had agreed she’d take medication afterward, but Caden had left the country unexpectedly, and she never took the pill.
Could it be? Just from that one time?
She took a steadying breath, pushing the thought aside.
“It’s nothing serious. I get cramps before my period, so I went to pick up some painkillers.”
Caden let out a small sigh of relief.
“Did you take the medicine?”
“Not yet,” Alicia admitted.
“There were some last-minute issues at the gallery with a few paintings, so I left without picking it up.”
She chuckled as she spoke, her eyes sparkling with an irresistible warmth that made her even more captivating.
“Oh, by the way, I have something for you,” Alicia said, pulling a small box from her bag.
“I’ve been waiting for the right moment to give it to you.”
Caden wasn’t usually one for gifts, but knowing it was from Alicia made his heart stir with anticipation.
He opened the box and found a sleek watch nestled inside.
A smile spread across his face.
“What a perfect gift. I actually needed a new one.”
Without a second thought, he slipped off his old watch and tossed it into a nearby drawer.
Holding up his wrist, he wiggled it with mock seriousness.
“See? I was incomplete without this. How considerate of you.”
Alicia laughed, shaking her head.
“Did you use that trick to charm other women too?”
Caden met her eyes, a spark of sincerity in his gaze.
“Who else? Everything I’ve ever done, I did for you.”
With a soft smile, Alicia fastened the watch onto his wrist.
The way he carried himself made any accessory look impeccable.
“It looks perfect,” she said, admiration in her eyes.
Caden’s gaze turned serious as he looked at her, his eyes dark and intense.
“Ms. Bennett, I have something for you too.”
Alicia’s heart skipped a beat.
“What is it?”
He reached for a box and handed it to her.
Inside was a model of a white castle, still in its packaging, waiting to be built.
Alicia’s eyes lit up with surprise and delight.
She hadn’t expected something so whimsical, and the romantic in her brimmed with happiness.
“You picked this out?” she asked, unable to hide her joy.
“I didn’t think someone with your taste could choose something so beautiful.”
Caden watched Alicia as she carefully pieced the model together, a quiet smile playing on his lips.
Suddenly, Alicia paused and looked up.
“Was it Gerry? I saw you two sneaking around last time. Did he help you pick this out?”
Caden scoffed, rolling his eyes.