Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Maybe he was waiting for today, wanting to hit Caden hard right when he was at his happiest, just after the proposal.
Hank sighed.
“If only we’d figured it out sooner…”
“I’ve known about Gareth’s betrayal for a while. This is a stalemate I can’t change,” Caden said, surprisingly calm.
“If someone were threatening my family, I’d probably make the same choice.”
A deep pang of sorrow hit Hank.
Right now, there was no one he could blame.
“Mr. Ward, what’s our next move?”
Caden’s face hardened.
“Stick to what I set up before. Don’t let this shake you. Dorian is targeting our overseas headquarters to push me into joining him. I’ll deal with it when the time is right.”
Hank couldn’t shake the feeling that a faceoff with Dorian was inevitable.
He muttered in frustration, “If we’d gone overseas as soon as we found out about Gareth’s betrayal, maybe we could’ve saved the situation.”
But back then, Caden’s focus had been entirely on Alicia, and it had delayed everything.
Turning away, Caden pulled out a cigarette, his voice weighed down.
“Dorian knows my weak spot. He’s doing everything he can to leave me with no way out.”
Hank’s eyes turned red with disbelief.
“Mr. Ward, you wouldn’t give up years of hard work just for Ms. Bennett, would you?”
Caden’s movements slowed for a moment.
A rare hint of conflict showed in his eyes.
“Money can be earned back. Alicia is not on her own anymore; she’s my fianc?e now. No amount of money comes close to what she’s worth.”
Hank felt a sharp pang, like a knife twisting in his chest.
Years ago, Caden’s success was mostly built on his talent, as well as some good luck.
His achievements came from countless days and nights of hard work and sacrifice in his early twenties.
Was all that hard work, those relentless days and nights, going to waste?
Caden took a drag, feeling the smoke burn his throat as a flash of determination crossed his eyes.
Hank spoke up.
“Mr. Ward, if Dorian is using Corey and Marlon against us, why can’t we play him at his own game?”
Right now, avoiding dirty tactics seemed out of reach.
Staying a clean businessman was a luxury Caden could no longer afford.
Caden stood there, cigarette in hand, deep in thought.
Seeing he needed a moment, Hank quietly said, “I’ll get back to work.”
That night, Caden didn’t return to the reserved room.
Alicia had a restless night too, but her reason was different.
She was way too happy, spending hours playing with her ring.
Just thinking about him made her heart race.
Caden’s whisper from last night was still stuck in her mind.
“Why don’t we celebrate our engagement on your birthday?”
His voice was so gentle.
It made her blush even now, as if her heart was only meant for him.
Eventually, she snapped back to reality, checked out, and headed home.
Once she got to her apartment, she learned that Caden was busy at work, so she decided not to call and interrupt him.
She noticed a property deed lying on the table in the living room.
It was for the ownership of that castle, and only Alicia’s name was on it.
She traced the paper with her fingers, a soft smile playing on her lips as she started to picture their future.
Years down the line, she saw herself and Caden, surrounded by their kids, spending a lifetime in that castle.
But suddenly, a sharp pain hit her stomach, like she had been punched.
Alicia placed a hand on her lower abdomen, an uneasy feeling creeping over her.
While in the bathroom, she noticed an unusually small amount of menstrual blood.
Other than the slight pink from last night, there was nothing.
This didn’t feel like her usual period.
Something was off.
Alicia didn’t waste any time and quickly set up an appointment with a specialist at the hospital.
She decided not to call Caden, not wanting to stress him out.
After the blood test, she knew she’d have to wait until the afternoon for the results.
As Alicia left the hospital, she got a call from someone unexpected.
It was Regina, and she said, “Ms. Bennett, I need to speak with you privately.”
Inside a cozy caf?, Alicia ordered coffee for Regina.
“Would you like a slice of cake or dessert too?” Alicia offered.
Regina, moved by her sincerity, felt a sudden pang of guilt.
Not wanting Alicia to sense anything amiss, she nodded.
“I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
Alicia had a small slice of green cake in front of her.
She gestured to the waiter to bring another slice.
As Regina took a bite, the tartness surprised her, especially next to Alicia’s innocent enjoyment as she devoured half of hers in one bite.
Setting her spoon down, Regina decided to cut to the chase.
“I need to talk to you about Caden.”
Alicia took a sip of water, bracing herself.
“Go on, please.”
Unable to meet her gaze, Regina stirred her coffee slowly.
“I heard Caden was in an online meeting all night and still hasn’t wrapped up.”
Alicia suddenly felt her heart tighten.
“Is something wrong at his company?”
Regina nodded.
“There was a mole at the overseas headquarters. Confidential information was leaked, and now the shareholders are at each other’s throats.”
Alicia’s face paled.
She had suspected product issues but hadn’t expected it to be this serious.
“Who’s the mole?” Alicia asked.
Regina blinked, taken aback.
If this had been Yolanda, she would’ve begged Regina to help Caden.
When in trouble, Yolanda would only seek assistance, whereas Alicia faced the problem directly.
“It’s Gareth,” Regina replied.
Alicia’s fists clenched.