Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
The more cheekily Caden behaved, the more Alicia wanted to distance herself from him. She leaned back, trying to create space between them.
Caden caught her wrist, pressing her hand against his cheek. Before she could pull away, he kissed her palm, his eyes glinting with a hint of mischief.
“Aren’t you usually fond of giving out a slap or two?”
Alicia yanked her hand back, eyes blazing.
Caden smirked.
“Can’t bring yourself to do it?”
Without a word, Alicia slapped him hard. The sharp sound reverberated through the room. A faint red mark blossomed on his cheek, but Caden didn’t flinch. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, but embarrassment never crossed his face.
Instead, he took her hand and gently rubbed it.
“Feel better now?”
“Get out,” Alicia said, her voice icy.
Caden stayed put.
“If you’re still upset, go on. Take it out on me. Use the other hand when one gets tired.”
Alicia’s glare deepened.
“You’re willing to go this far for a child? You have plenty of women who would gladly give you children. Why waste your feelings on me?”
Caden’s expression remained unchanged, unfazed by her words.
“Why just shout when you can hit and shout at the same time? It’s more effective.”
A tightness coiled in her chest.
Caden had a way of deflecting conflict, steering it into unexpected territory. He was relentless, weaving through emotions with practiced ease. But there was no doubt – his love for her ran deep, and he knew she felt the same, even if she refused to admit it.
But before she could say another word, he gently lifted her onto the sofa, placing his thick coat over her knees. He knelt down, resting his head in her lap, the gesture so tender it made her breath catch.
“You know I can’t live without you,” he said softly, his eyes searching hers.
“Who else would I want to have a child with?” His voice dropped, vulnerability breaking through.
“It’s not just about a child, Alicia. You’re the only one who makes me feel alive. If you don’t want this baby, there won’t be any heir for the Ward family.”
Alicia scoffed, her voice laced with bitterness.
“Didn’t you and Yolanda have your fun in Terriland?”
Caden’s jaw tightened.
“We didn’t. I needed her cooperation, so I let her into my room. I wasn’t thinking straight, and she took advantage of that to leave a mark on my neck.”
Alicia’s gaze remained cold and unyielding.
He sighed, reluctantly admitting, “Yes, I was petty. I wanted you to see things from my perspective and feel what I was going through. But apart from that mark, I didn’t let her touch me. The door was open the whole time.”
“I can show you the surveillance footage if it helps.” He had been clouded by frustration then but had known enough to leave himself an escape route. He had kept the evidence ready, knowing Alicia’s anger would be fierce.
Alicia’s retort was sharp.
“You and Yolanda make a fine pair. If the chemistry isn’t there yet, you can build it over time. And if you still can’t feel anything, well, modern fertility treatments work wonders. Soon enough, Yolanda could give you a child every year, filling the Ward house with heirs.”
Caden’s eyes softened as he took in her words.
“I only want you, Alicia. Your health is fragile, and this pregnancy was a miracle-one in a million. If you don’t want this child, there may never be another. Can you live with that, Lucky?”
His words pierced her, striking at the most vulnerable part of her heart. Caden knew all too well where her defenses faltered, leaving her with nowhere to hide.
Her eyes reddened, betraying the inner turmoil she’d tried to suppress.
Caden saw the exhaustion etched on her face and knew she must have cried herself to sleep countless nights. The sight twisted his heart, and he leaned in to kiss her.
Alicia turned her head away, the disgust clear in her expression.
Undeterred, Caden pressed a gentle kiss to her chin, brushing away the tears that escaped down her cheek.
“Dorian and Corey pushed me to my limits, and Gareth’s betrayal was the final blow. That’s when I lost control and said things I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry, Alicia,” he whispered, the weight of his words laden with genuine remorse.
“The battles between men can be brutal, Alicia.”
“I wanted to keep you safe, which is why I didn’t take you abroad or explain my decisions. As for Yolanda, she was a necessary part of the plan, not a tool I use to retaliate against you.”
Alicia turned her head sharply, straining her neck in an effort to escape the warmth of his breath.
Caden’s voice was low and rough.
“Lucky, trust me – Yolanda won’t come out of this unscathed.”
Alicia froze, her mind spinning with countless dangerous scenarios.
“What about Dorian?” she whispered, unable to shake her lingering worry.
Caden’s expression darkened as he seized the moment to capture her lips.
“He won’t touch me,” he murmured, his words melting into the kiss as his tongue traced the familiar sweetness of her mouth.
Annoyed at being taken advantage of, Alicia tried to bite him, but Caden’s strong tongue pressed past her resistance, deepening the kiss. She had no choice but to endure, unable to fight him off.
When he finally pulled back, both of them were breathing heavily.
Caden rested his forehead against hers, his vulnerability laid bare.
“This time, the Moss family found my weakness. It’s my fault, but I’ll be more vigilant from now on.”
Alicia’s lashes fluttered as she took in his words.
“And yet you still want this child? Don’t you realize having a child will only give you more weaknesses?”
Caden’s eyes softened.
“Yes, I do. I want everything that comes with you,” he said gently, pressing a kiss to her tear-streaked eyes.
“This child is a part of me, the closest I’ll ever have besides you. Please, Lucky, have the baby.”
A sharp pang pierced Alicia’s heart as memories of his cold, indifferent father and the mother he lost too soon surfaced in her mind. He was just as broken as she was.
Unknowingly, the walls she had built around her heart began to crumble.
Alicia’s heart might have softened, but her words were as sharp as ever.
“I’ll have the child, but it has nothing to do with you.”
Caden knew she was still angry and not easily appeased, so he decided to play along for now. He didn’t dare bring up the engagement party.
Patience, he thought. She would come around eventually, and when that time came, he’d be ready.
“How about we get married at the end of the month?” he suggested carefully. The engagement was set for the twenty-third, and the end of the month seemed like a perfect time to make it official.
“I’ll take care of the wedding planning. You won’t need to lift a finger; just show up.”
Alicia’s eyes hardened.
“I don’t want to get married,” she said, her tone icy.
“Didn’t you hear what I just said? I’m willing to keep the child but not the father. Why would I have a wedding?”
Caden nodded, swallowing back his disappointment.
“Alright, keep the child but not the father.”
For now, he was content to step back, knowing that once the baby was involved, it would only be a matter of time before she came around. Caden understood when to advance and when to retreat.
Sensing that she needed space, Caden retreated to the kitchen, rummaging through cabinets to make something for her. The clatter of dishes echoed through the quiet apartment.
Alicia finally snapped.
“No one’s lived here before – there’s nothing to eat.”
“Just go.”
Caden emerged from the kitchen, unbothered.
“Then I’ll have food sent over.”
“There’s no need. I have no appetite!” Alicia said, storming into the bedroom. She climbed into bed, pulling the blanket over her head, trying to block out the world and the man who wouldn’t leave her alone.
Should she keep the child? The question spun in her mind, even as she drifted into a restless sleep, the answer eluding her.
Alicia’s sleep was fragile these days, the slightest noise enough to wake her. When she opened her eyes, she found Caden sitting by the bed. The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast shadows across his strong features, making him look both imposing and tender.
His dark eyes met hers, deep and intense, like whirlpools ready to pull her in. Then she noticed her phone in his hand.
She frowned, her voice sharp.