Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Alicia sighed, unimpressed.
Realizing the act wasn’t convincing her, Caden stopped pretending and swept her up, carrying her to the bathroom.
Resigned, Alicia washed her face and brushed her teeth with him hovering over her, his hands firm yet careful, as if every movement she made might risk the baby.
Then, he caught her against the mirror and kissed her.
He had wanted to do this last night, but she’d worn him out, leaving him to wait for a moment when he could savor it. Now, he took his time.
Alicia’s cheeks flushed with frustration, an expression Caden found oddly endearing.
Her body softened under his touch, her annoyed gaze mingling with something almost playful, sparking his unbidden desire.
He pressed his body close to hers, firm against her lower abdomen.
She froze, barely daring to breathe, afraid of igniting a spark she couldn’t control.
His breath was hot against her neck.
“We didn’t get the chance on the day of the proposal, and I’ve been holding back since then.”
The past few weeks had been so overwhelming that he hadn’t even had the time to acknowledge his longing. But now, with just the two of them in this moment, restraint felt impossible.
He lowered his voice, brimming with unfiltered honesty.
“When you’re not around, I’m okay. But when I see you, I can’t help but want you desperately. It’s still early. Can you… just help me with your hands?”
Alicia’s face turned red, and she shot him a scathing glare.
“Do it yourself.”
Caden didn’t back down.
“Your hands are different,” he replied, guiding hers to him.
“No matter what I do, it’s not the same as your touch.”
Alicia’s pulse quickened as he held her gaze, his tone persuasive and teasing. She tried to resist, her face flushed with embarrassment and irritation. His black robe hung loosely, exposing his broad chest, warm against her skin as he pressed close, his desire unmistakable.
But Alicia kept her resolve, refusing to give in.
Eventually, Caden relented, his arm braced against the mirror to keep her close.
“If you won’t help, could I at least… look?” he asked, his voice a soft plea.
“Just at your face.”
Alicia felt heat flood her cheeks and promptly covered his eyes with her hands.
“Keep dreaming.”
She thought she’d shut him down, but he remained in the bathroom for over half an hour before finally letting her go.
Alicia slammed the door behind her after she entered the bedroom.
Caden, unfazed and content, dressed quickly and knocked.
“What do you want for breakfast?”
A loud thud sounded from inside – a pillow hitting the door.
“I don’t want breakfast. Make your own!” Alicia yelled as she changed.
In the mirror, she noticed faint marks along her collarbone, evidence of Caden’s earlier teasing.
“Just look at her face? Nothing but lies!”
He’d touched everywhere, save for what he’d asked.
After waiting until the coast was clear, Alicia finally stepped outside to find that Caden had prepared breakfast, dishes steaming on the table.
“You don’t like milk, so I made sweet soup instead,” he said, walking toward her.
Before she could react, he kissed her, slipping something between her lips.
Alicia let out a soft, surprised sound as his tongue slipped past her lips, delivering something to her.
Startled, Alicia paused, tasting the familiar sweetness of a grapefruit-flavored candy, its tartness spreading pleasantly across her tongue.
Caden’s lips curved into a satisfied smile.
“A little sour first, so breakfast won’t be too hard to stomach.”
Her face was expressionless, though she didn’t spit out the candy.
Every morning, Caden drove Alicia himself to the hospital. He would sit quietly, listening intently to the rhythmic sound of the baby’s heartbeat, savoring the moment.
Alicia’s health had recently improved significantly, encouraging Caden to loosen up. He engaged the doctor in lighthearted conversation, joking, “My wife has frequently dreamt of playing with a baby girl. Does that mean we’re having a daughter?”
Alicia shot him a look that could burn. How could this man ask such a childish question?
With an amused smile, the doctor replied, “Dreams can reflect one’s thoughts, and maybe she just wants to have a daughter, which leads her to dream like that. If you really want to know, Mr. Ward, a blood test in another city would give you the answer.”
Knowing that Caden longed for a daughter, Alicia playfully contradicted him.
“He’s living in a fantasy! I’ve been lying to him. Actually, I always play with a baby boy in my dreams.”
Caden smirked.
“Really? That’s good. I prefer a son.”
Alicia was momentarily speechless, caught off guard by his response.
The doctor chuckled at their playful banter.
“Mr. Ward, don’t tease your wife too much. It’s important to keep her emotions stable right now.”
Caden replied lightheartedly, “We’re just having some fun.”
Alicia could only shake her head in disbelief.
Just then, from a bag by Caden’s side, Alicia’s phone rang. Caden pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and casually dismissed the call.
“Who was it?” Alicia asked, curious.
“Just some spam,” Caden lied smoothly.
Alicia sensed something was off and reached out for the phone.
“Give it to me.”
As she spoke, the phone rang again. Alicia saw Caden’s expression change, and her tone grew cold.
“Caden, hand it over.”
Not wanting to seem petty, Caden surrendered the phone with an exaggerated sigh.
As she expected, it was Blake on the line.
Alicia answered without hesitation.
“Hello?”
“Hey, the security guard reached out to me again. He wants to meet in the suburbs for the deal. It’s out of the way, but don’t worry; I’ll bring some people along,” Blake informed her.
Caden picked up a nearby medical report, pretending to read it as he tuned in to their conversation, focusing on the details. Since Alicia had the phone to her ear, Caden couldn’t hear everything.
He stood up, moved closer to Alicia, and pulled out a tissue to wipe her fingers.
Alicia continued her conversation, oblivious that Caden was cleaning her hands, which were already spotless.
After finishing with her fingers, Caden gently wiped her face. Their breaths mingled closely, creating an intimate atmosphere.
Finally sensing something was amiss, Alicia cast a sidelong glance at him.
“Why don’t you talk to Mr. Langstaff instead?”
Caden maintained a facade.
“You keep talking; I’ll just do my thing.”
Overhearing Caden’s voice, Blake cursed under his breath and abruptly hung up.
Alicia set the phone down, irritation flashing in her eyes.
“Do you enjoy complicating things for yourself?”
Caden shrugged nonchalantly.
“His insults are as childish as they come. They don’t bother me; I can handle it better.”
Alicia had no retort.