Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Dorian closed his eyes, tired. Yolanda then noticed the documents on the table. As she read them, her complexion whitened.
“Impossible, absolutely impossible. If he was really willing to give up his headquarters, why would he let me…”
She halted, remembering the confidentiality of their plan. Dorian narrowed his eyes and responded, “What did he ask you to do?”
“Nothing!” Yolanda refused to say a word about Andy.
In that instant, a profound sadness overwhelmed her. She had even resorted to abducting Marlon’s companion to grasp this final chance, hoping to turn Caden’s attention her way. But he was merely using her. His heart remained set on Alicia.
With a bitter laugh, Yolanda ripped the documents to pieces, yet she couldn’t hold back her tears. Dorian observed her, his tone distant as he inquired, “Do you still long for him, Yolanda?”
Filled with bitterness, Yolanda answered, “If I can’t have him, I refuse to let them enjoy their happiness.”
Dorian, puzzled, let out a low chuckle.
“Their engagement party is just around the corner,” he murmured. Caden was planning to invite Regina. Dorian thought that it might be his opportunity to see her.
At this, Yolanda’s hands balled into fists. An engagement? That simply couldn’t happen..
Leading up to the engagement party, Alicia was restricted to their apartment. Her pregnancy care continued with the doctor making house calls. Caden ensured she lacked nothing but her freedom. With his recent preoccupations, he avoided any risk that might endanger Alicia. Alicia initially resisted, but Caden was unmoved by her objections. Gradually, she came to terms with the situation.
As the year waned, snow blanketed Warrington thickly. Alicia sat by the window, Caden’s head in her lap, her fingers gently caressing his hair. The engagement party was set for tomorrow. Despite his hectic schedule, Caden found a moment to deliver Alicia’s gown personally.
“Shall we see if it fits?” he asked. He hadn’t spoken to her in days. As he assisted her to her feet, he gently brushed her hair back.
“If there are any issues with the fit, I’ll have it adjusted right away.”
Alicia’s expression remained somber, yet she agreed to try on the gown as Caden recommended. Tailored to her exact dimensions, the gown fit flawlessly over her. From behind, Caden watched her reflection, captivated by her beauty in the mirror.
“It’s been ages since you’ve smiled, Lucky,” he said softly.
Alicia responded quietly, “How can I smile? This isn’t how I envisioned our engagement.”
“The invites have gone out. It’s too late for second thoughts now.” Caden encircled her waist with his arms.
“I want you by my side as my wife, and soon.”
Alicia managed a weak smile, remaining silent. Caden, having been apart from her, leaned in for a kiss. But Alicia turned her head away.
“You better get back to your tasks,” she murmured.
Caden drew her close again, his expression tense with effort.
“I’ve invested too much in this engagement, Lucky. Ensure nothing falls apart.”
Alicia scoffed.
“Worried I might flee?”
His suspicions were indeed raised. Given Alicia’s normally spirited demeanor, her recent passivity was disconcerting.
Alicia’s tone was flat.
“Where would I go in my condition? You know very well, Caden. I can’t even leave this apartment, much less Warrington.”
Caden’s face grew stern.
“Lucky, don’t speak to me that way.”
Just then, a knock echoed through the room.
Releasing Alicia, Caden stepped out to hear a whisper from one of his men. His brow furrowed slightly.
“Double-check that information. I’ll be downstairs soon,” he instructed. The subordinate nodded and departed.
Closing the door behind him, Caden had intended to help Alicia with her jewelry, but she had already moved to the dressing room to remove her gown. Caden paused in the doorway, his eyes lingering on her retreating figure.
With her back to him, Alicia said, “If you need to handle something, go. We can talk about the engagement after you’ve sorted your issues.”
Her detached tone sparked Caden’s irritation.
“You want to put it off?” he snapped.
“Or actually, you don’t want this engagement at all, do you?”
Alicia faced his heated stare with a sardonic smile.
“Do I even have the freedom to choose? Even if I said no, couldn’t you just confine me here indefinitely? You have plenty of ways to enforce your will!”
Caden closed the distance and seized her chin. Alicia grimaced, confronting his fierce look. Her cold demeanor cut through him, fueling his frustration.
“What do you need from me to be satisfied?” he demanded.
Alicia shook her head.
“What do I need from you? First, have you sorted out your own issues yet?”
“Issues? Who do you think all my running around is for, Alicia? Don’t you care at all?”
“For whom? Surely you don’t claim it’s all for me,” Alicia retorted scornfully, pushing him back.
“It’s just your ego at stake, isn’t it? If you genuinely cared, you’d make sure you’re safe so I can have this baby without stress!” Caden’s eyes narrowed. He suddenly felt all his energy drain away. Releasing her chin, he gave a harsh laugh.
“Alicia, you make all my efforts seem pointless.” A sharp twinge struck Alicia’s heart. The silence that hung between them felt like a lit fuse nearing gunpowder, ready to ignite their smoldering conflicts.
Caden’s look hardened as he met her eyes.
“Do you think the comfort you’ve enjoyed these years was all your own achievement? Could you have left Joshua without my help? Or could you have opened your gallery and secured the largest share without my support? Your achievements and your happy life rely on my resources and influence!” he scoffed derisively.
“You presume my love allows you to do whatever you wish. Without me, you are nothing, do you understand?”
Alicia turned ashen. His accusations hit home, echoing painfully inside her. He had indeed rescued her from despair, showering her with love and wealth, and that was the harsh truth. Yet, she didn’t want to rely on him. Her desire was to stand beside him as his greatest source of strength.
Yet, reality told her that it wasn’t practical – at least for now. Caden’s proud nature demanded victory wherever he went. His need to dominate extended even to their love. Their recent disputes drained Alicia. Confronted with his biting words, she was at a loss for words. Their love was morphing into hostility, and she was left speechless.
Caden’s phone began to buzz again. He ignored it, consumed by one pressing question.
“Alicia, for the last time, are we going through with the engagement or not?” Tears filled Alicia’s eyes, her complexion ghostly.
She murmured faintly, “Answer your phone first.” Caden’s throat tightened, realizing her stance. He took the call with composure. Throughout the brief conversation, Caden remained silent. Once off the phone, he loosened his tie with a jerk, his voice cool and restrained.
“If you’re against it, I won’t push you. We’ll call off the engagement party.” A ringing filled Alicia’s ears. Relief should have washed over her, yet her breaths came even more labored. She began to speak, to offer some explanation, but Caden interjected.
“Given what I’m facing, marrying me would only bring you down.” A knot formed in Alicia’s throat. Ending things this way wasn’t what she wanted, but her fears held her back. Her nights were plagued with vivid, horrifying dreams. The last thing she wanted was for Caden to be hurt.
Trying to hold back her tears, Alicia pleaded, “Caden, can’t you bend just this once?” Caden faced away from her.
“If we’re not getting married, there’s no middle ground. I shouldn’t have confined you these past days. You’re free to leave whenever you like.”
Caden stopped talking and quickly walked away, leaving Alicia feeling hollow. She paused, then tried to follow, but he was moving too quickly. He disappeared from view in moments.
Caden had calmed somewhat and finally decided not to cancel the engagement. Before he could catch his breath, he was interrupted by a call. A contact from abroad informed him that Annis had been unexpectedly taken away by someone. They had to locate Annis before Marlon’s associates did, or else their leverage would be worthless.
Initially reluctant to get involved, Caden now saw an opportunity to channel his frustrations after the spat with Alicia. He departed for the airport that night.
The night felt unending for Alicia, like a winter that wouldn’t yield. Warrington was cloaked in thick snow, hiding any hint of an endpoint.
The following morning, a doctor arrived for a routine check-up on Alicia. With him was a makeup artist.
Alicia, coming out of her reverie, questioned, “Why the makeup?”
The makeup artist answered, “Ms. Bennett, today is your engagement day with Mr. Ward. We’re here to prepare your attire and makeup. The celebration is set for noon, and guests have started to arrive.”
Alicia was stunned.
“Caden didn’t call off the engagement?”
“No, he did not,” the makeup artist responded, her expression a mix of confusion and curiosity.
Alicia’s brow furrowed.
She reached out to her contacts to gather more details and confirmed that the engagement party was indeed moving forward. After hesitating, she tried to call Caden, but his phone went unanswered.
As she was about to step out, Alicia overheard two makeup artists murmuring just outside the room.
“Why would she talk about canceling the engagement if everything was fine?”
“Could this all be because of Yolanda? I haven’t seen Mr. Ward today. Maybe he’s gone to look for her?”
Alicia stopped eavesdropping and opened the door. The two makeup artists stopped talking and smiled upon noticing her.
“Ms. Bennett, it’s getting late. We should head to the hotel now to start on your dress and makeup. It’s going to take a while, and we’re pressed for time. Shall we leave?”
Alicia nodded.
Due to the events of the past days, joy eluded her. Yet, determined to see things through, she prepared to carry out the engagement party as planned. Especially since Caden had invested so much in it.
But where was Caden, and why wasn’t he answering her calls?
During the drive to the hotel, Alicia caught a news piece on Yolanda’s disappearance. The Moss family had reported her missing, and the police had mobilized extensive resources to find her.
Alicia sat quietly, gazing out the window, deep in thought.