Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Caden pulled her close, apologizing again and again.
Alicia parted her lips slightly, swallowing a surge of emotions, heartache, and pain.
“You’re really sick. Get some rest,” she said, trying to push him away, but he pulled her in tighter.
“Lucky, marry me.”
Alicia froze for a second.
Caden whispered, “You can torment me all you want, but can you give me some peace? I want to marry you, no matter what.”
Alicia stood there, frozen, realizing she was already in tears as the cold droplets fell onto her hand.
Caden let go of her, taking her hand and placing it on his face.
He was still burning with fever.
“You promised you’d marry me,” he said, his voice firm.
“You can’t break your promise.”
After a while, Alicia wiped her tears and calmed herself down.
She looked at his sharp face and asked softly, “Have you really thought this through?”
Caden’s eyes lit up a bit, and he eagerly asked, “So, will you…”
Alicia tugged at her lips and said, “Let’s skip the wedding and just do the paperwork. When do you want to get married?”
Caden was caught off guard by how easily she agreed, unsure for a moment if it was real.
“Before the end of the year,” he said, then quickly changed his mind.
“Next week?”
Alicia nodded.
“Alright.”
Caden smiled through his teary eyes, feeling dizzy, and promised, “I won’t mess up again this time. Trust me.”
Alicia nodded and gently said, “Get some rest.”
Caden wanted to hold her while he slept, but he didn’t want to pass the virus to her, so he let her go.
Maybe he was just too happy, because he ended up falling into a deep sleep without a care.
Alicia watched him for a while before stepping out onto the balcony.
She called Corey, and his voice came through, upbeat as always.
“So, have you made up your mind?”
“Yeah, I’ve decided to work with you,” Alicia said, her voice a little sharp from the cold wind.
She shivered as she spoke.
“But I’ve got one condition.”
Corey sounded curious.
“Of course, what’s the condition?”
“Take me away from Warrington, and make sure Caden can never find me again.”
After ending the call with Corey, Alicia returned to the bedroom.
She sat quietly on the edge of the bed, her eyes fixed on Caden as he lay there.
The medication was taking effect slowly, and he shifted uncomfortably, his face tense, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Carefully, Alicia wiped the sweat from his brow, her fingers moving gently across his skin in a calming motion.
Gradually, his expression softened under her touch, the tension in his features easing bit by bit.
Without opening his eyes, Caden reached out, finding her hand and holding it close under his cheek.
The touch of her hand seemed to comfort him, and finally, he slipped into a peaceful sleep.
Alicia knew what it felt like to be unwell, so she didn’t move her hand.
She sat by his side, unsure of how much time had passed, but as his breathing steadied, she slowly slipped her hand free.
Just then, Monica came in, carrying a tray with food.
“Is he awake yet?” she whispered.
“I asked the housekeeper to make some soup; maybe he can eat a little before sleeping again.”
Alicia glanced at the clock, surprised at how much time had passed.
“No, he’ll probably sleep a bit longer. Let’s wait before we wake him.”
Monica’s gaze softened as she noticed Alicia’s face.
“Alicia, did you just cry?”
Alicia brushed her cheeks.
She shook her head, trying to keep herself together, and followed Monica out of the room.
Once they were outside, Monica placed a gentle hand on her arm.
“Is everything okay between you and Caden?” Monica asked, her voice filled with concern.
Alicia didn’t answer, but her silence spoke volumes. Monica had known Alicia for a long time; she could sense her pain without a single word. She knew how deeply Alicia had been affected by the loss of their child. Though their love was strong, the weight of grief and the constant struggles had worn them down.
Monica gave Alicia’s hand a reassuring squeeze.
“Whatever you decide, just know I’m here for you. If you need anything, anything at all, don’t hesitate. I’ll always be on your side.”
Caden slept soundly, his body finally surrendering to a full day and night of rest. The past week had been relentless, filled with sleepless nights and endless worries. A high fever finally forced him to slow down and rest properly. When he woke up, his muscles ached, but he felt a renewed sense of energy. He hadn’t felt this refreshed in days.
Later that day, he joined Alicia for a meal at Monica’s house. As they were getting ready to leave, Monica was out in the yard with the dog, who trotted around happily, showing no interest in following them.
Settling into the car, Caden glanced at the dog and then at Alicia.
“Aren’t you bringing him home?”
Alicia gave a small smile, looking away.
“I’ve been swamped lately. Monica can keep him for a while.”
Caden nodded, understanding. They lived close enough, and she could pick him up anytime.
As the car pulled away, the dog perked up at the sound, barking after them as he watched the car disappear down the road. Monica crouched beside him, gently scratching his ears.
“You’ll get used to it here. I promise you’ll love it.”
Although Alicia had said she wouldn’t have a wedding, Caden still spent time researching options, just in case. He knew that she was still healing from the loss of their child, so he didn’t want to pressure her. Instead, he quietly prepared a few wedding plans as backup, choosing ones he thought she might like if she changed her mind.
With only a day left before their marriage registration, Caden was busy wrapping up his work in advance, meaning he couldn’t be by Alicia’s side all the time.
On the evening before their registration, Alicia took a brief detour to a renowned witchcraft shop in Warrington. The shop was run by an alluring woman who, upon seeing Alicia, immediately sensed a well-off client and greeted her warmly.
“What wish would you like to make today?” The witchcraft shop, adorned with witch symbols and tarot cards, was mostly a business offering a hint of hope or comfort to its patrons.
But Alicia took a seat without hesitation. She looked at the owner, her voice steady.
“I want to make three wishes. What’s the price?”
The owner’s smile widened.
“The more you pay, the stronger the magic. We have three options: four hundred thousand, one hundred and fifty thousand, or seventy thousand.”
Alicia chose the middle option, spending four hundred and fifty thousand on her three wishes. She wrote each one carefully on separate cards. As she wrote the final card, the owner noticed her distant expression and commented, “Matters of the heart troubling you?”
Alicia didn’t respond. She finished writing, placed the last card face down in a small box, and quickly paid with her bank card. The owner’s eyes widened at the amount. Alicia gave a polite nod of thanks and left.
The owner suddenly remembered something important she had forgotten to say, but by then, Alicia was already too far away to hear.
When Alicia returned to her apartment, a message from Corey awaited her: “Tomorrow morning’s flight is at eight. Don’t let me down.” She placed her phone aside, sinking into the solitude of her living room. She sat there, motionless, as familiar scents filled the room, pulling her back into memories that swept over her like a storm.
Their relationship had always been an exchange-beginning and ending wrapped in transactions. In this apartment, they had shared so much, giving in to each other’s desires freely, stripped of time, place, and pretense. They had laid bare not just their bodies but their souls.
Caden’s voice seemed to echo around her as if he were still there.
“You really like me, huh?”
“Don’t worry. I’m here for you, no matter what happens to Yolanda today.”
“Why did you come looking for me? Did you miss me that much?”