Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Corey glanced at the clock, his expression casual.
“Why are you up so late? Feeling more tired than usual?”
With Gemma’s unique condition, Corey was always vigilant, wary of potential complications.
“I don’t know,” Gemma confessed.
“I’ve had this ringing in my ears at night, disrupting my sleep. I try to make up for it during the day.”
“Anything else troubling you?” Corey asked, his brow furrowing in concern.
Gemma shook her head.
“Not really, but I’ve been plagued by nightmares. It’s hard to calm down after waking up; my heart just races.”
Corey looked at her, concern etched deeply on his face. Since Alicia’s arrival, Gemma’s health had been improving, which led him to forego a comprehensive check-up. Now, it seemed that a thorough examination was overdue.
A week had passed, and Caden still hadn’t heard from Alicia. Unperturbed, he maintained his routine-finishing his workday and walking his dog each evening.
That changed when Hank arrived to report, saying, “Ms. Bennett’s team has settled in Warrington.”
The team was staying in a housing complex that Alicia had purchased just a week earlier. Hank had investigated and confirmed the purchase.
Hank exhaled heavily.
“They’re incredibly loyal to Ms. Bennett. It’s surprising enough that they didn’t leave for ten times their salary. Besides, they followed her even after the hospital acquisition. That’s remarkable.”
Caden let out a laugh tinged with sarcasm.
“Are you implying you’re dissatisfied with my decisions?”
Hank looked surprised.
“Of course not. You’re an exceptional boss.”
Caden’s smile was more of a sneer.
“Then why didn’t they choose to work for me?”
At a loss for words, Hank pulled out his phone.
“Well, Mr. Ward, what would you like for dinner? I can order something.”
“I’m not hungry,” Caden responded curtly.
“Alright then.” Shifting back to business, Caden gave his orders.
“Keep an eye on Monica’s research institute. I want to know who she’s meeting these days.”
Hank responded with a quick grin, “Understood.” With the return of professors from Alicia’s team, it was clear Alicia’s arrival in Warrington was imminent. Without family there, her first stop would undoubtedly be Monica’s.
Three days later, Alicia was back in Warrington.
She spent the night at a hotel before her meeting with Monica. Monica clasped Alicia’s hand, noting the swift passage of time. Two years had passed, and both were now shouldering heavier burdens.
“Now that you’re back, doesn’t that mean the two years you spent away were all for nothing?” she inquired.
Alicia let out a deep sigh.
“I wouldn’t say I was avoiding him; it was more about taking a risk. Unfortunately, my luck ran out since we ended up on the same project. Now, I have no choice but to manage it.”
“It doesn’t seem like a coincidence,” Monica observed.
“I heard from Gerry that after you left, Caden was bedridden for months. He must’ve really cared about that baby…”
Monica paused as she noticed a shift in Alicia’s expression, lightly smacking her lips to end the conversation. A wave of bitterness surged through Alicia. She took a large bite of her dessert, attempting to suppress her emotions.
Monica longed to spend more time catching up, but a series of urgent calls kept interrupting her. Apologetically, Monica arranged to meet Alicia again and hurried off.
Alicia finished her meal quickly and descended to the parking lot to retrieve her car. Exiting the elevator, she spotted someone near her vehicle. Upon closer inspection, she found that it was Hank.
A feeling of unease washed over Alicia just as her phone rang. Hank, looking around nervously, feigned surprise.
“Ms. Bennett? Is this your car?”
Alicia remained silent. Two years had passed, yet Hank’s acting skills had not improved. She ended the call and approached him.
“Hank, what’s the issue?” she inquired, her eyes darting to her car’s hood.
Hank seemed remorseful.
“I’m sorry. I’m not familiar with this parking lot and accidentally hit your car.”
Alicia pressed her lips together.
“Accidentally?” The damage to her car suggested otherwise. Considering the parking lot’s five-mile-per-hour speed limit, the severity of the damage implied reckless driving.
Hank attempted a reassuring smile.
“I’ve called a tow truck. You’ll have a replacement car in three days. It’s late, and this place isn’t safe. May I drive you home to apologize?”
Alicia was forthright.
“Is Caden in the car?” Her question took Hank by surprise. After a brief hesitation, he replied, “This has nothing to do with Mr. Ward.”
Alicia regarded him steadily. Hank gave a dry laugh.
“He’s in the car.” It had been Caden’s idea, and Hank had been reluctantly involved.
“Perfect. I need to speak with him anyway. You drive,” Alicia said firmly.
Hank scratched his nose, struck by how little Alicia had changed.
She didn’t need to hear Caden’s excuses to grasp his motives. He opened the car door for her and gestured for Alicia to get in. Sitting in the spacious backseat, clad in luxurious leather, was Caden.
Alicia settled in and spoke calmly.
“Mr. Ward, if you need something, come directly to me. There’s no need for these games.”
Caden’s gaze lingered on Alicia, taking in the woman before him. She looked much the same, yet something about her was undeniably different. Her demeanor had shifted-calmer now, more self-assured. If this had happened a few years ago, she would have refused his help. She would have insisted on driving on a flat tire rather than accepting a ride.
“Is something wrong, Mr. Ward?” Alicia’s voice cut through his thoughts, steady and composed.
“You’ve been staring for a while.”
Caden blinked, startled out of his thoughts. He quickly shifted his gaze, trying to regain his composure.
“No, nothing like that. Just a little trouble with my eyesight. Can’t seem to focus on your face right now.”
Alicia studied him for a moment, then responded with sharp clarity.
“Well, let me get straight to the point. About the medical project-I’m all for peaceful coexistence with you, Mr. Ward. But we’ll be competing for resources from Warrington. May the best person win. If you’re planning to sabotage me, that’s on you. If I fall behind, I’ll deal with it and won’t blame you.”
Caden couldn’t help but appreciate her blunt honesty, but he could tell that she was laying it on thick.
“Ms. Bennett, you’re overthinking this.”
“I don’t play dirty. I’m actually inviting you to Warrington to help speed up the project,” he said with a slight smile.
Alicia held back a scoff, her lips twitching slightly. She kept her voice even, though.
“Well, thank you in advance, Mr. Ward.”
“Don’t mention it. It’s still early. How about we find a quiet spot to sit and talk for a while?” Caden suggested, his tone casual.
Alicia leaned back in her seat, glancing around the luxurious interior.
“Your million-dollar car is plenty comfortable, Mr. Ward. I think we’re fine right here.”
Meanwhile, Hank, feeling a bit out of place in the midst of their formal exchanges, got momentarily distracted. In his haze, he didn’t realize that he almost ran a red light. When he noticed it, he slammed on the brakes just in time. The sudden jolt sent Alicia forward. Reflexively, she leaned into Caden’s side. Her hand shot out to steady herself and landed right on his firm abs.
Hank immediately apologized, his face reddening.
“Sorry! I lost focus for a second and didn’t see the light. Ms. Bennett, are you alright?”
Alicia straightened up quickly, a hint of embarrassment creeping onto her face. Caden smirked, adjusting his shirt.
“Well, well, looks like you’ve got a thing for this area of mine. Last time, you shocked me with a stun baton here, too.”
Alicia’s jaw tightened as she shot him a cool look.
“You’re mistaken, Mr. Ward. It was purely instinctual. I reached for the nearest thing in the moment.”
Caden leaned back casually, his grin widening.
“No need to be shy. If you’re that fond of it, I wouldn’t mind letting you explore it a few more times.”
Alicia’s smile faltered, her expression turning serious.
“Boundaries, Mr. Ward. I’d appreciate it if you could exercise a little self-control.”
Unfazed, Caden leaned back with a smirk.