Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Caden quickly regained his composure. “It’s pretty normal for guys to appreciate beautiful feet.”
“And is begging to ‘eat it’ also ‘normal’?” Alicia retorted.
Caden found himself at a loss for words. Changing the subject, he asked, “Is there more on that video?”
“There is. Take your time watching it,” Alicia responded smoothly.
Having experienced last night’s events, Alicia found it difficult to revisit the moment. “Just make sure to watch it when you’re alone. I wouldn’t want your reputation to suffer.”
Caden nodded and quickly deleted the video.
With a flat expression, Alicia said, “Did you really think I wouldn’t have backups? I have copies saved on ten different cloud apps, Mr. Ward.”
Caden fell silent, well aware that Alicia was always one step ahead. All he desired now was a bit of peace. While private fun was one thing, recording it for future viewing introduced an entirely new level of humiliation that he wasn’t ready to face.
Alicia was about to leave when Caden pulled her back, seating her on his lap.
“Do you want to eat that again?” she asked, subtly declining.
“Only later tonight. I’ll have breakfast later.” Caden took her sarcastic digs in stride. “What are you planning to do with the video you kept?”
Alicia met his intense gaze. “Just feels like keeping it.” She was being honest. There were enough misunderstandings between them without adding this to the mix and making it a win-or-lose situation.
Caden grinned and said, “Next time you want to film something, I am more than cooperative.”
Alicia rolled her eyes. “I’m not interested in your acting skills.” She valued authentic reactions over staged performances.
“Which of my reactions in the video made the biggest impression on you?” Caden asked curiously.
Alicia couldn’t choose just one. “Honestly, they all did.”
“Didn’t any of them repulse you?” he asked.
Alicia wrapped her arms around his shoulders and noticed a teasing sparkle in his eyes. She shifted uncomfortably. “Do you have any dark secrets I should know about?”
Caden’s smile turned enigmatic. “Nothing too serious.”
Her curiosity was piqued. “Do you have a thing for unusual outfits?”
“I’d find anything you wear attractive.”
“Does that mean you’re into role-play? Like superheroes, aliens, ghosts, zombies?” Alicia narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. “Are you into any peculiar fantasies? It’s not mice or cockroaches, is it?”
Caden tilted his head back. “Who’s the real mischief-maker here?”
Alicia gave up guessing. “Seriously, what are you hiding?”
With a knowing chuckle, Caden replied, “You’ll have plenty of time to discover it later.” He wasn’t ready to reveal his secrets yet. If he did, he imagined she would tease him endlessly.
Just as Alicia was about to press further, the maid called them to dinner from outside. She stopped asking, opened the door, and walked out.
Caden took his time adjusting his clothes and glanced back at the computer, a smirk playing on his lips, savoring his small triumph.
The morning after, as Alicia departed, Caden received a cautious call from Hank.
Hank broached the topic of Alicia’s late visit. “Are we still keeping this quiet? With Ms. Bennett’s knack, it won’t be long before she uncovers everything.”
Caden felt a surge of smug satisfaction. It seemed Alicia cared about him more than he had anticipated. “Let’s keep it quiet for now. No need to stir up the past,” he responded.
Hank paused, seemingly in agreement. Despite Caden and Alicia’s unresolved issues, it was clear they harbored deep feelings for each other. They just needed the right moment to fully address them. Caden needed to play his cards right.
Then, Hank made a lousy proposal. “Why not escalate things? Make it dramatic, let Ms. Bennett be overwhelmed by emotion, and then you can truly win her over.”
Caden shrugged, not taking Hank’s suggestion seriously. “You handle it as you see fit.”
Hank, sensing Caden’s relaxed demeanor, could tell Caden was in a good mood, likely due to progress in his pursuit of Alicia.
Recalling Caden’s stomach issues, Hank said, “Mr. Ward, don’t forget your regular check-ups. I’ve cleared your schedule for next Monday and booked you for a gastroscopy.”
“Alright,” Caden replied curtly. But as he ended the call, a dull ache radiated from his stomach. Sighing, he reached for his medication.
Meanwhile, Alicia had maneuvered her way into a meeting with Caden’s personal doctor.
The doctor, stationed at a hospital Caden had invested in, had ample time to meet. But the doctor wasted no time establishing boundaries as soon as he saw Alicia. “Ms. Bennett, Mr. Ward has strictly instructed me not to disclose anything about his condition to anyone. Please, don’t make this difficult.”
Alicia, having prepared for resistance, responded calmly, “You’ve been treating Caden for years, including his previous lack of interest in women, correct?” The doctor hesitated briefly before nodding.
Alicia leaned in, her tone soft yet firm. “Caden rewards you handsomely. I understand it wouldn’t be worth risking your position over something so trivial as my inquiries into his condition.”
Moved by her composed yet empathetic approach, the doctor nodded enthusiastically. “Ms. Bennett, it’s rare to meet someone as considerate as you these days.” Alicia offered a warm smile. “That’s why I intend to shoulder the responsibility myself. If anything goes wrong, the blame will fall on me-not you.”
The doctor’s expression froze. “Excuse me?”
Before the doctor could fully process her words, two men entered the room. One covered the doctor’s mouth, muffling his protests, while the other restrained him. Alicia remained composed, issuing instructions. “Make it look convincing. Tie him up.”
The doctor struggled briefly but realized resistance was futile.
Alicia calmly sat in the doctor’s chair, accessing Caden’s medical records. As expected, Caden’s condition was much more serious than she had imagined. Her eyes scanned the dense notes detailing symptoms, medications and strict dietary instructions.
Alicia’s heart sank as she pieced everything together. Since her departure, Caden had barely been eating.
Unable to stomach reading further, Alicia shut down the computer. The doctor, seeing that she knew everything, stopped struggling.
Alicia composed herself and spoke with calm authority. “Don’t worry. Your job is secure. If Caden holds you responsible, I’ll arrange a new position for you-with a better salary.”
She paused before asking, “Is his condition stable?”
The doctor sighed, his professional mask faltering. “It’s a chronic condition. If Mr. Ward takes care of himself, he’ll manage. However, he is resistant to most medications, so their effectiveness is limited. Dietary therapy is his best option, but he needs to follow it strictly.”
Alicia nodded solemnly. “Thank you.”
After instructing the bodyguards to untie the doctor, Alicia handed him a token of apology.
The doctor shook his head, declining. “I understand your intentions, Ms. Bennett. But next time, just tell me. I’m quite good at acting-no need for actual force.” The bodyguards had been rough, nearly dislocating his arm. Alicia chuckled. As she prepared to leave, a thought struck her. Sitting back, she said, “Wait, you mentioned Caden is resistant to most medications?”
The doctor replied, “Yes. Fortunately, he’s in good health and rarely gets sick.”
“Is it all medications or just specific types?”
“Most on the market, yes,” the doctor confirmed.
Alicia produced a list of drug ingredients and slid it across the desk. “Can you check if he’s immune to these components?”
The doctor scanned the list, raising an eyebrow. “An aphrodisiac? Absolutely. Mr. Ward has joked before about being ‘invincible.’ Drugs like this have no effect on him-except for the taste.”
Alicia’s hands clenched as realization dawned.
Crumpling the paper, she forced a smile. “I see.” The doctor noticed her strained expression. “Is something wrong?”
“Nothing,” Alicia replied briskly, standing to leave.
Her steps grew heavier as her emotions twisted with each passing moment. Finally, she pulled out her phone and dialed Caden.
Caden answered in his usual calm, magnetic tone. “What’s up, Lucky?”
Alicia’s voice was cold and sharp. “I take back what I said earlier. Actually, Mr. Ward, your acting skills are quite remarkable.”
Caden didn’t deny it, his tone laced with curiosity. “How did you figure it out?”
“Secrets always have a way of surfacing,” she shot back.
He chuckled. “Fair enough.”
Unbothered by her anger, he changed the subject with an amused edge. “So, did you enjoy yourself last night, toying with me?”
Just picturing his smug face from his tone was enough to stir a mix of emotions. Alicia wasn’t angry-just impressed. Caden’s wariness ran a lot deeper than she’d imagined.
“All I want is for you to be happy. If filming embarrassing videos of me brings you joy, I’ll happily help you make countless ones until we’re old and gray.” Alicia’s lips tightened at his teasing.
He continued, “And for the record, nothing about last night was an act.”
Her stomach flipped. “What do you mean?”
“I mean… every single part of you makes me-“
“Enough!” Alicia interrupted, glancing around nervously before hastily ending the call.
One of the bodyguards, noticing Alicia’s frustration, asked, “Anything else we need to look into, Ms. Bennett?”
Alicia shook her head. “No. You’re done for the day. Go home and rest.”
Once assured of Caden’s stability, Alicia felt ready to return to work.
The elevator was empty when Alicia stepped in. As it stopped at the rehabilitation floor, Alicia glanced up and froze as the doors slid open.
Two years ago, when Dorian revealed he was actually Alicia’s father, Alicia cut ties and never saw him again. Dorian attempted to reconnect, but Alicia consistently refused to meet him. She declined every offer of compensation he made.
Over time, Dorian disappeared from public view, and mentions of him dwindled. Alicia had not anticipated encountering Dorian in Warrington, especially not under such unexpected circumstances.
Dorian, caught off guard outside the elevator, took a moment to collect himself. “Alicia,” he called out, tears forming in his eyes, which contrasted sharply with his aged appearance.
Alicia looked away, indifferent to his emotional display. Dorian was struck by a wave of mixed feelings, fully aware of her contempt. He had planned to let her exit first but, unable to pass up the chance to speak with her alone, he stepped into the elevator.