Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Alicia then asked, “Did you already know I had someone here? Is that why you were so polite and rang the doorbell?”
Caden shrugged. “There’s a limited edition Pagani parked outside. Only men drive cars like that.”
Alicia fell quiet, feeling a bit ashamed for forgetting about that. Then it hit her. After Corey left, everything had gone eerily quiet. If he’d driven away, she definitely would’ve heard the roar of his sports car.
Her heart started racing as she realized something. She turned toward the balcony and noticed the sheer white curtains gently swaying in the breeze. Instead of feeling calm, all she could feel was dread, worried Corey might show up at any second.
Caden noticed her staring off and followed her gaze. “Is Corey hiding out there?”
Alicia’s heart was pounding. She snapped, “What are you talking about? I already explained everything. Why are you still making sarcastic comments?”
Caden stared at her. “You’re clearly uneasy. Your lips are so pale they’re practically white. Doesn’t really make your story convincing.”
Alicia froze, feeling totally exposed. Caden saw right through her. If it were any other visitor, she’d be fine, but Corey was different. He had a way of twisting the truth and could easily make Caden lose his temper. Corey was sly, much like his demeanor in business dealings.
Alicia tried to defuse the situation. “Just focus on cooking. I’ll wait outside.”
Caden pressed. “If you tell me the truth, I won’t do anything.”
Alicia snapped, “Haven’t I told you the truth? Do you want me to repeat everything Corey and I said?” Caden turned back to his cooking, his face unreadable.
Alicia felt a wave of frustration, her chest tightening. She couldn’t figure out why he was looking at her that way. It felt like he thought she’d cheated on him or something. Feeling restless, Alicia stepped onto the balcony and scanned the yard for any trace of Corey but in vain. It looked like he was really gone.
She sighed, rubbing her forehead, trying to brush off the strange tension hanging in the air. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught Caden pulling out disposable gloves from a drawer, accidentally exposing a hidden ashtray. He froze, staring at the still-warm cigarette butt inside.
Alicia blinked, completely at a loss for words.
Caden glanced at her, his expression unreadable, as he cleared the ashtray. “No need to hide it. Men smoking isn’t a big deal,” he said, acting like Mr. Perfect.
Alicia groaned. “That was Corey’s doing! He was only trying to make me look bad.”
Caden grunted and shrugged. It was obvious he didn’t fully believe her.
Frustrated, Alicia had had enough. She grabbed her phone, ready to call Corey and let her anger out on him. Just then, she heard his phone ringing from her bedroom. She froze, her hand still on the phone.
Caden’s eyes instantly shifted toward the slightly open bedroom door.
The living room was blanketed in heavy silence.
For the first time in her life, Alicia found an ordinary ringtone more chilling than any scream of warning. Corey wasn’t the type to let misunderstandings fade quietly into the background. Alicia could already picture his next move-something outrageous enough to provoke Caden into storming out and cutting her off.
Alicia’s heart pounded as she glanced stiffly at Caden to gauge his reaction, expecting him to confront Corey head-on.
But instead, after a tense, silent moment, Caden calmly set down the ashtray. Without a word, he turned and headed to the kitchen to wash his hands.
Alicia stared after him, momentarily stunned, before fumbling to hang up the phone. She quickly followed him into the kitchen. “If I told you I had no idea what’s going on, would you believe me?”
Caden met her cautious gaze. Anger simmered beneath his calm exterior. However, he couldn’t bring himself to vent it on her.
“You’ve already told the truth to me. You don’t need to explain it again. We’re still in the middle of figuring things out. Without a confirmed relationship, I have no right to question your private life.”
His composed response left Alicia at a loss for words. This wasn’t the fiery, impulsive man she once knew. His maturity was unsettling, even unnerving. Could two years really change someone this drastically?
Alicia watched him pack up the ingredients he had been preparing. Her chest tightened. “What are you doing?”
Caden’s tone was calm but distant. “I’m too upset to eat. No dinner tonight.”
Alicia scrambled to find the right words. “Then should I not eat either?”
“Didn’t you text me earlier saying you’d already eaten?” Caden replied evenly.
Her casual lie from earlier came back to bite her, leaving her flustered. “I… I was talking nonsense. Why did you still come when I told you not to?”
Caden’s lips quirked into a faint, humorless smile. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have come.” He dried his hands and added lightly, “Sorry for crashing your time with Corey.”
Panic flared in Alicia’s chest. Her words stumbled out. “Don’t say that. You know better than anyone what kind of person Corey is.”
Caden turned to her, his gaze sharp and unyielding. “Are you stopping me from leaving because you’re afraid I’ll misunderstand?”
“Of course!” Alicia replied without hesitation.
Caden pressed, stepping closer, his voice low and steady. “Then tell me, what status do I hold that makes you care so much about my opinion?”
Alicia froze, her throat tightening. He was demanding clarity-a commitment she wasn’t ready to give. He wanted to erase the foolishness of their past and jump straight to claiming her as his own.
Alicia turned her face away, her voice barely above a whisper. “It doesn’t matter what status you have. I just want to tell you there’s nothing between Corey and me. If it were anyone else here today, I would explain it just the same.”
A noise erupted from the bedroom as her words hung in the air.
Caden looked up just in time to see Corey sauntering out, freshly showered, casually wrapped in a towel with water dripping from his hair.
“Babe, why did you call me? Wasn’t I-” Corey’s voice faltered when he seemed to finally notice Caden standing there. His lips curved into a smirk as he continued, “Oh, we have a guest. Hello, Mr. Ward!”
Alicia’s expression hardened as she remained silent. Unbothered, Corey tossed the towel he used to dry his hair and strolled toward Caden with infuriating ease. “If you were planning to drop by, you should’ve told me, Mr. Ward. I could’ve booked us a bar for drinks.”
Alicia’s voice was cold and steady. “Corey, you’d better leave now.”
Ignoring her, Corey draped an arm over her shoulder with feigned affection. “Why are you teasing me in front of Mr. Ward? You’re making him laugh at us.”
Alicia shrugged off his arm and shoved him away. But Corey seized the opportunity to grab her hand, only to be met with a sharp slap across the face.
The sound echoed through the room, leaving Corey momentarily stunned.
Recovering quickly, Corey rubbed his cheek and gave Caden a mocking smile. “She’s got quite the temper, but her hands are so soft that it doesn’t even hurt. Honestly, I think I like it.”
His casual demeanor couldn’t hide the aggression simmering beneath the surface.
Caden remained seated, leaning back with his arms crossed, his commanding presence filling the room. His sharp gaze locked on Corey. “Mr. Hampton, your reaction doesn’t look like someone enjoying themselves. I caught a hint of murderous intent just now. Do you have a violent streak?”
Corey chuckled, though his eyes darkened. “Why would I ever hurt such a beautiful woman? However, Mr. Ward, your tone sounds a bit sarcastic. Are you upset seeing me here with your former lover?”
“Why would I be upset?” Caden replied with an amused chuckle. “When she was mad at me for those two years, I’m grateful you cared for her. You even let her use your company’s resources. I should be thanking you.”
Corey laughed, but a flicker of tension crossed his face. “You’re surprisingly generous, Mr. Ward. I didn’t expect that.”
Caden’s smile didn’t waver. “Generosity is one thing. Your staging of this performance is another. Sneaking in through the window for a shower and strolling out in a towel… Who else could match your shamelessness?” Corey’s smile faltered for a brief moment.
Noticing that Caden had caught on, Alicia felt a wave of relief. She turned and sank into the couch in the living room, leaving the two men alone.
With Alicia gone, Corey dropped his facade. His tone was laced with mockery as he sneered, “Caden, if you’d shown up just a little later, you might’ve seen something far more exciting. Do you believe that?”
Caden’s expression didn’t shift. “So what? She’s free to do whatever she wants as long as she’s happy.”
Corey would only believe Caden if hell froze over. Brazenly, Corey continued to provoke him. “Alicia seemed quite happy when we had sex.”
Caden’s lips curved into a forced smile, though his eyes were colder than ice. “That’s rare. She has high standards, and most men don’t catch her eye. If you managed to make her happy, it means you knew how to cater to her needs. Kudos to you, Mr. Hampton.”
Corey’s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Caden, looking for cracks in his facade. But there was nothing-no anger, no despair-just an impenetrable coldness. Was this really the same Caden who used to fly off the handle at the slightest provocation?
Corey smirked. “Quite the tough talker.”
Caden replied dryly, “Thanks, but let’s not forget-she spent two years with you and still came back to Warrington to find me. Seems your charm isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Maybe you should invest in some lessons on how to please a woman.”
Caden’s sharp gaze swept over Corey’s frame, his voice tinged with mock pity. “Your physique is pretty average. I guess your skills aren’t much to brag about either.”
Corey’s smirk faltered, the taunts striking a nerve. No man could endure such pointed jabs about his masculinity, especially not from someone like Caden, whose physique was undeniably more attractive. Corey retorted, “Mr. Ward, are you comparing yourself to a tool for pleasing women?”
Unfazed, Caden countered, “In bed, whoever puts in the effort is the tool. Or are you always the one lying down, Mr. Hampton?”
Corey’s retort died in his throat.
Caden pressed further, his tone dripping with derision. “Your silence says it all. Well, age catches up with everyone. If your strength isn’t what it used to be, I can recommend a personal trainer.”
Corey’s face darkened. “Age? I’m only two years older than you!”
“Is that so?” Caden mused, his expression unbothered. “I must have overthought it. After all, the master bedroom window is at least two meters off the ground. Climbing in must have taken quite the effort. I’ll save my recommendation for a few years down the line.”
Corey was left speechless. He had underestimated Caden. This man had no shame and no limits. What started as a ploy to rattle Caden now seemed to have spiraled into a battle Corey couldn’t easily win.
Yet, Corey wasn’t going to back down just yet. If words wouldn’t gain him the upper hand, there were always other means. He smiled, masking his frustration. “It’s still early. How about a drink, Mr. Ward?” His tone carried an undercurrent of malice.
Corey knew all too well about Caden’s near-fatal stomach bleed from years ago. Tonight, he planned to push Caden to the brink.
Caden saw through Corey’s ploy immediately but played along, his lips curling into a cold smile. “You’re the guest, Mr. Hampton. I’ll follow your lead.”
Knowing Alicia wouldn’t stand for their reckless competition, Caden discreetly called Gerry, instructing him to find a way to lure Alicia out of the house. Eager to escape the suffocating atmosphere, Alicia left without protest.
Once Alicia was gone, Corey changed into fresh clothes and resumed his taunts. “I remember you haven’t won her over yet. Does she not let you drink?”
Caden’s expression remained calm. “I just don’t want her to worry.”
Corey laughed as if he had heard the most absurd joke. “Life is long, and you’re proud of being wrapped around a woman’s finger?”
Caden’s icy gaze shot through Corey. “You’ve never loved a woman, have you? But haven’t you loved your sister?”
Corey’s smile froze. Caden’s jab had hit a raw nerve. But Corey refused to back down. If words wouldn’t work, he’d drown Caden in liquor.
Caden agreed to drink with Corey, not just to win but also to vent.
Corey ordered the strongest drinks, confident that a few bottles would send Caden’s stomach into revolt. They began drinking, each glass a silent declaration of war.
However, as the liquor flowed, Corey found himself faltering. His vision blurred, his head spun, while Caden remained unnervingly steady, his eyes sharp and unyielding.