Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
“I can’t stay long.”
“Where to?” Caden’s brows furrowed in concern.
“Corey had an accident at the club half a month ago. He’s still in the ICU. There’s a lot at the company waiting for me to handle,” she replied calmly.
She didn’t blame Caden, but she knew Corey’s condition was partly Caden’s doing. Caden didn’t deny his involvement, his voice cold.
“Surprised he’s not dead.”
Alicia didn’t react, knowing she had no right to judge.
She announced, “Get some rest. I’m leaving.”
Caden frowned. “Do you have to leave now?”
Alicia paused. “Do you need something?”
He hesitated and then said, “I want you to stay with me.”
Her gaze didn’t waver. “No,” she said firmly.
Caden stared at her, his voice heavy with emotion. “Can’t you show a little sympathy?”
Alicia chuckled, her tone devoid of warmth. “If you don’t care for yourself, what good would my sympathy do? Will it heal your stomach? Or fix your reckless impulsiveness?”
Caden understood Alicia’s heightened concern, which explained her pointed remarks. He felt no anger. Moreover, he recognized his own mistake. “It won’t happen again,” he said earnestly.
Alicia’s frustration deepened. “You always say that. When will you truly change?”
“This time, I mean it!” Caden insisted.
“You said the same last time!”
Caden’s brow creased as he spoke with sincerity. “I can be gentle with you, but not with others, especially not with men who show interest in you.”
The message was clear: he would not back down if provoked again.
Alicia’s annoyance escalated, yet the vulnerable expression on Caden’s face stirred conflicting emotions within her. Overcome, she turned to leave.
Caden quickly sat up and drew her into his embrace.
Alicia gasped. “You’re still on an IV!”
With a dismissive gesture, Caden removed the needle. “It’s fine now. No more obstacles.”
Alicia was speechless. Her cheeks reddened with fury. She felt an urge to slap him, yet her hand gently pressed on his still-bleeding wound instead.
Caden breathed in her scent, feeling her warmth relax the tension that had built over weeks. He held her closer. “Drinking was a mistake. I won’t do it again.”
Alicia steadied her heart. She asked pointedly, “Did you drink with Corey because you were bothered by him being at my house?”
Caden pressed his lips together, struggling to conceal the truth his eyes so clearly revealed. Alicia resented his pettiness and his distrust.
Yet, Caden admitted, “Your working relationship with him is acceptable, but hiding him from me that night troubled me.” And unease had flickered across her face at that time. Was it possible Corey had tried to woo her secretly?
“If not for Mr. Langstaff’s precedent, I wouldn’t have asked Corey to leave through the back door,” Alicia replied icily.
Recalling his past errors, Caden said earnestly, “I’ve changed.”
Alicia scoffed.
Caden added softly, “Halfway.”
As he spoke, he leaned in, his lips inching toward hers, seeking a kiss.
Alicia intercepted his advance. “You made mistakes and still seek rewards? Do you have no shame?”
Caden’s gaze intensified as he stared at her before gently kissing her fingers.
The rough touch of his lips sent a warm shiver through Alicia, prompting her to quickly retract her hand.
Seizing the moment, Caden kissed her.
Their moment was abruptly interrupted by a nurse’s entrance.
“Mr. Ward, is the IV finished?” the nurse asked, her voice sweet.
Alicia pushed Caden back, stepping aside to subtly adjust her attire.
The nurse drew back the curtain, surprised to see Alicia, her smile momentarily fading.
“Oh, a family member is here.” The nurse’s eyes lingered on Alicia with a sharp scrutiny.
As women, one glance was enough to see through the other’s intentions.
Aware of Alicia’s sensitivity, Caden restrained his affection in front of the nurse. Yet, he said softly to Alicia, “Stay with me a little longer.”
Before Alicia could reply, the nurse’s gaze interrupted her, silencing any response she might have had. Noticing Caden’s bleeding hand, the nurse gasped and said, “Oh no, how did this happen?”
The nurse carefully disinfected his wound and prepared to reinsert the IV.
Caden, his attention fixed on Alicia, let the nurse tend to his hand.
Alicia observed their intertwined hands, puzzled. Wasn’t he a stickler for cleanliness? Didn’t he usually avoid physical contact with other women? Yet, here he was, seemingly at ease.
As the nurse adjusted the IV, she caught Caden’s lingering look at Alicia and noticed the lipstick mark on his lips, understanding the situation. Driven by jealousy, she stated firmly, “Mr. Ward’s condition is quite delicate at the moment. It would be best for visitors to leave soon so he can rest.”
Then, the nurse softened her tone while advising Caden, “Mr. Ward, you require daily injections. The veins on the back of your hand are delicate. Next time, please use the call button, and I’ll assist you.”
Alicia bristled at the nurse’s overly sweet intonation of “Mr. Ward.”
“Understood,” Alicia responded, glancing at Caden. “Rest well, Mr. Ward.”
Caden shivered, feeling his heart constrict. “You’re leaving? I thought you said you’d stay a bit longer?”
Alicia’s response was detached. “I wouldn’t dare disturb your rest.”
She left without indicating whether she would return, heading out immediately.
Caden longed to follow her, but his physical condition held him back. His gaze clung to her departing silhouette, reluctant to break away.
As the door shut, the nurse asked, “Mr. Ward, who was that?”
Irritated, Caden responded tersely, “It’s not your concern.”
Once the nurse inserted the needle, Caden pulled his hand away and wiped the spot where her fingers had touched. “Call the attending physician over,” he ordered coldly.
The nurse, eager to be helpful, said, “You can just tell me what you need.”
Caden’s patience wore thin. His expression darkened as he snapped, “Do you still want to keep your job?” The nurse’s face turned pale, and she quickly left the room without another word.
Outside, Alicia stood by the elevator, replaying the earlier scene in her mind. She knew Caden wasn’t interested in that nurse, yet she couldn’t help but feel annoyed.
Alicia’s thoughts were interrupted by giggles from the nurses’ station nearby. “You went to Mr. Ward’s room again, huh? How did it go today?” one of the nurses teased.
Alicia turned her head slightly and saw the pretty nurse from earlier, her face tinged with a shy blush. “What are you all gossiping about? I’m just doing my job.” The pretty nurse opened her lunchbox, revealing two portions of food, one significantly larger than the other. Under the transparent lid, the noodles were carefully arranged with a heart drawn in ketchup.
One colleague teased, “So, did Mr. Ward compliment your cooking?”
Lowering her head bashfully, the pretty nurse replied, “He did. He said I’m skillful and even asked me to cook for him daily.”
Her colleague chuckled. “Don’t forget about us when you become his wife in the future.”
“Stop teasing me!”
Their conversation was cut short when the head nurse approached, her expression stern. “Don’t you all have work to do? Can’t you hear the patients calling?”
The group quickly scattered.
Unbidden, Alicia’s mind conjured images of Caden and the pretty nurse spending time together, which made her angry and disgusted. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, silently cursing Caden. Why didn’t he die during his surgery?
The elevator finally arrived, and as the doors slid open, Alicia was startled to see Ciara.
“Ciara?” Alicia greeted her, forcing a smile.
Ciara, supported by Jasmine to prevent her from stumbling, grabbed Alicia’s hand anxiously. “What trouble has that rascal Caden gotten into this time?” Half a month ago, Caden had lied to Ciara about going on a business trip, but the truth eventually came out.
Alicia steadied Ciara and reassured her gently. “It’s nothing serious, just a stomach issue.”
“If it’s nothing, why has he been hospitalized for so long?” Ciara pressed, her face full of worry. “Alicia, don’t hide anything from me. What’s really wrong with him?”
Alicia hesitated momentarily and then said flatly, “Really, Ciara, it’s nothing. I just saw him. He’s busy flirting with a pretty nurse. He seems to be living quite comfortably.”
Ciara, who had been on the verge of tears, now looked bewildered by Alicia’s words. “What?”
Alicia tried to act nonchalant, but she couldn’t muster a smile. She pulled a long face. “I’m running late. Take care of yourself, Ciara,” she said, glancing at her watch. Alicia stepped into the elevator, leaving Ciara standing, confused and concerned.
Ciara visited Caden soon after. Once she confirmed he was fine, Alicia’s words began to replay in her mind. Could Caden really be involved with another woman? It didn’t seem possible.
Standing nearby, Jasmine shared the same thought but couldn’t entirely dismiss the idea. “Ms. Bennett didn’t look like she was lying. If anything, she seemed ready to tear Mr. Ward apart.”
Ciara wasn’t entirely confident in her grandson. After two years of being single and failing to win Alicia over, who knows what he might do?