Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Ellis burst into laughter. “That explains why Caden seems wary of me. We might end up being in-laws with him.”
Jaida was left without words.
Late into the night, Alicia felt the warmth of Caden’s body. She rolled over to find him staring into space. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?” she murmured.
Caden stroked her back gently. “I just can’t seem to relax.”
Alicia misunderstood his restlessness, sliding her hand across his stomach. “In need of some affection?”
He grasped her hand, his tone steady. “No, it’s not that. I’m preoccupied with thoughts of Ellis.”
Exhausted and unable to place Ellis, Alicia asked, “Why are you thinking about him?”
“He’s irritating,” Caden confessed. “I’ve been turning it over in my mind all night and still can’t pin down why he gets under my skin.”
Alicia had no response.
Three days before his surgery, Caden whisked Alicia away to Sowell for a day of fun. They indulged in spicy food, which left Caden with a stomachache by evening.
Yet, determined to keep Alicia’s spirits high, Caden masked his discomfort all afternoon. It wasn’t until they returned to the hotel and Alicia noticed his pallor that she realized he was in pain.
With a mix of frustration and concern, she lightly smacked his head. “Can’t you let me worry a little less?”
Caden sat on the edge of the bed, his face pale yet defiant. “This pain is trivial.”
Alicia handed him a stomach pill.
Depleted, Caden leaned against the headboard while Alicia nestled in his lap. Her presence made him momentarily forget his discomfort.
Earlier, they had been swimming. Alicia’s modest, yet form-fitting swimsuit accentuated her elegant figure. As he held her waist, he felt a momentary relief from the pain.
He was so weak that Alicia had to feed him water, sip by sip.
Then, Caden made an unusual request. “Feed me from your mouth.”
Alicia stared at him blankly. “Now? Really? Can’t you ever behave?”
Caden responded earnestly, “Kissing might ease the pain.”
Alicia sighed. Whenever he was unwell, he would act shamelessly, much like a needy child. To comfort him, she complied, holding water in her mouth to share with him.
As expected, Caden didn’t simply accept the water. Instead, he used his tongue to push it away, concentrating solely on kissing her.
He cherished each drop of water that trickled from her chin. Gently, he kissed down her collarbone.
His movements became more daring as he easily shifted her swimsuit aside.
Alicia flushed, pushing his hair back to distance him.
“Caden, you…”
But he pulled her close, finding it easier to continue.
Looking down, she murmured shyly, “Should I call Dr. Ramos? You’re in so much pain. Maybe we should move the surgery up.”
Caden pressed her gently onto the bed. “Right now, I just want us to focus on something else.”
Despite the pain, he was determined to seize this moment.
Alicia’s voice trembled with concern. “Are you sure you can handle this? You look like you might faint.”
“Do you doubt I can handle this?” Despite his discomfort, Caden sat up suddenly, his movements becoming more forceful.
However, his burst of energy was short-lived, and he quickly exhausted himself, collapsing onto Alicia with a groan. His stomach throbbed painfully. Panting, he held Alicia close and kissed her.
Yet, the pain intensified. Caden buried his face in her neck and said, “Damn it.”
Realizing the severity of his pain, Alicia quickly turned to call an ambulance.
Due to the unexpected severe stomachache, Caden’s surgery had to be moved up at the last minute.
Alicia worried about the preparations for Caden’s surgery. However, when the ambulance rushed Caden to the hospital, Jaida’s team was already prepped and ready to begin.
The medical staff quickly helped Caden change into sterile clothing, working with practiced efficiency.
Meanwhile, Alicia took it upon herself to inform Jaida about Caden’s recent meals, suspecting they might have triggered his sudden stomach pain.
Noticing Alicia’s anxiety, Jaida reassured her with a calm smile. “It’s alright. Advancing the surgery won’t affect anything.”
Alicia exhaled in relief. “Thank you, Dr. Ramos.”
“It’s my job,” Jaida replied. Caden had brought them many unforgettable experiences in the business world. To Jaida, this surgery was a way to give back.
As they prepared to wheel Caden into the operating room, a nurse hesitated and called out, “Dr. Ramos…”
Jaida turned to see what was wrong, only to notice that Caden, even unconscious, was gripping Alicia’s hand tightly. His grip was so firm that Alicia couldn’t pull away. Alicia looked torn. She wanted to comfort Caden but also worried about delaying the surgery. Her face flushed with indecision.
Jaida sighed and offered a solution. “You should come in with us.”
Alicia hesitated but eventually whispered, “Thank you.” Inside the operating room, once the anesthesia began to take effect, Caden’s grip loosened, and Alicia was able to pull her hand away.
Determined to stay by Caden’s side, Alicia agreed to remain throughout the surgery. With Jaida’s help, she changed into sterile attire.
Only then did Jaida notice Alicia’s swimsuit peeking out beneath her coat. She also couldn’t miss the faint hickeys on Alicia’s chest.
Alicia’s cheeks flamed red as she quickly tried to cover herself, but Jaida chuckled lightly. “Looks like you didn’t take my earlier advice.”
Alicia wanted to vanish on the spot, utterly mortified.
Jaida shook her head, sighing. “Men are all the same. They never think about the consequences.”
Alicia blinked, momentarily distracted. “Is Mr. Reed like that too?” she asked, referring to Jaida’s husband. Jaida sidestepped the question. “I need to focus on the surgery now. Please remain quiet during the procedure.”
Alicia nodded obediently, grateful to shift the conversation.
The surgery didn’t take long and was a resounding success. Caden was soon moved to a hospital room for recovery. Due to his body’s resistance to medication, the anesthesia wore off quicker than expected, leaving him groggy and in pain.
As Caden’s vision cleared, he saw Alicia sitting beside him. Her red, puffy eyes suggested she’d been crying.
Frowning, Caden rasped, “Why did you cry?” He didn’t remember undergoing surgery, as he had already been unconscious when it began.
Alicia shook her head. “I didn’t cry.”
Caden’s gaze drifted down to her oversized sterile gown. She hadn’t even changed out of it, too worried about him to think of herself.
He frowned again. “New clothes?”
Alicia remembered Jaida mentioning the nerve confusion caused by the anesthesia and decided to play along. “Yes, new clothes.”
Caden sighed, his tone serious yet drowsy. “Why are you dressed like this? Are you trying to cosplay as my doctor?”
“Yes,” she replied flatly, humoring him.
“Why did you choose something like this?” He gave her a weak smile. “If you don’t like being a nurse, maybe try a white coat next time. This… This makes it hard to tell if you’re male or female.”
Alicia stared at him, dumbfounded. Her sadness evaporated instantly, replaced by an expressionless look. Sensing her annoyance, Caden amended weakly, “It’s not you-it’s the clothes. You’ll always be beautiful to me no matter what you wear.”
Alicia remained silent, unimpressed.
Talking seemed to exhaust Caden. After a pause to catch his breath, he smirked faintly and muttered, “But how do we play in these clothes? I’m the patient, and you’re…” Before he could finish his suggestive remark, Alicia covered his mouth, exasperated but laughing. Even in his weakened state, his mind was stuck on such thoughts.
She scolded him lightly in her thoughts, but her heart softened as she saw how worn out he looked. “Caden, get some rest,” she urged gently.
Caden was too tired to argue. The pain from the wound and the lingering effects of the anesthesia had left him in a weakened state. “Lucky.” Gripping her hand loosely, he murmured, “When I wake up, I’ll be my usual self again.”
Alicia was at a loss for words. He still remembered feeling weak before he passed out.
Alicia smiled faintly. “Alright. Once you’re better, we can have a three-day marathon, okay?”
She laughed at her joke, knowing such a feat would exhaust even the most energetic person.
Caden’s recovery was swift. Thanks to his good condition, he was discharged in less than a week and returned to Warrington to rest.
On the day of his discharge, Alicia arrived to pick him up. It was noon, and the sun streamed brightly into his hospital room as he changed out of his gown.
Midway through, his phone rang. With one hand on the phone and the other unbuttoning his shirt, he answered the call, his tone quickly turning sharp.
Standing behind him, Alicia cleared her throat softly. Caden turned to look at her, his irritation melting at the sight of her. He quickly wrapped up the call.
Alicia approached with fresh clothes and handed them to him.
Standing boldly in the sunlight, Caden paid little attention to his surroundings as he slipped off his shirt. Alicia’s eyes couldn’t help but linger on his broad shoulders and toned chest. His skin glowed, and somehow, his nipples caught her attention.
Before she realized it, her hand reached out to touch him.
Alicia’s aim was impeccable, squeezing Caden’s nipples with precision.
Caden shivered and seized her wrist.
With a teasing smile, Alicia said, “You’re always so mean with your employees, scolding them endlessly. I bet they are clueless about how well-built your chest is beneath those clothes.”
Her remark rendered Caden speechless. She disregarded his impressive muscles and build, focusing instead on his chest.