Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
In response, Alicia teasingly wrapped her arms around his neck for a kiss.
Caden turned his head, deflecting her advance. “Are you still looking at the album?”
“Yes,” Alicia replied.
Caden then sat down in the chair, and Alicia settled onto his lap. The album, a creation of Ciara’s, was filled with many childhood photos of Caden.
Alicia flipped through it, captivated. Among the pages, she came across a photo of Caden in a dress. His skin was delicate, his face round and youthful, holding a piece of candy, with teary eyes gazing into the camera. He must have been about five years old at the time.
“You had a habit of wearing dresses as a child?” Alicia couldn’t help but laugh.
Caden glanced at the photo. “I only wore it for two days.”
“You didn’t like it but wore it for two days?”
“No, it was just a special situation at the time.”
Alicia’s curiosity was piqued. “Oh?”
Caden pursed his lips, taking a moment before revealing, “I had a circumcision that day.”
Alicia burst into laughter. After her laughter subsided, she noticed his unamused expression and softened her approach, snuggling against him. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I just thought you looked adorable in a dress, and I couldn’t help but laugh.”
Her flirtatious behavior had become more frequent and natural after marriage, revealing her playful side.
Caden appreciated this, seeing it as a sign of her genuine affection. He kissed her gently. “I’m not upset. Keep looking.”
Alicia nodded. As they continued, Caden’s playful nature surfaced again. “The circumcision wasn’t planned so early. It was my grandma’s idea. Looking back, it was a wise choice. Otherwise, how could I keep my wife satisfied?”
Alicia shivered a bit. She quickly changed the subject.
Suddenly, there was a vibration beneath her.
Alicia shifted slightly, allowing Caden to pull his phone from his trousers. He checked his messages, chuckling. “Corey’s in the hospital.”
Alicia, curious, peeked at the photos his assistant had sent. They were candid shots of Corey in the hospital, each more humorous than the last.
When she saw a photo of Corey’s bandaged backside, Caden quickly swiped it away. “You’re not allowed to see that.”
Alicia had already seen it and chuckled. “That’s quite a sight.”
Caden shot her a look.
Alicia responded seriously, “I meant your phone screen protector is quite a sight.”
Caden said, “I don’t have a screen protector.”
Alicia quipped, “Oh, then I must have been seeing things.”
Caden couldn’t help but be charmed by her cheeky humor.
Except for Corey’s backside, Alicia had seen all the photos capturing his injuries. His wounds were serious and unlikely to heal quickly, which meant prolonged suffering. Caden was still unsatisfied.
“Corey got off too easily,” he remarked.
With a mischievous glint in her eye, Alicia said, “Why not bribe the nurse to switch his antiseptic with pepper water?”
Caden was left speechless. He imagined the repercussions of any future errors he might make. He joked, “You must do charity work to balance out your mischievous side.”
Alicia’s grin was wide as she showed off her teeth.
At that moment, Caden’s phone buzzed with a new message. Alicia looked down and saw an array of personal details.
“Why are you investigating Pierre?” she inquired, curiosity piqued.
Caden’s playful demeanor vanished. He was delving into Pierre’s background because something didn’t sit right. The previous night, he had discovered that Gemma had a heart condition, though it seemed like mere coincidence then.
At breakfast, Gemma appeared healthy, displaying no symptoms of heart trouble. Caden tested his theory by offering her black tea. She accepted and drank it without hesitation, even though black tea was contraindicated with heart medication. Furthermore, if Gemma truly had a heart issue, Corey would certainly be aware. Pierre must have had ulterior motives for revealing Gemma’s heart condition. He intentionally revealed her illness, but what was he hoping to gain?
As Caden browsed his phone, he pieced together the information. Years earlier, Pierre had traveled to Terriland with a woman. But following an incident, he returned alone and without any money.
This new insight into Pierre’s past intrigued Caden, prompting him to order further investigations.
Caden nonchalantly said to Alicia, “You introduced Pierre to the Hampton family. I’m just following up on him.”
“Why are you so focused on Corey all of a sudden?” Alicia questioned.
Caden had intended to keep this from Alicia, but it was clear she felt something was off. After enduring past misunderstandings, he chose to open up. “Gemma has a heart condition.”
Alicia’s pupils contracted. She was not shocked to learn of Gemma’s severe illness, having previously suspected it was linked to her blood. “Does she need a…?”
“Heart transplant?”
“Yes,” Caden affirmed, his grip on her arm tightening to reassure her. “But I won’t let Corey harm you.”
Alicia offered a weak smile, her eyes radiating trust. Yet, she harbored a trace of pity for Corey deep within her. For Corey, Gemma’s illness was a devastating blow. The woman he had shielded for decades was now succumbing to her ailment.
Corey ended up in the hospital after a dog bite, and Pierre’s situation was hardly better.
Pierre received a rabies vaccination and was placed on an IV drip next to Corey.
Drained, Corey dozed off early. Gemma, her eyes puffy from crying, approached Pierre’s bedside to check on him.
“I’m fine, Miss Hampton,” Pierre assured her.
“But how will you manage to eat?” Gemma asked, noting his immobility due to the IV. “Should I feed you?”
Pierre declined politely. Their relationship didn’t permit such closeness.
Despite his refusal, Gemma had already taken the bowl and positioned herself in front of him. This was her first time serving someone, and her actions, though a bit clumsy, were heartfelt as she spoon-fed him.
Pierre felt uncomfortable. He turned his head away. “Miss Hampton.”
Gemma paused, her expression one of pure concern. “Is it too hot?” She gently blew on the spoonful.
“No, it’s not that,” Pierre murmured, his voice softer. “Someone of your stature shouldn’t be doing this. I can manage later.”
Gemma bit her lip, undeterred by his protest. “What does it matter, given your condition?”
Pierre remained adamant. “There’s no need. I can call a nurse if necessary.”
Embarrassed, Gemma set the bowl and spoon down silently.
Sensing her mood shift, Pierre felt compelled to bridge the gap. “I’ll take you back to the hotel later. After that, I’ll return and look after Mr. Hampton here.”
The ride back to the hotel was quiet, with Gemma choosing not to engage.
Pierre felt the tension but remained silent, respecting her mood. He was puzzled by her shift. After all, he was merely a bodyguard. Was there any point in getting emotionally entangled with someone as insignificant as him?
At the hotel entrance, Pierre finally said, “Miss Hampton, I really need this job.” Corey wouldn’t tolerate their growing closeness. Gemma believed Pierre’s role was…
Pierre’s emotions were conflicted as he lingered at the door, watching Gemma enter the hotel without speaking. An unexplained anger surged within her, and she kept her silence.
Pierre eventually headed back to the hospital. His intention was merely to check on Corey and then return to safeguard Gemma. However, as he drew back the curtain, he found Corey sitting up in bed, fixing him with a piercing stare.
Pierre had never seen such dark, intense eyes. He tensed up, a cold shiver running down his spine.
Corey’s look was incisive, as if slicing through Pierre. “What happened between you and Gemma while I was gone?”
Corey was an entirely different person when anger consumed him. His usual calm demeanor turned icy and ruthless, his words cutting like shards of glass.
Pierre was well aware of Corey’s reputation-cold, unyielding, and not above having someone killed to make a point.
It was precisely this reputation that kept Pierre honest. Lying to Corey wasn’t an option.
“Miss Hampton was unwell. With Sheila absent, I stepped in to care for her. During that time, she was too afraid to sleep alone, so I stayed on the sofa in her bedroom every night.”
Corey’s eyes narrowed, his gaze chilling. “Every night?”
Pierre lowered his head slightly, his tone even. “Only for four days.”
Corey let out a sharp, mirthless laugh. “And you didn’t touch her at all?”
Pierre’s chest tightened-not from fear of Corey, but from the vivid memory of that one unexpected moment. The faint, intoxicating scent lingering from beneath her dress still haunted him. He swallowed hard, forcing his voice steady. “Not at all, Mr. Hampton.”
Corey’s tone grew colder, almost venomous. “No touch. And you haven’t seen anything?”
Pierre replied, “No.”
Corey was far from convinced. A man and a woman, alone in a room for four nights. Even with Pierre’s cautious nature, Corey doubted Pierre hadn’t peeked at Gemma when she dressed lightly or accidentally revealed her skin beneath her clothes. Corey’s rage erupted. He slammed his hand against the table, sending the kettle tumbling to the floor.
Pierre remained unmoving, his expression calm. His composure was that of a man with nothing to fear-nothing to hide.
Corey was livid, but as he recalled Gemma’s actions in the hospital room earlier, he suspected she might have developed feelings for Pierre and reluctantly suppressed his urge to get rid of him.
Corey sighed. Gemma had been shielded her entire life, rarely allowing any man to get close to her. Even though Pierre was Gemma’s personal bodyguard, he was assigned to stand guard at her bedroom door. Plus, it was Alicia who introduced Pierre. Therefore, Corey hadn’t thought much of it. Who would’ve guessed things would develop to this point?
Corey scrutinized Pierre’s face. Pierre wasn’t particularly handsome but exuded a rugged masculinity, his features hardened by years spent in underground boxing rings.
“How many women have you been with?” Corey asked abruptly.
Pierre stayed composed. “Mr. Hampton, I’m perfectly healthy. If you’re concerned, I can get a full medical check-up tomorrow.”