Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Alicia’s smile was tinged with allure. “I happen to like this set. It’s not like I’m undressing at work, so what’s the harm?”
“That’s not appropriate,” Caden said, abandoning all pretense. “If you insist on going out, you should change your underwear first.”
Alicia replied, “Why should I listen to you? We’re only married. Do you honestly think you have any say in what I wear?”
With that, she turned toward the door.
Caden swiftly pulled her back, pressing her against the cabinet. His expression stern, he lifted her skirt. “If you won’t change it, I will.”
Much to his surprise, he discovered something even more frustrating. This bold woman was wearing a matching set!
Caden’s gaze intensified as he looked at her.
Alicia responded with indifference. “What’s the matter? Don’t you like it?”
Caden was so infuriated that he couldn’t even think about returning to the bedroom. He decided to change her attire right then and there.
Alicia had seen this coming and offered no resistance. Provoking his irritation was precisely her purpose. Mockingly, Alicia said, “Didn’t you claim you wouldn’t cater to my impulses? What’s this now?”
With frustration etched on his face, Caden removed the delicate lingerie. “If you’re trying to provoke me, you needn’t go to such lengths. You’ve overestimated me.” He lifted her onto the cabinet, his intentions clear. “Don’t waste the lingerie.”
After suppressing his desire for two long days, Caden remained firm. “Are you going to remove the garment yourself, or should I do it for you?”
Alicia’s anger was not so easily subdued. Just as she was poised to avenge herself, the doorbell unexpectedly rang.
Be Apart For Even A Second…
As Caden and Alicia stood at the door, the sudden, piercing ring of the doorbell startled them both.
Caden, clearly annoyed by the interruption, checked the screen to see who was outside. His face went rigid. He carefully set Alicia down and straightened her dress.
Alicia, catching sight of the visitor, turned pale. “Why is she here?”
It was Regina.
Following the incident, Regina had quickly divorced Dorian and made private efforts to mend her relationship with Alicia. However, at that time, Alicia was too absorbed in her career to give much attention to Regina, her biological mother.
Since Alicia’s marriage earlier this year, Regina had begun to visit more often, and Alicia had slowly accepted her and started to see her as a respected elder.
Caden noticed Alicia’s fearful expression and understood the deep impact of familial bonds. A dark gleam crossed his eyes as he hastily shoved her lingerie into his pocket. Alicia frowned at him. “What were you thinking? I need to wear that!”
Ignoring her, Caden opened the door.
Alicia’s expression twisted in frustration when she realized his intent.
As the door swung open, Regina stepped into view, smiling warmly. “Hello, Alicia. Hello, Caden.”
Struggling to recover from her initial shock, Alicia managed a stiff smile. “Ms. Moss.”
Caden mimicked the formality. “Ms. Moss.”
Regina’s smile faltered slightly at their formal greeting, as if she were a stranger. “I heard you had returned to Ward Mansion, so I came by to see you.”
She glanced at them curiously. “Why did you both come to open the door? Are you that inseparable?”
Alicia’s smile tightened.
Unabashed, Caden drew Alicia closer. “Yes, we’ve just married. We can’t stand to be apart for even a moment.”
Internally seething, particularly because she was not wearing underwear, Alicia’s frustration grew with Caden’s evident smugness. She squeezed his hand tightly in silent protest.
Holding her hand firmly, Caden welcomed Regina inside. “I’ll get some water,” Alicia said, seizing the chance to escape to the bedroom.
ust as she was about to close the door, Caden blocked it with his hand and pushed his way inside.
Alicia shut the door and whispered furiously, “What were you thinking? That’s my mother, and you expect me to…” She trailed off, overwhelmed with embarrassment.
Caden scoffed. “You still know how to be embarrassed?” He pulled the small piece of fabric from his pocket. “This is barely anything. Aren’t you embarrassed to be seen like this outside?”
Alicia snatched it from him and shoved it into the cabinet.
Caden then offered her a proper pair of underwear.
Resisting, Alicia kicked and pushed him away.
Caden turned her over his knee and gave her a light smack. “Do you want Ms. Moss to hear us?”
The smack sent a tingle through Alicia’s waist, and she bit her lip, remaining silent.
Caden assisted her in changing. “Do you realize what I was thinking when you squeezed my hand earlier?” Alicia, expecting the worst, covered her ears. Caden removed her hands and murmured his inappropriate thought.
Alicia’s face turned bright red, and she slapped him.
Once dressed, they returned to the living room where Regina was looking at their wedding photos.
Regina looked up smiling, only to notice a slap mark on Caden’s face. She looked surprised. “Did you two have a disagreement?”
Unruffled, Caden replied, “No disagreement. I accidentally hit a bedpost while falling onto Alicia’s hand.”
Regina was at a loss for words.
With a guest present, Caden ceased his teasing and focused on being a gracious host, even taking up cooking duties.
Alicia spent some time talking with Regina and discovered that Caden had orchestrated Regina’s visit.
The replacement part for the artificial heart was essential, and since Dorian was a direct connection, it made sense to involve him. Caden had smartly invited Regina to the negotiations.
“Even without Caden’s request, I would have helped,” Regina said. “Alicia, Dorian owes you, and doing anything for you is not too much.”
Alicia offered a weak smile. “Thank you for making the effort, Ms. Moss.”
Regina responded with a touch of sadness, “You don’t need to be so formal with me.”
Regina wondered if she would ever hear Alicia call her “Mom” in her lifetime. But even if she didn’t, simply being by Alicia’s side as a friend was already enough.
After dinner, Caden insisted on taking Alicia with him. He wasn’t comfortable leaving her alone at home.
Caden had booked a restaurant and planned to meet Dorian there. Although Dorian had agreed to come, he was late.
Half an hour passed, and Alicia’s patience began to wear thin.
Sensing her frustration, Caden offered, “Should I arrange for a bodyguard to accompany you on a walk? I’ll handle Dorian alone.”
Just as he finished speaking, Dorian appeared downstairs. Dorian was almost unrecognizable, having lost a considerable amount of weight. His suit, though neatly pressed, was too large and hung loosely on him. He stood nervously in front of his car, adjusting his clothes. Soon, hurried footsteps approached outside the room.
The noise halted abruptly at the door, and in the ensuing silence, the tension and unease were palpable to all three. After a moment, Dorian finally opened the door. It seemed he had taken a long time to mentally prepare himself. He entered with a forced smile, but his gaze quickly fell on Regina, who sat calmly in a chair.
Dorian hadn’t anticipated seeing Regina there. The sight of her, still as radiant and unchanged as ever, struck him profoundly, nearly overwhelming him. He stood frozen, his face losing all expression, his eyes conveying a mix of conflict and pain as he looked at Regina.
Gathering his strength, Dorian managed to say, “Regina, you’re back.”
Regina looked at her ex, now looking rough and worn out, and felt a jumble of emotions she couldn’t put into words. She didn’t say anything, acting as if she and Dorian had never known each other.
Dorian’s gaze shifted from Regina to Alicia. It had been over six months since he last saw her. Alicia looked a little fuller, her features softer and more beautiful, indicating that she was living well after marrying Caden. Had the pain from that car accident finally gone away? He couldn’t bring himself to ask. Now, he just stood awkwardly at the door, completely out of place in the happy family scene in front of him. He felt like an outsider and didn’t deserve to be part of their world. After thirty years together, Regina knew exactly what was going through Dorian’s head.
Without waiting, Regina stood up and walked over to Dorian. “Let’s talk. Just the two of us,” she said calmly.
Dorian glanced at his ex-wife, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. She was still as thoughtful as ever, quick to notice his embarrassment and step in to save him from the situation.
Regina didn’t waste time and got straight to the point, explaining the heart chip issue.
Dorian looked stunned, caught off guard.
Seeing the hesitation on his face, Regina raised an eyebrow and scoffed. “What’s the matter? You can’t handle this one little thing? You had the guts to ask Caden for a prosthetic for Yolanda, but you can’t lift a finger for your own daughter?”
Dorian quickly said, “No, I am willing to help. Not just this one thing, but even ten things I would be willing to do. It is the least I can do.”
Regina’s tone stayed cold. “There’s no need for ten things. This is the first and last time Alicia has asked anything of you. Dorian, if it weren’t for your access to tech resources, you wouldn’t even have the right to see her.”
Her words hit Dorian like a punch to the chest. His fingers trembled, and he slumped, shoulders drooping. His face, already worn and pale, looked even more defeated. “You’re right,” he mumbled. “I’ve made too many mistakes. I don’t deserve her forgiveness.”
Regina pressed her lips into a tight line, avoiding his eyes. She didn’t want to keep Alicia and the others waiting, so she stood and left without another word.
Dorian, looking panicked, quickly straightened up. “Regina.”
With her back to him, Regina waited silently for him to say more.
Dorian looked at her back, his eyes heavy with hesitation. “It’s good to see you doing well. It puts my mind at ease.”
Regina’s fingers clenched without thinking, memories of their past flooding her mind. Dorian had loved her for thirty years, always the same. Even his obsessive care for Yolanda was an extension of his love for her.
A wave of sadness hit Regina, and she wanted to scold him, but she couldn’t bring herself to be that harsh. She said quietly, her voice thick with emotion, “Dorian, you’re lucky. After everything you’ve done, Alicia still lets you be a grandfather.”
Tears streamed down Dorian’s face as his heart felt like it was shattering. He slumped down weakly, burying his face in his hands and sobbing.
Alicia never saw Dorian return. She later found out he had quietly left.
The dishes on the table had gone cold, and Caden called the manager to bring fresh ones.
Alicia stopped him. “It’s fine. We can just eat like this.” She wasn’t hungry either.
But Caden insisted on having warm food, and once it was served, he gently urged her to try a little bit of everything. Not wanting to worry him, Alicia ate more than she felt like.