Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
With a pained expression, Dorian clenched his jaw and turned away.
As the car door gently shut, the vehicle pulled away, disappearing from Dorian’s view.
Yolanda woke from a terrifying dream to find herself in a strange car and let out a scream of fear. In her panic, she desperately asked who was with her, crying and calling for her father as a child would.
The director, experienced in handling such situations, quickly administered a sedative.
Yolanda shivered and fought against the sedative, but eventually, her struggles ceased, and she collapsed limply like a doll.
The director reassured her, “Miss Moss, you will be staying under my care at the hospital for your treatment. Once you are better, your father will come to take you home.”
Yolanda’s eyes widened in disbelief. Had her father abandoned her? That couldn’t be possible. He loved her too dearly to ever leave her.
She attempted to rise, but her efforts were futile, ending only in tears streaming down her face. Under the sedative’s effects, she found she couldn’t even cry out.
Alicia and Caden’s honeymoon was cut short for Gemma’s surgery.
The best cardiologist, the premier hospital, and top-notch surgical equipment were all arranged.
Despite these preparations, Corey was tense, his gaze never leaving the operating room door since Gemma was taken inside.
Beside him, Alicia remained silent.
Corey asked her, “Alicia, it will be successful, right?”
Alicia sighed. “You’ve asked that over thirty times. Maybe ask someone else?”
Corey moistened his dry lips, his focus returning to the operating room door.
Just then, Caden came up with a document outlining surgical risks for Corey to sign.
Corey hesitated upon seeing Caden, asking, “What does my sister’s surgery have to do with you? How do I know what’s really in this agreement?”
Caden’s face showed no emotion as he replied, “I own this hospital. Do you really think I have no involvement?”
Corey then understood the significance of Caden’s position.
Caden added firmly, “You don’t have to sign it, but without your signature, I’m not liable if she doesn’t make it.”
Corey was revolted by such a statement and quickly grabbed the document. He carefully read through it, his expression growing stern. The document clearly stated that Corey would assume all responsibility for any complications during the surgery.
If I’m taking all the responsibility, what exactly is your role here?” Corey questioned.
Caden responded with a shrug, “Not satisfied? I can call off the surgery right now.”
Caden then started walking toward the operating room. Corey, enraged, stepped in front of him and said, “I don’t care about this worthless agreement. If anything happens to my sister here, I won’t let you get away with it.”
Caden looked at him without concern and asked, “Are you going to sign or not?”
Corey hastily scrawled his signature, muttering, “This time, I’ll let it go.”
After Corey signed, a nurse promptly took the agreement away.
Caden, not one to get emotionally involved with someone like Corey, turned his attention to Pierre, who stood quietly observing the operating room with a composed demeanor.
Caden then poured two glasses of water.
Corey frowned at the gesture and said, before the glass reached him, “Are you trying to poison me?”
Caden, without so much as a glance at Corey, handed the glass to Pierre instead. Pierre hesitated to accept it.
Corey was left momentarily speechless.
After a brief pause, Caden spoke with a hint of sarcasm. “What? You think I might poison you too?”
Pierre took the glass and said, “Mr. Ward, you’ve misunderstood.”
Pierre then passed the glass back to Corey without taking a sip.
Corey sneered, “Oh, is it meant for me after all? You seem to be the boss here. Go ahead and drink it.”
Caden watched Pierre’s hand movements, tense, stiff, barely controlling a tremble.
After observing for a moment, Caden walked away.
With Corey standing watch, Caden was confident nothing would go awry. Knowing Alicia disliked the smell of hospitals, Caden decided to take her home. Caden made an interesting observation, saying, “Pierre is really worried about Gemma’s surgery failing.”
Alicia responded, puzzled, “As her bodyguard, it’s natural for him to be concerned. Otherwise, what kind of job is he doing?”
“If he’s so worried, then why did he make it a point to disclose Gemma’s heart condition to me? Remember, you were kidnapped by Corey, and Pierre was the catalyst.” Alicia suddenly realized and said, “If he’s concerned about Gemma, it means he doesn’t have bad intentions toward her. But is he targeting me?”
Caden hadn’t considered this angle, but Pierre’s recent actions were indeed questionable. Initially, Pierre had seemed to encourage Caden’s opposition to Corey, indicating some dislike for him. Yet, his apparent concern for Corey’s sister contradicted this. It was a puzzling contradiction.
Caden resolved to investigate exactly what had transpired with Pierre during his time in Terriland.
After Gemma’s successful surgery, Corey swallowed his pride and invited Caden and Alicia over for a meal. Corey drank heavily, becoming quite inebriated. Throughout the evening, he kept glancing at Caden, as though he wanted to say something but couldn’t bring himself to do so.
As a seasoned individual, Caden immediately sensed that Corey had ulterior motives. With a cold tone, he warned, “Don’t even think about trying to repay me with your body. I didn’t save your sister out of kindness-I just needed something to do.”
Corey stiffened, his expression shifting to irritation. “Who said I’d repay you with my body?”
A wave of nausea hit Corey, and his face twisted in disgust.
Unfazed, Caden said with a flat expression, “Then stop staring at me.”
Corey closed his eyes, rubbing his temples in frustration. He wanted to express his gratitude but couldn’t bear to give Caden the satisfaction, leaving the words stuck in his throat. After a moment’s thought, Corey decided against saying anything and instead poured Caden a drink, awkwardly raising his glass. “Cheers.”
Caden, however, didn’t return the gesture, refusing to drink.
Unbothered, Corey asked, “What do you want in return? I don’t want to owe you a favor.”
Caden’s gaze darkened. “Anything I want?”
With confidence, Corey replied, “There’s nothing I can’t give.”
“Your life,” Caden retorted.
Corey froze, momentarily speechless. After regaining his composure, he offered, “I own dozens of clubs in Terriland, catering to all sorts of tastes-even transgender performers. If that’s your thing, I can arrange for you to have some fun with the best.”
Caden absentmindedly twisted the ring on his finger, his expression unreadable. “I’m married,” he replied coolly. “Aside from my wife, I’m not interested in anything else.” Corey’s gaze flicked to Alicia, seated across the table. With a knowing look, he said, “I understand.”
Caden sneered, unimpressed by Corey’s petty tricks. He and Alicia had long outgrown the impulsiveness of youth. Both knew Corey couldn’t tolerate their happiness and wouldn’t allow themselves to be swayed by his clumsy attempts to create division.
The meal ended with Corey nearly drinking himself into alcohol poisoning before he finally stopped. Leaning back in his chair, his cheeks flushed from the alcohol, he wore a faint smile-a subtle yet genuine expression. It was the first time Alicia had seen Corey smile like that, subtle yet genuine.
Alicia felt the transformative power of reconciliation. Power and influence could make people act with impunity, exploiting the weaknesses of others. But who would have thought that emotions could be the sharpest weapon of all?
The artificial heart Caden provided for Gemma had not only saved Corey but, in some way, had saved them all. Alicia smiled softly, signaling the staff to arrange for Corey to be sent home.
As Corey began to stir from his drunken stupor, he noticed Caden and Alicia leaving. Unsteady on his feet, he called out, “Alicia.”
Alicia stopped. Caden, ever cautious, instinctively pulled her closer, his arm protectively wrapping around her waist.
Sensing Caden’s tension, Alicia gently held his hand, a quiet gesture of reassurance.
Corey approached Alicia, his expression sincere as he said, “Thank you.”
Alicia was slightly taken aback but then chuckled. “It’s nothing. Just try to drink less. Gemma just got out of the hospital-she needs you.”
Corey’s eyes, still red from emotion, held a faint, fragmented smile that reminded her of an innocent youth. “Actually, I hadn’t drunk before today. I only did it because I invited you two for dinner.”
Alicia raised an eyebrow, her tone light but firm. “You’re thanking the wrong person. The heart was developed by Caden. He’s the one who deserves the most credit.”
Corey fell silent. For him, thanking Caden felt worse than swallowing poison.
Caden, arms crossed, raised an eyebrow as if waiting for the gratitude he knew wasn’t coming.
Corey’s expression twisted, like he’d been forced to eat something foul, and he remained silent.
Caden smirked, his tone teasing. “What’s wrong? Feeling shy?”
Corey’s face darkened even further at the mockery. “Fine, I’ll owe you this favor for now. If you ever go bankrupt, I’ll do my utmost to help you rise again.”
Caden chuckled at Corey’s grudging response and wrapped an arm around Alicia, steering her toward the exit.
As they walked away, Caden bent down to whisper in her ear, his voice low and playful. “Feel like taking a stroll? I want to spoil you-spend as much money on you as I possibly can.”
Corey leaned against the wall, his gaze fixed on Caden and Alicia’s retreating figures until they disappeared from view.
Corey had wanted to thank Caden earlier, perhaps emboldened by the alcohol, but the words were too humiliating to say aloud. Now, alone in the dimly lit corridor, Corey stared at the closed door of the private room, as if it were Caden himself. After a few deep breaths, he reluctantly whispered, “Thank you.”
Just as the words left his lips, the door abruptly swung open, and a waitress stepped out, colliding with him.
Corey was stunned.
The waitress asked curiously, “Sir, do you need help?” Corey wasn’t sure if she had overheard him, but the encounter left him feeling defeated. A wave of self-loathing crept in for even attempting to express gratitude. Looking at the waitress’ pretty face, Corey said seriously, “Yes. Take me home.”
The waitress hesitated, her professional instincts kicking in. Recognizing him as a guest from a VIP room, she decided it was best not to offend him and reluctantly agreed to escort him to the door.
Corey, clearly intoxicated, needed her support to walk steadily. He was no stranger to the attention of women, often surrounded by their flattery. As they moved through the corridor, he caught a whiff of the subtle, pleasant scent she carried. Unable to resist, he reached out and placed a hand on her waist.
The waitress stiffened, her expression hardening. “Sir, please behave.”