Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Caden played dumb. “How am I misbehaving?”
Alicia’s cheeks reddened as she subtly hinted, “Your belt is poking me!”
Caden barely suppressed a chuckle. He relished these moments when Alicia was visibly annoyed yet powerless.
As the horse slowed, Caden secured Alicia with one arm and freed the other.
Alicia felt his hand move beneath her and glanced around anxiously, fearing they might be seen. “What are you doing?” she exclaimed in a hushed tone.
Caden unbuckled his belt. “What else? I’m making you comfortable,” he said casually.
His nonchalance left Alicia at a loss for words.
With his belt loosened, Caden settled back and asked, “How do you feel now, Mrs. Ward?”
“You’re shameless,” Alicia responded.
Caden resisted the urge to kiss her and spurred the horse into a gallop.
Taken aback, Alicia clung to him tighter.
Suddenly, Caden asked, “Do I look good on a horse?”
Still reeling from the abrupt change of speed, Alicia uttered, “Huh?”
Caden pressed on and asked, “Am I more handsome, or is Cliff?”
Alicia fell silent.
He boasted with a scoff, “I outshine Cliff with just a smile.”
Alicia rolled her eyes. What could she possibly say to this?
Caden continued to circle the track, wrestling with his own erection. Determined not to be ridiculed, he had no choice but to find his peace atop the horse.
After a long while, Caden helped Alicia dismount after their long ride. Alicia was nearly sick from the ride. Her face was grimy as she pushed Caden away and walked off.
Cliff checked his horse, half-joking, half-complaining, “Why not ride it forever? Poor thing met you on its first day and now it’s doomed to early arthritis.”
Caden, visibly irked and frustrated, gave Cliff a look and walked away silently.
In the VIP lounge, Alicia was sipping water. Caden, equally thirsty, approached her.
Catching his glance, Alicia noticed his discomfort. She was hardly feeling better, her expression of grievance adding to her charm. After inwardly reminding himself not to lose his cool at her inadvertently alluring look, Caden asked, “Are you done drinking?”
“Not yet,” Alicia responded slowly.
“Hurry up,” he said, clearly impatient.
Alicia moved aside slightly, making space for him at the dispenser.
Caden eyed her glass. “I’ll drink from your cup.”
“There are plenty of cups over there,” Alicia said, frowning.
“I want the one you used.”
Rolling her eyes, Alicia spat the mouthful of water back into her cup and handed it to him. “Here, drink up.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Caden drank it all.
Alicia was at a loss for words.
Caden filled another cup, his expression unchanged. “Care to add more?”
“Can’t you see I’m trying to disgust you?” Alicia said.
“But I love it,” Caden replied nonchalantly.
At a loss for words, Alicia turned to leave.
Just then, Gerry burst in, visibly upset.
Spotting Caden by the water, Gerry zeroed in on his frustration and lunged for Caden’s cup. “I’m furious. I need a drink right now.” Caden stepped aside, handed Gerry a new cup, and said, “Do it yourself.”
After Gerry calmed down, Caden carefully washed the cup Alicia had used and returned it.
Alicia, curious, asked, “Mr. Hopkins, what’s happened?”
Gerry took a deep gulp of water before starting, “I did you a favor by taking your dog to the set with me, and it completely embarrassed me.”
Alicia, intrigued, leaned in and asked, “What exactly did Cade do?”
Caden’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of the dog’s name, a name he hadn’t grown accustomed to after all these years.
Gerry, red-faced, blurted out, “It suddenly went into heat.”
Alicia responded with a knowing, “Oh!”
Caden found himself at a loss for words. Was this conversation really just about the dog? It sounded like an insinuation.
Gerry, visibly mortified, added, “Initially, I was filming, and it kept circling me and nudging me. I ignored it, but then it started whining. Thinking it might be sick, I petted it, and that’s when it grabbed my hand and began… well, behaving indecently.”
Caden couldn’t contain himself and choked on his drink, coughing.
Gerry said, “What’s so funny? It acts just like you!”
Caden hadn’t seen the insinuation coming. He responded calmly, “Why were you caressing the dog anyway? It was coming into season.”
Alicia gave Caden a pointed look and said, “That’s not entirely accurate. Some dogs always act like they are in heat regardless of whether you touch them or not.”
Caden nodded in agreement. “True.”
Alicia added, “That’s why I think just neutering pets isn’t enough. We need to tackle the issue at its root.”
Caden felt a twinge of discomfort at her words.
Gerry, overhearing their discussion, said, “Could you guys offer me some comfort here?”
Alicia replied earnestly, “But ever since Cade was neutered, he hardly behaves like this. Even around the neighbor’s attractive female dog, he’s not this agitated. Are you sure you just petted him?”
Confronted with Alicia’s skeptical look, Gerry was taken aback. “Why would I be interested in a dog? And besides, it’s a male dog!”
Caden caught a contradiction. “So, you’d be interested if it wasn’t a male dog?”
Gerry replied, “Are you kidding me, Caden?”
Caden dismissed him playfully. “Please, don’t try to charm me.” Already overheated, Gerry grew even warmer by Caden’s teasing. He unbuttoned his shirt in an attempt to cool off.
Alicia, sensing something amiss, remembered the tonic.
Caden, catching on, asked sharply, “Did you give Cade the tea I gave you?”
Gerry fanned himself, annoyed. “Yeah. Why?”
Caden laughed. “No wonder.”
Gerry, alarmed, asked, “Was there something in the tea?”
Caden explained, “It’s a potent blend of herbs for men’s vitality. Quite effective.”
Stunned, Gerry said, “Why would you give me that? I don’t even have a partner!”
Caden raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you grab it yourself?”
As Gerry realized his mistake, he questioned, “Why are you drinking it?”
Caden shot Alicia a frosty look.
Alicia, feeling caught, glanced at the ceiling.
Caden said, “I’ve been dealing with sexual dysfunction lately.”
Gerry was at a loss for words. So was Alicia. What a revelation to share so openly.
Gerry, incredulous, asked, “Really?”
Caden, serious, replied, “Would I joke about something like that?”
Seeing Caden’s seemingly earnest expression, Gerry felt a surge of sympathy. He had jokingly teased Caden about it before but never actually hoped it would come true.
Gerry consoled Caden, “You’re still young. It’s treatable. Many men experience this as they approach thirty, so don’t worry too much.”
Caden responded with a hollow laugh.
Gerry, feeling embarrassed about his own situation, decided to leave the room.
After washing his hands, Caden took his daughter, Scarlette, from the nanny and carried her around. Despite his demanding job, he dedicated all his spare moments to his wife and child, having mastered the art of parenting months before. Whether it was feeding, changing diapers, or putting the baby to sleep, he managed these tasks with skill.
Alicia sighed, reflecting on how Caden was nearly perfect except for his stubbornness and refusal to admit defeat. Later that evening, Corey and Gemma came home.
Gerry invited Caden and his family over for dinner.