Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
After tucking Scarlette into bed, Caden arrived late, sitting next to Alicia.
Noticing milk powder on his fingers, Alicia gently wiped them clean.
Feeling her cool touch, Caden frowned slightly and then draped his jacket over her shoulders before taking her hands in his to warm them. These subtle acts were carefully hidden from the eyes of their friends. Caden’s expression remained impassive, but his discreet actions under the table spoke volumes of his devotion as a husband. Alicia’s heart melted a bit. Forget it. Why bother arguing?
As the dinner progressed, everyone engaged in lively conversation.
Alicia chipped in now and then, though she wasn’t very engaged.
Caden gradually fell silent, occasionally casting glances at her. Alicia pulled her hands away, took a sip of warm water, and eyed the desserts on the table.
Caden noticed her interest but hesitated. “You haven’t eaten much dinner. Why are you thinking about dessert already?”
“If you won’t get it for me, then never mind,” Alicia responded.
Caden didn’t fetch it for her.
Alicia lost interest in her meal thereafter.
Caden placed a few pieces of meat on her plate, which she ignored. He expressed his displeasure, “Alicia, eat properly.”
Calmly, Alicia replied, “I’m full, not really hungry.”
Caden tried to wait her out, but seeing that she still wasn’t eating, he gave in like a parent coaxing a stubborn child. “Just try one piece.”
Alicia gave a soft smile. After savoring the dessert, she slowly continued with her meal.
Caden, admitting defeat, reached for his water glass, but Alicia intervened. “Drink after you finish eating.”
Caden didn’t question her but took her advice to heart.
Before finishing her meal, Alicia set down her fork and scratched her arm. Her skin rapidly flushed red.
Caden, his dark eyes reflecting concern, grasped her arm. “Are you having an allergic reaction?”
Alicia said, “It’s probably just a mosquito bite.”
After confirming it wasn’t an allergic reaction, Caden stood up and said, “I’ll go get you some medicine.”
It wasn’t necessary to make a special trip for something so minor, but Alicia didn’t refuse.
Once Caden left, Cliff couldn’t resist saying, “Is this what married life is like? Running out to buy medicine for a mosquito bite?”
Alicia laughed. “Mosquitoes here? Unlikely.”
Cliff was taken aback, puzzled by their actual intentions. So, what were they really up to?
Gerry, weary of their affectionate display, chimed in, “Just eat. You clearly don’t understand what love is.”
Cliff had no interest in that kind of understanding. “Being completely henpecked isn’t my idea of love.”
Alicia set down her fork. “You all keep eating. I’m going to freshen up in the lounge.”
When Caden returned to find Alicia gone, Gerry directed him to the lounge next door.
Caden pushed the door open and entered just as Alicia was applying a touch of lipstick. Her delicate skin, complemented by the dewy, light-colored lipstick, made her particularly captivating under the lights. Caden paused to admire her briefly before taking her hand and asking, “Does it still itch?” The mark had almost disappeared, but Caden proceeded to apply the medicine anyway.
Alicia let him, teasing, “You could have asked someone to bring it over. Why bother to make the trip yourself in the middle of dinner?”
Caden responded, “The one I got has better ingredients.”
Alicia suppressed a smile. “You’re being too cautious.”
Caden said, “Mind your own business.”
Although his annoyance was mild, he continued to tend to her. After applying the medicine, Caden blew gently on the spot and asked, “Still itchy?”
Alicia gazed at his earnest expression and said, “There was no mosquito. I just scratched myself.”
Caden looked confused.
Alicia leaned in, playfully tugged at his tie, and whispered as she stood on tiptoe to brush against his chin, “I’m done eating. Can we head home?”
Caden’s expression deepened. She rarely initiated intimacy, and she certainly wouldn’t try again after being turned down once.
Caden tried to see through Alicia’s antics, but her fragrance and playful touch clouded his thoughts. He had been holding back for far too long. This game wasn’t fun at all.
Without hesitation, Caden pulled her closer and kissed her passionately. The lipstick she had just applied was now a mere memory, and Caden, feeling a rush of desire, said, “Alright, let’s go home.”
Alicia grinned slyly.
“Text Gerry and the others about us leaving.”
Caden quickly typed, “We’re off.”
He then grabbed her hand as they headed to the car..
Once inside their private garage, Alicia reclined her seat, raised her skirt slightly, and said, “Caden, can you check if something bit my knee?”
Caden unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned over. Her long legs drew his attention.
“It itches up here too.” Alicia guided his hand higher, her tone playful.
Finally stopping at…
When Caden met her eyes, he saw the mischief there.
“You were so disciplined at dinner, not even drinking water when I told you not to. Are you thirsty now?” Alicia teased.
Understanding her insinuation, Caden tensed and then pulled her closer, embracing the moment.
After making out, Alicia pushed Caden away and stepped out of the car.
Caden wiped the moisture from his lips and followed her. He had hoped they would continue their evening in their bedroom, but Alicia, massaging her waist, said, “I’m going to attend to Scarlette. You can keep the dog company tonight.”
Stunned, Caden watched her walk away.
After she left, Cade, the dog, came over with a pink pillow.
Caden said to the nanny, “Take Scarlette to Regina’s place.” Living nearby made it convenient for Regina to help.
The nanny started to pack as Caden removed his jacket and headed for the master bedroom. Before entering the room, he added, “Make sure you have enough formula and diapers for three days. Don’t come back without my say-so.”
Meanwhile, Corey had taken on Caden’s responsibilities at work, facing relentless overtime.
Corey’s skills couldn’t match those of Dorian and Caden, which made his work challenging, but he compensated with tireless dedication.
That day, Corey worked relentlessly into the night, losing track of time. By the time he stepped outside, it was already early morning. Exhausted, he decided not to return to the villa but instead visited Gemma, as he often did.
She lay there quietly, her complexion pale. Her fingers were clenched so tightly that they had raw, dried blood on them.
Seeing her like this, Corey’s heart skipped a beat in shock as he gently held her, calling out softly, “Gemma.”
Gemma was disturbingly thin, almost skeletal, and she leaned limply in his arms, unresponsive.
Corey urgently called his medical team to attend to her. He feared she had attempted suicide. However, the diagnosis from the private doctor was even more alarming. “The artificial heart is severely overloaded. We need to replace a chip within a month, or her life can’t be saved.”
A chill ran down Corey’s spine. The mounting pressure and his grueling workload recently had already sapped his strength. A month? His heart sank.
Caden had informed Corey that after Dorian’s hospitalization, replacing Dorian was impossible and that developing a new chip would take at least two months. Corey’s voice came out hoarse, barely a whisper. “Is there any way to postpone it by a month?”
The doctor shook his head regretfully. “Mr. Hampton, you need to find a solution quickly.”
Corey’s mind reeled. He felt as though death had sneaked around, its icy blade poised at Gemma’s throat. He needed to find a solution, but he had none. Even if Alicia were willing to sacrifice her heart, he couldn’t accept it. While he might not be a good person, he couldn’t bring himself to hurt someone who had shown him kindness. Reflecting on the situation, it felt like his retribution was catching up to him. And it was swift.
On the hospital bed, Gemma lay quietly, frail and slight. Two tears traced paths from the corners of her eyes, vanishing into her hair.
In his desperate quest to accelerate the chip development, Corey sought out Dorian, prepared to acquiesce to any demand-even if it meant pleading with Alicia to return to her family.
Yet, Corey’s hope shattered the moment he reached the hospital. Standing outside the isolation ward, his heart sank at the sight of Dorian lying wrapped in bandages, his plans crumbling like brittle leaves.
The severity of radiation’s toll had blindsided Corey. Dorian was barely clinging to life’s fragile thread.
Though Corey refused to accept this cruel reality, helplessness drove him away from the hospital, his spirit in tatters. Thoughts of Gemma haunted him, but he couldn’t bear to face her-the sight of her anguish would be his undoing. As both Gemma’s elder brother and Hampton Group’s CEO, he couldn’t even afford the luxury of grief.
Hope flickered faintly. Corey recalled some others in the country who shared Gemma’s blood type. Even if they were more challenging to deal with than Caden, he resolved to give it a try.
After confirming their locations, Corey booked a flight for the following week. Without hesitation, he dialed Alicia’s number.
Yet, Caden’s languid voice drifted through the line. “What is it this time?”
Though connected by phone, an ocean of difference separated them-Corey in his solitude, Caden basking in contentment.
“I want Gemma to stay at your place for a month,” Corey said softly. “Is that okay?”
Caden, holding Alicia close, responded with measured calm, “So, Gemma stays at my place, and you get an excuse to come over and see Alicia every day, right?”
Corey explained, “I won’t disturb you. I just want Alicia to spend some time with her.”
Detecting the strain in Corey’s voice, Caden fell silent for a few moments before agreeing. “I’ll send someone to pick her up.”
Alicia took the phone, concern threading through her voice. “What happened to Gemma?”