Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Considering the recent bridge incident, where Scarlette seemed to predict danger, Ellis already had a candidate in mind.
Hope sparked in Jaida’s eyes. “Do you think Caden’s family would agree to the proposal?”
With a confident smile, Ellis responded, “Your husband can manage anything.”
Back from their trip, Caden found an array of gifts from Ellis awaiting them. The grandest was a billion-dollar investment project, and the smallest was a limited edition pink children’s sports car. The gifts, over a hundred in total, were so lavish that their value was almost incalculable.
Caden and Alicia stared at the electric sports car, puzzled.
“Since when did we become so close to them?” Alicia asked.
Caden’s brow furrowed. “Did I overlook something during the meteor shower?”
Alicia shook her head. “Half of these gifts are for Scarlette,” she said. “Maybe they’re thanking her for having predicted the danger that day?”
Caden suspected there was more to it. “A thank-you of this magnitude is almost a fortune.”
Caden resolved to tread carefully before he figured out their intentions. He returned all the gifts intended for her but agreed to the business project. Ellis was influential in Banta. Caden wouldn’t provoke Ellis, yet he wasn’t intimidated. Business was separate, but any ploys involving his daughter were off-limits.
Scarlette would make her own choices once she was older. Until then, Caden was committed to shielding her from any undue influences.
After ending the call with Ellis, Hank knocked from outside the door. “Mr. Ward, the car is ready.”
Alicia assumed Caden had business to handle and was about to go back to Scarlette, but then she noticed Caden pulling out a dress. Caden carefully helped Alicia into it and said, “I’m taking you somewhere special.”
The dress was stunning, and Alicia couldn’t help but speculate with a glowing smile. “Is there a new restaurant in Warrington? This dress seems just right for a fancy outing.”
Caden gently touched her cheek, his eyes shining with affection. “Would you like to go out to dinner with me?”
“I’d love to,” Alicia beamed. As long as she was with Caden, she was content.
Noticing her blush, Caden chuckled and wrapped an arm around her as they headed to the car.
In addition to dining at the elegant restaurant, Caden surprised Alicia with a visit to a jewelry exhibition where he purchased her favorite pieces.
As evening approached, Caden phoned home to inform them he wouldn’t be returning that night.
Alicia narrowed her eyes playfully and said, “Which hotel are you thinking of this time?”
Caden kissed her lightly, his voice teasing. “You’ll see.”
Whether it was his warm breath or his alluring face under the dim lights, Alicia felt her knees weaken, frustrated by her own lack of composure. Yet, she couldn’t suppress her excitement about what he had planned for the evening.
Her assumption was mistaken, however, as Caden led her to a private screening room.
Alicia instinctively said, “So, we’re watching a movie?”
Caden raised an eyebrow. “You sound disappointed.”
“Not at all,” Alicia replied, a hint of reluctance in her voice.
The opulent screening room was dimly lit, and something about it felt eerily familiar to Alicia.
Stepping inside, Alicia was hit by a wave of nostalgia that made her pause.
The screen didn’t display the latest film. Instead, it showed a live feed of them so clear that Alicia could nearly touch her own image. As Caden’s lips met hers, his familiar scent enveloped her. “Does this bring back memories?” he asked, his tone both playful and sincere..
Alicia’s face flushed deep red. Years before, she had mistaken Caden for someone else in this very room, leading to a mix-up that sparked their first encounter. The memory was vivid: back then, she was filled with humiliation and sorrow as his sister-in-law. Now, she was his wife, her heart swelling with joy.
Caden deepened their kiss, lifting her and moving toward the sofa. He sat down, pulling her onto his lap.
“Do you remember this place?” Caden asked, his gaze intense. “Right here, I was at an auction, and you stormed in, insisting on sitting atop.”
Alicia’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she quickly covered his mouth.
“You were barely conscious, unaware of your passion,” Caden teased, kissing her palm. “How about we relive that moment today?” Though Alicia verbally protested, she was clearly moved, her resistance fading.
Caden turned her attention back to the screen.
Embarrassed, Alicia couldn’t even look up. “Caden, please turn it off!” Caden mistook her plea for playful resistance and quieted her with a kiss.
Alicia relented, yielding to him. Her eyes, moist and shimmering, met his. She wanted to speak but held back her words. “Why aren’t you saying anything?” she finally murmured.
Caden saw her hesitation but pretended otherwise. “What should I say? It was an unforgettable night. We should do this more often.” Alicia fell silent, visibly upset.
Caden, sensing her mood, gently kissed her, their fingers entwined. “I’ve told you many times, but you’ve never really responded.”
Alicia was puzzled and said, “You’re joking. When have you said it?”
He had professed his love to her only once, at their wedding.
Caden responded sincerely, “Every time you drift off.”
Alicia froze, understanding he referred to her drowsy moments after their intimate encounters, her frustration mounting. “How dare you bring that up! It’s meant to be earnest, yet you always choose those moments to say it!”
“People often reveal their true feelings in joy,” Caden said.
“Stop justifying your boldness!”
“And you, honey? You’ve never said it. You’re even more stubborn than I am.”
Alicia replied softly, “I won’t say it. You always had the advantage growing up, never letting me win. Now that I have the upper hand, I’m keeping it.”
Caden laughed, his eyes sparkling with affection.
Their bodies close, their heartbeats merged, enveloping them in love.
“My love,” he whispered intimately.
Alicia’s heart raced, though she pretended annoyance, sneaking a glance at him. “What is it?”
Caden lifted her face gently, planting a soft kiss on her lips. “I love you.”
When they first met, Caden had been proud and stubborn, often finding amusement in her distress. Now, recognizing Alicia as his most precious gift, he was ready to show his devotion and love..
The clock neared midnight, yet the lights at the Hopkins residence still shone brightly.
Laney Collins sat apart, deep in thought, her gaze fixed on the untouched feast. Today marked Cliff’s birthday. She had left work early to hurry home and assist the private chef in preparing a celebratory meal. However, Laney ended up waiting eight hours in vain.
Holding onto a sliver of hope, Laney gave it another half hour before finally standing up to clear away the now-cold food. Cliff, with his extensive social circle and countless friends, was probably enjoying himself elsewhere. Why would he think of her?
Just as Laney reached for the cake, a sound at the entrance caught her attention. Her heart clenched as she turned around.
Cliff entered, his attire simple but sharp-a white shirt and trousers that highlighted his affluent aura.
The living room light made Cliff squint as he surveyed the scene. At first, he mistook her for Madison, but recognizing Laney, his expression slightly hardened. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?” he asked, his tone cool.
Laney felt a warmth rekindle in her heart despite the chill of his words.
“It’s your birthday today. I wanted to share a meal with you.”
“Didn’t my mom tell you I was out?”
Laney shook her head. With the Hopkins’ elders abroad, her contact with them had been minimal.
Cliff changed his shoes and approached, his eyes briefly flicking to the discarded food in the trash. The Hopkins family never ate leftovers, a fact he accepted without a second thought. Observing her delicate hands, unused to labor, he said, “I’ll have the housekeeper clean up tomorrow.”
Laney looked up at him. The bitterness of the long wait dissolved in his presence. What else could she do? She was drawn to him. She tentatively pushed the cake box toward him. “Cliff, I made this. Would you like to try it?”
Cliff glanced at the cake, frowning. “Why did you put a candle in curry sauce?”
Surprised, Laney inspected the cake closely. The cream, overly lemony, had begun to melt, and the fruit pieces inside resembled potatoes, causing confusion. Embarrassed, she withdrew the cake. “I’ll practice more,” she murmured.
Cliff’s sharp tone broke through her thoughts. “Do you really want to waste your emotions on this?”
Laney was stunned, confronting his indifferent gaze. Waste emotions? Was he talking about the cake or her feelings for him? Likely the latter. After Laney’s mother passed away, Madison, fearing Laney might be mistreated, had taken her in as her own.
Living under the same roof as Cliff, Laney had fallen for the cousin she wasn’t related to by blood. Her impulsive confession had been met with Cliff’s cold rejection, and ever since, he had kept her at a deliberate distance. To him, her feelings were likely an unwanted burden.
Laney bit her lip, stifling the bitterness welling up inside. “Alright.”
Cliff’s face hardened. “Alright, alright. You said that last time too. You act so innocent, but you weren’t as obedient,” he muttered under his breath.
Cliff sighed heavily, his expression stern as he dismantled the cake she had made, lighting the candle. “After all, this is still your sincere effort. Let’s not waste it.”
Laney watched, sensing the uncharacteristic nature of his actions, yet found herself unable to leave.
As the candle flickered, casting long shadows, Laney quietly asked, “Do you want to make a wish?”
“Yes, I do.” Unlike others who might keep their wishes silent, Cliff stated plainly, “You need to stop having feelings for me, Laney. Even though my aunt adopted you, everyone knows you’re my cousin. I don’t want a complicated relationship. Understand?”
In his eyes, irritation and impatience flickered-it was humiliating. Her eyes teared up, her voice tight as she said, “Then why are you so kind to me?”
Cliff hadn’t expected her to continue challenging him after his blunt words. He scoffed. “You’re my cousin. Why shouldn’t I be kind to you? Am I not kind to Gerry? Should he fall for me too?”
Her lashes trembled under the weight of his harsh words, and she turned away, wiping her tears fiercely. She didn’t want his pity or disdain. Her voice was firm. “I never asked you to like me.”
Cliff watched her trembling shoulders, his own agitation growing. Laney walked away without a backward glance.
After graduating, the Hopkins family enrolled Laney in a prestigious academy to train as a ballet dancer. She had been staying in the dorms, preparing for an upcoming competition. Aware of this, Cliff had instructed the driver to call only once Laney was safely dropped off.
Finally, the house was quiet. Cliff ascended the stairs to take a shower. It was his birthday, and he had spent it indulging heavily with Caden and other friends.