Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
They were locked in an unspoken battle of wills, each waiting for the other to crack first.
But Scarlette’s pride wouldn’t let her surrender. As the tension became unbearable, her composure shattered like glass. She whirled away, her fingers digging into Roscoe’s hand.
“Take me inside!” The command burst from her lips, loud enough to mask her trembling.
Though Scarlette directed her words at Roscoe, Kenji’s scorching gaze seemed to pierce through Roscoe like daggers.
“He clearly came here for you,” Roscoe said with a weary sigh. “Don’t you think you should at least acknowledge his presence?”
“I don’t know him,” Scarlette muttered.
The sudden roar of an engine shattered the moment. Kenji’s car thundered to life and peeled away, leaving only dust and unspoken words in its wake.
Scarlette’s face darkened like storm clouds gathering, her lips pressed into a razor-thin line.
Roscoe wisely held his tongue.
After what felt like an eternity, Scarlette finally released Roscoe’s hand. The tears she’d been fighting broke free as she attempted to wipe them away with trembling fingers, her quiet sobs breaking the silence. Roscoe wordlessly offered her a tissue before guiding her to the entrance, where Caden and Alicia waited.
Scarlette clutched her mother’s hand like a lifeline as they stepped inside, trying desperately to maintain her composure. But Alicia saw right through the brave front, and mother and daughter shared a knowing silence.
After bidding Roscoe farewell, Caden entered the living room and took a seat across from his daughter. “Scarlette, look up,” he said sternly.
Scarlette drew a shaky breath and met her father’s gaze, unaware of how her red-rimmed eyes betrayed her emotions. The smile she attempted twisted into something more akin to pain.
Caden knew without a doubt-Kenji had been there. He was taken aback, not just by Kenji’s stubborn pride in leaving without a word, but by how deeply it had affected his daughter, who shed silent tears without exchanging even a single syllable with Kenji.
“Let the tears flow,” Caden said gently. “Sometimes a good cry is the compass that points your thoughts in the right direction.”
“I wasn’t crying,” Scarlette shot back, her voice sharp with defiance. “Why would I waste tears on him? He’s nothing but a self-centered, petty jerk-the person I hate most in this world.”
Caden saw through her transparent denial. His next words fell like heavy stones into still water. “As long as I draw breath, you and Kenji will never have a future together.”
A knock at the door shattered the tension.
Caden and Alicia shared a loaded glance.
“Sir, Madam, Mr. Reed is here,” their housekeeper announced.
The news caught Scarlette mid-breath, triggering a violent coughing fit. Alicia rubbed her daughter’s back soothingly before dismissing the housekeeper with a quiet, “Go about your business.” The housekeeper nodded and withdrew.
When Scarlette’s coughing subsided, she looked at her mother, words stuck in her throat.
“Go wash your hands,” Alicia said simply. “It’s time for dinner.” Scarlette didn’t dare protest.
Despite March’s arrival, winter’s grip lingered stubbornly, with temperatures plummeting to mere degrees after nightfall.
Fresh from her bath, Scarlette lay in bed, restless thoughts circling like moths around a flame-all of them centered on Kenji standing outside. Was he still out there? No, surely not. He wouldn’t subject himself to such discomfort. He must have left by now.
The more her mind dwelled on it, the more agitated she became. Unable to resist, she threw on a coat and eased her bedroom door open with the stealth of a cat, only to find Caden sitting across the hallway, legs crossed, regarding her with a poker face.
Scarlette shivered, forcing a weak smile. “Dad…”
“Don’t bother checking,” Caden stated bluntly. “He hasn’t left.”
Scarlette’s eyes widened in disbelief. “He’s been out there this whole time?”
“It’s hardly a blizzard,” Caden remarked, his displeasure evident. “What’s a little waiting in the cold? Yet, here you are, fretting over him at the slightest breeze. Why not direct some of that concern toward yourself?”
Scarlette twisted her fingers nervously, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m not concerned about him. He’s probably just here to apologize. Don’t worry. I won’t forgive him.”
Caden let out a harsh laugh. “Keep dreaming. His visit has nothing to do with you. He’s here to apologize to me on behalf of his father.”
His words left Scarlette speechless.
“This matter is between me and the Reed family. It doesn’t concern you. Go back to sleep,” Caden commanded, rising from his seat.
Returning to the master bedroom, Caden stood at the window, his gaze fixed on the scene below.
Kenji remained stationed by his car, his stance suggesting he’d wait until the end of time if necessary.
Alicia observed the same sight. “How long do you intend to leave him out there?” she asked quietly.
“Until he freezes,” Caden replied.
Alicia cast a knowing glance at her husband. “Scarlette will worry herself sick long before that happens.”
Caden’s troubled expression deepened.
“Nobody comes into this world knowing how to love,” Alicia mused softly. “You can’t condemn him forever for one mistake. Even if you dismiss the Reed family entirely, think of Scarlette. Kenji holds a special place in her heart-he was her first love.”
“First love?” Caden scoffed. “Does that give him license to play with Scarlette’s emotions like a toy? One minute he’s booking a hotel room, the next he’s flirting with another woman. Where does he find such audacity?”
A knowing smirk played across Alicia’s lips. “Someone I know did far worse in his day.”
Caden’s temple throbbed visibly. “Why drag up ancient history when we’re discussing Kenji?”
“Ancient history?” Alicia’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “I merely mentioned ‘someone.’ Are you perhaps volunteering yourself as that ‘someone’?”
Caden found himself suddenly at a loss for words.
Alicia cast one final glance at Kenji’s steadfast figure before turning toward their bed. “You men always play the sympathy card after you’ve made a mess of things.”
Her words nearly gave Caden a heart attack as he hurried after her. “Honey…”
Sliding under the covers, Alicia spoke with deceptive casualness. “If you truly want what’s best for Scarlette, go share your expertise with Kenji. Teach him that proper groveling requires more effort than just standing around. Tell him he needs to drink himself sick and cough up blood at our doorstep-now that would be a gesture worth noting.”
Kenji had been kept waiting for over a week before he finally got to see Caden.
This visit wasn’t just about mending the rift between their families-it was Kenji’s only chance to win back Scarlette. He was young and impulsive, but not foolish. He knew that if he wanted Scarlette in his life, he first had to earn her parents’ trust.
Caden casually flipped through the “tokens of sincerity” Kenji had brought.
Among them were priceless gifts, but what stood out most was the Reed family genealogy. It was as if Kenji wanted to compress centuries of his family’s loyalty and good standing into a single gesture, hoping it would convince Caden that the Reed legacy alone was enough to entrust Scarlette to him.
Kenji looked drained, likely from days of sleeplessness, yet he stood firm.
Caden studied Kenji coldly. “You had quite the arrogance the night of the incident. What changed as soon as I took Scarlette away? Did she put some kind of spell on you?”
Kenji admitted his mistake without hesitation. “I didn’t realize how much she meant to me.”
Caden remained unimpressed. “You need to understand-love and possessiveness are not the same thing.”
Kenji didn’t argue. “I don’t know what love is. I only know I miss her terribly,” he said, his voice unusually candid, like a child confessing a mistake. “Mr. Ward, my life is meaningless without Scarlette in it.”
Caden let out a short laugh. “You, of all people, talking about life?”
Kenji’s expression didn’t change. “I would never use pity to manipulate Scarlette. She’s young-if I played the sympathy card and made her cut ties with you on impulse, she’d regret it later. I’d rather let her hate me than make her suffer like that.”
Caden sighed. “It didn’t take Ellis long to train you into this, did it?”
Kenji didn’t respond. He wasn’t about to give Ellis credit for anything.
Caden pushed the gifts back toward him. “Go back to Banta and continue to be the carefree man you were born to be.”
Kenji didn’t take them back. “My father taught me that once you give something, you don’t take it back. If they bother you, have the servants get rid of them.”
Kenji turned to leave just as the door swung open from the outside.
Scarlette, a lollipop in her mouth, bumped straight into Kenji. For a moment, neither of them moved. Their eyes locked, full of unsaid words.
Scarlette pulled out the lollipop and bit her lip, looking frustrated. “Are you dumb? Standing in the doorway like that? Move-I need to go in.”
Kenji’s gaze swept over her before he quietly stepped aside. Scarlette deliberately bumped him hard as she walked past. “So annoying.”
Though the shove was hardly strong, Kenji clutched his chest as if he were fragile, coughing weakly.
Scarlette paused, frowning. “Why are you coughing? I didn’t hit your lungs!”
Kenji lowered his gaze, looking exhausted and defeated. He turned and left without a word.
Scarlette stormed into the living room. “Dad, what was he doing here?”
Caden replied calmly, “Sending gifts.”
Scarlette huffed. “Don’t forgive him.”
“I haven’t.”
Scarlette was momentarily speechless.
Caden watched her closely. Her brows were furrowed, her expression a mix of worry and frustration. Kenji had her right where he wanted her. Having witnessed their little exchange at the door, Caden couldn’t help but smirk. Kenji claimed he wouldn’t use the sympathy card? Blah! Kenji was a natural at it.
Caden, being a good judge of character, knew one thing-if Kenji was truly determined, winning Scarlette back was only a matter of time.
Caden casually asked, “How are things going with Roscoe?”
Scarlette, still distracted, mumbled, “It’s fine.”
“Good. Have him over for dinner tonight.”
Alicia was silent for a long time after hearing Caden’s ridiculous plan. “Aren’t you afraid Roscoe and Kenji will start a fight at the table?” she asked teasingly. “Kenji’s temper is worse than yours.”