Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Alicia didn’t expect him to react so quickly and let out a sharp breath in frustration.
Playfully, she asked, “Why don’t you teach me, then? How do I strike quickly and accurately?”
Caden responded, “Using us as an example?”
“Exactly.”
“That won’t work. My size and skills give me a complete advantage over you. You wouldn’t stand a chance.”
Alicia fell silent again.
Could he be any more arrogant?
He pressed on. “What if someone your size moves slower?”
Caden looked at her with a passionate gaze.
“Use seduction,” he muttered.
Alicia was left speechless.
Caden glanced around and then pointed toward a corner of the bookshelf.
“See that spot over there? No cameras cover it. If you really want to learn, take your shot when I’m not paying attention. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Alicia fell silent, knowing she couldn’t win the argument.
She went on to get a copy of each book she wanted, then clapped her hands when she was done. “All right, that’s about enough.”
The books were quite heavy, so she took some of them to lighten his load.
There was only one staff member manning the entire shop, a young girl, who now stood behind the counter. Alicia offered her an apologetic smile. “Sorry.” Since she was the only customer left, Alicia assumed the girl had been waiting for her to make her purchase before closing up.
The young girl understood. “No worries,” she said with a smile. “We’re open 24 hours. Even if you weren’t here, I’d still be working until the next shift arrives.”
She rang up Alicia’s purchases, and when it came time to pay, Caden took out his card and handed it over. Alicia stood back, making no protest. She usually preferred to pay for herself, but she also understood that men often liked to take care of the bill to show off their generosity.
Just this once, she decided to let Caden have his way.
As the young girl wrapped up the books, Alicia took out her phone and transferred the total costs to Caden’s account.
Caden could only stare at the notification from his bank in a mix of helplessness and resignation.
Just then, they heard the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs.
Before they saw the newcomer, they caught sight of a large bouquet of red roses. The man holding them had an eager expression as he approached the counter.
“What are you doing here?” the young girl asked in surprise.
Clearly, it was her boyfriend, come to bring her a pretty gift.
It seemed he had just realized there were still customers in the shop. He cast an embarrassed glance toward Caden and Alicia, then leaned in to whisper to his girlfriend, “I just got off work. I’m so sorry I missed the special day, baby.”
The young girl smiled, her cheeks turning a bright shade of pink. “It’s okay.” She proceeded to wrap the rest of Alicia’s books with utmost haste.
Alicia felt something warm spread across her chest as she watched the display of young, innocent love.
She had already been married once, yet she couldn’t recall ever having experienced anything like this. Witnessing such a pure, honest love brought tears to her eyes.
Caden, on the other hand, was totally unaffected. He turned to Alicia with a frown. “What special day are they talking about?”
Was there some couple’s holiday in November that he wasn’t aware of?
Alicia thought for a moment. “Maybe he meant a special day for the two of them.”
“Are flowers really necessary?” Caden asked, raising an eyebrow.
Alicia smiled. There really wasn’t a single romantic bone in this man’s body. “It’s a nice surprise, and a very sweet gesture.”
“A bit of an overkill, if you ask me,” Caden muttered.
Alicia almost scoffed at him.
She couldn’t help but wonder how he used to treat his previous girlfriends.
From what she knew so far, she would bet he spent most of his time with them in bed. She doubted he had ever done anything romantic. At most, he probably had his assistant buy gifts for his partners.
They gathered the books and made their way downstairs. “How old were you when you experienced your first love?” Alicia found herself asking.
“Never dated,” Caden replied flatly.
Alicia gaped at him. “Never? Seriously, you? Come on, I don’t believe that.”
Caden didn’t elaborate further.
“Oh, that’s right!” Alicia exclaimed, as if a light bulb had gone off in her head. “There’s no way you would have the patience to maintain a relationship. The most you can probably do is a fling here and there.”
Caden turned to her with a frown. Why was she so talkative today?
He paused in the doorway, his eyes trained on the rain that had started to fall. “Do I look like a playboy to you?”
Alicia shamelessly looked him up and down. “Dude, you look like the spokesperson for the entire playboy population.”
Caden pressed his lips into a thin line, regretting the words that had just slipped out.
“When was your first time?” Alicia whispered, her voice persistent. “Was it in high school, or were you already in college?”
Instead of answering, Caden countered her question with one of his own. “When was yours?”
Alicia pulled back, her expression neutral. She didn’t respond.
But something about his demeanor struck her, and her eyes widened in disbelief. “Was your first time that night at the cinema?”
Caden ignored her, uninterested in continuing this endless line of questioning. He opened his umbrella and stepped into the rain.
Alicia hurried after him, shielding her head with both hands. “No way! Was it really your first time?”
Caden’s eyes narrowed. Unable to hold himself back any longer, he turned to her and snapped, “Is that even possible? What do you take me for? I’m not like you, who stayed a virgin throughout your two years of marriage.”
Alicia’s eyes dimmed slightly. “You’re getting personal, Mr. Ward. Don’t you think that’s a little uncalled for?”
They only had one umbrella between them, and Alicia wasn’t planning on getting soaked. Despite her irritation, she moved closer to Caden.
Without missing a beat, Caden reached over with his hand holding the umbrella and pulled her into his embrace. Alicia let out a small gasp of surprise.
“What, are you being shy now? This isn’t the first time I’ve held you in my arms.”
She pushed his hand gently so that they were both under the umbrella. “You shouldn’t get yourself wet.”
Caden pulled her closer. “A little rain won’t hurt me.”
“But my books will get wet!”
Caden let out a huff in response.
The bookstore wasn’t far from the apartment, so their journey didn’t take long.
The two of them walked down the street, one tall, the other petite, their figures soon disappearing from view.
The night wind was chilly and biting.
Not far away, a car was parked under a sycamore tree. Joshua held a cigarette between his fingers, letting it burn without taking a puff. His gaze was fixed in the direction Caden and Alicia had gone, his eyes lingering long after they were out of sight.
Up until then, Joshua had always thought that Caden’s interest in Alicia was superficial, something fleeting and insignificant. He’d been certain it would fade within days.
But after seeing them leave the bookstore, laughing and bantering with each other…
It was clear they were serious.
Joshua’s lips curled into a sneer.
He could still remember the day Alicia had confessed her love to him. She had been so shy, so innocent. He had always believed that her feelings for him were deep and true.
Now, it was painfully clear that he had been mistaken.
It hadn’t even been that long since their divorce, and here she was-already eyeing another man, letting herself sink into his arms.
A muscle in Joshua’s jaw twitched. Frustrated, he raised the cigarette to his lips, only to realize it had already burned out.
Grinding his teeth, he flicked it out the window. Rage surged within him, coming out of nowhere and spiraling beyond his control. He slammed his fists against the steering wheel, barely managing to stifle an angry yell.
Caden finished his shower and stepped out, noticing Alicia busy in the kitchen.
“What are you making?” he asked, walking over to stand behind her.
Alicia didn’t look up as she replied, “I know it’s late, but I suddenly wanted lasagna.”
Most of the preparation was already done.
Seeing her like this lifted Caden’s mood.
“Why are you going through all this trouble? We could just order in.”