Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Caden’s face remained impassive. “If you choose to reincarnate, you won’t remember anything. Are you certain that’s what you want?”
Alicia’s gaze dimmed. “There’s nothing in this life worth holding onto anyway. Preserving my memories seems pointless…”
“Really? Are you prepared to forget about me?”
Alicia’s eyes flickered. She experienced a brief moment of bashfulness. But since they were supposedly dead, she felt there was no need for timidity. With newfound boldness, she met his gaze. “No.”
There was a subtle shift in Caden’s expression, though Alicia didn’t catch it.
“What about me are you unwilling to forget?” he asked.
Alicia was so drained that she could barely gather her thoughts. She simply said what came to her, “Because you’ve been kind to me.”
“And?” Caden pressed.
“And… I like you,” she whispered softly.
Caden hesitated for a moment before asking, “How much do you like me?”
“A lot. You’re handsome, fit, and exceptionally skilled in bed,” Alicia admitted, unable to hold back her words. “I love having sex with you. It makes me feel incredible. I love being in your arms. I love the way you fuck me, the way you look at me, and kiss me.”
At her blunt honesty, Caden arched an eyebrow. He reached out and touched her forehead, checking if she still had a fever. Clearly, she wouldn’t speak so freely unless something was off with her.
Alicia grasped his hand, feeling slightly clearer now. She forced her eyes open to focus more clearly.
Noticing the bandage on his head, she asked, confused, “Aren’t there healers in hell? Why are you still injured?”
“I just died. They won’t treat me; I’m not considered a priority.”
“Does it hurt?”
“No.”
Alicia rested her cheek against his palm, closing her eyes. “Then why am I in so much pain? Am I being punished for my sins?”
Caden let out a soft laugh.
“Do you think you’re a sinner?”
“No, but I’ve made plenty of mistakes,” Alicia said, her voice fading into a sob. Caden gently wiped away her tears with his thumb.
Alicia looked up at him, her expression vulnerable. “What about you?” she asked hoarsely. “Do you like me?”
“Yes,” Caden responded with a mischievous smile. “Of course, I enjoy fucking you.”
Alicia was at a loss for words.
Alicia labored under the misconception that they had already perished. Despite this belief, she found herself unable to ask Caden, “Is that all? Don’t you like anything else about me?”
His earlier words had been so harsh that she couldn’t bear to hear them again.
Exhausted, her eyelids grew heavier, and sleep began to pull her under. She knew that drifting off now might mean starting a new life-one where she’d forget Caden and everyone she’d met in this one. Though reluctant, there seemed no way to resist. As sleep began to overtake her, she murmured, “Caden…”
“Yes?” Caden instantly responded, leaning in closer, anticipating a confession.
Instead, her next statement caught him off guard: “I need to use the bathroom.”
Caden blinked in surprise. Alicia continued softly, “Does hell even have bathrooms? Maybe I should pee right here.”
For a moment, he was at a loss for words. Realizing her urgency, he quickly reached out to help her, but it was too late. As he lifted the blanket, he saw that her clothes were already soaked. A vein throbbed on his forehead as his expression shifted from confusion to resignation. Without saying anything, he took out his phone and snapped a photo of the scene.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
The inn’s plump, middle-aged proprietor, who had been their unexpected savior, entered. Her eyes widened at the sight before her. “Oh my!” she exclaimed in shock.
Keeping his composure, Caden replied calmly, “I’m sorry about this. I’ll handle it.”
The owner looked at the bed, her face contorting with distress. “These sheets are pure silk and cost a fortune!”
“I’ll compensate you tenfold,” Caden replied, instinctively reaching for his checkbook, only to realize it wasn’t on him. In a swift gesture of assurance, he unclasped the luxurious watch from his wrist-valued at over 9 million dollars-and handed it to her. “Please accept this as collateral.”
The owner’s eyes widened slightly as she recognized the exclusive brand. Sensing the man’s affluence and the authenticity of the watch, she smiled subtly and pocketed it.
“Well then,” she said with a wink. “Feel free to make as much of a mess as you’d like!”
Caden was left speechless; he hadn’t expected her to take it that far. The owner, who had some basic medical knowledge, checked on Alicia. With a reassuring nod, she turned to Caden.
“She’s stable; her fever is going down. But it’s chilly tonight-she shouldn’t stay in wet clothes. You’ll need to change her quickly.”
Caden nodded, his expression determined yet slightly hesitant. The owner gave him a once-over, her eyes glinting with curiosity.
“You don’t look like you’ve done much laundry,” she observed with a teasing smile. “Ever washed sheets before?”
Caden raised an eyebrow. “You don’t have a washing machine here?”
“Oh, I do,” she replied with a hint of amusement. “But do you know how to operate it?”
Caden was momentarily at a loss for words. Then he retorted, “Do I seem incapable to you?” The owner smirked. “Well then, go ahead.”
She had encountered plenty of pampered men who lacked even the most basic skills. Before leaving, she reminded him, “Just don’t put her underwear in the machine.”
“Okay,” Caden responded, his voice uncertain. It was indeed his first time handling a woman’s underwear, but it proved simpler than he had anticipated. The inn’s accommodations were basic, and the weather was harsh. It took ages for the water to get hot. Impatient, he decided to wash them in cold water.
It was a struggle; the fabric was delicate and scant, making it hard for his large hands to handle gently. When he finished and hung them to dry, he noticed the elastic had stretched out. Considering Alicia’s slender waist, he worried they might not stay on when she wore them.
Caden paused for a moment, contemplating the situation. Given they were enduring the harsh conditions of the snowy mountains and the inn didn’t sell underwear, they’d have to make do.
Alicia slept soundly for a whole day and night, not stirring until the following evening.
The medication had done its job: her fever was gone, and her injuries were less bothersome, but the surroundings still felt like purgatory.
A warm yellow lamp cast a soft glow in the room. Caden sat in a chair beside the bed, resting with his eyes closed. The chair emitted a gentle creak, adding a tranquil note to the atmosphere.
Alicia watched him, captivated by his stern yet appealing profile. Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t realize how long she had been staring until he suddenly opened his eyes, turned his head, and their gazes met.
Startled, Alicia was jolted back to reality. Her heart raced wildly as she murmured in a daze, “Why do I still remember you?”
Caden gazed at her intently. “Why wouldn’t you remember me?”
Alicia’s voice came out hoarse and uncertain. “Haven’t I begun a new life?”
Caden was momentarily speechless, wondering if the fever had left her disoriented. He stood up, poured a glass of water, and walked over to her.
With a mischievous glint in his eye, he said, “It seems the rules in hell have changed. Before you can start anew, there’s a task you must complete.”
Alicia eyed the water longingly, her lips dry. “What task?” she inquired tentatively.
Caden sat down beside her and brought the glass close to her lips. “You have to sleep with the man you love before you can move on,” he replied.
Stunned, Alicia stared at him, unsure if she had heard correctly.
Her expression must have been comical because Caden struggled to keep a straight face as he reiterated, “Yes, sleep with the man you love before you begin anew.”
Alicia was at a loss for words.
Caden leaned in closer and asked, “So, do you want to?”
Her cheeks flushed with heat. Emboldened by the belief she was in the afterlife, she cast aside her usual reservations. “Yes, I do,” she admitted.
“And what exactly do you want?” Caden asked with a sly smile. “To start a new life or to sleep with me?”
Alicia’s face turned even redder. Overwhelmed and unable to voice her deeper desires, she averted her gaze. “I want to drink some water…”
This time, Caden was caught off guard.
Deciding to stop teasing her, he realized it was impractical to help her drink in her condition. So, he took a sip himself. Then, gently parting her lips with his fingers, he leaned down and passed the water to her through a tender kiss.
Alicia couldn’t fully comprehend what was happening, but her lips had already responded to his. Their mouths moved together instinctively, and their tongues intertwined, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The sensation felt so real.
Alicia began to wonder if she was truly in the afterlife. Caden took a sip of water and gently fed it to her, repeating the gesture with care, again and again.
Her lips soon grew numb, and her face began to ache. Only then did she try to pull away. As soon as she did, Caden playfully bit down on her soft skin, showing his displeasure. She let out a small whimper from the pain.
At that moment, the realization struck her-she wasn’t dead. The memories she had before were just a dream. Once the glass was empty, Caden wiped his lips and looked at her.
“Do you want more?” he asked.
Alicia shook her head, feeling satisfied. She had come to terms with the fact that she was still alive, but one thing puzzled her.
“How did you know about my dream?” she asked. How did he know she had dreamed of hell?
Caden set the glass down and smiled teasingly. “Because you were talking in your sleep,” he replied.
Alicia was shocked.
Seriously? She talked in her sleep?
The revelation took her by surprise, and she found it hard to believe. “That can’t be true,” she muttered.
Without a word, Caden pulled out his phone and played a recording. Her own voice filled the room.
“I like you… a lot. You’re handsome, fit, and exceptionally skilled in bed!” Alicia was mortified.