Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Caden entered the room and shut the door behind them. He wasted no time and asked, “Does your mouth still hurt?”
Alicia immediately became defensive. “Don’t even think about it!”
Caden smirked. It wasn’t her decision to make. He unzipped his pants, ready to proceed, when a knock on the door interrupted him.
He paused, then reluctantly zipped up his pants. With a sigh, he walked to the door and opened it.
The innkeeper stood there holding a box. “Mr. Ward, you left something behind,” she said with a knowing smile. “Young folks have lots of energy, but do be mindful-your girlfriend is still recovering.”
Caden accepted the box, thanking her calmly. Alicia, however, had a bad feeling about it. “What else did you buy?” she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.
Without a hint of embarrassment, Caden answered, “A box of condoms.”
Alicia was stunned. “A whole box?”
Caden fought to suppress a smile but kept his face straight. “Yes, there are 150 condoms inside.”
Alicia was speechless. She stood there in silence for a few moments, before stepping back and starting to search for something.
Caden raised an eyebrow. “What are you looking for?”
“My phone,” Alicia answered without missing a beat. “I’m calling the police to get me out of here.”
Caden remained unfazed. “Wherever you go, we’ll still need to use those condoms first. Now, lie down on the bed,” he instructed, opening the box.
Alicia was stunned. “Caden, have you lost your mind? My back still hurts!”
Caden pulled out a tube of ointment and waved it in front of her. “Even if your back wasn’t hurting, I’m too busy to do anything with you right now.”
Alicia was rendered speechless. Too flustered to look at him directly, she turned away and fiddled with the tablecloth.
Caden clicked his tongue in annoyance. “What are you messing around with? Get on the bed.”
The room was cozy, and Alicia lifted her thin shirt, revealing her smooth, slender waist. Initially, Caden had no improper thoughts.
But as soon as she lay down, his mind began to wander. He didn’t rush to apply the ointment. Instead, he allowed himself to enjoy the feel of her skin for a moment. Alicia bit her lip, burying her face into the pillow.
Caden knew how sensitive she was to touch, and it had been a while since they’d been intimate. A small gesture could easily ignite a flame. He gave in to his urges and bent down to kiss her.
Alicia lifted her head slightly, and Caden felt satisfied, letting his hands roam under her clothes. She didn’t resist.
“Why are you being so compliant?” he asked.
Alicia’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
In the gentlest tone, she spoke the harshest words. “You won’t be able to do anything anyway. If you’re okay with feeling frustrated, go ahead.”
Caden remained silent, adjusting his behavior. He squeezed out some ointment and began applying it to her bruises.
Alicia could sense his patience as he carefully massaged the sore spots over and over. It was completely unlike him.
She lay there quietly, a small smile on her lips. Then, teasing him, she said, “You’re definitely making an effort to have sex sooner.”
Caden caught the sarcasm in her voice but didn’t deny it.
Alicia learned a lesson.
To continue receiving his attention, she knew she had to maintain her value. Their physical attraction was undeniable, but one day, it would inevitably fade. To remain relevant, she needed to grow in every aspect of her life.
She turned her gaze to Caden, imagining him being admired by many, gracing headlines, and shining under the spotlight. Caden noticed her stare.
“What is it?” he asked.
Alicia replied calmly, “Your actions have made me realize something.”
“And what’s that?” he inquired.
“I need to be strong and self-reliant, so no one can take advantage of me.”
Caden responded instinctively, “With a man like me by your side, no one will dare to bully you.”
Alicia smiled softly. “When I married Joshua, he promised me the same thing.”
Caden noticed the mocking yet determined expression on her face, feeling a moment of unease. She had come to her own conclusions, no longer placing the same trust and dependence in him as she once had.
The pricey medication worked its magic. After two days of applying it, Alicia’s pain had completely subsided.
Still, Caden wasn’t rushing things. He joked that it felt like being in a candy shop but not allowed to touch a single piece, though he understood his own strength. One wrong move could cause real harm, and because of that, he held back. A few more days wouldn’t hurt.
That night, they sat close together in the small room, half-watching a movie projected on the wall, but neither was truly focused on it. Outside, the rain fell heavily, accompanied by flashes of lightning.
Alicia noticed how uneasy Caden seemed with the storm outside. Calmly, she pulled the curtains shut to block out the flashing light.
Caden was speaking on the phone, responding every so often with a simple, “OK.” Alicia leaned in closer and lowered the volume of the movie.
“Did the money arrive?” Caden asked. “Alright, thank you.” He ended the conversation.
Alicia inquired, “What kind of money is important enough to grab your attention, Mr. Ward? Are we talking tens of billions?”
Caden pulled her into his arms, a faint smile playing on his lips. “It’s not that much. Just a little over 15 million dollars.”
Alicia sensed his deep concern over the money, and her curiosity grew. “Is the company in trouble?”
Caden replied, “It’s not my money. It belongs to you.”
Alicia was momentarily shocked. “Mine?”
If it truly belonged to her, that amount would be a fortune.
“Is it from the product I worked on last time?” Her eyes brightened. “Did I receive a bonus?”
Caden replied, “If it were a bonus, it would be much larger than that.”
“Then what kind of money are we talking about?” Alicia asked, her curiosity piqued.
Caden raised an eyebrow. “Do you really think I’ll just hand over the answer like that?”
Without hesitation, Alicia leaned in and pressed her lips against his.
Caden craved more than a brief kiss. He grasped the back of her head and deepened the kiss, losing himself in the moment.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally pulled away, his voice low, “That’s the first payment deposited into your company’s account since your gallery opened.”
Alicia was taken aback. “But I had an accident and didn’t go through the formalities. How is this possible?”
“I took care of everything for you,” Caden replied, his gaze sincere. “This money is yours, earned through your hard work. It may not be a huge amount, but more projects are on the way. Just be patient.”
Alicia smiled, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She hadn’t come this far on her own. Her stubbornness about saving face and past betrayals had made her wary of trusting men. But Caden understood her, and that understanding had guided his approach to supporting her toward financial independence.
As they watched the movie, the thunder outside rumbled louder.
Caden, feeling uneasy, seemed reluctant to engage in anything given the storm.
Alicia reached out to soothe him. Without words, she took his hand, gently rubbing it before wrapping her arms around him. She spoke of cheerful topics, trying to distract him and draw his attention away from the storm.
Caden understood her intentions. “It’s just thunder. It’s not a big deal,” he assured her.
Alicia met his gaze. “I know what you’re afraid of.”
The thunderstorm struck the day his mother passed away. That memory had haunted him ever since, leaving a lasting impact on his life.
Caden kept his expression neutral. “Concentrate on the movie. It’s nearly finished, and you haven’t watched a single moment.”
Alicia bit her lip and settled onto his lap, her body relaxed against him.
Caden glanced up at her lazily, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
“Does your back still hurt?” Caden asked, his tone soft.
Alicia’s cheeks flushed, her gaze drifting away. “I don’t like rainy days either. After my parents’ accident, it rained constantly.”
“What’s wrong? Can you only speak when you’re sitting on my lap?” he teased, though he hadn’t intended to push her. Her charm was hard to resist.
She knew he was dealing with his own inner turmoil.
Alicia remained silent, but leaned in and pressed her lips against his.
Caden couldn’t resist and kissed her back, the heat between them growing.
With newfound courage, Alicia whispered, “Caden, I want it.”
Caden looked into her clear, earnest eyes, feeling a tightness in his chest. “Why are you suddenly feeling up to this?”
Alicia knew he could sense the shift in her. She then asked, “Is that something you want too?”
Caden paused for a moment before answering deliberately, “Not really. Ms. Bennett, show me what you’ve got.”
Alicia was taken aback, her mind racing. She lowered her gaze, shifting her hips slightly as she looked down.
“You’re going to burst out of your pants,” she teased, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “Don’t you want this, Mr. Ward?”
“No,” he replied calmly.