Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
“I will talk to Yolanda about going back,” Dorian said with a resigned sigh. “You just focus on your work. I overreacted earlier on the phone and spoke too harshly. Don’t let it bother you.”
Caden lowered his gaze slightly. “I won’t.”
Later, Dorian relayed Caden’s exact words to Yolanda.
She listened in silence, her face calm, but her heart shattered into pieces. Silent tears slipped down her cheeks, her pain too overwhelming for words.
Dorian felt her anguish keenly. He handed her tissues, his voice soft yet firm. “Come on, enough crying. There are countless men out there. Why does it have to be him?”
Yolanda recoiled from his touch, her voice sharp and filled with pain. “Do not touch me!”
Her bitterness spilled over as she shoved Dorian back, her words cutting deep. “I was born with this illness because of your genes! I have suffered for years, and now I cannot even be with the man I love. What kind of parents are you?!”
Dorian’s face darkened instantly.
He had been a figure of respect for decades, and only Yolanda had ever dared to speak to him like that.
But it was his own doing-he had spoiled her for so long, and now he had no choice but to endure it.
“Caden is not like other men. Once he makes a decision, he rarely changes it. Even if you were with him, you would not find happiness. Can’t you see that, Yolanda?”
Without hesitation, Yolanda shot back, “Who has he set his mind on, then? Did he mention anything about Alicia?”
“Alicia? Who is Alicia?”
Yolanda’s eyes dimmed as she turned her back to him, her voice thick with emotion. “She is the one Caden likes, even if he has never said it.”
Dorian’s thoughts flickered to the night before, recalling the faint scent of a woman’s fragrance clinging to Caden when he had arrived in a rush. At the time, he had dismissed it as a trick of his mind. But now, it all made sense.
“If he has already given his heart to someone else, that is even more reason for you to move on,” Dorian said, his voice hardening with resolve. “Yolanda, you have to let this go.”
Yolanda clenched her jaw, her resistance evident.
She didn’t want to let go. She simply couldn’t.
“Dad, I cannot live without Caden. I will stay here, even if it kills me. And if you will not help me, then from this moment on, I will not consider you my father!”
Dorian felt a surge of anger so intense it nearly robbed him of breath, his chest tightening painfully.
Fearing he might say or do something rash, he quickly stood and left the room.
As he stepped out, Regina approached, carrying a tray of food. One look at his stormy expression, and she sighed.
“You argued with Yolanda, didn’t you?”
Dorian drew a long, deep breath, his frustration and sorrow weighing heavily on him. “Yes,” he muttered, feeling utterly worn down.
He sat down beside Regina, lowering his voice as he recounted the heated exchange with Yolanda.
Regina listened patiently, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to his turmoil. When he finished, she said simply, “If this is what she’s set her heart on, let her do it. She will have to face the consequences on her own.”
Dorian frowned, clearly displeased. “This is Caden’s fault. He already has someone else in mind. So why couldn’t he just keep his distance from Yolanda?”
Regina gave him a sharp look.
“Since when did you start losing your sense of fairness? Caden came to you for help and offered a partnership in return. You were the one who pushed for a marriage alliance, not him.”
Her words struck Dorian hard, leaving him momentarily speechless. For once, he found himself at a loss for how to respond.
After a long pause, Dorian’s voice grew heavy with regret. “It’s my fault that Yolanda hasn’t been healthy.”
Regina pursed her lips, holding back her immediate thoughts. “Dorian, we are both healthy, and there’s no history of illness in our family. Yolanda’s condition has always troubled me,” she said, her tone laced with concern.
“What do you mean?” Dorian asked, curiosity piqued.
Regina hesitated, weighing her words carefully. After a moment of consideration, she decided it wasn’t worth pursuing further. Shaking her head, she dismissed the thought.
“Forget it,” she said softly. “Right now, we need to focus on resolving the problem at hand.”
During visiting hours, Caden arrived with Ciara in tow, ready to see Yolanda.
As they entered the room, it was clear Yolanda had been crying. Her swollen, red eyes betrayed the depth of her sorrow, and her entire demeanor was listless, as though all her energy had been drained.
Feeling a wave of sympathy for her, Dorian turned to Caden and said, “I have some free time coming up, so I’ll stay in Warrington to lend a hand. In the meantime, I want you to spend more time with Yolanda, alright?”
Caden frowned, his expression a mix of concern and frustration.
Before he could respond, Yolanda quickly interjected, her voice trembling. “Dad, please don’t put Caden in a difficult position. If he stays here with me, someone will make it hard for him.”
The room was thick with silence, tension hanging heavily in the air.
Finally, Dorian broke it, his deep voice resonating with authority. “Who will make it difficult for him? And why are we even debating this? What’s more important-a life or personal obligations?”
Yolanda bowed her head, fresh tears slipping down her cheeks.
Caden’s face remained impassive. “No one will make life difficult for me, but my presence isn’t the cure Yolanda needs. Once I’ve seen Grandma safely home, I must return to my duties. Mr. and Mrs. Moss, I appreciate your efforts in managing things here.”
Regina gave a gentle nod. “Go ahead, Caden. Your work can’t wait.”
Yolanda’s hands clenched tightly in silent despair.
As Caden turned to leave, she faked a cough, biting down hard on her lip until the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth.
Alarmed, Dorian quickly called for a doctor.
Caden stepped aside, his expression unreadable as he watched her struggle.
Pale and teary-eyed, Yolanda looked up at him, her voice hoarse. “You should go,” she whispered. “Don’t let me hold you back.”
Caden pressed his lips into a thin line. “Conserve your energy, Yolanda. It’s best if you don’t talk,” he advised softly.
He knew her condition was worsened by overexertion, much of it fueled by her emotions for him. The thought of leaving her in such a fragile state gnawed at him, making it difficult to walk away.
When Yolanda noticed he hadn’t left, her lips curled into a faint smile of relief.
After the doctor completed his examination, Caden picked up her medical chart, his sharp eyes scanning the details thoughtfully. He began considering the possibility of finding a specialist to improve her treatment.
With trembling fingers, Yolanda reached out and grasped the hem of his jacket. Her voice, fragile and uncertain, broke the silence. “Caden, would staying upset her?”
Caden’s expression hardened slightly as he asked, “Who are you referring to?”
Yolanda bit her lip nervously, her gaze avoiding his. “Ms. Bennett,” she whispered.
Caden’s eyes narrowed slightly as he replied, “It’s none of your concern. Don’t trouble yourself over it.” His tone was polite, yet a cold edge lingered beneath the surface.
Yolanda sank back onto her pillow, her eyes never leaving his face. The affection and longing in her gaze were unmistakable.
Unable to bear the tense atmosphere any longer, Ciara interjected, “I know an excellent doctor who specializes in traditional medicine. I’ll ask him to prescribe something for Yolanda to try.”
Dorian accepted her offer graciously. “Thank you, Mrs. Ward. That would be very helpful.”
Ciara nodded and exited the room, Jasmine following close behind.
Once they were some distance away, Jasmine remarked, “Mr. Ward seems deeply entangled in social obligations.”
“He won’t be for long,” Ciara replied confidently. “He values repaying favors but despises unnecessary complications. Once he’s settled his debt to Yolanda, he’ll leave without hesitation.”
Puzzled by Ciara’s dismissive tone, Jasmine asked, “If you don’t care for Yolanda, why did you offer to find her a doctor?”
Ciara sighed wearily. “What doctor? I have no intention of wasting my time on that,” she said bluntly. “Instead, go downstairs, buy coffee, and bring it to her.”
“Coffee? But why?” Jasmine asked, her confusion evident.
Ciara snorted. “I can’t stand phonies. I’m already being more generous than usual.”
Jasmine was taken aback. Who would have thought Ciara could be so humorous at times?
Meanwhile, Caden made a phone call, arranging for advanced medical equipment to be shipped from another city to aid in Yolanda’s treatment.
While it wouldn’t cure her, the equipment was far more effective than standard medicine. He covered all the costs without hesitation, then exchanged a few words with Dorian before departing.
Caden’s efforts left no room for complaints from anyone else.
Back in the room, the warmth in Yolanda’s eyes faded. Turning to Dorian, she said, “Once this IV is finished, I’m leaving. I need to get back to work.”
Dorian was on the verge of losing his temper, but Regina gently placed a hand on his arm, calming him before he could speak.
She approached Yolanda’s bedside, her voice soothing despite her doubts. “Yolanda, can’t you see what Caden is feeling?”
Yolanda responded resolutely, “Of course I can. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting him.”
With determination, she pulled out the IV needle, tossed aside the blanket, and swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
“Are you really willing to risk your life just to pursue him?” Regina asked, concern etched on her face.
“Do you think I want to?” Yolanda shot back, impatience creeping into her tone. “If I were healthy, Caden would have been mine long ago.”
Regina’s expression shifted slightly, though she maintained her composure. Her upbringing had instilled in her a sense of calm, even in moments of frustration.
“Yolanda, you’re an adult now. If this is what you truly want, then go for it. But as your mother, I must advise you to reconsider. If you keep acting so recklessly, you may end up with nothing.”
Yolanda had pushed herself to the brink of illness in her desperate bid to win Caden’s sympathy. She had already coughed up blood twice. Was it even working?