Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Caden noticed the faint blush creeping up her ears and couldn’t suppress a small smile.
Alicia, stunning in her elegant champagne-colored gown, was a vision. The dress, perfectly tailored to her graceful silhouette, enhanced her natural beauty. She exuded a confidence that made her all the more captivating.
Before long, she immersed herself in the festivities once again, effortlessly charming those around her.
Caden, still holding his wine glass, remained composed, his eyes occasionally drifting toward her.
Gerry sidled up to him, a mischievous grin on his face. “Did you see that bouquet of roses? Alicia’s made it clear she’s not looking for anything serious, yet that guy had the nerve to make a move. He must think pretty highly of himself.”
Caden’s expression remained unbothered. “And?”
Gerry raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Don’t you feel the slightest hint of competition?”
Caden’s gaze shifted to the well-dressed man lingering nearby, casting furtive glances at Alicia.
“Someone like him stands no chance with Alicia,” he remarked, his tone steady and assured.
Gerry scoffed, shaking his head. “Don’t get too cocky. People change. What if one day Alicia grows tired of you and seeks something new?”
Caden’s response was cool and unwavering. “You’re quite the comedian.”
Would Alicia ever tire of him? He would ensure that never happened.
A server glided past, balancing a tray of drinks. Caden set his glass down and exchanged a few quiet words with the server. After slipping him some cash, the server nodded and continued on his way.
At that moment, Caden’s phone buzzed. Answering it, he listened intently to the voice on the other end. His expression grew serious, and after a curt nod, he pocketed the phone and made his way outside. Moments later, his car disappeared into the night.
When Alicia finished her responsibilities, she scanned the crowd for Caden, but he was nowhere to be found. Her gaze flickered to the entrance-his car was gone as well.
Gerry approached her, offering an explanation. “Caden had an urgent matter at the office. He couldn’t stay. You don’t need to wait for him to have dinner.”
Alicia paused briefly before nodding in understanding.
Since launching her gallery, she had cultivated a composed exterior, one that allowed her to manage both minor and major issues with grace. It made it nearly impossible for others to discern her true emotions.
Gerry raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “You’re not upset with him?”
After all, Caden had not only arrived late but left early-a gesture that could easily be seen as discourteous.
Alicia shook her head, her tone calm and professional. “I’ll return to work now. Please, enjoy yourself, Mr. Hopkins.”
Gerry was left standing in stunned silence.
Her generosity was striking.
Was this what they called love?
As Alicia turned to walk away, she noticed the bouquet of roses was no longer on the gift table. She scanned the room, but there was no trace of it. Instead, her eyes landed on a server who appeared visibly uneasy.
Alicia approached him, her expression calm yet inquisitive.
Before she could say a word, the server blurted out, “Ms. Bennett, I swear I didn’t throw away the flowers!”
Alicia blinked in surprise. She hadn’t even asked.
Realizing his slip, the server’s face turned crimson, and he fell silent, clearly flustered.
Alicia had no intention of blaming him. Instead, she asked evenly, “Who told you to do that?”
The server hesitated for a moment, then admitted, “It was Mr. Ward. He said one of the guests had a pollen allergy and asked me to dispose of the flowers.”
For a moment, Alicia stood still, processing the revelation.
“Allergic, my foot,” she thought, her lips curving into a faint, incredulous smile. “Caden really is a petty man.”
Yolanda sought Dorian’s advice before finalizing the initial program.
With steady hands, she carefully inserted the chip into the robot’s body, input the necessary code, and restarted it.
The humanoid robot sprang to life.
As Yolanda observed the female robot standing before her, a satisfied smile spread across her face. She was eager to command the robot and test its capabilities but held back, remembering that Caden was on his way.
Yolanda wanted Caden to experience Lina first.
Soon after, Caden arrived. Yolanda rushed to greet him, her excitement palpable.
“Caden! You’re here! Come, take a look.”
Caden’s gaze fell upon the robot named Lina. He was familiar with her-he had built her himself.
But now, something was different.
The once lifeless, mechanical eyes now sparkled with warmth, almost resembling human pupils.
Intrigued, Caden studied Lina closely, his expression reflecting a mixture of curiosity and admiration.
“Give her a try, Caden,” Yolanda encouraged softly. “I’ll step out for a moment.”
Caden nodded. “Thank you.”
Yolanda smiled warmly. “No worries. It’s the least I could do.”
After stepping out, Yolanda leaned against the wall, taking a moment to rest. The thought of making Caden happy filled her with a profound sense of fulfillment.
Everything she’d learned from Dorian had helped her create exactly what Caden needed.
Alicia could never do that.
One day, when the time was right, she would naturally take Alicia’s place-both in his life and by his side.
Meanwhile, Dorian emerged from the restroom.
Just as he was about to speak, Yolanda pulled him aside.
“Dad, you need to go back now,” she said firmly. She didn’t want him interfering with her plans. “Trust me, I’ve got this handled.”
Dorian, ever the perceptive man, effortlessly discerned the unspoken thoughts behind her words.
He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Take care of yourself,” he said softly.
Yolanda met his gaze, her determination unwavering. “I will, Dad,” she replied, her voice steady. She offered him a reassuring smile as she guided him to leave.
Once in his car, Dorian leaned back in his seat and let out a tired sigh.
Retirement suited him well. If not for Yolanda’s request, he wouldn’t have gotten involved at all. The busy hours had worn him down, and before long, he drifted off to sleep.
When he eventually opened his eyes, he noticed that the car was parked beneath a towering billboard.
His eyes widened in astonishment as the screen displayed an advertisement for Alicia’s gallery, her portrait dominating half the space. Her delicate features and serene gaze were mesmerizing, but there was something deeper in her expression that drew him in.
A strange sensation stirred within him, an unshakable familiarity.
“So, this is Alicia-the woman Caden has feelings for,” Dorian mused.
Both Alicia and Yolanda had their own unique charms, excelling in their respective fields. Alicia seemed like the perfect match for Caden. Yet, as he studied her face, a sense of recognition gnawed at the edges of his thoughts.
Why did she seem so familiar?
Noticing his captivated stare, the driver broke the silence. “Mr. Moss, do you know her?”
Dorian’s expression turned serious. “No. Is she well-known in Warrington?”
The driver hesitated. “Recently, yes. She’s been gaining popularity and has been in the headlines a lot, especially with Mr. Ward.”
The story of the Bennett family was widely known, and the driver had heard bits and pieces about it.
“She’s an orphan. After graduating college, she married into the Yates family, but the marriage didn’t last-they divorced several months ago,” he explained.
Dorian frowned thoughtfully. “An orphan?”
“Yes. Her parents passed in an accident,” the driver confirmed.
A pang of sympathy touched Dorian’s heart for reasons he couldn’t quite explain.
Meanwhile, Caden was thoroughly impressed with Lina. Although she was nearly ninety percent human-like, there were still a few details that needed refinement.
Caden intended to make those adjustments himself.
Before he realized it, evening had fallen. As he stepped outside, he noticed Yolanda waiting for him.
Concern flickered across his face as he took in her pale, weary expression. “Are you all right?”
Yolanda nodded quickly, forcing a bright smile. “So, what do you think? Do you like it?”
“Yes, it’s impressive,” Caden replied, his admiration evident. “But you need to prioritize your health. You can’t keep pushing yourself like this. Once you’ve recovered, you should go back with Dorian.”
Yolanda’s smile wavered, replaced by a flicker of sadness. “Caden, I’ve been working tirelessly today, all on my own. I just wanted to make you happy, and now you want to send me away?”
Caden’s tone grew firm. “I appreciate your efforts, but there’s no room for negotiation about you going back.”
Yolanda bit her lip, holding back the frustration rising within her. She knew she had to retreat, at least for now, to find another opportunity later.