Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Then, Regina appeared.
He waved off the bodyguards and ushered Caden into the living room with graciousness.
Caden held deep respect for his elders, especially Regina. Though not widely known, he recognized Regina as the pillar of the Moss family. She was renowned for her wisdom, perception, humility, and calm demeanor-qualities that allowed her to moderate Dorian’s more volatile nature.
Regina served tea and reassured him softly, “Don’t worry. Alicia will be alright.”
Caden remained stoic. “Regina, harm isn’t only physical,” he said, his voice steady.
Knowing Dorian’s character, Caden doubted that negotiations with Alicia would be simple.
Regina smiled gently. “Caden, it seems you care deeply for Alicia.”
Caden responded vaguely, “Our relationship is complex.”
“I haven’t met her, so I can’t judge her character,” Regina continued. “But Yolanda was the one who confronted Alicia today. Their clash probably stems from you.” She paused before adding, her tone neutral, “Yolanda is quick-tempered, and though Alicia’s reaction was harsh, I can’t simply overlook it.”
Her tone chilled slightly as she disclosed, “That slap caused Yolanda moderate muscle tears and a mild concussion-the most severe injury she’s had in decades.”
Caden’s brow furrowed in concern.
Regina added, “Even someone as headstrong as you would treat Yolanda with courtesy for our sake. She’s very important to us.”
“Let’s be direct, Regina,” Caden pressed, his impatience showing.
Her expression softened. “Alicia is resilient. Dorian’s efforts to escalate this are futile. We are reasonable people. If Alicia apologizes to Yolanda, we can move past this.”
Caden nodded, understanding the expectation placed on him to mediate the situation.
The approach he chose could be stern or mild-his choice.
They were soon to return to Devarlton. How the situation would unfold-whether amicably or disastrously-now rested on his actions.
Regina guessed correctly. Dorian’s recent confrontation with Alicia had been brief but heated, and he left in a huff. Upon reaching home, his uproar was so loud it woke Yolanda, who came to him in tears.
“Dad, please calm down,” Yolanda pleaded. “I confronted her because I was curious about what Caden sees in her. Yes, I was harsh, and I upset her. I even mentioned that Caden and I planned to marry, which broke her heart. Let me apologize to Ms. Bennett. This mess is my fault.”
Tears continued to fall from Yolanda’s eyes as she sought comfort in Regina’s embrace.
The core of this conflict hinged on Caden’s decisions.
Caden, his expression stoic, turned to Yolanda and asked, “Is there another reason Alicia struck you?” Yolanda, her eyes filled with tears, weakly protested, “Caden, how could I possibly retaliate?” Her complexion pale, she added, “Do you think I have the strength to fight back?”
Despite Yolanda’s emotional plea, Caden’s demeanor remained unchanged. “Rest now. I will take care of everything,” he said ambiguously, before leaving the room.
Regina comforted Yolanda, urging her to return to bed and rest.
Later, Regina found Dorian alone on the balcony, smoking. She handed him a coat and gently cautioned, “You’re stressed enough; the cold isn’t helping. Please, don’t be so stubborn.”
Dorian took her hand, offering a comforting pat. “Did I frighten you?” he asked softly, his concern evident. Dorian was typically even-tempered, except when it came to Yolanda. His protective instincts for her were boundless.
With a warm smile, Regina reassured him, “As her father, it’s natural that you’re worried. My concern is that this might cause a rift between you and Caden.”
Neither the Moss family nor Caden feared confrontation, but direct conflict was unnecessary and beneficial to no one.
Now more composed, Dorian rationalized, “That’s why I only requested an apology from Alicia and refrained from escalating the situation.”
“Then what’s troubling you?” Regina probed, sensing his lingering frustration.
He extinguished his cigarette with a heavy sigh. “When I visited Alicia today, I saw she’s just as unwell as Yolanda.” Regina noted his agitation. “And yet, you returned quite upset.” Dorian massaged his temples.
“Her words were sharp, slicing deep without a curse.” He appeared defeated. “I couldn’t counter her arguments.”
Regina chuckled softly. “Seems you were bested by a junior.”
Dorian exhaled deeply. “She may be sick, but she’s stubborn. She won’t concede. I doubt she’ll back down, even if Caden intervenes.”
Regina playfully prodded, “What if she refuses to apologize? How will you make things right for Yolanda?” Dorian remained silent, deep in thought. The moment had cooled, and his anger had subsided. He didn’t have an answer.
After Alicia left the pet hospital, Caden called her. “Return to the apartment,” he instructed, his tone sharp. “You have ten minutes.”
Alicia bit her tongue, deciding that silence was the wiser option. Regardless of the reason-Yolanda or unfinished business-she knew she had to return. Perhaps the prolonged chill of the day had worn her down; she was completely exhausted.
Upon entering the heated apartment, the weariness lingered. She wrapped her coat tightly around herself and fixed her gaze on Caden, who was seated on the sofa.
“What’s this about?” she asked.
Caden had just opened a medicine box and looked up at her. Her demeanor was cool and detached, reminiscent of a film spy, though her petite frame somewhat contradicted the persona.
“Slow down, go freshen up first,” he suggested casually.
Alicia’s brow furrowed, understanding the implications. The pain still lingered below, aggravated by the day’s exertions, despite the ointment. She had refused to acknowledge the discomfort the previous night.
In the shower, she pondered her earlier misguided thought. Should she seek some medication to curb his urges?
No. If Caden really pushed the issue, he would be more formidable than Joshua. She couldn’t drag Monica into this again.
Suddenly, the bathroom door opened.
Alicia instinctively covered herself, casting a wary glance at Caden.
Caden, his expression neutral, questioned, “Is it necessary to cover yourself?”
Alicia averted her gaze. “Leave. I’m not finished.”
However, Caden shut the door behind him and stayed inside.
Despite her stern look, her gaze failed to intimidate him, and she couldn’t escape his direct stare. She reached for a towel, but Caden caught her hand.
“I’ve seen all of you before. Why the guardedness around me?” Caden said as he assertively moved her hands aside, exposing her further.
Overpowered, Alicia stood fully exposed under his gaze, her face coloring with embarrassment.
“I won’t just observe. Expect more from me later,” Caden remarked flatly.
Alicia’s fists clenched, and her breathing grew heavy with rising anger.
Caden had to force himself to release her hand, struggling against his own desires.
“Have you cleaned up yet?” he inquired.
Alicia turned away from him, exasperated. “No!”
His presence was no longer masked by pretense-he claimed he was there to assist her, worried that she might be in too much pain to manage alone.
“Let me assist you,” he offered, starting to undress.
Alicia knew she couldn’t outlast Caden.
Not in arguments, not in confrontations, and certainly not when it came to enduring his stubbornness.
Realizing he was serious, Alicia quickly softened her stance. “I’m already clean enough. You don’t need to do this!”
But Caden, already undressed, was unmoved by her protests.
“We need to make sure it’s thorough,” he said firmly.
His hands moved with purpose as he helped her. Though they were silent, Caden used the moment to assert his dominance.
Once he had helped her bathe, he lifted her out of the water and wrapped her in a blanket. Alicia bit her lip, curling up tightly in the warmth.
Caden moved toward the dresser.
Anticipating his next move, Alicia shut her eyes tightly, bracing herself for what she thought would be inevitable discomfort.
Her complexion turned pale as she tensed, like someone awaiting a painful fate. Seeing her reaction, Caden cracked a smile.
“Why not open your eyes and look at me?” he teased.
Alicia remained still. “Enough talk. If you’re going to proceed, just do it,” she retorted sharply.
“Aren’t you worried it will hurt?” Caden’s hand gently stroked her thigh, slowly inching upward. “You were injured last night, and though it’s healing, today’s actions might reopen the wound. That could hurt far worse than before. Are you sure you’re ready for that?”
Alicia’s color drained further, but she remained defiant.
Then Caden moved her legs apart.
A surge of resentment flooded over Alicia as she braced herself, certain he was capable of cruelty. She clenched her teeth, steeling herself.
But instead of pain, a soothing relief spread over the area.
Confused, Alicia opened her eyes and looked down. To her surprise, Caden was gently applying ointment to her wound, not what she had feared at all.
The warmth from his touch softened the ointment, and he applied it gently, making sure no spot was missed. After he finished, he straightened up.
Alicia instinctively clenched her legs together, and in doing so, caught sight of his visible arousal. She remained silent.
Caden then left for the bathroom to take a shower, opting for a cold one. Realizing he wasn’t going to make a move, Alicia got up, dressed, and composed herself.
However, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to his actions than simply applying the ointment. She settled herself in the living room, waiting.
When Caden emerged from the shower, he didn’t waste any time. “Why did you hit Yolanda today?” he asked.