Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Alicia braced herself for the confrontation. “She provoked it.”
“Did she cause harm?”
“She did, but it wasn’t me who suffered,” Alicia replied, remembering the pain she felt seeing Cade injured and suffering at the pet hospital. That sight still haunted her.
Caden, unaware that Cade had been missing, was focused solely on Alicia. He pressed further, “Just because Yolanda said something, you gave her a concussion?”
His tone was casual, but Alicia couldn’t tell if he was genuinely curious or if he was taking Yolanda’s side.
“As I told you, she had it coming,” Alicia responded, without remorse.
Caden’s expression turned stern. “Alicia, you acted too impulsively this time.”
He knew her well enough to understand that mere words wouldn’t usually drive her to violence. He suspected she had also been hurt, but when he checked, she insisted she was fine.
Her emotions were clearly overwhelming her.
Alicia stared at him. “Why did you call me back here?”
“It’s simple. Apologize to Yolanda,” Caden said, trying to negotiate with her.
Alicia was taken aback, then clenched her teeth. “No way. She targeted Cade first. Hitting her was self-defense!”
Caden’s expression grew stern. “Are you really comparing a dog to the Moss family?”
Alicia stood her ground. “Of course not. Yolanda can’t be compared to Cade.”
Caden was momentarily lost for words. He then reclined on the sofa, gazing at her lazily. “Yolanda is the Moss family’s sole heiress. Even I have to indulge her whims. Do you understand the repercussions of hitting her? You’ve upset Dorian.”
Tears welled up in Alicia’s eyes as she bowed her head. “That’s my issue. What does it have to do with you?”
He scoffed in response. “Do you think you can handle him? Dorian could shut down your gallery with a single command, making it difficult for you to stay in Warrington. Are you prepared to take that risk?”
Alicia’s gaze grew somber. She secretly clenched her fists, feeling the weight of the situation.
Watching her breathe heavily, Caden’s heart softened. He drew her into his embrace.
As Alicia squirmed, the pain in her lower body and a dizzy spell hit her-probably from the fury she had been holding inside, which felt like it was setting her brain on fire.
Forced to sit on his lap, she inhaled his scent, and a wave of sorrow washed over her, her eyes becoming teary. “Caden, are you siding with Yolanda?” she asked, her voice soft but filled with hurt.
Seeing the tears in her eyes, Caden’s tone softened significantly. “Calm down. I’ll support you. There’s no need for an apology. I’ll handle the Moss family.”
Alicia chuckled bitterly, her voice strained. “Caden, you’re utterly heartless.”
He had the power to persuade the Moss family to drop their demands for her apology, yet he chose to pressure her instead.
She realized that she was just a means for him to satisfy his desires. He wielded his influence like a tool to force her compliance.
A rueful smile crossed her face. “Cade has been part of our lives for months, yet you show no concern for him. Am I just another pet to you? How long will your interest in me last?”
Caden caressed her cheek tenderly. “You’re too headstrong, Alicia. To win my heart, you need to please me and prove you’re worth it.”
Alicia brushed his hand aside. Rising to her feet, she conceded, “I’ll go and make amends with Yolanda.”
Alicia had become a savvy businesswoman. For her, apologizing was the simplest way to avoid unnecessary conflicts. She refused to jeopardize her hard work and future over a fleeting impulse. After grabbing her car keys, she left the apartment without a second thought.
Caden remained silent, his expression thoughtful, as if lost in deep contemplation.
Dorian was taken aback when he saw that Alicia had actually arrived. His anger had subsided, and he had no intention of harming a defenseless woman.
“Yolanda is in the bedroom. You can go see her,” he said, settling into a chair.
Alicia didn’t respond and walked right past him.
Dorian, stunned, blinked in disbelief. How rude!
As Alicia headed upstairs, Regina finished her chores and stepped out of the room. Hearing the door open upstairs, Regina glanced up and saw a fleeting shadow.
“Do we have a visitor?” Regina asked.
Dorian’s expression darkened. “It’s Alicia.”
Regina raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Is she here to apologize?” That wasn’t what she had expected.
Seemingly perplexed, Dorian replied, “It doesn’t seem like it. From the look on her face, it appears she’s come looking for a confrontation.”
Regina’s heart skipped a beat. After a moment, Dorian suddenly realized something and sprang to his feet.
At that moment, Yolanda emerged from her room, positioned herself at the second-floor railing, and looked down with a smile.
“Mom, Dad, Alicia is here to apologize to me,” she said.
“Can you give us an hour? I need to speak to her privately.”
Dorian let out a sigh of relief. “Fine. Be civil and talk things over,” he said.
Yolanda smiled confidently.
This was the Moss family’s domain. What could Alicia possibly do here?
She returned to the bedroom, her smile turning more malicious.
Facing Alicia, who stood tall and defiant, Yolanda sneered. “You sure look tough. Are you even capable of apologizing?”
Alicia had already come this far. There was nothing she couldn’t say now.
Just as she opened her mouth to respond, Yolanda cut her off. “The way you apologize will be on my terms.”
Alicia met her gaze. Without saying a word, she accepted.
Yolanda led her into the bathroom, grabbed the showerhead, and sprayed her without warning. The cold water drenched Alicia’s sweater, and her face immediately turned pale.
She grasped Yolanda’s hand tightly.
Yolanda chuckled with amusement. “Are you planning to fight back? You only came here because Caden gave you a hard time, right?”
Alicia slowly tightened her grip.
Yolanda continued, “Your decision to come here shows that you’ve thought this through. If I don’t forgive you, who will protect you? Caden? Alicia, you opened a gallery and even drank alcohol, despite being allergic, just to secure contracts. All of this is because you want power, right? It’s impressive how you’ve become a billionaire in just a few months. But the truth is, you work so hard because you realize Caden can’t provide you with security. Am I right?”
Alicia gazed at Yolanda’s pure, pretty face.
Then, she smiled and released her grip.
Yolanda lifted the showerhead high, soaking Alicia from head to toe.
This was far from over.
Next, Yolanda swung open the balcony door, forcing Alicia to stand in the biting wind with her heavy, wet clothes. In the midst of winter, snowflakes danced through the air.
Yolanda spoke softly. “Ms. Bennett, I won’t let you stay out in the cold for too long. You can head home in an hour.”
Meanwhile, Caden’s car rolled into the driveway.
He stepped into the living room and scanned the area.
Alicia was nowhere in sight.
Dorian’s expression remained tense. “Who are you searching for?”
Caden answered candidly, “Didn’t Alicia come by to apologize? Where is she?”
“She’s upstairs,” Regina replied. “She’ll be down shortly.”
Caden glanced up toward the staircase.
“It’s rather quiet up there.”
Dorian scoffed, “Yolanda can barely manage to speak. How much noise could it possibly make?” Regina gave Dorian’s arm a reassuring pat.
It was her way of telling him to stay calm.
Then she said, “Since Alicia came, it seems like things are smoothed over. Yolanda seemed pretty happy earlier, so I doubt there’s any serious conflict between them.”
Caden felt a heaviness in his chest.
Something didn’t sit right with him.
“How long has Alicia been here?” he asked.
“About half an hour,” Regina replied.
“Isn’t that a bit long for just an apology?” Caden questioned.
Dorian snapped back, “Caden, don’t start. What could possibly go wrong in thirty minutes?”
Caden replied with a smirk, “You’re awfully tense, Dorian. Is your blood pressure under control?”
Dorian was left speechless.
Regina chuckled and began peeling an apple, handing out slices to each of them.