Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Then, he hung up without a word.
Caden knew that if he had said a word, Alicia would have run without hesitation. He couldn’t risk that.
Without wasting time, he headed straight for the door. From behind, Ciara called out, “You brat! It’s freezing outside. At least bring a jacket!”
“I don’t need one,” Caden replied without stopping. Meanwhile, Alicia sat in her gallery office, staring at her phone and contemplating.
Ever since Ciara purchased the painting, Alicia had sensed something was off. Ciara’s enthusiasm had been too much, too sudden.
So tonight, Alicia had decided to send the painting through her assistant instead.
The call was a test, and by coincidence, Caden answered.
He didn’t speak, but Alicia knew it was him.
It was a strange kind of instinct.
As she watched the fireworks outside her window, a soft chuckle escaped her lips.
She never imagined she would use such cautious moves against Caden.
The truth was, she missed him.
Even so, she refused to fall into the same mistakes again.
When Caden stepped outside and realized Alicia wasn’t there, he knew she had outsmarted him.
She was just as sharp as Ciara.
Half an hour later, Alicia’s assistant and the others returned to the gallery.
Alicia handed out holiday gifts, including some cash, and told them to head home and rest.
Her assistant hesitantly asked, “Ms. Bennett, aren’t you going home?”
“I’m heading back too. Thank you for working late on Christmas Eve,” Alicia replied.
Her assistant giggled. “It wasn’t tiring at all. Plus, you gave us five times the pay! I’m absolutely thrilled!”
Alicia left the gallery with them.
She asked, “When you delivered the painting to Joy Mansion, who signed for it?”
Her assistant lowered her voice. “It was Mr. Ward.”
Knowing a little about the history between Caden and Alicia, she sighed. “You should’ve gone yourself. He’s still as handsome as ever.”
Alicia smiled faintly. “There are plenty of handsome men out there.”
“Not like him! Mr. Ward is on another level,” her assistant exclaimed.
Clasping her hands together, she added dreamily, “I just hope I find a boyfriend who’s even half as handsome as Mr. Ward.”
After making her wish, she paused, corrected herself, and laughed. “Okay, if that’s too much, I’d settle for a male model with a tenth of his looks!”
Then she laughed heartily, the sound filling the air.
Alicia saw the wide grin on her face and couldn’t help but smile too.
Afterward, Alicia drove to the pet hospital to check on Cade’s wound.
The attending doctor was kind, and Alicia had brought along a gift for him. But when she reached his office, he wasn’t there.
She set out to find him. To her surprise, she spotted Caden in a separate room.
Alicia froze in place.
The doctor was discussing something with Caden, who turned at that exact moment and met her gaze.
Caden almost never dressed so casually.
The light-colored, loose sweater gave him an air of understated elegance, making him seem even more refined.
His deep, dark eyes still held that same magnetic charm.
They were as captivating as ever.
Alicia quickly averted her gaze.
Noticing her, the doctor greeted her with enthusiasm, “Ms. Bennett! What a pleasant surprise. You both arrived one after the other. What are the odds?”
Alicia smiled and did her best to ignore Caden as she stepped forward. “How is Lucky doing?” she asked, feeling a little embarrassed mentioning the name in front of Caden.
Caden was the one who had named him “Lucky.” She had originally chosen the name “Cade” for him, but after the breakup, it felt impossible to say.
Caden, acting like a gentleman, moved aside so Alicia could get a better look at Lucky.
The doctor explained Lucky’s condition. “He’s recovering well. You can take him home for Christmas and bring him back tomorrow. He’ll be just fine.”
Alicia’s eyes lit up with relief. “Thank God!”
Caden turned to the doctor. “It’s getting late. You can head home. I’ll take care of Lucky from here.”
Alicia was at a loss for words.
Hearing him say the name “Lucky” felt like a warning siren going off in her mind. It sent a chill down her spine.
Once the doctor left, Alicia asked, “You’re taking Lucky?”
Since their breakup, the dog had stayed with her. What right did he have to take him away now?
Caden’s eyes locked on hers with focused intensity.
It was so intimidating.
“Which Lucky are you asking about?” he replied.
Alicia felt her heart skip a beat.
Alicia quickly regained her composure. Her heart, which had been racing moments before, finally settled.
“The dog, obviously,” she replied, reaching for Lucky without bothering to look up. “You don’t even like him. Why are you here?”
She spoke in a cold voice.
Caden glanced at her and said, “The doctor called me.”
She responded sharply, “You’ve never come here. Why would the doctor reach out to you?”
“My details were recorded when Lucky was transferred,” he explained.
Alicia paused for a moment.
That was true. Lucky had been transferred back then. This pet hospital had superior medical care and equipment.
Alicia pressed her lips together and walked out with Lucky in her arms, saying nothing.
Caden stood up and followed her.
“It’s Christmas Eve. Grandma wants you to come over for dinner.”
“How could I go to a client’s house for dinner on a day like this? It would feel intrusive,” Alicia responded.
Caden answered immediately, “Then why did you say you’d deliver the painting today? She’s waiting for you. Can you really let her down?”
Alicia stopped in her tracks.
She was well aware that Ciara and Caden had teamed up to create this uncomfortable situation.
Weighing her options, Alicia opened her mouth to speak but found herself at a loss for words. After a moment of contemplation, she decided to be direct.
“Caden, go back and tell Mrs. Ward that nothing will ever happen between us. If she raises her hopes, all she’ll find is disappointment.”
Caden shrugged, his face unreadable. “Don’t rush to conclusions. You said something similar during our previous argument.”
Alicia sneered in response. “I used to be a hopeless case, but I’ve learned from my mistakes. Even a fool figures things out eventually.”
Caden replied, “It seems you’ve taken to insulting yourself when you’re upset, haven’t you?”
Alicia found herself at a loss for words.
Irritated, she shot back, “I’m simply making a comparison.”
At that moment, the doctor from earlier approached with a friendly smile. He glanced at Alicia and gestured to the gift box he held.
“Ms. Bennett, did you send this?”
Alicia returned the smile, feeling a sense of warmth.
“It’s Christmas Eve, and I wanted to express my gratitude for everything you’ve done for Lucky. I picked up some small gifts for your wife and children. I hope they enjoy them.”
“That’s incredibly thoughtful of you. Thank you, Ms. Bennett,” the doctor said.