Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
How ironic.
Alicia was too slow to react, and the medicine box fell to the floor. A sharp pain shot through her chest. She felt defeated and bitter, her desire to explain smothered by his mocking words. She replied softly, “If that’s how you see me, then let it be. You don’t need to bring me medicine or do anything like this. We broke up a long time ago. There’s no point in this.”
Caden’s face remained impassive. “Broke up? Did we ever really date?”
At his words, Alicia’s fists clenched involuntarily. Her eyes reddened slightly.
Despite seeing her distress, Caden couldn’t suppress a sneer, though a part of him was troubled by her sadness. “Alicia, well done.”
Alicia picked up the medicine box and tossed it into the trash. The model, having changed out of her costume, tidied up. After Ciara paid her, she left.
Alicia was scrubbing the bloodstains off the floor when the model came over to help. Alicia handed her the tools, then turned to Ciara.
“It’s getting late. I’ll drive you home.”
Ciara noticed her red eyes and asked with concern, “What happened?”
Alicia simply shook her head.
As they walked downstairs, they noticed Caden’s car parked outside. He was leaning against the car window, smoking. His features, sharp and deep, exuded a profound loneliness.
Ciara was taken aback. “When did that kid get back?” Alicia paused for a moment. “Why don’t you go talk to him? I’m quite tired, so I’ll head home.”
Ciara sensed something was off and wanted to inquire further, but Alicia had already turned to leave.
Caden turned his head and glanced over. When he saw Ciara, his brow furrowed briefly before his gaze shifted to Alicia. Despite her thick coat, she looked delicate and fragile. He watched her quietly for a long while, a surge of emotion passing through his eyes.
Ciara settled into the car and asked, “Why didn’t you go up to see Alicia?”
Caden averted his eyes and extinguished his cigarette. “I was there.”
“Just now?” Ciara asked, confused. “Did you two have an argument in such a short time?”
Caden’s tone was flat as he responded, “Why are you here at this hour?”
Ciara explained, “Shelia has been making life difficult for her. You know that, right? You always ignore her problems, and I end up stepping in. Alicia and I orchestrated tonight’s plan. You should have seen Shelia’s reaction. It would have made you smile.”
Caden’s expression darkened. “This was your idea?”
“Alicia thought of it,” Ciara replied.
Suddenly, the sound of a car engine filled the air. Caden glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Alicia driving away. A sudden wave of loss washed over him.
“Forget it.” He started the car.
Ciara looked puzzled. “What’s really going on between you two? What do you mean by ‘forget it’?”
At that moment, a girl came running toward them. It was the same model from earlier.
He stood by the window, handing a bag to Ciara. “Ma’am, here are the costumes and accessories you lent me.”
Ciara waved her hand dismissively. “Just dispose of them.”
The girl smiled and handed her a business card. “Ma’am, if you need someone next time, give me a call. I’ll offer you a discount.” With that, she left.
Caden’s frown deepened. “Did you summon her here?”
Ciara leaned forward, narrowing her eyes as she pressed Caden to explain the details of the argument.
As he spoke, her expression darkened. “I never told Alicia that I hired an actress to pretend to be pregnant! She only found out when Shelia showed up!”
Caden’s jaw tightened, his expression cold and unreadable.
Ciara’s voice cut through the tense silence. “Jumping to conclusions without knowing the whole story? Didn’t I raise you better?”
Caden glanced at the rearview mirror, but Alicia’s car had long disappeared from sight. His heart raced, frustration gnawing at him. With a clenched jaw, he spun the car around, determined to catch up with her.
Ciara watched him, noticing the growing tension in his features. She could see it clearly now-how much Alicia mattered to him. But his temper… that was always the problem.
She snapped, “Besides, what’s wrong with the actress showing up pretending to be pregnant? I wouldn’t have objected even if Alicia had arranged it, and I’m your mother’s mother! Who are you to get all high and mighty about this? What’s going on, huh? Do you suddenly care so much about your mother’s honor? Is that why you can’t stand to see her insulted? If that’s the case, why don’t you carry that Lina robot you made to remember her wherever you go?”
Caden’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, but Ciara wasn’t done.
“You miss her, don’t you?” she continued. “You spent all that time, all that money creating Lina, but when was the last time you even bothered to activate the robot? How often do you even interact with Lina? Or is this just another excuse for you to be stubborn and make life harder for Alicia?”
Her words hit him like a punch to the gut. A knot formed in his chest. It wasn’t that he wanted to hurt Alicia.
It was the fear-the raw panic that gripped him when he saw that scene in the office. Alicia cared about him, and the thought of losing such a caring person terrified him.
If that care disappeared, if Alicia’s love for him faded away… what would he be left with?
No matter what, he couldn’t let that happen.
Caden knew he had to do whatever it took to keep Alicia. His eyes hardened as he pressed down on the accelerator, gripping the wheel tightly. He knew where Alicia lived, and he sped toward her apartment.
When he arrived, he looked up at her window- but it was dark. Obviously, she wasn’t home yet.
Beside him, Ciara shifted uncomfortably, her queasiness worsening from the speeding. “You’d better go make amends yourself,” she said with a sigh, her annoyance now overtaken by nausea. “I need to get home before I hurl.”
“I’ll have Jasmine come pick you up,” Caden offered.
Ciara nodded, her expression softening slightly. “Go upstairs and check on her,” she urged. “And remember, communication is key.”
Caden gave a stiff nod, his posture rigid. Seeing how tense he was, Ciara sighed inwardly. Comforting women clearly wasn’t his strong suit. She added bluntly, “Be sincere, Caden. Keep your attitude in check. And if it comes to it, kneel and apologize.”
Caden’s frown deepened, disbelief flickering across his face.
Ciara raised an eyebrow, undeterred. “What’s wrong with kneeling? Your grandfather was a general, and even he knelt in front of me when he needed to apologize.”
Caden’s expression tightened, then he deflected. “I’ll call Jasmine to take you home first.”
Alicia had no idea Caden was looking for her. She needed space, somewhere to breathe. So, she sought solace in a dimly lit bar.
She didn’t drink, but there was something comforting about the noise around her-the laughter, the clinking glasses, the carefree energy of the young crowd. The bar buzzed with youth and vitality, every laugh and flirtation infused with a raw, fleeting sincerity. Watching them made her think of the early days with Caden-intense, impulsive, and fresh. At the time, it had felt like love-something profound and consuming. A faint smile tugged at her lips, but it was bitter, like the aftertaste of a memory turned sour.
How could she have mistaken it for love? How naive! It had only been desire, a brief flare of passion that had fooled her.
And tonight, with his cold, decisive actions, he had shattered any illusion she had left.
He didn’t like her-not one bit.
A soft, bitter laugh escaped her lips as she stared down at her glass of water.
As the night wore on, the crowd shifted, people coming and going, and the bar slowly began to thin out.
Realizing how late it had gotten, Alicia sighed, settled her bill, and stepped outside. The crisp night air hit her, carrying the scent of rain. She pulled her coat tighter around her when she noticed him-Caden.
He stood there, hands buried in his pockets, his coat billowing slightly in the wind. His dark eyes locked onto hers, unyielding, as though he’d been waiting there for her all along.
For a second, Alicia froze, her breath catching in her throat. Then, with a stubborn tilt of her chin, she turned away, quickening her pace.
But Caden wasn’t one to be ignored. He caught up to her easily, his presence commanding as he said in a low voice, “Alicia, let’s talk.”
Without responding, Alicia attempted to step aside, trying to bypass him. But Caden moved with her, blocking her path without touching her. His broad chest stood like an immovable fortress in front of her.
She inhaled deeply, tilting her head up to meet his intense gaze. “What do you want? Just say it and be done.”
“It’s freezing. Let me take you home first,” Caden said, his voice steady as he slid his coat off and gently draped it over her shoulders.
“Are we really that close?” Alicia’s voice turned sharp as she brushed his hand away, her cool tone matching the biting wind.
Caden’s eyes darkened, frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior. He had just declared they weren’t close-not even close enough to break up-yet now, here he was, pleading with her. How the tables had turned.
“We’re not close, I get that,” Caden murmured, swallowing his pride. “But can you give me a chance? Let me apologize properly.”
His voice dropped, softer now, almost vulnerable. “Is that too much to ask?”
Alicia held his gaze for several seconds, her eyes hard, before she scoffed.
“An apology? From Mr. Ward?” Her mocking tone cut through the air. “I don’t think so. It’s late. Let’s just go our separate ways.”
She spun on her heel, ready to leave, but Caden reached out, his fingers curling around her wrist, pulling her back toward him.
“Let go,” Alicia hissed, yanking her arm, but his grip only tightened, keeping her rooted there.
Anger flashed in her eyes. “Caden, I’m trying to be civil, but if you keep pushing, I swear I’ll cuss you the hell out.” Instead of backing off, her fiery outburst seemed to soothe him.
“Go ahead,” he said, surprisingly calm. “Say whatever you need to. I can handle it.”
Her lips parted in shock, disbelief flickering in her eyes. “I never thought I’d see the day you’d be this docile.”
Caden was at a loss for words.
Her remark stung deeply.
Born into wealth, he was accustomed to being the object of women’s affection. He had never needed to pursue anyone.
Well… That wasn’t entirely accurate.
Except for Alicia.
Suddenly, memories of their intimate moments flashed in his mind, causing him to swallow hard. Reluctantly, he asked, “Then… could you give me a chance?”