Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
The maid heard him arrive and greeted him cheerfully, “Mr. Ward, you’re back.”
As Caden walked in, he caught the scent of food from the dining room. They were already eating.
Alicia glanced over instinctively.
Their eyes met.
Ciara said sarcastically, “Oh, you’re back already? You had an early lunch, didn’t you?”
Caden was left speechless.
He had previously sulked on the phone with Ciara, insisting that he would dine out.
But in reality, he hadn’t eaten anything during the meeting, having saved his appetite to dine with Alicia, so he hurried back.
He was sensitive about such matters, and even though he hadn’t eaten, he needed to keep up appearances.
“Look at the time. It’s nearly afternoon. You eat so late.”
Ciara scoffed at his stubbornness.
The maid smiled and said, “Mr. Ward, have you had anything to eat? If not, I can set another place for you.”
Caden, maintaining a serious expression, seized the moment.
“Since you insist, I suppose I’ll join Grandma for a while.”
Ciara was at a loss for words.
Could Caden be any more stubborn?
Caden took a seat next to Alicia.
The table was large, hosting only the three of them. The spacing between Alicia and Caden was just right.
Alicia maintained the decorum of a guest, eating elegantly and quietly.
Her beauty was unquestionable.
He stole glances at her repeatedly, and his irritation slowly faded.
By the time he looked her way a third time, Ciara coughed.
“Is there something on her face? Why do you keep staring at her?”
Caden slowly looked away and began to eat.
His hunger was intense, especially sitting next to Alicia, which boosted his appetite significantly.
During the meal, he served food onto Alicia’s plate. With Ciara watching, Alicia could not decline and ate everything offered.
Ciara then spoke about Ray.
She knew Ray was sick and felt compassion for him, so she proposed letting him stay at Joy Mansion to recover.
“I’ve reached out to his family. It might take a few days to get a response. His parents are imprisoned. I’m not sure how he’s coped all these years, and I don’t even know who else to contact,” Ciara explained.
Caden showed little interest in these details.
In his view, Ciara simply needed something to occupy her time, and the boy provided some company.
He said, “Whatever you decide. If you can’t get in touch with his family, I’ll file a report with the police, and he can stay here.”
Ciara was more than happy to agree.
She then added thoughtfully, “But as much as I care for him, he’s still someone else’s child and could leave at any time. A great-grandchild from my own family would be more ideal.”
Caden responded, “Then you’ll need to be patient. I’m not even married yet.”
Ciara urged, “Then you should put more effort into finding a wife.”
Caden looked over at Alicia.
“If all goes well, next year. If not, then within three years.”
Ciara teased, “Is that to find a wife or to give me a great-grandchild?”
“Of course, the latter.”
Alicia was taken aback.
Where did he find such confidence? She subtly stepped on his foot.
She had stepped on the same spot the night before, which was still tender, and now she hit it again. He couldn’t stop himself from letting out a muffled groan.
Ciara was confused. “What’s the matter?”
Caden, pretending nothing was wrong, continued peeling a crab.
“It pinched me.”
Ciara looked uncertain.
“Isn’t it cooked?”
“I must be so good-looking, it decided to come back to life.”
Ciara stared at him like he was crazy. “Are you nuts?”
Unable to contain herself, Alicia lowered her head and laughed quietly.
Caden grinned, deciding the pain was worth it.
Caden transferred all the crab meat he had peeled onto Alicia’s plate.
Even though she was full, she politely finished it all.
Caden had quite an appetite, finishing every last bite on his plate.
Ciara watched him discreetly, only smiling once she was sure he had eaten his fill.
After they finished eating, Alicia headed upstairs to check on Ray.
Caden kept his attention on her but didn’t immediately follow.
He asked, “Is that boy close to Alicia?”
Ciara took a graceful sip of her tea. “Not particularly. They encountered each other by chance on the street. It turns out he’s a distant relative.”
Caden pressed, “Then why did Alicia go upstairs?”
“The boy has autism. There was a minor altercation before we returned, and now he’s locked himself in his room, refusing to see anyone. She’s gone to check on him.”
Ciara expressed her concern for Ray. “He’s quite thin. It was freezing outside, yet he was only in a T-shirt and shorts. He must have been so cold.”
Just as Caden was about to head upstairs to see for himself, Ciara stopped him.
“I forgot to mention, Alicia baked some pastries. I’ve set aside a few pieces for you.”
Caden’s heart raced when he heard they were pastries made by Alicia.
He was so fond of her cooking.
Alicia’s culinary skills were as appealing to look at, and as delightful in aroma and taste, as she was herself. The dishes she prepared always carried a certain allure.
He found the memory of their flavors irresistible. He was so engrossed in the thought of tasting them that he missed the knowing look in Ciara’s eyes.
The pastries featured two of Caden’s favorite flavors.
Ciara said earnestly, “Alicia really cares about you.”
Caden was fully aware of this, but he still sought confirmation. “How so?”
There were eight pastries in total. Half of them were Caden’s two favorite flavors, and the other four were uniquely flavored.
Was this a coincidence, or was it planned?
Caden grinned.
The pastry melted deliciously in his mouth, but it was his heart that truly felt satisfied.
Ciara’s expression softened as he finished eating. “Are you full?”
Caden cleaned his hands, then realized he might have overeaten. “A little.”
Ciara laughed gently.
“You usually stop when you’re about 70 percent full. But today, you had a big lunch, and now you’ve eaten four pastries. Even when your stomach told you no, you kept eating as if you were worried they’d disappear.” She concluded, “Caden, you’re clearly obsessed.”
Caden wiped his mouth, allowing himself a half-smile.
“I guess so.”