Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Alicia kept her head down, resisting the urge to react. She pretended not to notice him.
Caden moved closer, his gaze lingering on her face. “So, you can chat and laugh with Blake, but you go silent when I’m around?” he taunted, his voice low.
Alicia tightened her grip on the folder in her hands and then looked up, her expression calm but her tone biting. “Is there a problem?”
Caden’s expression remained unreadable. “I wanted to catch you in the act-and here we are. What do you think?”
Alicia’s lips twitched with irritation.
Jerk, she thought.
She tried to stay composed, but as soon as she began to speak, her frustration leaked out. “Catch what, exactly? Mr. Langstaff just came by to ask what I wanted for dinner.”
“With him?” Caden’s tone was mocking.
Alicia’s annoyance flared. “I was going to agree, but your timing ruined it.”
Caden sneered. “So you’d actually eat with him? Haven’t you been thinking about me all afternoon?” His smugness was infuriating.
Fury flashed in Alicia’s eyes.
So, he’d left her waiting all afternoon on purpose?
How many more times would he keep playing this game? The frustration and doubt that had been building all day turned to ash, weighing heavily on her heart.
Her face hardened as she reached for her handbag, preparing to leave.
But before she could step away, Caden reached out and pulled her into his arms.
“Let me go, Caden!” she protested, hitting him and trying to break free.
She could feel her emotions unraveling, betraying her. Once she started speaking, it was like a thread being pulled, and all her grievances spilled out uncontrollably.
Turning her face away, she refused to let him see the tears welling in her eyes.
Caden held her tightly, his expression softening as he saw her vulnerability. He swallowed the harsh words he had prepared and, in a gentler tone, said, “I wasn’t with Yolanda today. I went to meet her parents to make plans. I wanted to announce our relationship over dinner tonight.”
Alicia, still seething, barely registered his words. “What relationship are you even talking about?”
Caden’s expression became hard. “You tell me. What do you think this is?”
She glared at him. “I don’t know. All I know is, whatever this is, it’s worse than being friends with benefits, worse than even being a mistress. At least then, if you treated me like this, I could just go and find someone else to have fun with!”
His eyes narrowed at her biting words. “If you really were a mistress, you’d just end up crying back to me,” he replied coldly.
Furious, Alicia lashed out, kicking him sharply.
The pointed toe of her heel made him wince, but he held his ground.
“Let me go!” she demanded, struggling to break free. But Caden only tightened his hold. “Stop fighting with me. Get changed, and let’s go to the restaurant.”
Alicia pulled back defiantly. “Go with Yolanda if you’re so eager. Let her be your girlfriend.”
For a moment, Caden stood silent.
He had always known Alicia could be sharp, but he hadn’t expected her words to sting so much. They hit him harder than he’d anticipated.
Out of breath, Alicia looked at him, her frustration boiling over. “Caden, what do you even want from me?” The frustration from his coldness earlier had not faded; if anything, it had only grown.
Caden exhaled, dropping his defenses. “Alright, I’ll admit it. I was upset this afternoon. That’s why I left with Yolanda without a word-to make you feel what it’s like when you push me away.”
Alicia’s heart twisted with hurt. “Are you serious? Do you ever plan to grow up, or will you just keep playing these childish games?”
Caden’s voice carried an edge. “Weren’t you the one who practically pushed me toward Yolanda earlier?”
Alicia’s expression darkened. “Is that really what you think? I wanted you to confront her, to deal with the situation, not avoid it.”
“I tried,” Caden replied, his frustration evident. “She’s impossible to reach-it’s like talking to a brick wall. Ignoring her seems to be the only way.” He paused, his gaze fixed on her. “So, what would you suggest?”
Alicia turned away, frustration simmering just beneath the surface. “I don’t have the energy to deal with you right now.”
After a moment, she muttered, “Why don’t you just marry her and keep me as your mistress? After all, I’m just as helpless. You mistreat me, and yet I can’t stop caring about you. How obedient and foolish I am.”
Caden’s lips twitched in amusement. “You’re insatiable. I’ll have to try harder to meet your desires. But then what am I supposed to say when I go home and can’t play the part with Yolanda? Should I tell her about you and let you take the blame?”
Furious, Alicia slapped his mouth lightly. “Why do you always twist everything like that? You’re incorrigible!”
Caden caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her fingertips. Alicia, ticklish, tried to pull away, resisting his affection. He didn’t want to argue any longer.
Both of them were hurt by their words, and he knew she felt the sting as much as he did.
Softening, Caden asked, “What will it take for you to have dinner with me tonight?”
Without a second thought, Alicia replied, “Give yourself a light slap.”
Caden raised an eyebrow. There was no way he’d slap himself-it was too humiliating, regardless of the force. “Why don’t you do it?” he offered, certain she’d be too soft-hearted to actually go through with it.
But to his surprise, Alicia didn’t hesitate. Her slap landed sharply, the sound echoing in the room. Caden was left momentarily speechless.
“One more,” she said, her tone firm.
Caden scowled. “Can’t you think of a different punishment? Or maybe we save this energy for later… in bed?”
Alicia’s smirk turned icy. He still thought he’d be getting into bed tonight? Not a chance.
“The second slap doesn’t need to be on your face,” she replied coolly.
Her gaze dropped meaningfully, eyeing him in a way that made him break into a cold sweat.
After a pause, he surrendered. “Fine. Go ahead. Slap my face again.”
Alicia didn’t hold back, delivering a quick second slap.
Caden took it without a word, then sat quietly on the sofa. Alicia reached into her bag, pulling out the dress he’d bought for her. It was chic and beautiful, reflecting his thoughtful taste.
As she slipped it on, she noticed it matched his outfit- a perfectly coordinated look for the evening.
Her frustration softened, almost entirely gone, as she glanced at him.
Caden, unfazed by the red marks on his face, casually flipped through her work documents, as if nothing had happened.
Alicia walked over, the hem of her dress swaying as she moved.
Caden looked up, momentarily captivated.
When he had first seen the dress on display, he had known it was made for her. Her rose-tinted complexion made the fabric of the dress look even more stunning than on any mannequin. The dress hugged her in all the right places, accentuating her figure with an elegance that left him breathless.
Alicia cleared her throat, snapping him out of his admiration. “Let’s go.”
Caden stood up and pulled a small box from his pocket. “There’s something I haven’t given you yet.”
Alicia’s eyes drifted to the velvet box, her mind racing with possibilities.
A ring?
The thought lingered in her mind, and her gaze stayed fixed on the box, emotions simmering beneath the surface.
Caden’s thumb hovered over the seam of the box, about to open it, but he paused, noticing the intensity in her expression.
A slight smile played on his lips. “Care to guess what’s inside?”
Alicia’s curiosity was piqued. “How would I know? Just show me already.”
She was eager to see what lay within, wondering about the style, the size-if it was a diamond, what kind it might be. Questions swirled in her mind, quickening her heartbeat. Seeing her eager anticipation, Caden felt a sudden hesitation.
Perhaps what was inside wasn’t what she’d hoped for.
After a beat, he opened the box.
Inside, a pair of lustrous pearl earrings glimmered, their pristine white surfaces gleaming under the light.
Alicia’s expression faltered, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes before she quickly masked it with a smile. “Earrings. Did you pick these out?”
Though she tried to hide her reaction, Caden noticed the flicker of disappointment.
“Yes,” he murmured, brushing aside her hair. “Let me put them on for you.”
Alicia nodded, leaning toward him as he gently pinched her soft earlobe, securing the pearls in place.
The evening’s outfit was perfectly understated. The clothes and jewelry he’d chosen added just the right amount of elegance without being flashy.
As Alicia composed herself, focusing on her appearance, Caden lingered, his fingers tracing the curve of her hair.
“Were you expecting a ring just now?” he asked.
Alicia’s cheeks flushed. “What? Of course not.”
His gaze held hers, deep and unwavering.
He reached for her hand, his fingers gently clasping her right ring finger- a touch that seemed to reach her heart.
Feeling the warmth of his touch, Alicia pulled her hand away, trying to steady herself. “Didn’t you say we were going to dinner? Let’s go.”