Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
“I knew that her song was purchased.” Caden maintained a steady gaze on her. “I just didn’t expect the seller to be you, Miss Bennett.”
Alicia responded with a surprised, “Oh.”
“So, when you went to the dressing room looking for me, your intention was to praise me?” she continued.
Caden then looked away, chuckling as he said, “Did your dignity also end up in my car?”
Alicia pressed her lips together, trying to hide her frustration.
Gerry watched the interaction between them.
“It’s been so many years. Aren’t you both tired of fighting?” Gerry asked thoughtfully. “This time, you’re both targeting Joshua. Why not put your differences aside and join forces?”
Alicia’s smile faded quickly.
Her expression turned grim, and her brows furrowed in impatience as she processed his words.
Caden remained unfazed as he said, “I cannot align myself with someone so foolish.”
Gerry stood there, momentarily at a loss for words.
Noticing the tension in the air, he cleared his throat and suggested, “Would you like a drink? I have some excellent options.”
Alicia shook her head. “I’ll pass. I tend to get drunk easily.”
Caden stayed quiet, showing that he had no interest in drinking either.
After Gerry poured himself some drinks, he became noticeably more talkative. He asked with genuine curiosity, “Do you think Joshua will continue to hold on to Lilliana after this mistake?”
Alicia took a sip of her juice and replied, “I recall you don’t interact much with Joshua. What makes you dislike him so much?”
Gerry chuckled in response. “It’s because he and Caden don’t get along!” In a confident voice, he declared, “Anyone who crosses my best friend also makes an enemy of me.”
Alicia was at a loss for words.
In a clear voice, Caden stated, “He’s almost drunk, and he’s putting on a show for you to sway your emotions.”
Alicia’s mouth twitched. “Has Joshua ever antagonized you?” she asked.
Caden chuckled at that. “Why do you sound like you’re interrogating me? Do you feel sorry for that asshole?”
“No, but if you’re annoyed, you don’t need to answer,” said Alicia.
“I am annoyed. Your question is frustrating.” The air became rife with tension.
That was the nature of the relationship between Alicia and Caden. Invisible conflicts often erupted without warning. These moments served as reminders of their sharp and irreconcilable past.
Before long, Gerry became completely intoxicated. He slumped over the table, dozing off into a deep sleep.
Caden, on the other hand, kept drinking. His emotions remained hidden behind an unreadable facade. The private room fell into an unsettling silence. Alicia sensed that Caden’s current coldness was a result of her presence, prompting her to consider leaving.
Gerry lay heavily intoxicated, and she thought about reminding Caden of this fact. However, she hesitated, choosing to keep her thoughts to herself.
Just as she prepared to stand up, a bright light suddenly illuminated the building across from the window. Instinctively, Alicia turned her gaze toward it.
Across the street stood an enormous billboard. At that moment, a photo appeared on the screen. It was a photo of Joshua and Lilliana.
In the image, they appeared particularly close, both smiling brightly at the camera. As the screen scrolled, bold words caught Alicia’s attention: “Lilliana, will you marry me?”
Joshua made a surprise proposal.
This shocking announcement hit the news, and the netizens, who had been targeting Lilliana, soon redirected their attention. They began digging into Joshua’s past, searching for any trace of his relationship history, and ultimately uncovered that he had been married and divorced.
So much hidden information came to light. In essence, Lilliana’s scandal faded into the background. Joshua took the brunt of the online backlash for her.
Caden’s gaze shifted to the screen. He let out a light scoff.
“What a truly touching love story,” he remarked.
Alicia found herself staring at the screen, almost entranced by the unfolding events. The display soon changed to a video. It featured Joshua’s heartfelt confession. He crafted a story about how he and Lilliana met and fell in love.
Then Joshua revealed a dazzling diamond ring and gently placed it on Lilliana’s finger. The camera zoomed in, capturing the moment with clarity.
Alicia’s eyes filled with tears, and her breathing turned shaky.
Caden turned to look at her, his indifferent gaze taking in her fragile expression.
Alicia lowered her eyes, trying to mask her emotions. “It’s just a proposal. What’s so touching about it? Honestly, it feels a bit clich?. That diamond ring looks like a rip-off. It’s super expensive but not really worth it.”
Caden’s expression remained devoid of any emotion. He casually responded, “That brand of diamond ring is priceless.”
Alicia’s eyes reddened further, and she laughed bitterly. “I guessed correctly. Joshua’s lost a fortune.”
Caden sneered at her words.
“It’s not really a loss, though,” he said. “At least when he married you, he didn’t spend a single penny.”
Alicia fell silent at his remark.
“Oh, wait, he did spend a little,” Caden added slowly. “He bought you a silver ring for a few bucks.”
The room grew eerily quiet, amplifying Alicia’s heartache as she processed everything happening around her.
Alicia poured herself a glass of wine, trying to appear calm as she asked, “Would you like a drink?”
Caden remained silent, showing no interest in her offer. Alicia didn’t expect his response and lifted the glass to her lips.
She knew she was slightly allergic to alcohol and usually got drunk quickly, which was why she rarely indulged. Today, the wine was particularly strong.
As she drank, it caught in her throat, causing her to cough immediately. Her face flushed bright red, and tears welled up in her eyes, though they didn’t fall.
Caden’s expression darkened. He looked at her with a hint of disdain. “If you’re so eager to die, why not just drink it all at once?” he remarked.
Alicia chose not to respond to his taunt.
After catching her breath, she realized she needed to slow down, so she began to sip the wine slowly, taking generous gulps.
Caden watched her as she drank the wine like it was water.
After three glasses, the signs of Alicia’s allergic reaction became obvious. Small red patches appeared on her neck, revealing the distress her body was under.
Caden frowned and firmly pressed down on her hand as she reached for another glass.
Alicia sluggishly lifted her head, gazing at him through her intoxicated haze.
“What the hell are you doing?” he asked.
“Stop drinking!” he insisted.
Alicia weakly tried to pull her hand free, but she couldn’t match his strength.
“Let go of me, Caden!” she snapped, her voice thick with frustration.
Caden responded, “If you want to drink yourself to death, do it somewhere else. Dying here would only make me a suspect.”
Alicia narrowed her eyes, glaring at his hand as if contemplating her next move.
Caden felt an unsettling tension in the air.
Before he could pull back, Alicia suddenly opened her mouth and bit down hard on his hand.
She was clearly releasing her pent-up frustration with that fierce action.
Even someone as patient as Caden couldn’t help but flinch slightly. “You really act like a dog, biting anything that comes close.”
Despite his comment, he kept his hand right where it was.
Alicia continued to bite until her jaw began to ache, finally releasing her grip. She stared blankly at Caden’s bleeding hand, and unexpectedly, tears streamed down her cheeks.
In a clumsy yet gentle motion, she leaned forward and licked the blood from his hand. Choking back her emotions, she murmured, “I’m so sorry.” Her soft tongue brushed against the wound, triggering an unbearable itch that made him wince.
Caden’s frown deepened as he swiftly pulled his hand away.
Alicia slumped forward over the table, feeling defeated.
Outside, fireworks exploded in the night sky. Purple bursts lit up the darkness, casting a glow on Alicia’s pale face.
Alicia had once shared with Joshua that purple fireworks were her favorite. But Joshua had never bothered to set them off for her. Everything she had once hoped for, everything he owed her, he now freely gave to someone else.
Caden never imagined he would find himself in such a situation.
With Gerry passed out and Alicia having an allergic reaction, Caden knew he had a challenge on his hands.
He instructed someone to take Gerry away. When he turned back, he saw Alicia dry-heaving. She retched repeatedly but couldn’t bring anything up, fumbling around the table in a dazed state.
Caden approached her and asked, “What are you looking for?”
“I’m looking for tissues,” she muttered.
Alicia glanced up at him before weakly leaning against his chest, wiping her mouth on his shirt.
Caden was at a loss for words. He regretted coming back.