Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Seeing her hesitate, he added, “It’s more meaningful if a family member picks it up for Ciara, showing sincerity.”
“I didn’t know that,” Alicia replied thoughtfully.
Blake chuckled. “Neither did I until recently.”
“Then Caden should go. He’s her grandson,” she said lightly.
Blake replied, “If he were free, he’d definitely go with you.” Alicia fell silent. He seemed to know everything.
Once Alicia had the cross necklace, she stored it carefully, texting Caden that her errand was complete.
Soon after, she received a call from Joy Mansion, inviting her to dinner. Ciara had personally extended the invitation, so she accepted. “Alright, Ciara. I’ll wait for Caden to finish work, and we’ll come together.”
Blake focused on driving as the rain began to fall, misting the view outside. After hanging up, Alicia tried reaching Caden again, but he was still tied up.
She murmured with a frown, “He really is swamped.”
Blake offered, “Want to wait for him at his office or head straight to Joy Mansion?”
She didn’t want to disturb him. “Let’s just head back. I don’t want to take up more of your time.”
Blake’s expression softened. “I’m a shareholder in your gallery. Most of my time is yours; don’t worry about it.”
Alicia forced a small laugh. “Don’t say it like that,” she replied, finding his words oddly unsettling.
After arriving at Joy Mansion, Alicia spent some time chatting warmly with Ciara.
Ciara, pretending to be annoyed, said, “You haven’t come to see me in days! All I do is take medicine and lie around. I’m bored out of my mind.”
Alicia could feel Benedict’s eyes on her, but she quickly deflected with an excuse. “I’ve just been swamped. Even Caden doesn’t have time to come home for dinner tonight.”
Ciara stopped teasing and took Alicia’s hand, gently rubbing it. “You’ve lost some weight. Haven’t been eating well, have you?”
Before dinner, Caden called. “Are you back at Joy Mansion now?”
“Yes,” Alicia replied, then filled him in on what was happening.
Caden focused on one thing, his tone dripping with disdain. “So, did you go back with Blake?”
Alicia answered, “He’s two years older than you. Shouldn’t you show him some respect?”
“He’s still my nephew! It’s bad enough he’s trying to charm my girlfriend when I’m not around. I’m being nice by not scolding him.”
Alicia was speechless but found it amusing. “I’ll head home after dinner. Just don’t overthink it.”
Caden’s tone turned serious. “Did Benedict give you a hard time?”
“Not really. With Ciara around, he hasn’t even spoken to me yet.”
“I’ll try to wrap up work early and come back.”
Alicia could tell something was off. “What’s going on? Is the Moss family putting pressure on you again?”
“It’s about the new batch of robots Corey released. Those clients are all influential and are making things difficult for him,” Caden explained. “Since the chips are linked to me, I’m handling my part of it.”
Alicia instinctively offered, “I was involved in this too. Do you need my help?”
Caden chuckled knowingly. He was handling the part involving Alicia, but he felt uncertain about the modifications she made. Confident that the chips he created wouldn’t cause issues, he still wanted to clear up any potential trouble before it reached her.
“Hey, I’ve got to go,” Caden said. “I’ll pick you up tonight.”
Alicia felt a warm glow inside. “Alright.” But just as she was enjoying the moment, Caden added, “And keep your distance from that idiot Blake.”
Alicia went quiet.
After dinner, Ciara, feeling tired, took her medicine and went upstairs to rest. As Alicia headed downstairs, she spotted Benedict sitting in the living room.
“Ms. Bennett, can we talk?”
Alicia’s heart skipped a beat. She wished she had stayed upstairs a little longer, waiting for Caden to arrive.
With no other choice, she made her way down and sat on the sofa.
Benedict wasted no time. “You know Yolanda was almost assaulted at the police station, right?”
Alicia had expected this, so she remained calm. “She had officers watching over her. Those criminals were all talk, so Yolanda wasn’t actually hurt.”
But her response seemed to fuel Benedict’s anger. “So, you’re saying you wish she had been hurt? Caden is already with you, and isn’t that enough? Do you want to take her down to feel satisfied?”
Alicia was taken aback by the strong accusation. “Benedict, you know that kind of accusation can get you into trouble. Do you need a lesson on that?”
Benedict’s expression shifted slightly, but Alicia wasn’t done. “The only reason I’m showing you respect is because you’re Caden’s uncle.”
Benedict shot back, “So you won Caden over with that sharp tongue of yours, huh?”
Alicia replied calmly, “Should I say I’m impressive, or that Caden is easily swayed by just a few words from a woman?”
Benedict waved his hand dismissively, not wanting to argue any longer. He pulled out the cross necklace she had given him and tossed it onto the table.
Alicia was caught off guard. Didn’t she just give it to Ciara? Why was he holding it?
“My mom doesn’t need cheap, meaningless things for protection,” he said flatly. “If you really want to marry Caden, you need to get rid of those nasty thoughts first. I don’t expect you to bring honor to the Ward family, but at least don’t embarrass us.”
Alicia’s throat tightened. “I got this cross necklace because I meant it.”
“Everyone thinks they’re sincere. Does that really mean anything?” Benedict replied. “Alicia, I’m being patient right now, willing to sit here and talk this out with you. But if you don’t take it seriously, I can’t promise I won’t take more extreme measures.”
Alicia felt her anger rise. “Can I ask you something? Was your marriage to your wife just a business deal too?”
Benedict, with pride, shot back, “My wife never caused as much trouble as you do.”
“Then I really feel sorry for her, having to deal with a husband like you,” Alicia retorted. “You lack sincerity and even basic decency.”
Benedict’s face darkened. He felt his dignity as an elder being challenged, and his anger boiled over. “Alicia, do you even know who you’re talking to?”
Alicia stood up, maintaining her composure. “Do you really have the guts to bring that up? I always thought you were here to support Caden, but it looks like you’re just getting in the way. Sorry to be blunt, but if you can’t even handle the Moss family, then you’re a useless uncle. I really feel bad for Caden.”
Benedict’s face twisted with anger, his fists clenched as he struggled to maintain control. His temper flared, but he’d never lay a hand on a woman. Instead, he grabbed a porcelain cup from the table and smashed it to the floor, the shards scattering with a sharp, ringing crash. Alicia’s face paled, but she stood her ground.
“You know, with that sharp tongue and icy demeanor, it’s no surprise things fell apart the moment you came into Caden’s life,” Benedict sneered, his words cutting like a blade. “As long as I’m breathing, you’ll never be part of this family.”
Alicia’s expression remained cool as she replied, “Your approval means nothing to me.”
She stepped over the shattered pieces without a backward glance, ignoring the phone buzzing relentlessly in her pocket, her mind set on escaping the tense, suffocating atmosphere.
Hearing the commotion, Blake rushed into the room, his eyes flicking between the shards on the floor and Benedict’s blazing expression. Then he noticed Alicia’s retreating figure, piecing together the scene. Though anger simmered within him, Blake said nothing to Benedict and chose to go after her instead.
Benedict’s eyes narrowed as he caught the brief, cold look Blake cast his way. Why the bitterness?
Watching Blake leave to follow Alicia, Benedict smiled bitterly, pitying his nephew Caden, as the thought lingered in his mind.
Outside, rain had begun to fall, each drop gathering in a soft, misting drizzle. Alicia paused, remembering she’d arrived with Blake, and pulled out her phone to call a ride. Raindrops dotted the screen as she dialed.
Blake hurried over, seeing she had no cover, and quickly slipped off his jacket, holding it above her head to shield her from the rain.
Alicia blinked in surprise, instinctively stepping back. “Thanks, Blake, but I’m okay. It’s just a little rain.”
Blake knew how Alicia felt about such gestures, so he tucked his jacket away and opened the car door. “Come on, get in. I’ll drive you home.”
Alicia hesitated, glancing down at her soaked clothes, but then climbed into the car.
Once inside, Blake handed her his jacket. “Here, dry off a bit. Don’t want you catching a cold.”
Instead of drying herself, Alicia draped it over her shoulders. She brushed the rain from her face and said softly, “Sorry you had to witness that.”
Blake sighed. “The Ward family’s always been like this-status-driven, highly educated, and a bit obsessed with appearances. I’ve noticed Caden treats you well, though. It’s rare; a lot of guys from his world don’t take relationships seriously. But Caden… he’s different.”
Alicia’s expression softened. “Caden’s achievements are his own. They probably don’t have much to do with his uncle and his outdated mindset.”
Blake gave a thoughtful nod. “True, but the Ward family owes a lot of its success to Benedict. Sure, Caden built Blizzard Group, but in the beginning, his uncle’s support gave him an edge. Without it, he might not have risen so quickly.”
Alicia paused, realizing Blake had a point. Caden was only twenty-five, after all.
Talent aside, a bit of backing had likely made all the difference.
Alicia took a steadying breath, her voice calm. “I get it. He’s just looking out for Caden in his own way. I may have crossed a line today. I’ll apologize when the time’s right.”
Blake shook his head. “Don’t blame yourself. Caden’s a grown man; he can decide what’s best for himself. Elders have no business interfering.”
Noticing Alicia’s silence and the distant look in her eyes, Blake felt a pang of concern. “Did he say something hurtful? Or… try to harm you?”
Alicia shook her head. “No, nothing like that.”
Seeing her lips turn pale from the chill, Blake switched on the heater. “Let me take you home. Getting soaked like this isn’t good for you. Take a warm bath and unwind once you’re back.”
Realizing she hadn’t fastened her seatbelt, he leaned over to buckle it for her.
Alicia flinched slightly, intending to stop him, but he had already done it.
She looked away, gathering herself. “Mr. Langstaff, I appreciate the thought, but there should be boundaries. Small gestures like this aren’t necessary.”
Blake chuckled, masking a hint of disappointment. “It was just a friendly gesture, Alicia. Don’t overthink it.”