Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Alicia glanced out the window. “Let’s go, Mr. Langstaff.”
Blake hesitated, his gaze lingering.
For the first time, he saw her differently-drenched, vulnerable, yet stunningly graceful. The sight stirred feelings he’d long kept suppressed.
Unable to let the moment pass, he leaned in slightly. “Alicia, your hair’s dripping. Want to dry it off?”
Alicia was momentarily taken aback, caught by the gentleness in his eyes. She knew the implication behind that look, and it made her uneasy.
“Mr. Langstaff… I think I’d better go home on my own,” she murmured, her tone distant.
Blake’s face fell, surprised. Panic flashed across his face as he saw her reaching for the door handle. He instinctively took her hand. “Alicia, I didn’t mean it that way. I’m sorry if I crossed a line.”
Alicia gently pulled her hand away, but her expression froze as she noticed a sharp gaze through the car window. Looking up, she saw Caden standing at the entrance, his eyes locked on them.
Alicia’s heart sank like a stone.
Something had gone wrong.
Although she and Blake hadn’t been particularly close, watching through rain-streaked car windows was a whole different experience. It could easily lead to misunderstandings.
Alicia swung open the car door and stepped out.
Noticing Caden’s looming presence, Blake didn’t hesitate. He grabbed an umbrella and followed her. “Alicia, be careful not to get soaked!” he called out, but his words fell on deaf ears.
Once outside, Alicia met Caden’s stormy gaze and instinctively slowed her pace as she approached him.
“When did you get back?” she asked, her mind racing as she grappled with the unexpected tension of being caught in such a situation for the first time.
Caden’s expression hardened further.
Seeing Blake trailing behind with the umbrella, he asked coldly, “Should I have returned?”
Alicia was momentarily speechless.
Caden had a temper that flared easily, often manifesting as passive-aggressiveness at the slightest provocation. Not wanting to fuel the fire, she replied, “I waited for you, but you didn’t show up. Mr. Langstaff happened to be leaving, so I accepted a ride with him.”
Caden let out a mocking laugh.
“Wait for me? I called, but you didn’t answer. Now I get it. You were too busy with your shareholder.”
Alicia immediately frowned. “What nonsense are you spouting?”
Standing beside Alicia, Blake held the umbrella, looking displeased. “Caden, can’t you stop blowing things out of proportion? Alicia just-“
“I’m talking to my girlfriend. Why don’t you mind your own business?” Caden interrupted coldly. “Get lost.”
Blake fell silent, stealing a sideways glance at Alicia.
Alicia’s expression darkened as she turned to Blake, her voice tight with restraint. “Mr. Langstaff, you should head back.”
Her words were heavy with suppressed frustration, a clear signal that she was holding back her temper. The atmosphere thickened, charged with tension.
Blake suggested, “Alicia, why don’t you get into Caden’s car first? I’ll explain everything to him.”
Alicia hesitated for a moment. However, Caden’s deep voice broke the silence. “Get in the car.”
He was eager to see what tricks Blake might try to pull today.
Feeling suffocated by the escalating drama, Alicia walked away. After all, they were at Joy Mansion-no one dared cause a scene here.
Once Alicia closed the car door, Blake looked at Caden and asked, “Why did you come so late?”
Caden’s disdain for Blake was unmistakable. With a sneer, he responded, “In what capacity are you asking me that?”
Blake took a steadying breath, his voice calm yet firm. “Your attitude is just like that of your overbearing uncle.”
Caden scoffed. “We’re related by blood. So what if we’re similar? Or do you think I should learn from you, to cut in on someone else’s relationship?”
Thick-skinned, Blake didn’t shy away from the accusation. “You and Alicia aren’t married. Anyone has a shot.”
Caden retorted sarcastically, “I bet even if we were married, it wouldn’t stop you.”
“If you don’t treat her right, she has every right to choose a man who suits her better,” Blake replied, noting Caden’s attitude but choosing not to delve into what Alicia had just experienced.
A fierce sense of competition urged Blake to speak boldly. “Alicia likes you right now. Treasure this chance. If you lose her, I won’t squander it.”
Caden’s smile widened, but a cold glint settled in his eyes. “You think you are worthy of being my love rival?”
As Caden climbed into the car, he carried an icy aura that seemed to chill the air around them. Even in the heart of summer, as rain poured from the sky, a chill radiated from him that had nothing to do with the weather-it was all about his presence.
The car door slammed shut with a force that echoed in the stillness.
Alicia’s heart raced as she pressed her lips together, her gaze fixed on him without uttering a word.
Caden’s profile was a mask of sternness and brooding intensity. It was clear that his conversation with Blake had been anything but pleasant.
Alicia couldn’t bear to look at his face, turning her head away in frustration.
Caden started the car, the engine’s low rumble echoing in the tense silence, amplifying Alicia’s simmering grievances.
The first time she met Benedict, his words had cut her self-esteem to shreds. Today, history had repeated itself, with his words growing increasingly harsh, each sting more profound than the last.
And both times, Caden had been absent. Yet, he still had the nerve to be angry.
The car sped toward the apartment building. When they arrived, Caden finally broke the silence, his voice cold as ice. “Get out.”
Alicia clenched her fists, battling her rising temper.
“What did Mr. Langstaff say to you earlier?”
Did Blake tell him how Benedict had bullied her?
If Blake did, he ought to be comforting her right now. But why wasn’t he doing that? Did he not care at all?
The mention of Blake’s name set Caden on edge. His irritation flared, and he raised his voice. “Get out and go upstairs!”
Taken aback by his sudden outburst, Alicia felt her temper ignite. “If you dislike me so much, why did you pick me up? Why didn’t you just leave me on the side of the road?”
Suddenly, Caden reached out and pulled her into his arms.
Alicia struggled against him, but he locked her arms and legs in a tight embrace, rendering her helpless. Desperate, she bit him, but Caden merely cupped her chin, forcing her gaze upward before crashing his lips against hers in a fervent kiss.
The tension between them was electric; their emotions so raw that it felt as if they were consuming each other in their anger.
Alicia bit down hard on his lip, drawing blood, but Caden seemed unfazed. He tightened his hold, his mouth fierce against hers, his tongue tangling with hers-both a strange attempt to appease her and an outlet for his own frustrations.
Alicia’s mouth ached, her jaw throbbing as if it might snap. Her chest tightened painfully, and she felt herself weaken, her resistance draining away as her body went limp in his grip.
Caden’s kiss only deepened, his intensity undimmed.
Alicia felt herself slide back, pinned by his strength and the heat of his breath, her own coming shallow and strained.
Her lashes fluttered, and the tears she’d fought back slipped free-warm and heavy-landing on Caden’s hand. He froze, pulling back just enough to see the disappointment and hurt in her eyes. His breath hitched as a wave of clarity washed over him.
Brushing her tears away, he murmured, his voice thick with frustration, “Alicia, can’t you just listen to me?”
Alicia pressed her lips together, refusing to look at him or respond.
Seeing her vulnerability, Caden’s gaze softened. He held her close, attempting to comfort her, though she remained stiff and unresponsive.
Realizing she’d been caught in the rain, he lifted her gently and carried her inside, not wanting her to catch a cold.
Alicia lay motionless in his arms, neither resisting nor cooperating, like a mannequin.
Caden prepared a warm bath, hoping it would bring her some comfort.
After the shower, Alicia made her way to the kitchen to prepare some soup.
Caden, now changed, leaned against the kitchen doorframe, watching her move with silent determination. Breaking the silence, he said, “I know you don’t have feelings for Blake, but he’s clever and bold-always looking for a way to take advantage.”
Alicia’s expression darkened at his words. She gripped the spoon tightly, the metal clinking against the pot as she slammed it down. “And who says I’m not interested in him?”
Caden’s smile vanished. “Alicia, don’t play games with me.”
“Who’s playing games? What’s wrong with Mr. Langstaff?” Alicia’s voice rose, challenging him.
In a swift movement, Caden stepped forward, pinning her against the table, one arm firmly around her waist while his gaze bore into her. “What’s so special about him? Do you actually like him?”
Swallowed by his intense stare, Alicia held her ground. “Why should I tell you? He’s more considerate than you.”
Caden pressed on, his voice low. “Just answer me. Do you like him?”
Alicia’s eyes reddened, her voice trembling. “Caden, just… get away from me!”
A wave of bitterness washed over him.
Bitterness surged in Caden’s chest. He knew Blake had stirred up this trouble-it wasn’t Alicia’s fault. And even if it was, he couldn’t bring himself to blame her. Taking a deep breath, Caden softened his tone. “I rushed home right after work, only to find you in his jacket, sitting together in the car. How do you think that made me feel?”
Alicia turned her face away, unwilling to respond.
He held her closer. “Imagine if I came home with a woman’s belongings in my pocket. How would you feel?”