Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Caden raised his head but maintained a firm grip on Alicia’s waist to keep her close, and faced the bodyguard.
“What is it?”
The bodyguard informed him, “Mr. Ward, Gareth is no longer in critical condition.”
Caden had already expected that.
He always had a strong intuition about life and death, and when Alicia arrived, his anxiety dissolved completely.
“Tell them to stay alert. Arrange for the bodyguards to work in shifts continuously for the next few days.”
The bodyguard nodded in agreement.
“Understood, Mr. Ward.”
Shortly thereafter, the rest of the medication was delivered. Gareth was then transferred from the emergency room to the ICU for further monitoring.
Caden let out a final breath of tension, and his eyes became clear at last.
Alicia, still held by him, felt his heart beating unusually.
“Do you have any urgent matters to attend to?” She noticed a stern look in his eyes.
Caden got up and carefully set her down.
“I have to see Dorian. Do you want to wait here or come with me?”
Alicia was confused.
“Is he here too? Was he involved in-“
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll come with you.”
Caden smiled wryly and said,
“There could be some bloody scenes later. Does that scare you?”
Caden observed Alicia for a moment. Ultimately, he decided against bringing her along.
“There’s no need. Wait here for me. I’ll return shortly.”
Alicia understood the complicated conflict between him and Dorian, so she nodded and chose to go along with it. In such uncertain situations, staying out of the way was the best support she could provide.
Dorian had just requested some medications for Yolanda and was leaving the doctor’s office when he was suddenly seized and pulled away, his mouth and nose covered.
The doctor who witnessed everything was shocked but did not alert the police, given the chaotic nature of the environment. Kidnappings were not uncommon there.
As Dorian struggled, he attempted to signal for help using a device he had, but his assailant quickly stabbed his arm, causing blood to spurt. He groaned in pain.
Looking up, he wanted to see who it was, a flash of lethal intent flashing in his eyes. Just as he was about to identify his attacker, the bloodstained dagger was lifted again, aimed directly at his heart without any hesitation.
Dorian was petrified. Yet, he realized he hadn’t been struck fatally. The assailants had purposely missed. They did not intend to kill him.
Just as he started to feel a hint of relief, a tall figure stepped into his view.
Caden smiled casually.
“Mr. Moss, seems you do fear death after all.”
Dorian narrowed his eyes at the intensity in Caden’s gaze.
“Judging by your anger, it seems Gareth didn’t survive,” Dorian said with a hint of victory in his laugh.
Caden responded, “You’re going to be disappointed. My dear girlfriend just brought over some medicine and snatched Gareth from the brink of death.”
Dorian was taken aback.
Alicia?
He instantly visualized Alicia hurrying over, her small stature showing immense courage. The turn of events took Dorian by complete surprise. Who would have guessed the medicine would come all the way from Warrington?
While he was lost in thought, Caden had already stood in front of him. Without hesitation, Caden pulled the dagger from Dorian’s chest, splattering blood in the process. A few droplets landed on Caden’s face, highlighting his sharp features with a nearly supernatural charm.
“Mr. Moss, it’s not that I don’t kill; it’s just not necessary for me to do it myself,” Caden said coldly. “You wanted me to mature. That’s possible. Once I identify who attacked Gareth, I’ll send his body to your home for your viewing pleasure.”
Dorian managed a faint smile.
“Caden, Gareth’s survival might not be in your best interests.”
Caden positioned the dagger at Dorian’s throat.
“He won’t die, but your fate is less certain.”
Dorian stood defiantly, unfazed, as if he were observing something trivial. Caden coldly diverted his gaze and commanded his men to throw Dorian out of the hospital.
Outside, Dorian’s own crew swiftly arrived to pick him up. Corey, their leader, was the first to approach.
Upon seeing Dorian’s condition, Corey asked, “Was it Caden?”
Dorian clutched at his wound, remaining silently in pain.
Corey continued, “Is Gareth dead?”
Dorian leaned back against the seat of the car while his men tended to his wound. He stared back at the fading hospital structure, his expression unreadable.
“He’s alive.”
Corey scoffed. “What a nuisance.”
As darkness surrounded the area, Corey observed Caden leaving the hospital with Alicia. Then, he stealthily entered Gareth’s room.
Dressed as a doctor, wearing a lab coat and mask, Corey entered. Gareth was just regaining consciousness, still weak.
Corey cleared the room of others and pulled a photo from his pocket.
Gareth’s eyes widened in shock. The photo, torn in half, separated the images of his wife and children.
Corey said, “Your twin sons and wife are now under my control. If you want them safe, you’ll follow my instructions.”
Tears welled up in Gareth’s eyes as madness consumed him. He shook his head in despair.
While unconscious, he had overheard snippets of conversation and knew how Caden had bravely fought to save him.
He had known Caden for years, seen him build Blizzard Group from the ground up, and considered him not just a partner but a brother. How could he possibly betray Caden now?
Corey tucked the photo back into his pocket with cold finality.
“Take your time. You have one day to decide.” With that, he left the room swiftly.
Exhausted and weak from blood loss, Caden fell asleep the moment he reached his hotel room. A doctor was summoned to administer an IV. Alicia remained by his side, watching over him all night without sleep.
When Caden woke the next day, the first thing he saw was Alicia, resting peacefully on his chest.
Caden felt stronger, though his body was still weak. His arm, numb from being underneath her, moved slightly.
Alicia woke instantly.
“What’s wrong?”
As she met Caden’s intense look, she sighed in relief.
“You’re awake. How are you feeling?”
Caden looked at his arm, where the bandage was soaked with blood from the wound that had been made the day before.
Alicia was startled.
“What happened here?”
Caden responded with a touch of humor.
“You’ve been sleeping on my arm for hours. What do you think happened?”
Alicia began by taking care of his wound, quietly cleaning off the drool that had ended up on it while she was sleeping. Caden leaned against the headboard, observing her pale, delicate face.
“Haven’t you eaten anything yet?”
Alicia yawned, her hunger heightened by the restful sleep.
“No time to eat.”
Right then, her stomach grumbled audibly. She gave him a slightly accusing look.
“This is your fault. If I weren’t busy looking after you, would I be this hungry?”
Caden was rendered speechless. He looked at his still-numb arm and the blood-soaked gauze he had just thrown away.
“I’m grateful for your care. If you hadn’t woken up early, I might have continued bleeding,” he said.
Alicia’s lips quirked.