Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Yolanda clung to Caden’s wrist, her eyes shining with determination.
“I know who that is. I’ll find her exact location in three days.”
Caden scoffed.
“Three days? I need Annis’ real information sooner than that.”
He could uncover it himself in less than a day.
Yolanda bargained, “I’ll give you all the information you need. But you have to let me sleep here tonight.”
Caden released her, his eyes filled with disdain. A wave of emptiness washed over Yolanda, and fear crept in. She quickly relented.
“I’ll send you the details later, but you have to promise me that once it’s done, you’ll break up with Alicia.”
Caden chuckled dismissively, setting his wine glass down and walking away.
“Thank you, Miss Moss.”
Caden took another shower after Yolanda left. He hadn’t slept all night and needed to prepare for the busy day ahead.
That afternoon, he returned to Warrington. Alicia had just come back from the hospital and stopped to buy some canned beef for Cade. She opened one for him, and Cade wagged his tail happily as he ate. Alicia smiled as she gently stroked his head.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of a password being entered behind her.
Alicia’s heart raced as she turned to see Caden, weary from his travels, his sharp gaze locking onto hers. Caden casually set down his car keys and stood still, silently observing her.
The couple, once inseparable, now found themselves lost for words. After a long pause, Caden finally said, “Come here.”
Alicia hesitated at first, but she eventually walked toward him. Before she could close the distance, he pulled her roughly into his arms. His passionate kiss enveloped her. Though only a few days had passed, it felt like an eternity since they had last met, their emotions tangled and intense.
He was consumed by the kiss, sinking deeper and deeper into her warmth. Love wrapped around him like a vine, intertwining with his very being, filling his veins with longing. To tear it away now would mean mutual destruction. He’d rather die than let go of Alicia.
Alicia melted against him, her stubbornness and resentment giving way to tears, almost forgiving him. But then she noticed the hickey on his neck.
Though faded, it pierced her heart like a dagger. She pushed Caden away with all her might, disbelief shimmering in her eyes.
“Did you sleep with Yolanda?”
Caden and Yolanda’s trip to Terriland had become the talk of the town.
The night before, while Caden and Alicia were talking on the phone, the doorbell rang, and he abruptly ended the call. Alicia suspected it might have been Yolanda. She spent the night filled with anxious anticipation, her emotions unraveling with the sight of a lipstick mark.
Caden peered into her eyes and asked, “If I said no, would you believe me?”
Alicia stood frozen.
“Caden, are you trying to retaliate against me?”
Caden shook his head.
“You see a lipstick mark and immediately jump to the conclusion that I was with Yolanda. Did you ever stop to consider my side?” He asked her, “While I was away, why were you meeting with Blake behind my back?”
Alicia felt as if her heart were being ripped to shreds beneath his gaze. Her pale face, contrasted with her tear-reddened eyes, made her appear even more woeful and subdued.
“You’ve always suspected something was going on between Blake and me,” Alicia said with a sad smile.
“You’re only concerned about your image, thinking I’m tainted and discarding me like old news. Did you ever think about what I’ve been through lately? I was slapped by your uncle, humiliated in countless videos, yet I still tried to prove my innocence to calm your fears. But what did you do? You never stood up for me or tried to dispel the rumors. Instead, you traveled with the person who’s been plotting against me. You left me here alone in this cold apartment to suffer!”
Alicia’s voice broke as she cried, tears streaming down her face, her pain evident despite her efforts to stay composed. She struggled for breath, her body shaking uncontrollably.
“What did I do to deserve this? Aren’t I the one who’s…”
been wronged? Caden, I’m your fianc?e. Why don’t you care about me?”
Caden saw her fragile demeanor, and it pained him deeply, his eyes filling with tears as well.
Not care? How could he not? But so many events had piled up recently, overwhelming him. He allowed his emotions to cloud his judgment, which led him down the wrong path.
He reached out to grab her wrist, noticing how much weight she had lost in just a few days. Her slender arm nearly slipped from his grip.
Alicia pulled away sharply. Her face was still streaked with tears, yet she stood her ground relentlessly. She took a few steps back, keeping her distance, as if he were toxic.
Caden was taken aback.
“Let’s end it here.”
Alicia’s face was etched with despair, her puffy eyes locked on him with firm resolve.
“Let’s end this, Caden.”
Her words tore through Caden’s heart, the pain twisting his gut.
He asked, his face pale, “Won’t you allow me some time to settle down?”
Alicia responded sharply, “How could I not? I’m giving you a lifetime to settle down. Isn’t that enough?”
Caden seized her suddenly, his voice rough.
“If I thought you were dirty, would I have returned? If I hadn’t gone to Terriland and stayed in Warrington for a minute longer, I’m afraid I would have been unable to control myself and killed Blake. Is that what you wanted?”
He shouted, his voice filled with intensity, yet his fingers shook involuntarily, as if fearful, pulling her close into his embrace. His breathing was heavy, his embrace nearly crushing her.
His tone softened abruptly as he continued, “I never minded what you’ve become. I was just too frightened, too enraged.”
“I could end him, but I knew you’d despise me for it. Alicia, you’re all I have left.”
Alicia was silent for a long moment before she pushed him away. Her face was marked by dried tears, her eyes empty, like those of a ghost. She said nothing, turning to leave.
Caden, desperate, clung to her.
“Alicia.”
Alicia didn’t resist or lash out. She said plainly,
“Caden, I never want to see you again.”
The door shut with a sound, and a chilling breeze swept through, tousling Caden’s hair. He stood frozen, unable to move. His hand stayed in a stiff position for some time, and eventually, he clenched it. Yet it felt empty, lacking Alicia’s warmth.
Her desperate, shattered voice resonated in his ears, stabbing at his mind like sharp needles.
“Caden, let’s end it here.”
“Caden, I never want to see you again.”
He was mistaken. It wasn’t him who had nothing; it was Alicia, who had entrusted him with her heart, only to see it broken.
Alicia kept to herself. Now wealthy and well-known, she owned multiple properties, making it easy to find a place for the night. Yet the house felt unbearably cold – so cold that sleep eluded her throughout the night.
With solitude her only companion, she confined herself to a small corner, giving in to her emotions and grief. However, with dawn approaching, she had a long list of tasks to do.
She was still pregnant, and despite the expected challenges, she needed to maintain her health. No matter her sorrow, Alicia had to gather strength to ensure she received proper nutrition.
She was one month pregnant. As she entered the phase of morning sickness, she found herself vomiting nearly as much as she ate. Despite this, she persevered with her injections.
The specialist looked at her marked abdomen and said with empathy, “Each injection leaves a mark. Soon, there won’t be any unbruised spots left.”
Alicia offered a hollow smile, dressed, and stood. Lifting her arm, she suddenly felt a void on her wrist. The bracelet Caden had given her was missing.
Her heart sank as she searched every nook, even asking the doctors if they had seen it. The doctors responded with a shake of their heads.
Alicia searched relentlessly but found nothing. She collapsed onto the bed, a deep sense of emptiness wrapping around her as if her very essence had been drained away.
Was this truly the end of their connection?
Just then, her phone rang, snapping her back to the present. Without hesitation, she picked up the call from an unknown number.
A man’s voice came through, asking, “Ms. Bennett, are you still interested in acquiring the surveillance footage from that night?”
Alicia’s eyes narrowed, her mind racing as she processed the information. Covering her phone, she ended the conversation with the doctor and moved to a quiet corner.
“What surveillance are you talking about?” she asked, feigning ignorance.
The man on the other end let out a mocking laugh.
“Don’t play dumb. I know you were in the surveillance room asking about it. The woman who set up the cameras didn’t finish watching the footage, but I did. I copied it myself. If you want it, come find me.”
Alicia’s hand tightened around her phone, her breath hitching as she caught faint voices in the background. Someone was urging the man to place a bet-high or low. He was at some seedy gambling den.
Despite knowing her identity, he dared to call her directly. He was in debt, Alicia realized. He was gambling recklessly, hoping for a big payout and pretending to stay composed.
Her brow relaxed as she took control of the conversation.
“How can you prove you have the video?” she asked evenly.
“Believe what you want. It’s your choice.”
“If you can prove it, I’ll transfer seventy thousand upfront,” she said, raising the stakes.
The man’s breathing quickened, the offer much more generous than he had anticipated. He shifted his tone instantly.
“Send the money first, and I’ll send you a clip.”