Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
“We should just cut ties and be done.”
Caden didn’t reply, just placed a document in front of her.
“Are you picking the dress with me, or should I wait for you?”
Alicia looked down, feeling his intense gaze like it could melt her. In the quiet room, his voice was low but firm.
“Alicia, I’ll make things right, and you can punish me however you want. But we’re getting engaged, getting married. None of that is changing.”
Alicia was exhausted by his empty promises. He always promised he’d change, but his actions never lined up with his words, leaving her feeling let down every time.
Tired of it, Alicia didn’t even bother arguing. She just pressed the emergency button, calling security to have him escorted out.
No matter how powerful Caden was, he couldn’t ignore the boundaries she set in her own space. His pride wouldn’t let him make a scene with the security guards.
As they blocked the door, his gaze stayed locked on Alicia.
“I’ll go soon. Let me know when you’ve decided. There’s not much time before the engagement party.”
Alicia tossed the stack of drafts straight into the trash.
Not missing a beat, Caden said, “I’ll email you the digital version.”
After leaving the gallery, he sat in his car, watching the entrance for a while. By the time Alicia finally came out and drove off, it was well past work hours, but Caden stayed put.
The name on the medicine bottle popped back into his mind – VPFAY. He looked it up on his phone and found terms like active folic acid. As he kept scrolling, his eyes stopped on the words: pre-pregnancy, early pregnancy supplement.
Could she actually be pregnant?
At first, Caden thought Alicia was just sick, but remembering the panic in her eyes, he started to doubt it. He recalled her asking him if he liked kids before he left for his business trip.
The thought hit him hard, and without another second’s hesitation, Caden floored it, racing to catch up with her.
Alicia lived in a high-end neighborhood in Warrington with security that made it tough for anyone to get in. Not wanting to make a scene or annoy her, he sent Alicia a quick message that he was waiting downstairs and settled in.
Alicia noticed the message but decided to ignore it. She knew Caden was too stubborn to back down easily. As long as the gallery was in Warrington, avoiding him was nearly impossible.
So, she set up a board meeting to discuss giving up her shares. Her offer was simple: she’d keep just ten percent of her original forty-five and give the rest to them. They knew she was serious, so no one argued.
Once the paperwork was done, her ties to the gallery would be cut.
After the meeting, Alicia lay in bed, thinking about the past few years. Her heart was tough now, but the warm memories still made her cry.
She had fallen for him, completely. Life was too short, and she knew she and Caden would never have a happy ending. Instead of staying stuck in a toxic loop, she decided it was time to cut him off and move on.
Later that night, a knock from the property manager pulled Alicia from her sleep.
The manager apologized, saying, “Sorry to bother you, Ms. Bennett, but with the snow coming down, he’s refusing to leave. The police couldn’t get him to go either. I’m worried he might freeze out there, so I felt I should let you know.”
Alicia looked past the property manager and locked eyes with Caden. He stood tall, snow covering him, his face pale under the dark sky. But his eyes were intense, full of determination.
Just as Alicia was about to say something, Caden brushed past the property manager, grabbed her, and barged into her apartment. He pulled her close, slammed the door shut, and ignored the knocking from the manager.
Alicia snapped, “Caden!”
But Caden ignored her anger, his eyes fiery as he shot out, “Alicia, are you pregnant?”
Alicia froze, her body going rigid as Caden’s question hit her like an unexpected storm. His gaze was intense, scrutinizing every subtle shift in her expression. He already knew, but the silent demand in his eyes insisted that she confirm it aloud.
Silence stretched between them. The truth sat on the tip of her tongue, but Alicia stubbornly refused to give in so easily.
“Is it true that you’re pregnant?” Caden’s voice broke the silence, more insistent this time.
Faced with the sheer force of his presence, Alicia realized that the truth was unavoidable. She twisted her wrist from his hold, her voice hoarse.
“Let me go.”
Outside, the property management staff had noticed the commotion and were on the verge of calling the police, convinced that Alicia might be in danger. Caden loosened his grip, stepping back momentarily.
Alicia took a deep breath and reassured the staff.
“It’s okay. We’re just having a conversation.”
They glanced at Caden warily. One of them spoke.
“Ms. Bennett, if anything happens, there’s always someone on duty at the security booth. Just press the button, and we’ll be here in two minutes.”
Alicia forced a small, reassuring smile.
“Thank you.”
When they finally left, Alicia shut the door behind them. The silence that followed was suffocating.
Caden stepped closer, his voice low but unyielding.
“I saw the bottle of pills in your office – folic acid. That’s only taken when you’re preparing for pregnancy or are already pregnant.”
Alicia’s mind buzzed, the tension snapping like a wire. She turned to face him, her voice steady but resigned.
“Yes, I’m pregnant.”
Caden’s breath caught, his eyes shifting from disbelief to a joy so raw that it almost softened the moment.
A sharp ache pierced Alicia’s chest. She let out a bitter laugh.
“Why are you so happy? Shouldn’t you be checking to see if it’s yours or Blake’s?”
Caden ignored her harsh words and drew her into his arms, his voice unsteady.
“I was wrong, Alicia. You have every right to be angry. Say whatever you need to.”
Alicia had witnessed his relentless determination before. She was furious, yet the excitement and anticipation on his face made it hard to maintain her anger. Her feelings were a tangled mess of love and hatred, tearing her apart from the inside.
Caden reached to cup her face but paused, realizing his hands were cold. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her waist, his dry lips brushing softly against her cheek.
“How long has it been?” he asked, his voice filled with a newfound gentleness.
“Was it from that time in the car?”
Alicia’s gaze dropped as she remained silent.
Caden did the math in his head.
“It’s been less than a month, hasn’t it? Have you had a check-up? Is everything okay? When my mother was expecting, she was constantly nauseous and couldn’t eat. Is it the same for you? That explains why you’ve lost so much weight.”
“I’m such a fool for leaving you alone in Warrington. Don’t be mad, please. Punish me however you want – make me kneel in the snow for three days, anything.”
Alicia’s chest tightened, cutting through his hopeful words.
“I don’t want the child.”
Caden’s smile disappeared, the joy on his face fading instantly. His hands, now warm, cradled her face, forcing her to meet his gaze.
“Are you trying to hurt me?” he whispered, a mixture of pain and disbelief in his eyes.
Alicia didn’t mince words. Her voice was steady, though a trace of emotion shimmered beneath.
“My uterine lining is too thin, and my health isn’t strong enough. Even if the fetus is fine, I can’t carry it to term. The top obstetrician in Warrington has already told me there’s nothing they can do, so I’ve scheduled an abortion for ten days from now.”
Despite her effort to stay composed, her eyes betrayed her, turning red with unshed tears.
Caden’s response, however, caught her off guard. He let out a sigh of relief.
“If you want to have this baby, I’ll bring in the best doctors from anywhere in the world. We can go abroad if needed. Modern medicine can sustain even a four or five-month-old fetus. We’ll make this work.”
Alicia’s breath caught in her throat, stunned by his insistence. His words were sincere, echoing what she knew was possible with current medical advancements.
But the wounds she carried from their recent past made her want to sever any remaining ties. Even if saving the child was an option, she wasn’t sure she wanted to.
What surprised her even more was seeing Caden speak with such humility, almost pleading. Could he truly want this child so badly?
She feared being drawn into a mirage of hope, so she steadied herself and spoke firmly.
“Having the child would only bind me to you, Caden. I don’t want any more ties between us.”
Caden’s grip around her waist tightened, his warmth pressing close, making it impossible to ignore his presence.
“You might hate me, but what did the baby do to deserve this? It came to us when we were in love-it’s a gift, a sign. How can you ruthlessly end a life before it could enjoy the beauty and happiness of this world?”
He spoke as if Alicia were a cruel demon, which only deepened the ache in her heart.
Her frustration boiled over, and she raised her hand impulsively.
Caden’s expression softened, and he offered his cheek willingly.
“If hitting me helps, then do it.”
The contrast between his striking, handsome face and his humble words made her pause.
“My bones are strong; it won’t hurt me,” he said, his voice low and earnest.
“But if you need to vent, strike my face. It’ll ease your pain without hurting you.”