Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Alicia’s eyes flicked between them as she asked, “Where is my secretary?”
One of the bodyguards answered with a calm tone, “He is inside, Ms. Bennett. Don’t worry, Mr. Ward is a kind man. He didn’t make things difficult for him.”
These words only made Alicia’s expression colder. Whether Caden had a kind heart was debatable. What was undeniable was that he always behaved like a notorious playboy when he faced her. Moreover, he was a man who was never easy to deal with. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palm, before stepping inside.
Expecting to find her secretary humiliated, she was taken aback by the sight before her. Everything was in perfect order-neat, polished, and calm. A man sat at the grand, polished dining table.
His presence was as striking as the neon lights gleaming through the window behind him. Alicia suddenly paused. A sinking feeling washed over her as she realized too late that she had walked right into his trap.
Caden slowly lifted his gaze, his eyes locking onto hers.
“It’s been a while, Ms. Bennett.”
Two years of long, grueling days and sleepless nights, and yet, a simple “It’s been a while” seemed to wipe away every emotion. Alicia’s chest tightened, her fingers trembling like leaves caught in a gust of wind. She fought to steady herself and asked, “Where is my secretary?”
Caden’s tone was as cold and indifferent as he replied, “He has already gone home.”
With a flick of his wrist, he raised his phone and dialed a number.
“I’ll have him reassure you that he is safe.”
When the call connected, Alicia could hear her secretary’s sobs on the other end.
“Ms. Bennett, I’m sorry. Mr. Ward promised he wouldn’t hurt you. I have a family to support, and I didn’t dare to go against him…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Alicia’s teeth ground together.
“Hang up.”
Caden did so without hesitation. He then pulled out a chair beside him and said, “Let’s not drag this out. Sign the contract.”
Alicia couldn’t find the words to explain how she was feeling at that moment.
After two years, Caden hadn’t changed in the slightest. He was still the same infuriating, impossible man he had always been.
Since she was already here, arguing seemed futile. With a blank expression, Alicia slid into the chair, deliberately placing the entire table between them.
Caden’s eyes flicked to her.
“Why are you sitting so far away, Ms. Bennett? Are you really that afraid of me?”
Alicia met his gaze steadily, her voice blunt.
“Caden, we ended things on a sour note. We shouldn’t even be meeting. Let’s just sign the contract and go our separate ways – no point in dragging this out. There is no need to waste each other’s time and emotions.”
Caden’s lips twisted into a smirk.
“A sour note? It’s been so long that I have forgotten. Honestly, I’m not too interested in this machine. If you want to delay, go ahead. I have all the time in the world to waste.”
He lazily reclined in his chair and pulled out a cigarette. He toyed with it but did not light it. It was as if he were idly toying with someone else’s fate.
Alicia couldn’t help but feel suffocated. Whether it was their first meeting at nine or falling in love at twenty-four, Caden had always barreled into her life like a storm – disrupting everything in his path, leaving chaos in his wake.
She couldn’t provoke him, nor could she simply avoid him. No matter what she did, she was caught in his tangled web, unable to escape.
This machine was Caden’s most prized possession, his trump card.
Alicia remained silent for a long moment. Then, without a word, she finally pushed herself to her feet and walked toward him.
Caden’s gaze followed her every step, unabashed and unblinking. Two years had passed, and it felt like an eternity. He couldn’t bring himself to blink, as if he wanted to consume her with his gaze but feared that his intense stare might unravel her completely.
Alicia settled into the chair beside him without a word. She didn’t bother reading through the contract; instead, she picked up the pen and signed it with swift precision. Once finished, she handed the document to Caden.
Caden’s hand shot out, gripping her wrist, and in one fluid motion, he pulled her into his arms. Though Alicia’s reflexes were lightning-fast, she couldn’t break free from his unrelenting hold. Their bodies collided, the heat between them sparking like a live wire.
Caden’s hands locked around her waist, pulling her closer as he tilted her chin upward. In the process, Alicia’s face brushed against his sharp, well-defined nose. Just as she prepared to shove him away, she caught the briefest flicker of emotion in his usually impassive eyes that drained her strength in an instant.
Without giving her a moment to brace herself, Caden kissed her, his lips crashing onto hers with unrelenting force. His grip on her chin kept her captive, leaving her no room to escape his overwhelming advances, each bite of his lips leaving a sharp sting. The pain ignited a surge of fury within Alicia, tears springing to her eyes.
With a fierce snarl, she seized Caden’s hair, yanking it with all her strength, wishing she could tear his scalp off. But Caden was unyielding. His once confident kisses had devolved into chaotic, desperate movements, his tongue probing her mouth like it was determined to steal her soul.
For the first time, Alicia found herself powerless to pull away.
Alicia’s body trembled as she pulled away, her breath coming in frantic gasps. The kiss had left her lips forced open in surrender. Her chest heaved in desperation, struggling to breathe, her skin flushed from the suffocating lack of air. Her limbs flailed, trying to break free, but Caden’s brutal strength pinned her in place. Only when their mouths were tainted with the taste of blood did he finally release her, his grip loosening at last.
Alicia’s eyes burned with rage. Instinctively, her hand shot out, intent on striking him. But Caden caught her wrist in midair, pinning it behind her back and pressing her further into the table. The dishes clattered to the floor with a deafening crash. His breath was ragged, nearly deafening, and the veins in his forehead bulged with a terrifying intensity. Yet his touch remained unexpectedly soft as he trailed his tongue over the blood that stained her lips.
Alicia nearly melted under the intensity in his eyes, but instead, she closed her eyes, choosing to stop resisting. Caden’s grip on her loosened, and Alicia seized the moment. A flash of determination flickered in her eyes as she moved with swift precision. Her hand shot to his abdomen. Mistaking her movement for mere aggression, Caden didn’t bother to dodge. What he failed to notice was the small stun gun hidden in her palm. The electric shock surged through him, pulling him into darkness and forcing him to retreat.
Alicia spat a bit of blood onto the floor. Her lips burned, the ache so intense it nearly stole her senses. She touched her mouth, wincing as she felt the jagged edge of a deep cut. Rage flooded her chest as she stared at the dazed Caden. Without a second thought, she grabbed a chair and hurled it at him.
A bodyguard rushed in and pulled Alicia back just as Caden was about to be seriously injured. The chaos escalated quickly, prompting a frightened, novice waiter to call the police due to the commotion.
When the officer arrived, Alicia adjusted her attire and falsely accused Caden of sexual assault.
By the time Caden regained consciousness, he found himself at the police station. The stun baton’s effects were overwhelming; even though his eyes were open, his responses were sluggish and dulled.
Gerry watched him with a worried expression.
“Is he really alright?” he asked a nearby officer.
“He seems quite unresponsive,” Gerry added.
“He’s been examined, and it’s nothing serious,” the officer responded.
“A bit of rest is all he needs.”
Caden closed his eyes again, clearly irritated.
Gerry exclaimed in distress, “Oh no, he’s fainted again, officer!”
Caden scowled and muttered, “Be quiet.”
Startled, Gerry quickly checked for Caden’s pulse.
“Leave me alone,” Caden snapped, silencing Gerry instantly.
The officer approached.
“Can you stand?” he asked.
“If so, we need to take your statement.”
Caden’s throat tightened as he turned to see Alicia seated across from him, her expression icy and unforgiving. He rose and took a seat beside her, maintaining a demeanor of humility and cooperation throughout the ordeal.
Outside, Gerry found the bizarre situation amusing and subtly began to film it with his phone.
“Photography isn’t permitted here,” the officer said, stopping him.
Obediently, Gerry tucked his phone back into his pocket.
Shortly after, the officer cautioned him again.
“That watch isn’t for recording either.”
With a lift of his arm, Gerry feigned confusion.
“I’m merely checking the time, not recording.”
The officer issued a firm warning.
“Continue recording, and you’ll be asked to exit.”
Gerry then placed his hands behind him, showing compliance.
In the mediation room, Caden promptly admitted to the allegations. The officer hoped for a private resolution, given their prominent status. Everything hinged on Alicia’s agreement.
Fueled by her anger, Alicia declared, “I suggest we adhere to the proper legal processes. Given Caden’s influential position, we must take this issue seriously to prevent any negative outcomes.”
Caden raised no objections.
“I’m willing to explore any solution, though resolving this will require some time. Meanwhile, I might need to hand over my duties regarding the machinery to my assistant.”
Alicia’s face subtly shifted as she processed his words.
Turning towards the officer, Caden apologized, “Excuse me, I need to handle an urgent issue. Can I make a quick call?”
His phone lay on the table. Caden reached out for it once he received permission.
However, Alicia intercepted his hand and asked, “When will we sign the contract?”
Caden met her gaze, his eyes stormy, but his expression remained serene.
“We can finalize it right now.”
With a reluctant nod, Alicia summoned her team and presented the contract to him. Caden quickly penned his signature. After releasing his hand, Alicia informed the police that they had come to an agreement. She collected the contract and left.
Gerry, observing Caden’s stoic demeanor, gave him a confused glance and followed her. As he hurried after her, Gerry shouted, “Alicia!”
Alicia halted and looked back. Her expression softened when she spotted an old acquaintance, and she offered a slight smile.
“Gerry.”