Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
But Alicia knew him too well to take his words at face value. Her suspicions proved correct as Caden continued his actions despite his assurances, his determination unwavering.
Caden managed to unlock her legs with ease, his strength effortlessly overpowering Alicia’s resistance.
“Why rush? I said I’d do what you asked,” he murmured, his fingers moving with practiced precision.
“Let’s just do a basic check-up.”
Before Alicia could process his words, Caden had already completed his examination. It had been a long time since their last intimate encounter, and he paused briefly, as though contemplating the moment, before reluctantly pulling away.
“The results were immediate,” he remarked in the dim light, amusement glimmering in his voice.
Angered and humiliated, Alicia lashed out, kicking at him in the dark. Caden absorbed her blows without complaint, his calm demeanor unshaken. His strength wasn’t just for show; her kicks barely registered.
A faint sound broke the tension as Caden leaned closer, his voice casual yet disarming.
“I swallowed it,” he said, nonchalantly.
Alicia’s mind reeled, the memory of the moment leaving her breathless. His shamelessness was overwhelming, disarming her in a way that felt almost unfair. Exhausted from her futile resistance, she fell into silence.
Sensing her surrender, Caden finally seemed to acknowledge her state. He cleaned his fingers with deliberate care before releasing her hands. Alicia remained tense, her instincts on high alert, poised to flee at the first opportunity.
Caden, perceptive as ever, anticipated her thoughts.
“If you try to run, I won’t be gentle,” he warned, his tone calm but carrying a weight of unspoken promise.
Furious, Alicia snapped, her voice sharp with defiance.
“Caden, I’ll despise you for life.”
His smile widened, his amusement unmistakable.
“You’re even more alluring when you’re angry,” he replied, his voice smooth, laced with a quiet confidence that left no room for doubt.
“Remember how you used to call me Mr. Ward? It sounded so insincere I could hardly bear it.”
“And you’re any better? Criticizing others for being insincere?”
“You’re right,” he admitted, accepting her rebuke without resistance. He removed his jacket and lay down on the bed beside her. Fortunately, the bed was large enough to fit them both, though the space between them was minimal.
Alicia found herself wrapped in his embrace, their bodies pressed closely together. She wanted to flee but dared not, her simmering anger making every second feel excruciatingly long. Caden gently stroked her fingers, his touch slow and repetitive, as though he could do it endlessly without tiring. Alicia remained still, unwilling to respond or react.
His voice came as a soft whisper by her ear.
“Lucky, you haven’t changed at all.”
Alicia refrained from replying, knowing that speaking would only feed his amusement and satisfy his desire to provoke her. She focused instead on suppressing her anger, which threatened to boil over at any moment.
Caden pressed a kiss to her neck and murmured, “I haven’t changed either, especially not this mouth. I can promise anything, but whether I keep those promises depends entirely on my mood.”
Alicia’s spine stiffened. By the time the weight of his words registered, it was already too late. Caden’s mouth was as deceptive as ever, its movements impossible to predict.
She couldn’t pinpoint when her strength began to falter, only that exhaustion gradually overtook her. A deep drowsiness crept over her, and though tears welled in her eyes, they refused to fall. Her last conscious thought was of the overwhelming fatigue that claimed her before darkness enveloped her completely.
Finally, Caden could rest peacefully. He wasn’t ill, merely overwhelmed by his longing for her. Her warmth alone was enough to quiet his restlessness, drawing him into a serene and undisturbed sleep..
They slept until dusk. When Alicia stirred, disoriented and unsure of the time, the only thing she could immediately discern in the darkness was a strong arm wrapped securely around her waist. She didn’t need to look to know whose arm it was.
Memories of the moments before sleep came flooding back, leaving her with a confusing mix of emotions-pleasure mingled with revulsion, a sensation she couldn’t quite articulate.
She reached for the light and turned it on, sitting up in the process. The sudden movement roused Caden. He blinked groggily, his brows knitting together in mild annoyance, clearly reluctant to be pulled from the comfort of his dream.
“Why did you wake after such a brief rest?” he asked, his voice husky from sleep.
Alicia glanced at the clock. It was already eleven at night. She pressed her lips together, saying nothing, and slid out of bed. As she moved, a sharp pain radiated from her inner thigh. Startled, she looked down to find a distinct bite mark etched into her skin.
Her gaze darkened as she turned to Caden, her eyes filled with simmering resentment.
Caden, noticing the mark and the expression on her face, eased his frown. With a calm, unapologetic tone, he said, “I got carried away.”
Two years had passed, yet Alicia still bristled at Caden’s audacious comments. During their time as a couple, playful banter had been part of their charm. Now, with competition defining their primary connection, the dynamics had shifted. Was flirting even appropriate between rivals? Yet, their recent interactions had blurred far more significant boundaries.
Feeling a familiar stir within, Alicia quickly pushed the thought away. She dressed hurriedly, her attention drawn to the numerous incense sticks scattered near the bed.
Caden’s gaze followed her movements intently.
“Those incense sticks carry the scent you used to favor. Do you still like it?” he asked.
Alicia nodded and replied, her tone laced with subtle irony, “Their aphrodisiac qualities are notably effective.” Her words suggested that the incense, rather than Caden himself, had influenced her actions before she fell asleep.
Caden smiled knowingly but chose not to argue.
“If you’re still a fan, I have more in my car. I can give them to you.”
Adjusting her hair, Alicia replied curtly, “That won’t be necessary.”
Caden’s bite had been unexpectedly forceful, leaving her feeling physically drained after a deep sleep compounded by a day without food. Alicia sat quietly, gathering her energy, her brow furrowed and her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
Noticing her tense demeanor, Caden asked, “Are you hungry?”
Alicia averted her gaze and replied, “No.”
With no suitable options for a proper meal nearby, Caden reached into his pocket, pulled out a piece of candy, unwrapped it, and held it to her lips.
Alicia hesitated, her eyes flickering between the candy and his face.
She realized she needed something sweet to stabilize her low blood sugar. After a brief hesitation, Caden teased, “Worried I might have tampered with it?”
To prove otherwise, he took a bite of the candy himself before offering it to her again. Alicia felt a twinge of emotion as she finally accepted it. The sweet, tangy taste of grapefruit was refreshing, momentarily grounding her.
Caden busied himself straightening the wrinkled bed sheets.
“You’re aware of your hypoglycemia, yet you still came to the hospital by yourself.”
Alicia looked up, startled. Her expression reflected her bewilderment. How could Caden possibly know about her condition?
While discarding some trash, Caden mentioned casually, “The detectives I’ve employed for the past couple of years have actually been quite effective.”
Alicia’s hands tightened into fists, her frustration mounting, but she remained silent. His intense gaze lingered on her as he asked, “What caused your hypoglycemia? Were you missing me so much that you lost your appetite?”
With a casual shrug, Alicia responded, “The car crash I was in caused significant blood loss, and the complications from childbirth didn’t help. Eventually, I developed anemia.”
Caden’s eyes narrowed. During that time, she had consistently misled him, refusing to let him visit. He had believed she was being well cared for, unaware of the depth of her struggles.
After a long pause, Caden seemed lost in thought. Without a word, he washed his hands, grabbed his coat, and draped it gently over Alicia’s shoulders. Then, with a carefulness that almost unsettled her, he helped her into his car and drove back to the villa.
Alicia had no desire to prolong her involvement with him, yet it was impossible to deter the persistent Caden. Back at the villa, he prepared a meal for her, a dish thoughtfully designed to be gentle on her stomach.
For a moment, Alicia was stunned as she stared at the plate before her. The unexpected care behind the gesture left her momentarily speechless.
Flashbacks overwhelmed her. The last time Caden had attempted to cook, it had been a culinary disaster. Yet here he was now, unchanged yet different, holding a spoon up to her lips with a calm and humble demeanor.
“Do you want me to feed you?” he asked.
Alicia eyed him cautiously, her thoughts drifting to the moments earlier when he had straightened the hospital bed. The sheets bore the marks of their shared intimacy, and his actions had seemed like a natural gesture. But there was something about his movements-too fluid, too practiced-that struck her as vastly different from the distant and scornful man she once knew.
He was still the same frustrating Caden, yet he seemed transformed, almost modest. As she scrutinized him, Caden mistook her silence for lingering frustration.
“You’re sick right now. Let’s skip the quarrels. We can call a truce until you’ve recovered. Then you can confront me however you like,” he said, his voice steady.
Alicia accepted the spoon and turned her attention back to her food. After the meal, she showered and returned to the bed, carefully applying ointment to a swollen and slightly torn bite on her leg. The sting made her gasp softly.
Hearing the sound, Caden walked in.
“What happened?” he asked, concern evident in his tone.
Startled, Alicia swiftly pulled the blanket over herself, but Caden was already by her side, his eyes narrowing as he noticed her injury.
“Wasn’t the door locked? How did you get in?” she demanded.
“I mastered unlocking over thirty types of smart locks by the age of eight,” he replied nonchalantly.
Alicia was momentarily at a loss for words, watching him with a mix of irritation and disbelief. As he noticed her tending to her wound, the initial worry in his expression faded. Instead, he gestured to the incense he had brought into the room.
“I brought this,” he said, his tone casual but intent.
He put down the incense, took the ointment from her and eased her back down.
“There are more bites.
Allow me to apply this.”
Despite Alicia’s resistance, Caden was firm and didn’t allow her to refuse.
She sighed deeply and gritted her teeth.
He quickly returned to his usual ways.
Caden applied the ointment with unexpected expertise, using his fingertips rather than a swab, gently massaging it into the swollen area.
Alicia closed her eyes and tried again to close her legs, but they wouldn’t budge.
“Stop the massage, it’s really unnecessary,” she protested.