Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Alicia feigned astonishment. “Wow, over four million.”
Yvonne sneered at her reaction. “Look at you, all flustered over just four million. Has Caden ever spent that much on you?”
“No,” Alicia replied, shaking her head.
He had once given her a supplementary card, and later, a black card. To Alicia, four million was merely a month’s allowance. Yvonne, now viewing Alicia as a naive social climber, regarded her with disdain.
“You were rude earlier, and now I’ve changed my mind about giving it to you.”
“Then should I say thank you?” Alicia responded.
Yvonne rolled her eyes at Alicia’s sarcasm just as dinner was about to begin.
Caden returned, noticing Ray’s displeased expression. Ciara, curious, asked, “Didn’t Caden get you a gift? You seem upset.”
Ray started to respond but caught a stern look from Caden and quickly changed his tone.
“Ciara, I’m not upset. I’m very happy.”
Ciara, frowning at Caden, caught him flirting with Alicia. He leaned in, whispering only for Alicia to hear, “Did you miss me while I was gone?”
Alicia felt a tingle in her ears.
“When did you leave? I didn’t even notice,” she replied.
Caden was left speechless.
The dinner grew lively, and Yvonne chimed in, “Is Ms. Bennett staying over tonight?”
Alicia hesitated, but Ciara intervened, “Stay the night. It’s been ages since I’ve seen you. Will you keep me company?” It was difficult to decline such a heartfelt request from someone elderly.
Alicia nodded, while Yvonne watched her with a calculating look.
After dinner, as Ciara settled in to watch the news, Alicia stepped out to prepare some desserts. She then heard Ray calling from outside.
“Alicia, Alicia!”
She stepped outside to see what the matter was.
“What’s going on?”
Ray stood in the yard, frustrated. “Caden’s picking on me!”
As Alicia approached, guided by the sound of their voices, the night suddenly erupted in noise.
A loud bang pierced the air, and a blue firework exploded above, capturing Alicia’s full attention with its stunning, breathtaking display.
After the tenth firework, a blue butterfly appeared in the sky, its wings vivid and lifelike.
Alicia’s eyes filled with tears as she was reminded of the day Caden proposed two years earlier.
As tears rolled down her cheeks, Caden, who had approached her, gently wiped them away with his fingers.
She looked at Caden as he leaned in and brushed a kiss against her soft lips.
Alicia’s eyelashes fluttered as she realized the effort he had put into preparing during his time away.
Caden, kissing away her tears, murmured, “Are you tired of this?”
Looking up at him, her eyes misty and confused, Alicia remained silent.
Holding her close, he asked again, “I always use fireworks to cheer you up. Are you tired of them?”
Alicia pressed her lips together, offering no reply.
Caden’s voice softened as he continued, “If our baby were still here, they’d be taking their first steps by now. It’s all my fault.”
Her eyes welled up once more.
“I’m sorry, Lucky.” Caden had apologized many times, yet it never seemed enough. “I love you.”
He had not confessed his feelings during his proposal; now he made sure to express them.
“You don’t have to forgive me. I just want you to be happy right now.”
Not wanting him to see her cry, Alicia turned away, only to see Ray frozen, watching them.
Caught off guard, Alicia quickly stepped back from Caden. Ray, realizing he had been staring, blushed and hurried away.
Alicia’s gaze then caught Yvonne sneaking out of the master bedroom on the second floor. She swallowed her sorrow and steeled herself.
“Caden,” Alicia nudged him. “Yvonne was in your room.”
Caden’s brow furrowed.
“What would she be doing in my room?”
Curiosity piqued, Alicia studied Caden’s strikingly handsome face, a ridiculous thought crossing her mind. “Do you think Yvonne might be interested in you?”
At her words, Caden was left speechless, a mix of emotions threatening to overwhelm him.
Alicia knew that it was inappropriate at the moment, yet memories of a film she had once watched with Caden surfaced in her mind.
It wasn’t the most respectable movie.
Back then, Caden, often impatient when alone at home, chose films that he preferred.
After they watched that movie, they had spent a long time together, exhausted yet cuddling affectionately.
When the next film started automatically, they found that it was an adult drama by Jonio, featuring a female lead in roles like a sister-in-law or stepmother, the kind that usually appealed to men.
Caden had playfully teased her then, coaxing her to act as his sister-in-law.
“Do I satisfy you better than my brother?” he had joked.
Alicia had reprimanded him for his vulgarity, but he had merely laughed and playfully wrestled with her.
At the time, she hadn’t given it much thought.
Now, touching her chin and studying Caden’s troubled expression, she ventured, “If my guess is right, this really strikes a chord with you, doesn’t it, Mr. Ward?”
Caden remained silent.
Alicia, with a hint of disdain, added, “It seems Yvonne still has her allure.”
Caden’s eye twitched as he fought to control his temper. People had commented on his maturity over the past two years, a change he hadn’t fully acknowledged until now. Had Alicia acted this way in the past, they might have already been arguing fiercely.
Taking her hand, he calmly inquired, “Did Yvonne behave oddly today?”
Given Yvonne’s character, despite her financial woes, stealing was unlikely, and causing drama was more her style.
Alicia paused to think.
“Before dinner, she suddenly offered me a bracelet. Is there something special about it?”
“Which bracelet?” Caden asked.
“The one Benedict bought her when they married.”
Caden recalled the bracelet.
It was not just expensive but also a rare token from Benedict, one that Yvonne had flaunted in the past. Given its potential increase in value and Yvonne’s financial difficulties, why would she offer it to Alicia? That seemed too absurd.
Suspecting a ploy, Caden turned to Alicia, his expression softening. “Wait for me in the living room. I’ll go check the bedroom to confirm my suspicion.”
Alicia harbored the same suspicion and nodded in agreement.
In the living room, Yvonne and Ciara were absorbed in the television. Alicia caught Yvonne’s eye briefly.
Despite the circumstances, Yvonne continued to exude a calm and virtuous presence, with no hint of trouble. Ciara beckoned Alicia to sit beside her and whispered, “Have you and Caden made up?”
Alicia blinked, considering their situation. It wasn’t exactly a reconciliation. She shook her head and replied, “We just watched the birthday fireworks Caden organized for Ray.”
Even as she spoke, a nervous flutter touched her heart.
Ciara’s face fell slightly. “Oh, I got my hopes up for nothing. Ray mentioned you two kissed, and I thought it might be true.”
Embarrassed, Alicia forced a laugh, her cheeks warming, her gaze shifting back to the TV.
That night, Alicia stayed in the guest room at Joy Mansion. Once the house had settled into silence, she received a message from Caden: “I know what Yvonne is plotting.” Unable to sleep, Alicia quickly responded, “What is she planning?”
Caden’s reply came. “It’s complicated to explain via text. Meet me in the master bedroom; I’ll tell you everything there.”
His message hinted at a conspiracy.
Alicia countered, “If I come to the master bedroom, we won’t just be talking about Yvonne.”
Caden’s next text tried to reassure her. “I promise I’ll stick to discussing Yvonne, but I’m open to whatever you’re comfortable with.”
His tone was playfully suggestive, as if he were inviting her while lying naked on his bed, saying, “Hello, want to join me? I’m ready.”
It was unabashedly flirtatious.