Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Alicia nodded. “Is this a common occurrence for her?”
“For several days now. And knowing her, I guess she’ll probably keep bothering us once she’s discharged.”
Alicia was taken aback by Lucilla’s persistence and equally surprised that Caden hadn’t yet addressed the situation.
She felt something was amiss but couldn’t quite place it. “What’s your plan? Just let her go on like this?”
Caden seemed unconcerned. “What harm can she really do to me? She can do whatever she wants, as long as it doesn’t affect me.”
Alicia looked at him pointedly.
Before they left, Alicia made a point to visit Lucilla in her hospital room.
Lucilla was awake, propped up in bed despite her weakness.
“Ms. Bennett, Caden,” she greeted them.
Caden paused at the doorway, choosing not to enter. Lucilla eyed him, remembering his earlier words, and clenched her fists, her lip caught between her teeth.
He had promised her six hundred thousand if she could convincingly act the part of a damsel in distress, aiming to tug at Alicia’s heartstrings and advance his relationship with her.
This was new territory for Lucilla, but desperate to cut ties with her family and enticed by the money, she was determined to make it work.
Alicia stood near the window, speaking briefly about Lucilla’s condition.
Lucilla seemed to ignore her, clumsily getting out of bed and approaching Caden.
She dropped a bombshell. “Caden, I’m still a virgin. I’ve never been with anyone. I’m purer than the others. Would you consider that?”
Both Caden and Alicia were stunned.
Caden, visibly agitated, blurted out, “Have you lost your senses?”
Alicia watched the unfolding scene, a slight smile playing on her lips.
As Caden stepped toward Alicia, Lucilla seized his arm. “Caden, we aren’t related by blood, so what’s the issue? I promise it’ll be our secret. Just lend me the money, and I’ll do whatever you ask!”
Caden pulled away sharply, leaving Lucilla reeling but quickly signaling that she hadn’t meant her desperate plea.
Caden caught Lucilla’s cue, his expression softening. He looked towards Alicia. “My girlfriend is right here. Is it really appropriate to say things like that?”
Lucilla, realizing he was going along with the act, played her part further. “Are you and Ms. Bennett an item?”
Caden remained silent, giving Alicia the floor.
Alicia observed the exchange with a neutral expression. Just as she was about to respond, Caden cut in and said, “Yes, we’re together. In fact, we’re getting married this year.”
Alicia was taken aback.
Lucilla appeared troubled, biting her lip. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware of that.”
Caden paid her no attention, walking over to take Alicia’s hand.
Undeterred, Lucilla asked, “If things don’t work out, would I have a chance?”
The sound of the door closing was the only reply she received. Alicia glanced at their interlocked fingers, silently accompanying him.
In the elevator, Caden let out a sigh of irritation. “What a nuisance.”
Alicia laughed.
Caden stroked the back of her hand. “What’s so funny?”
With a playful tone, Alicia said, “Mr. Ward, not only are your flirtations lacking, but your acting leaves much to be desired.”
Caden was momentarily taken aback.
After settling into the car, Caden asked, “How did you figure out I was only pretending with Lucilla?”
Alicia buckled her seatbelt. “If she truly valued ethics and cared about not damaging relationships, she wouldn’t offer herself in exchange for financial help.” The inconsistency in her character was glaring.
“But your flaw is more evident,” Alicia added. “If Lucilla really annoyed you, you wouldn’t have allowed her to linger around you for days, nor would you have accompanied me to visit her in the hospital.”
Alicia had her suspicions initially, but such behavior didn’t align with Caden’s usual demeanor, prompting only a faint suspicion in her heart.
It wasn’t until Caden declared their relationship to Lucilla that his true motives surfaced, confirming Alicia’s suspicions.
Caden remained silent, concentrating on the road. Alicia played with some rose petals in her hand. “Caden, you don’t need to stage these scenarios.”
Caden kept his gaze fixed on the road, his face thoughtful. “I just want to make us official.” Perhaps the label wasn’t so important.
He simply wanted to test whether she would stay in Warrington and confirm her feelings for him.
Caden found it hard to read Alicia’s mood that evening.
She appeared normal, contributing occasionally to the conversation at dinner, but the vibe was somewhat dull.
Caden didn’t inquire whether she was upset.
It seemed unnecessary.
Even if she were displeased, he was prepared to find other ways to cement his position in her life.
Alicia noticed that Caden was only picking at the greens on his plate, leaving the rest. She set down her fork. “Let’s go.”
Caden looked at her half-full plate.
“Not hungry?”
“No.”
As they drove back to the villa, Caden said, “I need to swing by my apartment first. I haven’t fed Cade yet.”
Alicia asked, “Where are you headed later?”
“To your place to sleep.”
Aware of his tactics, Alicia chose not to challenge him and let it pass.
They pulled up beneath his apartment building.
Caden asked, “Want to come up for a bit?”
Alicia shook her head, dodging the invitation.
But avoiding the past was futile; even without going upstairs, the familiar scene outside the window stirred her emotions.
The building was sparsely populated, and at night, it was particularly quiet.
In those days, Caden had been daring. Sometimes, he couldn’t even wait to get inside, holding her close right beside the car.
Once, in the early hours, they shared a passionate kiss against the glass door.
Back then, Alicia had been much more reserved, playfully hitting him, her cheeks flushed as she warned that the cameras were watching and the security staff might see. Caden’s laughter was teasing, spurring them into a deeper kiss.
“If you’re so against it, why do you respond so eagerly?”
Blushing, Alicia weakly protested, “You didn’t give me much choice.”
Snapping back to the present, Alicia felt a twinge of sadness.
She looked down, her hand brushing against something in the glove compartment.
Pulling it out, she found a nearly empty box of stomach medicine, with just one pill left.
Caden filled the dog bowl with food and treats, affectionately patting its head.
When he turned around, he saw Alicia entering with the flowers.
“Do I need to change shoes?” His expression turned serious.
After two years, Alicia was back in this place, laden with their shared memories.
As Caden approached, anticipating a hug, Alicia handed him the flowers instead, deftly avoiding closer contact. “Put these in water,” she said, opening the shoe cabinet. “And make me a late-night snack. I didn’t eat enough tonight, thanks.”
Caden’s voice was slightly hoarse. “Once you’re up here, you can’t leave.”
Alicia said, “Is this place hell?”
Why couldn’t she leave?
Inside the shoe cabinet, her slippers were still there – cleaned and disinfected, as if she had never been away for two years.
Alicia slipped them on, washed her hands, and joined Caden in the kitchen to prepare a simple late-night snack. Since Caden hadn’t eaten much either, they both ended up having a bowl.
Alicia asked, “How long has it been since you last had a meal out?”
Caden seemed to sense her concern.
“Not very long. But sometimes, takeout doesn’t sit well, so I skip it.”
Alicia’s expression grew concerned. “Is your stomach issue serious?”