Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Caden met her gaze. “No.”
Alicia suspected that he was minimizing the truth.
He had suffered from gastritis in the past, which had been agonizing, yet he often neglected it, only taking medication when absolutely necessary. Now, the medicine was stored in the car.
How severe must his condition be to alter his habits like this?
Caden tried to lighten the mood, saying, “It’s not cancer. I plan to be around for a long time, hopefully with you.” Alicia was unsure about the extent of his health issues, leaving her mind racing.
Late into the night, Caden coaxed her into bed with a mix of gentle urging and playful insistence.
They simply slept, nothing more.
After a stressful day, Caden quickly succumbed to sleep, comforted by her presence.
Alicia, on the other hand, lay awake, too worried to fall asleep.
She shifted uncomfortably, turning away from Caden, and felt something hard under her pillow.
Reaching beneath the pillow, she found a thin picture frame.
Extracting it, she saw it was a photograph of herself, alone.
In the image, she wore a dark green camisole, crouched in the sunlight, holding and blowing bubbles toward the camera.
Her smile was wide, her eyes crescent-shaped, and her expression was bright, full of life.
The photo showed signs of frequent handling, each mark a silent testament to Caden’s deep longing for her.
Tears welled up in Alicia’s eyes, blurring her vision. She realized that she had once loved Caden with a depth she had never fully acknowledged. Even a simple photograph seemed to encapsulate the intensity of her feelings.
She had thought she hid it well, but deep down, she knew it had always been there. From childhood, they had competed in everything, even love, always cautious not to show too much investment. Yet, she had already given her heart away.
Alicia stared at the photo until Caden shifted closer, pulling her back to the present. She carefully placed the frame back where it belonged.
Caden nestled his head into her neck, his breath slow and rhythmic. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?” His voice was drowsy, almost dreamlike.
Startled, Alicia paused before responding, “I’ll sleep soon. Don’t worry.”
Caden gently turned her to face him. He opened his eyes just enough to look at her, his gaze weary and tinged with redness.
Alicia’s heart clenched, and she whispered in reply. Caden closed his eyes again, only to open them once more, his gaze intense, as if making sure she was really there.
Alicia didn’t pull away when his lips met hers. The kiss started softly, but as he sensed her acquiescence, he deepened it, his tongue seeking more.
The kiss lasted a long time, though he stopped short of going any further. Exhausted, Caden fell asleep with his hand still resting gently on her face, stroking it softly.
In the dim light, Alicia studied his features. He hadn’t aged much physically, but the youthful bravado had shifted into a calmer poise in just two years.
She reached out to caress his prominent nose, then smoothed the worry lines on his brow. Quietly, she shifted his hand aside, slipped out of bed, and made her way to the study.
Alicia picked up Caden’s phone and dialed Hank. Hank, always on standby, answered immediately. “Mr. Ward.”
Alicia wasted no time. “How serious is Caden’s stomach issue?”
There was a brief pause before Hank replied, “Mr. Ward’s gastritis is a longstanding problem. The doctor says it’s manageable with proper care and isn’t critical. Ms. Bennett, there’s no need for excessive concern.”
“If it’s not serious, why hide it from me?” Alicia’s tone grew colder. “Someone like him wouldn’t carry stomach medicine unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
Hank responded, “Mr. Ward often skips meals when he’s absorbed in work, so he keeps medicine on hand. Ms. Bennett, since you’re here, could I ask for your help? Mr. Ward really listens to you. If you could ensure he eats regularly, it might prevent the stomach pains.”
Alicia’s grip on the phone tightened as a troubling thought crossed her mind. “Hank, are you all concealing something? Does Caden have stomach cancer?”
Hank’s response was quick and firm. “Ms. Bennett, I assure you, Mr. Ward is truly fine.”
Realizing she wouldn’t get any more information, Alicia ended the call quickly, her worry keeping her awake through the night.
She felt even more unsettled now.
Slumping into the chair, Alicia noticed the outdoor lights flicker on. Looking up, she saw Caden’s silhouette stretch out in the light, his movements unsteady.
Alicia exited the study, heading toward him, and saw Caden about to enter the guest room.
“Caden,” she said, her voice filled with concern.
He turned abruptly, panic and fear in his eyes. When he saw that she hadn’t left, Caden relaxed, walking over to silently embrace her.
His hold was so tight it nearly took her breath away. “What are you doing…” she tried to say, but her voice faltered as she noticed the dampness of his shirt.
In that moment, Alicia felt her strength drain away.
After he let go, Caden’s demeanor returned to normal. “What’s going on with you tonight? Why are you still awake?” he asked.
Alicia gazed into his deep eyes. “I couldn’t sleep, needed some time alone,” she replied.
She then offered, “Caden, do you want a drink?”
Caden frowned. “You’re allergic to alcohol.”
“It’s a mild allergy, nothing lethal.”
As she spoke, Alicia retrieved a bottle of cherished red wine from the cabinet. Pouring a glass for each of them, the ruby liquid shimmered under the light, casting a romantic glow over the room.
Just as Alicia raised her glass, Caden quickly intervened. “Let’s not risk it. Even mild allergies can be unpredictable.”
“I promise I’ll just take some allergy medicine later. What’s the harm?” Alicia locked eyes with him. “Oh, I forgot, your stomach’s in bad shape, and you shouldn’t drink.”
Caden’s brow twitched.
She was testing him for the truth.
He lowered his hand, relenting slightly. “It’s not that severe. I’ll join you, but you’re limited to one glass.”
Noticing that he was still evading the full truth, Alicia felt a little disappointed. A shadow passed over her eyes as she pushed her glass towards him. “Drink mine then.”
Without hesitation, Caden downed it in one gulp.
Soon after, he began to feel off. Dizziness overtook him, and the effects of the alcohol felt unusually strong.
Yet, Caden didn’t suspect Alicia. Instead, he glanced at the bottle, wondering what type of wine could affect him so profoundly with just a single glass.
As his vision started to blur, he looked up at Alicia, confused. “Did you put something in the wine?”
Alicia crossed her arms and asked, “Can’t you figure out what’s in the wine? Aren’t you supposed to be an expert?”
Caden forced himself to stay calm, his mind racing. He had a vague idea of the answer but couldn’t fully grasp what Alicia was trying to do. Was she planning to knock him out and run? Or was she plotting something darker – like tying him up or even killing him?
His eyes instinctively began scanning the room. Within moments, he had mentally mapped out every possible exit and considered how he could block her path if she tried to escape.
As these thoughts swirled in his head, Alicia rose from her seat and headed toward the door. Caden’s body tensed, his grip tightening on the table for support. His voice broke through the tension. “Alicia!”
She glanced back, her pace unbroken. “Relax. I’m not going anywhere.”
Caden struggled to rise but collapsed back into his chair, his strength failing him. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed his phone and dialed his bodyguard’s number.
Before he could press the call button, Alicia returned and, without warning, shoved a tablet into his mouth.
He instinctively tried to spit it out, but Alicia clamped her hand over his mouth, her voice sharp. “Are you afraid I’ll poison you?”
Caden’s gaze locked onto hers, uncertainty flashing in his eyes. “Is it poison?”
“Yep. Are you afraid?”
Caden hesitated for a heartbeat, then swallowed the tablet.
As the familiar taste hit his tongue, he realized it was just stomach medicine.
Energy surged back into him, and in one swift motion, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her close.
His voice dropped, teasing. “Why are you pulling away? Don’t you need to check if I swallowed it? What if I don’t die properly?”
Alicia flinched instinctively, her hands pushing against his face. “If I taste your mouth, I could die too, right?”
“If you do, we’ll be a couple in hell,” he said with a sly grin.
Alicia sighed in exasperation but gave in. She knew they couldn’t keep playing this game forever.
Caden’s head suddenly began to throb, and he leaned against her shoulder, his breath coming in short gasps. Alicia’s expression softened as she held his shoulders, her fingers brushing a few strands of hair from his face.
“Why didn’t you look for me at Xada those two years?” she asked, her voice low.
Caden blinked sluggishly, struggling to process her words. “What?”
“You know what I mean. You looked at that photo under your pillow every day. Was that enough for you? I know you’re not like this.”
Her words struck a nerve. Caden froze, his vulnerability laid bare. For a moment, he felt like a fool.
His voice came out hoarse. “The day you pretended to agree to get married and finally fled, I knew you hated me. If I kept chasing you, I’d only push you further away. I thought if I let go, maybe you’d stop running.”
He paused, the weight of his words heavy in the silence. He had believed Alicia abandoning him at the registry was her way of punishing him. But later, he realized how deeply he had hurt her. That was why she had used Corey to gain power. She was determined to prove that she didn’t need him.
For two years, he had endured the pain. He had fought his pride and arrogance, waiting for her anger to subside so he could face her again and seek forgiveness.