Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Alicia flushed, her cheeks turning pink. “Not that kind of sleep,” she muttered, embarrassed.
“What did you say?” Caden asked, leaning closer as he turned off the hairdryer.
“Nothing. Just finish drying my hair,” Alicia said quickly, her tone flustered.
Caden was in the mood for intimacy, but he was being considerate of Alicia’s feelings and settled for just holding her close.
For Alicia, it was a simple matter, more like a take-it-or-leave-it deal. She was open to going further but was too shy to initiate anything.
So, they lay together in peaceful silence, both fully awake. Gradually, the calming scent of the aromatherapy began to lull Alicia toward sleep. Resting her cheek against Caden’s chest, she found his steady heartbeat soothing, a gentle rhythm that eased her into sleep.
In her drowsy state, Alicia felt Caden’s fingers caress her face. She barely opened her eyes and murmured his name, “Caden…”
He looked down at her, his eyes warm with affection. “Yeah?” he responded.
Alicia gently patted his hand to comfort him. “Your grandmother’s going to be fine. Don’t worry.”
Caden felt a mix of sweetness and sorrow stir in his chest. He chuckled. “Alright. Got it.”
Moments earlier, he had thought Alicia might reveal deeper feelings for him. After a few drinks, it seemed like the perfect time for a heart-to-heart. But this interaction was comforting too. He cherished her reassurance. Caden tightened his grip on her hand and kissed it. “Are you forgiving me because of my grandmother?”
Alicia nodded, her eyes still closed. “I don’t really like you that much, but I don’t want you to be sad.”
Caden drew her closer, fearing she might drift away again. She spoke softly. “Can you be honest with me about something?”
“Of course, I won’t lie,” Caden replied.
“Is that book in your office yours?” she asked.
Caden was taken aback. Caught off guard, he hesitated and didn’t know how to reply.
Alicia wouldn’t let the issue go. She lifted her head and fixed him with a curious look, her drowsiness shaken off as she stared directly into his eyes.
He didn’t shift away. But he also didn’t confess. “That book belongs to Hank.”
She wasn’t convinced. “You promised me you wouldn’t lie.”
Caden was resolute. “I’m not lying.” This was a matter of his pride, and he couldn’t admit to it under any circumstances.
Alicia wasn’t backing down, convinced the book was Caden’s. “You shouldn’t be ashamed of your performance. Why bother improving? Have you really forgotten how to make love after just two years?”
Caden’s muscles tensed. That sounded like a challenge. With a bold move, he slipped his hand under her nightgown, his voice taking on a commanding tone. “Want to find out?”
Alicia pushed back playfully. “See? I struck a nerve. You are angry from embarrassment.”
Caden didn’t have to apply much pressure before Dorian left Warrington with Yolanda. Dorian knew he was in the wrong and realized that Alicia had decided not to help him. There was no point in lingering and worsening the situation. Acknowledging that Dorian was Alicia’s biological father, Caden chose to maintain some leniency.
As the month drew to a close, Caden planned a small getaway to Jonio with Alicia before he underwent his surgery. He had booked a private stretch of beach for them to enjoy.
When Alicia heard about this, she frowned immediately. “You plan to do whatever you want? Given your current health?”
Caden said impulsively, “I can manage seven times a night.”
Alicia rolled her eyes. “I wasn’t talking about that.” She gestured toward the travel guide on her tablet. “I meant, can you handle the physical activities on the beach?”
Caden shrugged nonchalantly. “That won’t be a problem.”
Alicia raised an eyebrow. Since he brought it up, she asked curiously, “You haven’t been intimate in over two years. Can you still perform?”
Caden’s expression turned serious. “I was a virgin until you. My equipment hadn’t been used for over twenty years back then. You think it won’t work now?”
Alicia let out a dry chuckle. “Alright, let’s just forget I asked.”
Seeing her so relaxed triggered a sense of urgency in Caden. He had learned numerous techniques privately because, after two years without intimacy, he was starting to doubt his own performance. Alicia might seem playful, but she was bold during intimacy. He worried that if he didn’t perform well during their next intimate encounter, it would be a disappointment.
Caden watched Alicia carefully, his eyes narrowing slightly at the way she lingered on the photo. He couldn’t deny the jealousy that flared up inside him.
Alicia, sensing the shift in his demeanor, looked up at him. “What? Is something wrong with liking someone good-looking?”
Caden’s jaw tightened, but he remained composed. “No, nothing wrong at all,” he replied smoothly, though the edge in his voice was noticeable. “But, if you’re interested in someone else, just say it. Don’t pretend.”
Alicia raised an eyebrow, her amusement clear. “You’re being dramatic. I was just looking. It’s not like I’m planning to meet him.”
Caden leaned closer, his eyes locking onto hers. “You don’t need to meet him. Just know that you’re the only one I want.” His voice softened, the tension in his words dissipating as he reached out to gently touch her arm. “Alicia, I’m not insecure, but I’m not blind either. It’s just… I care about you.”
Alicia, slightly surprised by his admission, smiled faintly. She knew that Caden, despite his confident exterior, harbored deeper feelings for her than he often let on.
“I know,” she whispered, her tone softening. “And I care about you too.”
Caden smiled, relief washing over him. “Good,” he said, his usual playful demeanor returning. “Now, are you going to buy that bikini or not?”
Alicia chuckled, teasing him. “Maybe I will. But only if you promise to stop making it weird.”
He grinned, pulling her closer. “No promises, but I’ll try.”
Alicia tried to play it cool. “Oh, it’s nothing major, just an appreciation for handsome men. But what type are you referring to?”
Caden leaned closer to the screen, his eyes narrowing slightly as he focused on Brysen’s birth date. “He’s thirty-six. How does that rank in your books?”
Alicia grinned lightly. “Thirty-six? That’s fabulous! It’s the prime of life for a man-mature, dependable, and accomplished. The epitome of masculinity.”
Caden’s lips twisted into a sarcastic smirk. “So, Ms. Bennett has a thing for older guys now, huh?”
The use of “Ms. Bennett” didn’t escape Alicia. She could tell he was jealous again, though he tried to mask it with humor. She sighed, shaking her head. “I’m just admiring him. That’s all. No need to get dramatic.”
Caden raised an eyebrow, feigning nonchalance. “And what about me? I’m right here in flesh and blood. Don’t I deserve a little admiration?”
He glanced back at Brysen’s profile picture. “Actually, now that I’m looking closer, this photo feels… Al-generated.”
Alicia rolled her eyes, suppressing a laugh. She realized it wasn’t that Caden wouldn’t get jealous, but he hadn’t encountered anyone who would stir a crisis within him before. His comments, usually so precise, now came out tangled and misdirected.
Ignoring his comments, Alicia continued scrolling through Brysen’s details. “If he’s not your client, then why are you digging into his profile?”
“He’s a friend of Dr. Ramos,” Caden explained. “His son’s turning one month old soon. Dr. Ramos is attending the celebration next month before she performs my surgery. Brysen had extended an invite to me, so naturally, I looked him up.”
For them, a party was never just a social event. It was an opportunity to mingle within their elite circle.
Alicia’s brows furrowed. “Wait, if that’s the case, why are we headed to Jonio? Shouldn’t we be going to the Shaw family’s big party instead?”
Caden’s expression hardened. “I’m not interested in attending that party.”
Alicia raised an eyebrow, visibly surprised. “But he personally invited you! Isn’t it rude to just ignore it?”
“Let him be offended,” Caden retorted sharply.
Alicia smirked, slipping into a mock teacher tone. “Mr. Ward, take a closer look at his background-former Secretary-General, heir to a thriving family business, just a few years older than us, and already wildly accomplished. And you think it’s fine to just decline his invitation without a second thought?”
Truthfully, Caden had intended to go. Brysen’s wife was, after all, the renowned orthopedic surgeon who had designed prosthetics for Blake. But his resolve faltered when he noticed the way Alicia’s eyes lit up while scrolling through Brysen’s profile. The idea of her meeting Brysen in person gnawed at him. What if she admired Brysen even more face-to-face? The thought irritated him more than he wanted to admit.
Reluctantly, Caden conceded. “Fine, I’ll send Hank to represent me.”
Alicia narrowed her gaze, studying him closely. “Caden, are you scared I might go?”
Her question struck a nerve. Caden’s expression turned blank as he replied, “Why would I be scared? He’s married, has a kid, and he’s eight years older than me. What could I possibly fear?”
Alicia gave him a knowing look, her voice tinged with amusement. “When someone’s lying, they tend to repeat themselves. It’s a classic way to hide guilt.”
Her observation caught Caden off guard. For a moment, he was silent, clearly thrown by her directness. He couldn’t stand being called out, especially not by her. Despite his reservations, he resolved to attend the party after all.
The Shaw family’s celebration was nothing short of extravagant.
Alicia had carefully chosen the perfect suit for Caden. It fit him flawlessly, accentuating his broad shoulders and lending him an air of effortless sophistication. She herself was radiant in a strapless gown, the fabric’s hue complementing Caden’s attire.
As the driver opened the car door, Alicia delicately lifted the hem of her dress to step out. Caden was already by her side, offering his arm with quiet confidence. She took it, their movements perfectly in sync.
Together, they were magnetic. Heads turned as they walked, their presence commanding attention.
Caden’s eyes were drawn to Alicia. The crowd, the grandeur-it all faded into the background as he watched her every graceful step. He reached for her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers. Then, glancing down, he noticed something. “Why aren’t you wearing any jewelry?” he asked.
“Isn’t the million-dollar diamond around my neck dazzling enough?” Alicia responded with a teasing smile.
Caden playfully caressed her ring finger. “Yet, this finger remains unadorned.”
Before she could respond, he flicked his hand and slid a ring onto her finger with practiced ease.
Alicia froze, caught off guard. Her breath hitched as the realization dawned-Caden had already slipped on their couple’s rings. Without so much as a warning, he had silently made their bond public. A mix of surprise and resignation washed over her.
Caden drew her close. “Let’s make our entrance, my fianc?e.”
Alicia and Caden walked toward the grand entrance, where Brysen and his wife stood, greeting their guests with warm smiles.
Alicia immediately recognized Brysen and couldn’t suppress a smirk. Leaning toward Caden, she whispered, “His photo was definitely edited. He looks completely different in real life.”
Caden, slightly nearsighted, had chosen to leave his glasses behind to maintain a stylish image. He squinted subtly as they approached Brysen, unable to make out Brysen’s face in detail. All he could see was a tall figure. Still, he felt a quiet satisfaction. Turning to Alicia, he smirked. “No guy out there could ever match your man’s looks.”
Alicia leaned closer, her tone light but teasing. “Honestly, the edited photos didn’t do Brysen justice. He’s even more charming in person.”
Caden froze for a moment, caught off guard by her words. A faint frown appeared on his face, though he quickly masked it.
When Caden clasped Brysen’s hand for a formal greeting, he unintentionally tightened his grip more than necessary.
“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Shaw,” Caden said in a tone that was cool but carried a hint of edge.