Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
The call had been answered by Sheila’s son. With not enough money for medical expenses, Sheila’s grandson had postponed his hospital treatment and passed away during surgery. Overwhelmed by grief, Sheila had taken her own life.
Caden and Alicia came down for breakfast and deliberately joined Gemma’s table.
Gemma, looking downcast, ate in silence.
Alicia noticed and asked, prompting Gemma to put down her knife and fork and lean in with a sigh.
Caden, oblivious to the sensitivity of the situation, blurted out, “What’s troubling you? Is your brother dying?”
Corey was left speechless.
Tears welled up in Gemma’s eyes as she exclaimed, “What are you talking about?”
Alicia shot Caden a stern look, silencing him.
In an attempt to lighten the mood, Caden ordered a glass of black tea to console Gemma.
After shedding a few tears, Gemma, slightly parched, took a tentative sip.
Caden watched Gemma with an amused smile, seemingly entertained by her dramatic response. He then turned to Pierre, asking abruptly, “What’s your annual salary?”
Pierre responded honestly, “Mr. Ward, it’s three thousand.”
“Is that all?” Caden remarked. “Not only do you protect Miss Hampton, but you also cook for her.”
“Mr. Ward, that’s the standard salary, and Mr. Hampton treats me fairly,” Pierre said.
Caden leaned back, tapping his finger on the table as he glanced at Gemma and then shifted his gaze to Corey. Corey, meanwhile, was watching Gemma but occasionally, his eyes strayed to Alicia, his expression a mix of emotions. Caden, aware of Corey’s underlying intentions, chuckled derisively.
Corey caught the sound but didn’t avert his intense gaze, instead deepening it. “Alicia, do you ever regret marrying Caden?”
Alicia maintained a stoic expression, her voice unwavering. “I just got married. Do you think I regret it?”
Corey smirked, undeterred. “It’s been several months already.” He leaned in slightly, applying his trademark logic. “The excitement in a relationship usually fizzles out after three months. By now, you should be tired of Caden.”
Alicia’s gaze shifted to Gemma, her tone sharp yet restrained. “Don’t make me curse you in front of your sister.”
Corey shrugged nonchalantly, his confidence unshaken. “I’m just stating facts.”
Corey turned to Gemma with mock sincerity. “Men are like accessories. If you’re interested in someone, keep it casual for three months and then let them go. Getting bored is one thing. The real problem is when they won’t stop clinging.”
Gemma blinked, caught off guard. “Corey, is this seriously your advice?”
Ignoring her hesitation, Corey returned his attention to Alicia, his voice suddenly serious. “I mean it, Alicia. Why not divorce Caden and be with me?”
Alicia stared at Corey, momentarily speechless.
Before she could respond, Caden’s dark, intense gaze cut through the tension. Tilting his head slightly, he asked, his voice low and biting, “Do you think I’m dead?”
Corey shot back without missing a beat. “Was I talking to you?” Alicia’s exasperation was evident as she shook her head. “You’ve clearly lost your mind, Corey. Think before you speak.” But Corey wasn’t ready to back down. His expression turned earnest, almost pleading. “I’m only suggesting this because you’ve brought so much value to my life before. If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t even ask.”
Alicia’s lips curled into a cold smile, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “How thoughtful of you. But, unfortunately for you, I’m only interested in virgins. If you’re truly that determined, perhaps you should look into a hypothetical surgery to restore yours. Then, I might consider it.”
Gemma’s wide-eyed innocence betrayed her confusion. “Is that even possible?”
Alicia sighed, shaking her head as she covered Gemma’s ears. “This is adult talk, kiddo. Stay out of it.”
Gemma, however, wasn’t so easily dismissed. She brushed Alicia’s hands away, her curiosity piqued and her ears eager for more.
Alicia, unimpressed, had already moved on. Rising from her chair, she ended the conversation with finality. After all, they had spent over a month planning their trip. There was no sense in wasting time on pointless banter.
As Alicia made her way out, something flickered in her mind. She turned back, her gaze sharp as it landed on Corey. Corey instinctively leaned back, his features framed by a smug grin. It was as if he was posing for a magazine cover.
Alicia’s smirk deepened. “Even if you were sane, Corey, I still wouldn’t consider you. You’re just not my type.”
Corey was taken aback.
The two groups left the hotel one after the other.
Gemma, noticing Corey’s rare lapse in composure, didn’t offer him any comfort. Instead, she smirked and teased, “If you liked Alicia, why didn’t you pursue her when she was in Xada? You were always busy hanging out with other women. Now look at you-she despises you.”
Corey chuckled, brushing off her words with practiced ease. Her innocence amused him.
Corey wasn’t genuinely interested in Alicia-at least, not in the way people might think. He was simply testing the waters, probing for cracks in her resolve. Deep down, he hadn’t entirely given up on the idea of swapping Alicia’s heart for Gemma’s, but he knew better than to challenge someone like Caden outright. Yet, what if Alicia’s passion for Caden faltered? What if time eroded their bond?
Corey smirked to himself, his confidence returning. True love didn’t exist-it was a fleeting illusion. Alicia and Caden’s relationship was still in its honeymoon phase. That kind of passion burned brightly, but it also burned out quickly. He planned to swoop in when the time was right, offering Alicia everything she ever desired in exchange for her heart, thus saving Gemma. A fair trade.
Corey strode to the car, his mind already working out where Caden and Alicia might be headed. Meanwhile, Gemma, unaware of Corey’s scheming, wandered over to Pierre. She tilted her head. “Is there really a surgery to restore virginity for males?”
Pierre’s normally composed expression faltered. “No.” Men didn’t have a membrane to restore. The only way a man could become a virgin again would be to cut it off and reattach it.
Gemma blinked, her eyes widening in horrified fascination. “So… are you…”
Pierre interrupted her before she could finish, “I’m not.”
Gemma frowned, displeased. “I wasn’t finished asking.”
Pierre sighed, his bluntness cutting through the tension. “I’m not a virgin.”
Gemma was stunned into silence.
Pierre opened the car door and ensured Gemma was seated safely before closing it with a soft click.
On the way to the scenic spot, the car passed a beautifully designed kindergarten. It was both luxurious and spacious, standing out like a jewel amidst the cityscape.
Alicia’s eyes lit up as she leaned closer to the window, captivated by its charm. “Even the kindergartens in Averibon are this stunning,” she remarked, urging the driver to slow down. “It feels like everyone here must be a millionaire.”
Caden glanced out the window, his tone casual. “That is the kindergarten I attended.”
Alicia turned to him, surprised. “What a coincidence! No wonder I felt something strange about it.”
Caden smirked, clearly pleased. Setting his laptop aside, he leaned closer to her. “Do you love me so much that we have a psychic connection?”
Alicia rolled her eyes, unable to tolerate his arrogance. “No,” she said with a playful scoff. “I just instinctively sensed this place once housed a little rascal.”
Caden chuckled, his expression softening. “As expected of my love, you’ve got it spot on.”
Alicia was speechless. She leaned against him, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I want to ask you something, and you have to answer honestly.”
Caden brushed his lips lightly against her hair, his voice low and smooth. “When have I ever not been honest?”
Alicia’s lips curved into a sly smile as she whispered, “Did you ever wet your pants?”
Caden raised an eyebrow. “Still wetting pants in kindergarten? That’s unusual for a kid, isn’t it?”
Alicia squinted at him. “Who’s to say what’s normal for you?” After a moment’s thought, Caden asked, “On my first day of kindergarten, I managed to pee higher than all my classmates. Does that count as normal?”
Alicia was left speechless. She tapped his mouth lightly. “Show some decorum. The driver’s still here.”
Caden grasped her hand and kissed it, chuckling. “He did the same when he was a kid.” The driver laughed along.
“Why were you so competitive even back then?” Alicia asked, clicking her tongue.
“Being competitive sharpens the mind,” Caden replied.
Alicia instinctively glanced at his crotch.
Caden smirked. “That’s not from competition. It’s just naturally well-developed.”
Alicia’s eyelid twitched. She decided to let it go. After all, married men and kindergarten children weren’t so different.
For once, she didn’t retort. Instead, she reached up and patted his hair, stiff as a sign of his stubbornness, though she knew his heart was tender. He softened when he showed his love for her. Caden seldom let anyone touch his head, disliking the sensation as if he were a pet. But since it was Alicia, he allowed it. “Why the sudden pat?” he inquired.
Alicia smiled. “Just appreciating your impressive childhood feats.”
Caden found himself at a loss for words.
Alicia laughed and leaned into Caden’s embrace, catching a glimpse of his laptop screen. “What are you up to with that?” She sat up and glanced back. “Is someone following us?”
Caden had just finished and shut the laptop. “It’s for Corey.” Corey had been tracking them precisely because of his advanced tracker. Therefore, Caden had set a decoy location. Now, Corey was en route there.
Knowing Corey’s cunning, Caden had arranged for a car identical to his own to lead Corey astray. That way, Corey would follow it without suspecting a thing.
Indeed, Corey followed, trailing the vehicle Caden had arranged for a full hour before it finally came to a halt.
Corey removed his sunglasses and peered out the window. The buildings ahead were so decrepit that it was difficult to determine whether this was a remote suburb or a deserted area meant to be scenic. A peculiar stench permeated the air.
“What kind of creepy place is this?” Corey muttered.
The driver shared his bewilderment. “I’m not sure, Mr. Hampton. Was this some sort of haunted attraction?”
Just then, “Caden’s” car pulled into the area.
Determined to uncover any tricks in play, Corey instructed, “Follow them.”
However, acceleration proved too late, and they failed to catch up. Caden’s car was visible, yet Caden was nowhere to be found. Corey told Pierre to ensure Gemma’s safety while he hopped out of the car to investigate.
Approaching a sign indicating a scenic area lay deeper within, Corey cautiously opened the door and stepped inside.
Back in their own vehicle, Gemma suddenly gasped.
Pierre looked concerned. “What’s wrong? Are you short of breath again?”