Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
“Do I need a reason to beat him up?” Caden responded with a shrug. “I simply don’t like him. Feel free to hit me back on his behalf if it makes you feel better.”
“You’re crazy,” Corey shot back before walking away.
Caden headed to the neonatal unit, hoping to find solace in watching his baby. However, his peace was interrupted by a text from Alicia. It read, “I’ve arrived at 8888.” But before Caden could respond, the message was swiftly retracted.
Speechless, Caden felt a surge of unease. It was unlike Alicia to retract a message so hastily, and he couldn’t help but suspect something was amiss.
Driven by a mix of concern and curiosity, he texted her. “What did you retract?”
Her reply came quickly. “Sent to the wrong person.”
Narrowing his eyes, Caden’s suspicions only deepened.
Then, Alicia sent another message, explaining, “I meant to send it to Monica. She wanted to use my account. I was sending her the verification code.”
“A verification code as 8888?” Caden queried, skepticism coloring his tone.
“You saw it?”
Caden began to suspect the numbers might indicate something more, perhaps a hotel room number.
Although Caden trusted Alicia deeply, believing she would never betray him, his instincts urged him to verify her whereabouts. To his dismay, he discovered that she had turned off the location tracking on her car-a first in their time together.
This deviation from her usual transparency only fueled his suspicions. Driven by a mix of concern and determination, Caden left the hospital and headed straight to her office. Arriving at a deserted office, he paused, a myriad of questions swirling in his mind. What did those numbers mean?
Just then, Alicia’s secretary entered the room, her arrival cutting through his contemplations. “Mr. Ward? When did you arrive?”
Caden turned to face her, his question urgent. “Where’s Ms. Bennett?”
Alicia’s secretary was unaware Caden had recently come back from his trip to Terriland. Upon hearing Caden’s question, she was visibly surprised. “Didn’t Ms. Bennett go looking for you?”
“Find me?” Caden’s face tensed.
“She told me around noon that she had something to do in the afternoon and wouldn’t be in the office, asking us not to disturb her,” the secretary hurriedly explained. “She put on a particularly lovely dress and even wore new perfume. I thought she might be meeting you for a date.” Caden pressed his lips together.
The secretary caught the shift in his demeanor and gasped, “Mr. Ward…”
The secretary wondered whether she had revealed too much or said something wrong. In their line of work, affairs were common, but Caden and Alicia were known for their close relationship. How could such a misunderstanding arise so soon after their marriage? The secretary cautiously observed Caden’s expression.
Caden quickly regained his composure, not wanting to alert anyone. He employed his own techniques to track Alicia’s phone. It was located in a luxury hotel.
Caden drove over and presented his ID at the front desk. “Could you check how many people are in room 8888?” The receptionist was initially reluctant to speak. Caden, chillingly calm, asserted, “I’m her husband. Do I not have that right?”
With hesitation, the receptionist looked over.
Caden displayed the digital copy of their marriage certificate.
Complying, the receptionist handed him the room key.
Though Alicia had checked in alone, Caden needed to see for himself. He entered the room without announcing his presence.
The suite was a spectacle of colorful lights and theatrical decorations, momentarily overwhelming Caden.
Various items of clothing were strewn across the soft carpet. Each item was unmistakably women’s clothing. While Caden did not recognize the dress, the lingerie was unmistakably Alicia’s.
With a tight press of his lips, Caden turned toward the bathroom.
Through the frosted glass, the outline of someone in the bathtub was just visible, accompanied by the sound of water that hinted at more than it revealed.
Caden slammed the door shut, yanked off his tie, and took a deep breath.
Alicia heard the noise and called out sweetly, “Honey, are you here?”
Caden had never heard her use such a coy tone, and it sent a surge through his veins. He removed his clothes and opened the bathroom door.
Expecting Alicia to cry out in guilt, Caden was taken aback to find her wearing a silk blindfold. She lay back in the warm bath, her face adorned with elaborate makeup, looking irresistibly appealing despite the blindfold covering most of her features.
A heat kindled in Caden’s chest. He approached silently.
Hearing his footsteps, Alicia smiled. “Why so quiet?” Caden, his face devoid of emotion, reached out and gently held her chin.
Alicia wrapped her arms around his neck. Their eyes locked through the fabric of the blindfold, conveying both everything and nothing. Her fingers traced his cheeks.
“I’ve missed you. Why did you take so long to arrive?”
Caden’s jaw tightened, suspecting an act yet uncertain.
Her hand drifted to his stomach, and she exclaimed with a laugh, “Did you work out before coming? You feel firmer than before.” Caden remained silent.
Alicia licked her lips playfully. “Feels a bit like my husband at home. Could you be Caden?”
Still, Caden didn’t speak. Who was this other man she noticed? Anger and jealousy swelled within him, the urge to confront her overwhelming, yet he found himself responding to her touches. He even guided her hand lower.
Alicia gasped. “Even this feels different. You weren’t this impressive before.”
Unable to contain his fury, Caden blurted out, “You found a man who doesn’t measure up to me at all. What’s the point of cheating?”
Surprised, Alicia lifted her blindfold. “Oh? It’s you, husband?”
At her words, Caden realized he had fallen for her ruse. She hadn’t been convincing.
Caden stepped into the bathtub. Alicia couldn’t suppress her giggles.
Caden scowled. “You still dare to laugh?”
Hanging on his arm, Alicia played up her charm. “I wanted to surprise you. Who knew you’d take it to heart?”
His heart still racing, Caden replied sternly, “Don’t surprise me like this again.”
Noticing his genuine distress, Alicia pouted. “Alright, I’ll stop. I’m heading back to the office.”
Caden caught her arm, pulling her back. “You’re going back to the office? Get ready for a showdown. We’re settling this today.”
Caden’s harshness extended beyond his words to his demeanor, revealing a ruthless streak. However, excessive harshness could lead to unintended consequences. After a tense intimate encounter, Alicia suffered a sudden back strain, unable to cope with the stress.
Caden’s desire evaporated. He promptly fetched some medicine.
Alicia, face buried in a pillow, wept uncontrollably on the bed. Her tears softened Caden’s harsh resolve. He soothed and massaged her, careful not to repeat his earlier severity.
Once Caden was certain the issue wasn’t severe, he applied the medication and tended to her sore spots for over thirty minutes. “Feeling any better?” he asked, glancing at her.
Alicia, silent, lifted her head. Her eyes were red, her gaze filled with resentment, and the pillow was damp.
At that silence, her silence spoke volumes, and Caden knew he was at fault. He gentled his touch. “Let me keep massaging.”
Alicia remained prone, hiding a sly smile from Caden. Though Caden was no trained masseur, he had honed his skills through frequent sessions with Alicia. Alicia soon relaxed into the massage. “Massage my shoulders too,” she said.
As Caden’s hands moved up, he asked, “Does your back still hurt?”
Alicia muttered, “It doesn’t hurt anymore, but I can’t move.”
Caden hesitated. How could she know without attempting to move?
Suspicious, he cautiously explored her waist, inch by inch.
“Does this hurt?”
“A little,” she replied with her eyes shut.
Caden moved to another spot. “And here?”
“No.”
“Ouch, yes!”
Caden suppressed a chuckle. She was pretending. The areas she claimed were painful didn’t align. He continued massaging gently. “Then it seems you really can’t move.”
With her eyes still closed, Alicia fibbed. “Right, so no more today. You should reflect on your actions.”
Suddenly, Caden remarked, “Not necessarily.”
Alicia tensed. Turning, she saw Caden tearing open a packet of condoms.
Instinctively, Alicia sprang up to flee, but Caden said calmly, “Seems like you can move after all.”
Confronted with his knowing look, Alicia realized her ruse had backfired, leaving her speechless.
Afterward, Alicia clutched her back, wincing in pain.
Caden eyed her. “Still pretending?”
This time, however, Alicia’s back pain was genuine. With a sigh, she lay down to rest and finally broached an important topic. “How is your investigation of Pierre?”
Caden played with the wedding ring on her finger. “He’s of no significant concern and poses no threat. If nothing unforeseen occurs, he won’t end well.”
As autumn approached, Corey introduced two large osmanthus trees to the villa’s courtyard. He also oversaw the planting of various other flowers, closely supervising the workers. Afterward, he sought his sister, only to discover her laughing with Pierre under the osmanthus trees.
Corey approached with a stern expression.
Gemma said, “Corey said they’ll bloom next month. You can make osmanthus cake for me then.”
“Sure,” Pierre responded with respect.