Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Regina paused, sensing something. “Why do you suddenly want to know about this?”
Caden didn’t want to tell Regina the truth. It would be too hurtful for her. But Regina was really sharp. Even from their brief conversation, she pieced the puzzle together.
“I heard from Alicia that you went to see Dorian today,” Regina asked softly, her voice cautious. “Is he dying?”
Caden froze for a second, wondering if he’d heard Regina right. Her voice seemed to shake slightly when she posed the question. Pressing his lips together, Caden dodged the question. “He’s working on the chip. It’s about eighty percent done. I’ll make sure someone takes over to finish it.”
Regina smiled bitterly. “Even if you don’t tell me the truth, I know what’s going on. Back when he made that promise to Alicia, he ignored the risks to his health.”
After Dorian lost his parents, his wife, and daughter were all he had. Yet now, he was divorced, and Yolanda was gone. Life didn’t seem to mean much to him anymore.
Caden broke the silence. “Do you still hate him?”
Regina stared at the floor, lost in thought. “Not anymore.”
Memories of Dorian’s care for her flickered in her mind. Life was like that. She’d had too much joy in the first half, the rest marked by loneliness. Dorian, having made serious mistakes, was paying the price with his life, never finding peace. That was just how things turned out.
Alicia found herself inexplicably sleepless. Everything seemed fine after Caden came back today, but she couldn’t shake an uneasy feeling. She kept tossing and turning, trying to find a comfortable position. Caden pulled her into his arms, gently patting her back like he was soothing a child.
Alicia knew he’d been exhausted lately. She reached out, brushing his cheek softly. “You should sleep. Don’t worry about me.”
Caden mumbled lazily, “Last year was a lot. After the holiday, I’ll take you out for a break.”
“Okay.” Alicia nodded, not exactly excited about going out but ready to go along with Caden’s plan. “Get some sleep. I still need to figure out how to organize our baby girl Scarlette’s party.”
Caden chuckled and covered her eyes with his hand. “Too hyped to sleep?”
“No,” she muttered, her voice soft. “Just feeling a little off.”
Caden buried his face in her neck, taking a deep breath. “Then how about we go for round two of sex, hmm?”
He was sure that after they did it, Alicia would crash and sleep for at least ten hours straight.
Alicia caught Caden’s wandering hands and whispered, “The nanny hasn’t arrived yet, and my mom’s been handling our baby by herself. I need to help her. If you keep this up, my mom’s going to tease us.”
The simple touch of her only made Caden want her more. He pulled her closer, refusing to let go. “I’ll take care of the baby.”
Alicia gave him a playful glare, trying to sound serious. “We agreed on every other day. You had your turn yesterday, so not tonight.”
Caden clicked his tongue, clearly not happy with her answer.
Alicia shot him a sideways glance. “Got any complaints?”
“None at all.” Caden slid her silk robe off her shoulder and kissed it. “But tonight’s different, right? I’m not doing it for myself. I’m just helping you sleep.”
Alicia pulled her robe back up. “Cut the nonsense.”
Caden couldn’t keep his hands off her. When it was clear she wasn’t giving in, he switched tactics. He laced his fingers with hers. “Do you like the ring?”
“It’s gorgeous,” Alicia said. “Why don’t you take it off when you sleep?”
“Because you don’t take yours off,” Caden replied.
“Oh, so you’re just copying me, huh?”
“Exactly. Copying the way you love me.”
Alicia’s cheeks flushed. “You’re such a smooth talker.”
Caden smirked. “Do you like my hands?”
Alicia glanced at his hands. His fingers were long and clean, with visible veins that gave them a strong, masculine look. “Yeah, I do.”
Caden smirked, his tone teasing. “Then let’s put them to use tonight. They won’t wear you out.”
Alicia’s face flushed. “You’re shameless.”
Caden leaned in, kissing her softly. “We’ve used them plenty before. What’s there to be shy about now?”
Alicia was stunned, completely at a loss for words. How could he even say that? It was completely different!
After a while of kissing, Alicia pretended to fall asleep, finally making Caden give up. Soon, she felt his breathing slow and steady as he drifted off, holding her close.
She knew how exhausted Caden was. While everyone else had been enjoying Christmas, aside from handling company matters, he had made sure their first holiday as a married couple was warm and special. His efforts succeeded in making her feel the comfort of their little family.
Feeling soft inside, Alicia hugged Caden a little tighter.
Caden stirred in his sleep, instinctively pulling her closer and pressing a soft kiss to her hair. “Still awake?” His voice was raspy and tired. “What’s on your mind? Tell me.”
Alicia’s nose brushed against his cozy pajamas. “I was thinking about the food you made on Christmas. It was so good. I want it again tomorrow.”
“Alright,” he mumbled.
But it wasn’t just the food on Alicia’s mind. She and Caden had made their intimate moments more thrilling with new positions. The mere thought of it made her heart race and her cheeks burn, keeping her wide awake.
By five in the morning, still awake, Alicia grabbed her phone and searched for quick ways to fall asleep. To her surprise, the top suggestion was intimacy-Caden’s earlier suggestion.
Alicia quietly glanced at Caden. He had thick eyebrows and beautiful eyes, a high nose, and sexy lips. She was drawn to everything about him. Alicia quickly shook her head, trying to stop herself from thinking any further. She had been so firmly against his idea of making out earlier.
If she changed her mind right now, he might tease her consistently.
Alicia shut her eyes in frustration. However, her mind kept flashing with images of Caden, drenched in sweat atop her during their intimate moments.
She opened her eyes again, feeling stirred. Caden’s handsome face was right there, tempting her. She blinked. Maybe she could kiss him without waking him up.
Motivated by her idea, Alicia decided to take action. This was her first time entertaining such a daring thought, and the stillness of the room added an intense, thrilling tension to the atmosphere. The thrill was so powerful that stopping seemed impossible.
Careful not to awaken Caden, Alicia moved with delicate slowness, intermittently pausing her actions, straining to hear any stir from Caden. She only resumed once she was confident he remained in deep sleep. As time passed, her actions grew increasingly audacious.
Finally, she swept away all the blankets and increased the room’s temperature.
Ten minutes later, Alicia found herself drenched in a light sweat, lying exhausted on Caden’s chest, breathing heavily.
She instinctively kissed his lips, surprised to find him as still as if he were in deep hibernation. He hadn’t regained consciousness at all. Yet, Alicia quickly diverted her thoughts from such embarrassing and nearly scandalous behaviors.
Using his stomach as support, she began to rise, planning to freshen up. However, as she got up, Caden’s arm suddenly encircled her waist.
Alicia froze, her eyes darting downwards. She noticed that at some point, Caden had opened his eyes, and they were now alert and intense. He was unmistakably awake.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, his hold tightening, leaving her almost breathless. “You’ve had your turn. What about mine?”
A rush of thoughts clouded Alicia’s mind. “When… When did you wake up?”
Caden responded candidly, “When you pulled at my underwear.”
A wave of embarrassment washed over Alicia, and she reproached him. “You didn’t react! I assumed you were still sleeping!”
Caden adjusted their position and chuckled. “If I hadn’t feigned sleep, how would I have discovered such a charming side to my wife?”
Alicia was so disturbed by Caden’s laughter that she felt chills and turned to run away. Caden tried to grab her, but she slipped and tumbled to the floor.
Thankfully, the carpet cushioned her fall, so she wasn’t injured. Caden was momentarily worried sick, but then he saw Alicia quickly scramble up and run toward the bathroom.
Alicia almost made it to the door before being caught by Caden. When Caden initiated their intimacy, it wasn’t a gentle buildup but a tempest of passion.
It was only at dawn that Caden, with some reluctance, kissed her and headed for the shower, preparing to leave.
As Caden entered the living room, he saw that Regina had returned with breakfast.
Caden picked up a slice of bread and embraced his rosy-cheeked daughter, Scarlette, saying to Regina, “Regina, I’m heading to work.” Regina looked confused. “Why are you in such a hurry?”
“I overslept,” he replied. Then, he added, “Please wake Alicia in an hour so she can have breakfast. She stayed up late and might still be tired. Could you help feed her?”
Regina nodded. “Drive safely.”
“Will do.”
By now, Alicia was sleeping deeply.
Regina tried several times to awaken Alicia, but without success.
Eventually, hunger nudged Alicia awake. She sat up groggily, sipping milk while struggling to keep her eyes open. Regina, observing her with concern, asked, “Were you up late working again last night?” Alicia grimaced, remembering the night’s events. “I had insomnia. Tried counting sheep endlessly, but it didn’t help. I just tossed and turned, unable to sleep.”
Regina expressed her concern. “Is your insomnia acting up again?”
“I’m not sure. I was fine before, but I just couldn’t sleep last night.” Once Alicia finished her milk, she reached for a sandwich. Her robe slipped, exposing faint marks on her skin.
Regina noticed right away, her expression freezing in place.
Alicia swiftly adjusted her robe, awkwardly chewing on her sandwich. “I was just bored last night and ended up scratching myself.”
Regina exhaled deeply. “Those look more like pinch marks to me, dear.”
Alicia was at a loss for words, her mind racing as she remembered how those marks came to be. She felt a deep sense of embarrassment as she hurriedly stuffed the sandwich into her mouth. Her relationship with Regina hadn’t developed enough familiarity…
Yet, though recently reunited as mother and daughter, a certain coolness still lingered between them.
Regina, who maintained conservative views about intimacy, saw the marks and immediately feared mistreatment. “Does Caden have violent tendencies? Does he treat you like this often?”
Alicia noted the concern in Regina’s voice and quickly said, “No, it’s just that my skin is quite sensitive. It reddens easily, even from the gentlest touch. Today, I was just exhausted, and he was simply supporting my head.”
Regina watched her skeptically. “Do you really expect me to believe that, Alicia?”