Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
As he split it open, Alicia suddenly took the seat next to him.
“Where did you pop up from?” Caden asked, surveying the surroundings.
Alicia gestured toward a large vase nearby. “I’ve been here for a while, just hiding behind that.”
Caden, amused, commented, “You’re quite the expert at hiding. You could probably join the CIA.”
As he split the mangosteen in half, he was interrupted by Alicia, who took one half and asked, “You didn’t share our chat logs with Joshua, did you?” Given Joshua’s nature, he would surely have mentioned it by now.
“Are you worried he might find out?” Caden asked.
Alicia savored the mangosteen, enjoying its sweetness, and playfully reached for the piece near Caden’s mouth.
Caden was momentarily lost for words.
Alicia, eating confidently, said, “You heard Joshua earlier. My relationship with him has evolved, and I don’t want any misunderstandings.”
Caden chuckled softly. “Have you actually agreed to be his lover?”
Alicia grimaced slightly at the question but nodded in agreement.
Caden watched her closely, his expression unreadable. He remembered how Alicia had recoiled when Joshua had touched her hand earlier in the courtyard.
Yet, Caden chose to remain silent, not revealing her true reasons for visiting the Yates Mansion.
Alicia, looking at the remaining fruit, remarked, “Why are these mangosteens so good? Aren’t you going to have some?”
“If you need me to peel them for you, just ask,” Caden replied.
“What’s wrong with peeling a few more for me? You still owe me from earlier,” Alicia countered.
Caden picked up another mangosteen, carefully peeled it, and offered it to her.
As Alicia took it into her mouth, Caden reminded her, “So, the meal you promised me is still on.”
This nearly made Alicia choke, but Caden quickly covered her mouth, gently ensuring she swallowed.
After enjoying the juicy fruit, Alicia commented, “It’s funny how both you and Joshua are always thinking about food.”
“Do you cook for him often?” Caden asked with raised eyebrows.
“There must be something off with him. He once offered to pay me a hefty sum just to cook for him monthly,” Alicia replied, her voice laced with sarcasm.
Caden’s sarcasm deepened. “You seem to speak quite harshly of your sugar daddy.”
Caught off guard, Alicia quickly popped a grape into her mouth, disguising her slip with a playful lie. “It’s all in good fun.”
Caden teased, “Do you talk to him like that in bed too? You were always so quiet with me, barely making a sound.” With a knowing smirk, he added, “Oh, that’s right. The two of you were married for two years and never slept together.”
Alicia’s cheeks flushed with anger, aware that arguing with him would be futile.
Changing the subject, Caden remarked, “Don’t worry about cooking for me. If it’s something Joshua likes, it probably isn’t very good.”
Alicia scoffed under her breath.
She hadn’t even agreed to cook for him, and yet he was already criticizing.
She left the side hall just as guests began to arrive.
A maid approached with a tray of pastries and drinks.
“Mr. Ward, please let us know your preferences since you’ve just returned and we’re unfamiliar with your tastes.”
Glancing at a cup, Caden thought of Alicia and requested, “Brew some coffee, please.”
Jerald, feeling unwell, had retired to his room after lunch. Once the guests had departed, Shelia found a quiet corner to confront Joshua.
“Didn’t you and Alicia get divorced? Why is she here today?”
Joshua, lighting a cigarette and inhaling deeply, responded tersely, “Mom, keep out of this. It’s my business.”
Understanding the subtext, Shelia, once a mistress herself, quickly grasped the implications. “Do you intend to keep Alicia by your side?”
Joshua was candid. “It’s safest to keep her at the Yates Mansion. It gives her a reason to stay under the pretense of caring for Dad, and even if Lilliana finds out, we have a reasonable explanation.”
He clarified that his stay wouldn’t be permanent. “I’ll only see Alicia occasionally when I’m here to visit Dad.”
Shelia strongly disagreed. “You and Lilliana have just stabilized your relationship. Keeping Alicia is like holding a bomb. Don’t risk everything you’ve worked for.”
Joshua’s gaze was deep and inscrutable. “Health is essential, and lately, I’ve needed some relief,” he admitted.
“Finding a temporary companion is simple. You can have as many as you want without issues, if you’re careful. But Alicia is different, isn’t she?” Shelia instinctively knew Alicia could be problematic. “She’s not naive. If she turns against you, it’ll be troublesome.”
“I’ve known her since childhood. We were married for two years. I understand her well,” Joshua responded, visibly annoyed.
Alicia had become increasingly vulnerable after her parents’ accident. When pressured, she would comply without resistance.
Joshua had planned to make efforts to soften the memories of their strained marriage. He had developed ways to ensure a woman’s complete loyalty.
Shelia noticed his frustration and chose to ease off. “Please think this through carefully. I’ll make sure the relatives keep quiet about this so it doesn’t reach the Green family.”
“Okay,” Joshua agreed curtly.
He then extinguished his cigarette and declared, “I’ll stay here tonight.”
Shelia looked at him thoughtfully, pondering what it was about Alicia that still captivated him after all these years.
Shelia cherished her son deeply. It hadn’t been easy for her to conceive him.
When the Yates family was at its peak, Jerald was a prominent figure-intelligent, hardworking, and supported by a wife with a significant background, which made the Yates family seem invulnerable.
Shelia was the exception, having captured Jerald’s affection outside of his powerful wife’s presence. Rising from being his mistress to becoming his confidante, she used her beauty effectively. However, over time, Jerald’s interest began to fade, which also affected his relationship with Joshua.
Joshua, however, had proven his resilience over the years. Shelia, having witnessed every hardship, was determined not to let any mistakes threaten his future.
Before leaving the estate, Joshua visited Alicia in the garden.
“It looks like rain. Don’t stay out too long,” he advised, placing his arm around her waist. “Hiding to avoid being seen?” he asked.
Alicia nodded, subtly pushing his hand away. “There are too many eyes around. It’s better not to get too close,” she suggested, her voice softer than usual.
Joshua knew her well. Despite her tough circumstances, Alicia maintained her pride. He knew she was in a difficult position, and patience would be necessary.
“Do you like any jewelry? I’ll bring something for you when I return tonight,” he offered, hinting at his intention to stay over.
Alicia understood the implication and refused. “I don’t want anything.”
Joshua’s gaze intensified, as if seeing her in a new light. He leaned in to kiss her, but Alicia quickly turned, spotting an ally.
“Shelia!” she called out.
Joshua looked over and saw Shelia. She had no intention of interrupting, but her disapproving expression reminded him to be cautious of their surroundings.
Disheartened, Joshua quickly left the mansion.
Alicia breathed a sigh of relief.
She glanced at Shelia, whose expression was stern. Ignoring Shelia’s gaze, Alicia walked away, weaving through the paths until she reached a spot with flowers to pick.
Shelia, growing more upset, watched her go.
Did Alicia not recognize her importance? She was Joshua’s mother, yet Alicia hadn’t bothered to acknowledge her.
With Joshua away, Shelia felt it was the right moment to instruct Alicia. She called over her faithful maid, Georgia.
“Do you understand what you need to do?” Shelia asked with a discreet glance.
Georgia nodded affirmatively. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Yates. It’ll be quite the spectacle,” she assured.
Georgia, always sharp and dependable, was Shelia’s trusted aide.
With a haughty tilt of her head, Shelia warned, “But remember, Joshua still has feelings for her.”
Georgia responded with a cunning smile, “I’ll merely ensure she stays hydrated, nothing harmful.” She then proceeded toward Alicia.
The garden led to a lesser-maintained area used by the maids for walking pets. Alicia, carrying a few flowers, headed in that direction.
Georgia greeted her with a seemingly friendly smile. “Miss Bennett, what brings you here?”
Alicia turned to face her. Her memories of Georgia were vivid and unpleasant.
Initially, when Alicia and Joshua were newlyweds, Shelia had appeared courteous. But as Joshua gradually siphoned Alicia’s wealth, Shelia’s facade faded, revealing her true nature. Georgia was often the executor of Shelia’s more covert schemes.
Whenever Alicia visited the mansion, Georgia treated her no better than a servant, keeping her occupied relentlessly, yet Alicia received no gratitude in return. At first, Alicia endured this treatment out of respect for Joshua, but she soon realized that her forbearance only invited further exploitation.
Noticing Georgia’s insincere smile, Alicia sensed something amiss and calmly inquired, “What’s going on, Georgia?”
Georgia gestured toward the nearby fountain. “Could you help me? Mrs. Yates needs some carp for the fish tank. Would you assist in catching them?”
Alicia quickly grasped Georgia’s underlying motive. With a memory of past conflicts, she replied with a smile, “Of course, I’d be happy to assist. May I just finish picking a few more flowers?”
“There’s no rush,” Georgia responded agreeably.