Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Noticing Caden’s frosty demeanor, Randolph pressed further. “Mr. Ward, are you still bothered by Rachel’s treatment of Ms. Bennett?”
He had previously inquired of Rachel about the earlier incident.
Though it involved just a few women, Caden had stepped in.
He had defended Alicia with such transparency.
Concerned that Caden might have an interest in Alicia, Randolph felt compelled to address this.
Caden, seeing through Randolph’s motives, replied enigmatically, “She was my brother’s ex-wife. Now that she’s facing difficulties, what reason would I have not to assist her?”
Randolph paused, caught off guard by the comment. “Is that all there is to it? Just because she’s your former sister-in-law?”
Caden’s smile widened slightly. “What else could it be?”
Randolph stayed silent for a moment, searching for a response. Finally, he let out a small laugh. “Fair enough. She’s like family to you, I suppose.”
To Randolph, it never seemed like Caden would get involved with his sister-in-law. Once he was certain that Caden’s interest in Alicia was nothing more than polite concern, he felt a sense of relief wash over him. Slowly, he guided the conversation back to business matters.
Although Randolph consistently made a good profit, opportunities for significant collaborations with someone like Caden didn’t come around often. After all, who would ever complain about making more money?
Randolph leaned in, adopting a tone filled with excessive admiration as he tried to draw Caden into the deal. Caden listened quietly for a while, then looked over at Randolph.
“What do you need, Mr. Ward?” Randolph asked.
Caden responded casually, “I think I’d like some hangover soup right now.”
Randolph found himself at a loss for words. He held back his frustration and brought the soup while looking visibly displeased. Caden took a sip and then said, “Joshua’s been handling your bank dealings, hasn’t he?”
Randolph looked away for a moment. “In business, it’s always wise to have as many valuable clients as possible,” he stated. “When it comes to generosity, he can’t quite compare to you, Mr. Ward.”
Caden took another sip from the bowl. Randolph leaned forward and asked, “Mr. Ward, what do you say? I’m aware that three hundred million is just a small amount for you.”
Caden pressed his lips together. “The soup is too sweet. Tell your maid to use less honey.”
Randolph didn’t know what to say to that. “Is Caden toying with me?” he wondered.
Caden placed the bowl down. “Take it easy. Joshua’s been doing well recently. I’ll make sure he helps you out more if the opportunity arises.”
Randolph gave him a polite smile. “There’s no need to trouble yourself, Mr. Ward. If I need anything, I can always reach Joshua directly. He wouldn’t refuse.”
Caden responded with a faint smile, “Is that so?” Clearly, Randolph had some leverage over Joshua. After wrapping up their business discussion, Caden glanced out the window. Several socialites were gathered outside, basking in the afternoon sun. They were deep in conversation. The area radiated elegance and luxury, but Alicia was nowhere in sight.
Meanwhile, Alicia stepped out of the restroom, only to hear a sudden scream. She spun around to see where the noise had come from. Ted stood there, holding a large water gun, spraying it in her direction.
Ted had been waiting for the perfect moment and managed to catch her off guard, leaving her no chance to react. Water splashed all over her, soaking her instantly. Her silk dress clung tightly to her body the moment it got wet. Alicia felt exposed and humiliated.
Ted laughed loudly, waving the water gun and mocking her. “Look at you, ugly duckling! Everyone can see you!”
Alicia’s expression hardened. Ignoring the water dripping down her body, she grabbed the hem of her dress and looked for something to defend herself with. She wasn’t going to let this brat get away with it. Realizing what she was about to do, Ted bolted.
Even as he moved, he kept taunting, “Come on, ugly lady! Catch me if you can!”
With longer strides, Alicia quickly gained on him. Ted struggled to escape, but she grabbed his curly hair and gave him a harsh lesson. He was surprised at how much stronger she was than him and that he had no chance of escaping. Overcome with fear, he burst into tears.
Alicia let him go, glaring down at him. “You’re lucky you’re a kid. Try that again, and next time it won’t be so easy.”
Ted cried out in anger, “You witch! How dare you hit me? I’ll get my mom to deal with you!”
Alicia’s gaze hardened, and she nearly lashed out. But before she could, a maid hurried over.
“Ms. Bennett, you should change before you catch a cold,” the maid suggested. “Why don’t you go inside and change your clothes?”
As Ted ran off, Alicia decided to let it go for now. “Is this how all members of the Reyes family behave?” she muttered while wringing out her soaked dress. Ted might have been just a child, but his foul language was already far too much.
The maid remained silent and gently guided Alicia toward a small building on the other side of the yard. It was a bit of a walk, but since it was still on the property, Alicia didn’t question it too much.
“Why do I have to change here?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.
The maid offered a polite smile. “Ms. Bennett, your clothes are soaked. You probably wouldn’t want the male security guards to catch sight of you like this. It’s closer here, and you can change quickly before heading back.”
She opened the door and handed Alicia a fresh set of clothes. Alicia glanced down and realized her dress had become almost see-through, revealing her undergarments. It was hardly appropriate.
Once the maid stepped out, she quietly closed the door behind her. Alicia quickly changed, hanging her damp dress in a ventilated spot to dry.
Just outside, a small pond reflected the afternoon light. The water was pristine, clear, and calm, surrounded by neatly maintained flowers. A few delicate blossoms swayed gently in the breeze, like dancers moving to a soft rhythm. Alicia took a deep breath, allowing the fresh air to fill her lungs. It felt good to step away from the chaos and enjoy a brief moment of peace.
Sadly, peace was always fleeting.
As she rested with her eyes closed, she heard someone entering the room. She assumed it was the maid, but instead, it was Ted. This time, he wasn’t alone. A group of children from wealthy families had joined him, each one looking ready for mischief.
Without warning, Ted aimed his water gun directly at her, spraying her face and hitting her eyes. Her vision blurred, and she nearly stumbled. Before she could react, Ted grabbed a stick he had brought along and struck her with full force.
Ted, already eight years old, was surprisingly strong for his age.
Alicia felt a sharp, overwhelming pain as he struck her. Before she could recover, he hit her again. The blows carried the malice of a child who had been taught to fight dirty.
Alicia struggled to defend herself, but the other children quickly pinned her down. Ted’s blows kept coming, and he yelled, “This is what you get for messing with my mom! This is what you deserve!”
His aim was deliberate-he targeted the softer areas of her body, avoiding her face and vital spots. Even through the pain, Alicia managed to push one of the children away.
Ted saw this and immediately dropped the stick, reaching for a rope. In no time, he had bound her hands together.
Alicia’s voice grew firm as she demanded, “What is wrong with you? Let me go!”
Ted glared at her, his eyes burning with intensity. “If I let you go, you’ll hurt my mom again. I’ll make sure to kill you!”
Alicia froze, her heart stopping for a beat. It was the first time she’d ever seen such a fierce, almost terrifying expression in a child’s eyes.
He was unbelievably bold.
“You plan to kill me?” Alicia struggled against the tight rope, breathing heavily. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you that killing is a crime? You’ll end up in jail!”
To her surprise, Ted sneered and replied, “My mom told me I’m a kid, so nothing will happen to me if I kill you. Didn’t you know that?”
Alicia’s fear intensified as the weight of his words settled in. He understood the law and was using it to his advantage. Mrs. Reyes had clearly taught him well.
Even if Alicia survived today, she knew she would suffer. Mrs. Reyes would let Ted take the blame, knowing the law would protect him.
As these thoughts raced through her mind, Ted suddenly shoved her into the pool.
Alicia felt her stomach drop as she lost her balance and fell. She tried to scream for help, but no sound escaped her lips. Within moments, her head struck a rock. Pain coursed through her body before the world went numb.
Her energy drained, and everything went dark as she lost consciousness.
Her body slowly sank beneath the surface of the water. One of the children, clearly frightened, gasped. “Ted, did she-“
Ted stared in shock. The sound of Alicia’s head hitting the rock had been so loud that it echoed through the yard. Now, Alicia wasn’t moving in the water, and it seemed like she was truly gone.
“I just wanted her to go into the water. I didn’t know she’d hit a rock!” Ted stammered, his panic growing as he watched her body float up. Blood began to spread in the water, deepening his fear. “It wasn’t me! I didn’t push her!”
Mrs. Reyes had only told Ted to rough Alicia up. He never intended to hurt her like this.
In a fit of panic, he ran outside, shouting for his mother, Mrs. Reyes. The other children, equally scared, followed him, their shrill cries filling the air.
Caden was in the living room, speaking with Randolph when he heard the commotion outside. He turned his gaze toward the yard and saw Ted rushing into Mrs. Reyes’s arms.
Caden recognized the boy instantly. Ted had been the one who took Alicia’s kebabs during the meal. The look Ted had given her earlier suggested he harbored some grudge against her.
Randolph, puzzled, asked, “What’s going on out there?”
Rachel glanced toward the noise, her voice casual. “It’s just some kids acting out. They might’ve had a scuffle, but it’s nothing serious.”
Caden noticed the fleeting guilt that crossed Rachel’s face. He watched her closely but kept his thoughts to himself.
As Rachel turned her attention to the small building in the distance, a frown creased her brow, and a flicker of uncertainty passed over her expression.
Caden, uneasy, looked out over the open lawn. It was vast, but there was no sign of Alicia anywhere. An unsettling feeling crept over him, prompting him to rise from his seat.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Reyes quietly questioned Ted, urging him for more details.
Ted trembled, his voice barely a whisper. “She’s dead… She hit her head, and now she’s dead.” Fear gripped Mrs. Reyes. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “She’s dead?”
“Who’s dead?” she asked, barely able to comprehend what she was hearing.
A booming voice cut through the tense atmosphere. Mrs. Reyes looked up in alarm as her eyes locked with Caden’s. His face was dark with fury, and the sheer intensity of his presence was overwhelming.
Before Mrs. Reyes could speak, Ted blurted out, “It wasn’t me! I didn’t do it!” His immediate reaction was to shift the blame.
Caden’s suspicion deepened. Something had clearly happened to Alicia.
Without hesitation, he grabbed Ted by the collar and began marching toward the small building.
Terrified, Mrs. Reyes stumbled behind him. “Mr. Ward, please let Ted go!”
Caden ignored her, hauling Ted all the way to the building’s entrance.
“Where is Alicia?” he growled.
Ted had never felt fear like this before. His mind went blank, and his body froze.
“She’s upstairs… in the pool,” he muttered.