Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
It was like a flood, overwhelming her and plunging her world into darkness.
She clung desperately to Caden’s hand, as if she were drowning.
The air grew still and silent around them.
Caden sensed something was off when he noticed Alicia freeze. Then, he felt a warm stream soaking through his pant leg.
The moment he realized what was happening, he glanced down, shocked beyond belief.
The hospital gown hid most of the evidence, but a noticeable wet patch had formed on his black suit pants. The warmth spread, and the wet patch expanded. Caden’s expression darkened the moment he understood what was happening.
“Alicia!”
All his good manners vanished in an instant, and just as he opened his mouth to curse, Alicia raised her hand and covered his lips.
“Quiet.”
Alicia stiffened her neck. “Just wait until I’m finished.”
Caden stood there, slack-jawed, as Alicia quietly completed her task, completely absorbed in the moment.
Half a minute later, as the ordeal ended, Alicia slowly regained her senses, her limbs feeling weak as she leaned against Caden.
Caden’s expression was tense. There was an uncomfortable sensation crawling inside him.
“Get off me,” he said sharply.
Alicia raised her face slowly.
Though she had felt shame before, at that moment, she surrendered completely. “Go ahead and scold me. I won’t say a word in response.”
Caden had lost the urge to scold her.
Right now, he only wanted to kill.
Shoving Alicia away, he called for Hank to bring a change of clothes.
Hank arrived in no time.
Alicia showered in the bathroom while Caden loomed at the door, his expression dark and brooding, resembling someone ready to unleash fury on the world. His presence was undeniably menacing.
Hank quickly noticed the wet patches on Caden’s suit pants.
With the sound of the shower echoing inside, Hank connected the dots.
“Mr. Ward, here are your clothes.”
He hesitated for a moment before speaking up. “I heard Ms. Bennett was seriously injured. You should hold back for a while, no matter how strong your desire is.” It wasn’t considerate to leave her to shower alone.
Mr. Ward needed to exhibit more gentlemanly behavior.
Caden was in no mood for jokes. In a stern voice, he replied, “Can you act normal for once?”
Hank smirked. “There’s no need to deny it. I’ve seen plenty of scenes like this in adult films.”
He flashed Caden a thumbs-up and continued, “Kudos! You managed to pull this off right after losing your virginity. You’re quite the talent.”
Caden’s expression darkened, becoming increasingly menacing. “Do you want to end up sleeping in the morgue tonight?”
Hank was rendered speechless.
Why is the boss being so sensitive? I never knew he’d get embarrassed this easily, Hank thought to himself.
Seconds later, Alicia emerged from the bathroom, wearing a completely different hospital gown.
Alicia didn’t dare meet Caden’s gaze. Instead, she focused on the floor.
“It’s your turn to shower. There aren’t any toiletries, so you’ll have to make do with the hospital’s hand soap.”
Caden remained silent.
Caden’s expression was grim.
Noticing that, Alicia felt a pang of guilt. Without realizing it, she had caused him some deep-seated frustration.
“Why don’t we look for the nearest hotel and get a room, so you can wash up?”
He scowled at her. “Do you really expect me to get in the car and drive when I’m this filthy?”
Alicia didn’t know how to respond. She knew she was at fault here. She wasn’t in a position to argue, no matter how upset Caden got.
“All right, how about I go buy you some body wash?” she suggested. “I need to buy a few things anyway. I can grab what you need.”
Caden almost nodded in agreement when a thought struck him. His eyes darted to her lower half. “Are you wearing any underwear?”
Alicia blinked, visibly taken aback. “No,” she answered, instinctively squeezing her legs together. “I was just about to buy some.”
The hospital only provided gowns for the patients. Personal effects like undergarments weren’t included. Alicia had planned to buy a set of disposable underwear for the duration of her stay.
Caden gritted his teeth. He wasn’t about to let her wander around without underwear. He glanced toward the bathroom. For a moment, the only sound that filled the room was the steady drip of the faucet.
“Hand soap it is, then.”
Alicia awkwardly touched her nose. “Sorry.”
“If you’re really sorry, then you’d better start thinking about how to make it up to me.”
Her head jerked up at that, but Caden had already disappeared into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
Alicia lay on the bed and took out her phone to text Monica, letting her know she was safe.
“I’m coming over right now,” Monica replied. “Which ward are you in?”
Alicia basked in the warmth that her friends brought her. She quickly sent Monica the address.
A few minutes later, she heard Caden calling from the bathroom. “Hand me my clothes, will you?”
Alicia glanced at the back of her hand. The IV was still attached.
Alicia gingerly got off the bed and carefully pulled the drip stand along as she took Caden’s clothes to the bathroom.
Knowing that he was naked, she only opened the door a crack, thrusting his clothes inside without looking.
“Come on, bring them in here,” Caden chided.
Alicia kept her face averted. “Don’t you think that would be a bit inappropriate?”
“What do you mean? You’ve already seen every inch of my body, haven’t you?”
That had Alicia sputtering. “That doesn’t mean I should take every chance to look at your naked body!”
Thankfully, Caden didn’t say anything more. When he grabbed the clothes out of her hand, Alicia quickly closed the door and made her way back to the bed.
She had barely finished setting the drip stand back in place when Caden emerged from the bathroom, impeccably dressed as always.
Seeing her struggle, he strode over and lifted her onto the bed in one smooth motion.
“Thanks,” Alicia said sheepishly. “Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to return the favor next time you’re hurt.”
Caden glared at her. Next time? Was she hexing him or something? It wouldn’t be such a loss if she just kept her mouth shut.
Alicia tucked herself under the blanket and asked, “Did anything else happen after I passed out? Did the Reyes family come over?”
“Yes,” Caden replied. “They intend to apologize to you in person once you’re fit to be discharged.”
Alicia’s chest tightened. “Are they really going to apologize, or will they just take the chance to finish me off?”
Ted had suffered a great deal. Without Caden’s protection, she would be a sitting duck, waiting for her hunters to take the first shot.
They could torture her however they wanted, for as long as they wished.
But Caden already knew she would think this way.
“That’s why I turned them down on your behalf.”
Alicia breathed a sigh of relief. “Good job.”
Caden grabbed a pack of tissues and began wiping his hands.
“You might have dodged a bullet today, but you won’t always be so lucky. Although you were hurt on the Gray family’s property, you should know that it’s of no consequence to them-or the Yates family, for that matter. They can make it all go away.”
“… they can make things disappear with a snap of their fingers and a thick wad of cash. But the same cannot be said for the Reyes family. They will definitely come after you to avenge Ted, and they will not be merciful.”
Alicia fell silent. Her hands slowly balled into fists.
Caden glanced at her, but when she said nothing, he tossed the tissue into the trash and sat on the bed. Reaching out, he gently pried her fingers open, one by one, and placed her hand, palm down, on the blanket.
“Are you scared? If you are, then the most sensible thing to do is find someone powerful to back you up. Don’t you agree?”
Alicia looked up, meeting his deep, meaningful gaze. For a few seconds, she was frozen, staring at him in a daze.
She was torn, her emotions battling with her reason.