The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback

Chapter 138:

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The sound of the door opening woke Alice from her light sleep. She rubbed her eyes and looked up. “Why are you here?” she asked.

Caden, still suffering from a hangover-induced migraine, didn't respond immediately. The sleepless night he'd spent, coupled with an empty day, had left him in a bad mood. You'd say he was smoking.

"When did you get back?" he asked, his voice clipped.

"A few minutes ago. I was just about to fall asleep," Alice confessed softly.

Caden's expression hardened even further as he silently changed his shoes and went to wash his hands. The atmosphere in the room felt cold and unwelcoming. Alicia could practically feel her impatience in the air. Confusion washed over her, but exhaustion got the better of everything else.

After jumping from the second floor the night before and injuring her ankle, she spent hours in the hospital, waiting for the swelling to subside. The night had felt endless, and with nowhere else to turn, she found herself back here, unsure of what to do. Alicia had assumed Caden would stay at the office all night and hadn't expected him to return at seven in the morning. She watched him silently as his back was turned.

After washing his hands, he poured himself a glass of water. His tall stature radiated a harsh, unapproachable air. After finishing the water, he walked over and took off his coat.

Not wanting to leave any room for misunderstanding, Alice spoke up. “I went to the Yates mansion yesterday…”

Before she could say more, Caden threw the coat on the couch. It was then that she caught the faint scent of alcohol.

And then there was something else: a woman's perfume. This fact surprised her. Had he stayed out all night because he was with another woman?

Caden began to unbutton his shirt without saying a word. "SW? What happened next?”

Alice felt a wave of bitterness rise up inside her and she pressed her lips together tightly. “Nothing,” she murmured.

Caden looked at her. She was wrapped in a thin blanket, but I noticed she had changed her clothes. Light marks on her neck caught her eye. They were barely visible, but enough for Caden to notice. At first glance, they looked like hickeys.

Caden scoffed.

He couldn't help but imagine what could have happened, and the thought ignited a spark of anger in him. “Didn’t you say Joshua was impotent?” he asked accusingly.

Alice looked at him in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

Caden suddenly realized how absurd his thoughts had become, and let out a bitter laugh. “You've really outdone yourself,” he scoffed. “Impressive.”

Alicia remained silent. When she realized the accusation behind his words, her heart sank. “Caden, what’s wrong with you?” Had she really seen something? She didn't even know enough to make accusations!

Caden kept his composure. “Did you at least shower? “I don’t want you staining my couch.”

Alicia's eyes reddened with anger, and she bit her lip, glaring at him. “Do you really think I spent the night at the Yates mansion, sleeping with Joshua?”

Caden's expression remained indifferent. “What else am I supposed to think?” Are you still acting innocent with him? At this point, what’s the point of pretending?”

Alice had thought she could trust him. And with all she knew, what was there left for her to fear?

What Caden didn't realize was that it was those very things that had given her the courage to face Joshua the night before. Unlike him, she couldn't afford to assume victory. She had to weigh each decision carefully.

She had planned to explain everything to him, but now it seemed pointless. Swallowing, she spoke with quiet disappointment. “Believe what you want.” She threw the blanket aside and stood up. “I'm sorry I ruined your couch. I’ll replace it.” With that, she turned to leave.

Caden's voice hardened. “Where do you think you’re going?”

"It's none of your business!" Alice growled.

"Prepare breakfast before you leave."

Alice leaned back on the couch, her eyes red with anger as she glared at him. “Why would I? I cooked for you because I wanted to. Do you really think I’m your maid?”

Caden's tone became even sharper. “Because of our agreement. We're partners, not me helping you for free. If you can’t offer anything in return, why wouldn’t I treat you like a maid?”

Alice's fingers trembled slightly, but she did not respond.

Caden chuckled darkly. “What's the problem? Are you no longer interested in keeping up your end of the deal? Do you feel guilty about what you did to Joshua?”

In a lighter tone, he added, “It seems like he hurt you quite a bit last night, considering how easily you changed your mind.”

Alice lost her composure. Tears filled her eyes.

Seeing her like that, something twisted in Caden's chest. He had never seen her cry, except after their encounters. Were her comments really that cruel?

His headache, combined with the pressure building in his chest, was unbearable now.

Still, he didn't hold back.

Alice was silent for a moment, but when she finally spoke, her voice wavered. “I must have been completely crazy to trust you, Caden!”

He had always been cruel—he had taught her that lesson over and over again, from childhood until now—but she never learned.

She had asked for it.

Alice wiped away the tears that threatened to spill over and spoke clearly. “You will never taste my cooking again!”

"Eat shit, asshole," he grew up to himself.

Her anger was so intense that she didn't even notice the pain in her ankle as she stormed toward the door.

Just as her hand reached for the doorknob, Caden's voice cut through the air. “So, I guess that means our deal is over.”

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