The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback

Chapter 4:

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Alicia's only concern now was leaving Joshua, so she ignored his question and asked flatly, "Are the divorce papers ready yet?"

That word again: “divorce.” Irritation flashed in Joshua’s eyes.

“Why the rush?” she snapped, her voice cold and cutting. “My father is finalizing his will, and if word of my divorce gets out, it will ruin my position. Now, gather your things, we will dine at the Yates mansion this evening.”

With Caden's return, the family was organizing a welcome dinner for him.

They also hoped that by doing so, it would lift the spirits of Jerald Yates, Joshua's father.

However, maintaining the farce of a happy marriage was the last thing on Alice's mind.

"I'm not going," he announced curtly. "Just finalize the divorce and stop wasting my time."

Joshua laughed, a sound that held no warmth.

“Oh, come on, Alice. Stop pretending. You hid the ring because you don't really want to leave me, do you? “You can’t stand the thought of being without me.”

He leaned toward me, smiling, and added, “You've worked hard these past two years. Even if we get divorced, I'll still take care of you, as long as you make me happy.”

Alice's eyes widened, disbelief turning to anger.

Did he hide the ring?

Couldn't stand being without him?

His arrogant words sounded like nails on a blackboard to Alice's ears. With a sharp sneer, she replied,

“Oh, Mr. Yates, how could I make you happy? Don't worry, I'll give you back the ring; you wouldn't want this plain Jane bothering you, would you? Once you have it, we’ll finalize the divorce immediately.”

But Joshua was unfazed by her venom.

He thought he knew her too well, convinced that it was just another ploy to get her attention.

Without thinking twice, he threw a bag at her.

guests today. Dress

countless times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest and discreet clothing, doing her best to go unnoticed,

playing the role of obedient wife. After putting on her

subtle touches accentuated the softness of her skin and the delicacy of her features, giving her

her coming down the

than usual. Or maybe it was the color of her cheeks, as if she had just experienced the most

Passion? Sex?

heart tightened in his

his wife. Who else could have slept with her? He must

Yates mansion, the two slipped into their

through Joshua's, their movements

ill to receive anyone, the great hall was bustling with life, relatives

but for some reason, as soon as Alice

With his legs

eyes finally met hers, a familiar, commanding gaze pinned her to the spot. Her mind

in her attitude and, frowning,

caught. One word escaped her lips, barely audible.

his spine. To her, Caden

for the first time when they were

and, from that

anymore. No matter how hard she tried, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was always one step ahead. He edged her out by the smallest of margins—a point, maybe two—leaving her perpetually stranded in second

accepted defeat, settling into the

But not Alice.

weight of living up to her name. Excellence wasn't just a goal, it was the currency with which she could win her parents' affection.

as if he had his eye on her from the very beginning, and Alice,

than a decade, a relentless battle waged both openly and in the shadows. Their final showdown took place at university, just before

perfect score. But Caden, ever the snake, had bribed the judges, twisting the results

father, Phil Bennett. Over the phone, his voice dripped with disappointment at his ranking. Alicia, accustomed to his tirades, said nothing. She waited for his anger to subside and asked quietly, “I'll be graduating soon. “Will you

and Donna, who were rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation,

Alice's world fell apart, leaving her

again. Caden then left Warrington to build

Joshua muttered, his voice barely

as large as ours, an

His brow furrowed slightly.