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.

Dress appropriately and don't

countless times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest and discreet clothing, doing

about playing the role of obedient wife. After putting

skin and the delicacy of her features, giving

down the stairs, he stood still

than usual. Or maybe it was the color

Passion? Sex?

tightened in his

was still his wife. Who else could have slept

mansion, the two slipped

arm through Joshua's, their movements synchronized

Jerald was too ill to receive anyone, the great hall was bustling

soon as Alice crossed the threshold, a

the room. With his legs

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

change in her

caught. One word escaped her lips,

name sent a chill down his spine.

crossed for the first time

who had taken a sabbatical year, moved to her school and, from that

first place anymore. No matter how hard she tried, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was

would have accepted defeat, settling into the role

But not Alice.

the suffocating 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. Failure wasn't an option, and yet Caden had the audacity to take everything she'd worked away from her with what seemed

from the very beginning, and Alice, stubborn to

openly and in the shadows. Their final showdown took place at university, just before graduation, in the national

And she achieved it, getting a perfect score. But Caden, ever the snake, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his favor. Alicia was forced, once again, to come in second

nothing. She waited for his anger

rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the

leaving her an orphan

Caden again. Caden then left Warrington to build his career

the inheritance," Joshua

gave him a sidelong glance as she continued, “With a family empire as large as

His brow furrowed slightly.