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.

have guests today. Dress appropriately and

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

no longer cared about playing the role of obedient wife. After putting on her suit, she

and the delicacy of her features,

saw her coming down the stairs, he stood still

was the way the dress clung to Alicia's graceful curves, making her look more seductive than usual. Or maybe it was the color of her cheeks, as if she had just experienced the most passionate

Passion? Sex?

tightened

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

slipped into their usual

arm through Joshua's, their movements

ill to receive anyone, the great hall was bustling with

some reason, as soon as Alice crossed the threshold, a sharp chill prickled her

the other end of the room. With his legs crossed and his dark shirt unbuttoned to reveal a sliver of collarbone,

familiar, commanding gaze pinned her

in her attitude

caught. One word escaped her lips, barely

of his name sent a chill down his spine. To her, Caden was the embodiment of her

their paths had crossed for the first time when they were both

moved to her school and, from that moment on, Alicia's perfect world

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

else would have accepted defeat, settling into the role

But not Alice.

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

if he had his eye on her from the very beginning, and Alice, stubborn to the core, refused to

for more than a decade, a relentless battle waged both openly and in

that moment, her sights set on perfection. 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

the hardest blow came from her 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

were rushing back

world fell apart, leaving her an orphan in this

he had not challenged Caden again. Caden then left Warrington to build his career

inheritance," Joshua

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

His brow furrowed slightly.