The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback

Chapter 4:

? ? ? ? ?

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 embarrass

and remembered the countless times she had visited the mansion dressed

Alice no longer cared about playing the role of obedient wife. After putting on her suit, she carefully applied just enough

accentuated the softness of her skin and the delicacy of her

coming down the

it 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

Passion? Sex?

tightened in his

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

two slipped into their usual roles, easily

her arm through Joshua's, their movements synchronized as they walked towards the

receive anyone, the great hall was bustling with life, relatives filling the

but for some reason, as soon as Alice

his legs crossed and his dark shirt unbuttoned to reveal a sliver of collarbone, the

Alice's eyes finally met hers, a familiar, commanding gaze pinned her to the

noticed the change in her attitude

caught. One word escaped her lips, barely audible.

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

crossed for the first time when they

sabbatical year, moved to her school and, from that

claim first place 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

have accepted defeat, settling into the role

But not Alice.

currency with which she could win her parents' affection.

he had his eye on her from the

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

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

his tirades, said nothing. She waited for his anger to subside and asked quietly, “I'll be graduating

Phil and Donna, who were rushing back from Itrubisite

fell apart, leaving her an orphan in this cruel

challenged Caden again. Caden then left Warrington to build his

the inheritance," Joshua muttered,

as she continued, “With a family empire as large as ours, an eldest son like him wouldn't give up so

His brow furrowed slightly.