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.

guests today. Dress

down at the bag and remembered the countless times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest and discreet clothing, doing

cared about playing the role of obedient wife. After putting

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

coming down the stairs, he

Alicia's graceful curves, making her look more seductive than usual. Or maybe

Passion? Sex?

heart tightened in his

have slept

entrance of the Yates mansion, the two slipped into their

movements synchronized as

anyone, the great hall was bustling with

some reason, as soon as Alice

looked up instinctively, her gaze immediately drawn to the figure lounging casually at the other end of the room. With his legs crossed and his dark shirt

pinned her to the spot. Her mind raced

noticed the change in her attitude and, frowning, asked,

breath caught. One word escaped her lips, barely

of his name sent a chill down his

to their families' friendship, their paths had crossed for the first time when they were both

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

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

else would have accepted defeat, settling into the role

But not Alice.

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

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

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

But Caden, ever the snake, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his favor. Alicia was forced, once again,

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 quietly, “I'll be graduating soon. “Will you be back?” Her mother, Donna, had always been her

Donna, who were rushing back from Itrubisite to attend

Alice's world fell apart, leaving her an orphan in

that day, he had not challenged Caden again. Caden then left Warrington to

back for the inheritance," Joshua

“With a family empire as large as

His brow furrowed slightly.