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.

today. Dress

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

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

the softness of her skin and the delicacy of her features,

down the stairs, he stood

Or maybe it was the color of her cheeks, as if she had just experienced the most passionate sex of

Passion? Sex?

tightened in

could have slept with her? He must have thought

Yates mansion, the two slipped into their usual roles, easily disguising

through Joshua's, their movements synchronized

anyone, the great hall was

noise hummed all around her, but for some reason, as soon as Alice crossed the threshold, a

the figure lounging casually at the other end of the room. With his legs crossed and his dark shirt unbuttoned to reveal a sliver of collarbone, the man exuded

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

change in her attitude and, frowning, asked, “What’s

breath caught. One word escaped her lips, barely

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

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

moved to her school and,

was always one step ahead. He edged her out by the smallest of

defeat, settling into the role of

But not Alice.

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

eye on her from the very beginning, and

in the shadows. Their final showdown took place

Caden, ever the snake, had bribed

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

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

fell apart, leaving her an orphan in this cruel

challenged Caden again. Caden then left

Joshua muttered, his voice

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

His brow furrowed slightly.