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

dressed in modest and discreet clothing, doing

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

of her skin and the

down the stairs, he stood still for

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?

heart tightened in

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

the two slipped into their

through Joshua's, their movements synchronized as

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

reason, as soon as Alice crossed the threshold,

drawn to the figure lounging casually at the other end of the room. With his legs crossed and his dark shirt unbuttoned to reveal

Alice's eyes finally met hers, a familiar, commanding gaze pinned her to the spot. Her mind raced and

noticed the change in her attitude and,

escaped her

name sent a chill down his spine. To her,

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

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

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 perpetually stranded

have accepted defeat,

But not Alice.

currency with which she could win her parents' affection. Failure wasn't an option, and yet Caden had the audacity to take

he had his eye on her from the very

than a decade, a relentless battle waged both openly and in the shadows.

sights set on perfection. And she achieved it, getting a perfect score. But Caden, ever

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

plans. Phil and Donna, who were rushing back

world fell apart, leaving her an orphan in

not challenged Caden again. Caden then left Warrington to

for the inheritance," Joshua

a family empire as large as

His brow furrowed slightly.