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 clothing, doing her best to go unnoticed, to

wife. After putting on her suit,

skin and the delicacy of her features,

the stairs, he stood still for

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

Passion? Sex?

tightened

could have slept with her? He must have thought too much about

the two slipped into

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

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

some reason, as soon as

immediately drawn to 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

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

in her attitude and,

caught. One word escaped her

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

paths had crossed for the first time when they were both

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

matter how hard she tried, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was always one step ahead. He edged

have accepted defeat,

But not Alice.

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 away from her

eye on her from the very

waged both openly and in the

ever the snake, had bribed the judges, twisting the results

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 gentlest comfort. She comforted Alicia that day, promising

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

Alice's world fell apart, leaving her an

not challenged Caden again. Caden then

back for the inheritance," Joshua muttered, his

“With a family empire as large as ours, an eldest son

His brow furrowed slightly.