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.

Dress appropriately and don't

visited the mansion dressed in modest

with divorce on the horizon, Alice no longer cared about playing the role of obedient wife. After putting on her suit, she carefully applied just enough makeup to enhance the glow of her

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

down the stairs,

curves, making her look more seductive than usual. Or maybe it was the color of her cheeks, as if she had just experienced

Passion? Sex?

tightened in

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

two slipped into their usual roles,

her arm through Joshua's, their movements

anyone, the great hall was bustling with

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

of the room. With his legs crossed and his dark shirt unbuttoned to reveal a sliver of collarbone, the man exuded

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

her attitude and, frowning, asked,

caught. One word escaped her lips, barely audible.

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

had crossed for the first time when they

school and, from that moment on, Alicia's perfect world began to fall

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

have accepted defeat, settling into the role of

But not Alice.

of living up to her name. Excellence wasn't just a goal, it was the currency with which

on her from the very beginning, and Alice, stubborn to the core,

battle waged both openly and in

perfection. And she achieved it, getting a perfect score. But Caden, ever the snake, had bribed the judges, twisting

She waited for his anger to subside

rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation, perished in a tragic

Alice's world fell apart, leaving her an orphan

had not challenged Caden again. Caden then left Warrington

Joshua muttered, his voice

gave him a sidelong glance as she continued, “With a family empire as large as ours, an eldest son like him

His brow furrowed slightly.