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 remembered the countless times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest and discreet clothing,

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

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

saw her coming down the stairs, he

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

Passion? Sex?

tightened in

Who else could have slept with her? He must

entrance of the Yates mansion, the two slipped into their usual roles, easily disguising the tension between

through Joshua's, their movements synchronized as

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

all around her, but for some reason, as soon as Alice crossed the threshold, a sharp chill prickled

her gaze 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 arrogance and his

met hers, a familiar, commanding gaze pinned her to the spot. Her mind raced and

her attitude and, frowning,

breath caught. One word escaped her

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

the first time when they

had taken a sabbatical year, moved to her school and, from that moment on, Alicia's perfect

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

would have accepted defeat, settling into the role

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

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

relentless battle waged both openly and in the shadows. Their

perfect score. But Caden, ever the snake, had bribed the

blow came 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

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

leaving her

Caden again. Caden

Joshua muttered,

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

His brow furrowed slightly.