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.

guests today. Dress appropriately and don't embarrass

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

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

touches accentuated the softness of her skin and

down the stairs, he

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

Passion? Sex?

heart tightened in his

slept with her? He

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

their movements synchronized as they walked towards the

to receive anyone, the great hall was bustling with life,

for some reason, as soon as

immediately drawn to the figure lounging casually at the other end of the room. With his legs crossed and

familiar, commanding gaze pinned her to the spot. Her mind raced

change in her attitude and, frowning, asked,

escaped her lips, barely

chill down his spine. To her,

their paths had crossed for the

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

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 in

would have accepted 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

his eye on her from the very beginning, and Alice,

relentless battle waged both openly and in the shadows. Their final showdown took place at university, just before graduation,

herself into that moment, her sights set on perfection. And she achieved it, getting a perfect score. But Caden, ever the snake, had bribed

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

back from Itrubisite to attend

apart, leaving her

Caden again.

for the inheritance," Joshua muttered, his voice

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

His brow furrowed slightly.