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

dressed

the role of obedient wife. After putting on her suit, she carefully applied just

touches accentuated the softness of her skin and the

down the

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

Passion? Sex?

heart tightened

have slept with her?

of the Yates mansion, the two slipped

arm through Joshua's, their movements synchronized as

receive anyone, the great hall was bustling with life,

reason, as soon as Alice crossed the

instinctively, 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

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

in her attitude and, frowning, asked,

caught. One word escaped her lips, barely audible.

his spine. To her, Caden

crossed for the first

school and, from that moment on, Alicia's

place anymore. No matter how hard she tried, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was always

else would have accepted defeat, settling into the role of

But not Alice.

living 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

from the very beginning, and Alice, stubborn to the core, refused to

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

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

hardest 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 to subside and asked quietly, “I'll be graduating soon. “Will you be back?” Her mother, Donna, had always been her gentlest comfort. She

Donna, who were rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation, perished in

Alice's world fell apart, leaving her an orphan

challenged Caden again.

inheritance," Joshua muttered, his voice

empire as large as ours, an eldest son like

His brow furrowed slightly.