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 appropriately and

remembered the countless times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest and discreet clothing, doing her best to go unnoticed, to please him and

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

the softness of her skin and the delicacy

the stairs,

usual. Or maybe it was the color of her cheeks, as if she had

Passion? Sex?

heart tightened in

Who else could have slept with her? He

the entrance of the Yates mansion, the two slipped into their usual

through Joshua's, their movements synchronized as they walked

hall was bustling with life, relatives filling the space

for some reason, as soon as Alice crossed the threshold, a sharp chill prickled

up 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

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

change in her attitude and, frowning,

One word escaped her

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

for the first time

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

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 perpetually

would have accepted defeat, settling into the

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 yet Caden had the audacity to take everything she'd worked away from her with what seemed

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

in

perfect score. But Caden, ever the snake, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his

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,

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

world fell apart, leaving her an orphan in

challenged Caden again. Caden then

Joshua muttered, his voice

sidelong glance as she continued, “With a family empire as

His brow furrowed slightly.