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.

have guests today. Dress appropriately

the mansion dressed in modest and discreet clothing, doing her best to go unnoticed, to please

of obedient wife. After putting on her suit, she carefully applied just enough makeup to enhance

skin and

Joshua saw her coming down the stairs, he stood

more seductive than usual. Or maybe it was the color of her cheeks, as if she had just experienced the most passionate sex of

Passion? Sex?

heart tightened in his

slept

the two slipped into their usual roles, easily disguising

movements synchronized as they walked towards

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

reason, as soon as Alice crossed the threshold,

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

commanding gaze pinned her to the spot. Her mind raced

her attitude and,

One word escaped her lips, barely audible.

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

for the first time when they

who had taken a sabbatical year, moved to her school and, from that moment on,

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

have accepted defeat, settling into the role of

But not Alice.

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 like

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

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

her sights set on perfection. And she achieved it, getting a perfect score. But Caden, ever the snake, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in

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,

other plans. Phil and Donna, who were rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation, perished

fell apart, leaving her an orphan

not challenged Caden again. Caden

the inheritance," Joshua

as large as ours, an

His brow furrowed slightly.