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

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

on the horizon, Alice no longer cared about playing the role of obedient wife. After putting

of her skin and the delicacy of her features,

coming down the stairs, he stood still

curves, making her look more seductive than usual. Or maybe

Passion? Sex?

heart tightened in his

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

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

as soon as Alice crossed the threshold, a sharp chill prickled her

room. With his legs crossed and his dark shirt unbuttoned to reveal a sliver of collarbone, the man exuded

commanding gaze pinned her

the change in her attitude and, frowning, asked, “What’s

word escaped her lips, barely

down his spine. To her, Caden was

paths had crossed for the first time when they

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

she tried, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was

would have accepted defeat, settling into the role

But not Alice.

once-prestigious Bennett family, she grew up under the suffocating weight of 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

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

battle waged both openly and in the shadows.

that moment, 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 his

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

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

fell apart, leaving her an orphan in this

again. Caden then left

Joshua

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

His brow furrowed slightly.