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 don't

times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest

longer cared about playing the role of obedient wife. After putting on her suit, she

subtle touches accentuated the softness of her skin and the delicacy of her features, giving her a certain

saw her coming down the

was the way the dress clung to Alicia's graceful curves, making her look more seductive than usual. Or maybe it

Passion? Sex?

heart tightened in his

else could have slept with her? He must have thought

the entrance of the Yates mansion, the two slipped

put her arm through Joshua's, their movements synchronized

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

some reason, as soon as Alice crossed the threshold, a sharp

the room. With his legs crossed and his dark shirt unbuttoned to reveal a sliver

commanding gaze pinned her to the spot. Her mind raced and her emotions

noticed the change in her attitude and,

breath caught. One word escaped her lips,

down his spine. To her, Caden was the

had crossed for the first time when they were

and,

matter how hard she tried, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was always one step ahead. He edged her out by the

else would have accepted defeat, settling into the role of

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

from the very beginning, and Alice,

in the shadows. Their final showdown took place at university, just before

Caden, ever the snake, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his favor. Alicia was forced, once again, to come in

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 comforted Alicia that day, promising that

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

leaving her an orphan in

had not challenged Caden again.

the inheritance," Joshua muttered, his voice

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

His brow furrowed slightly.