The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback

Chapter 61:

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The water enveloped Alicia like a tender embrace, its warmth so luxurious she almost wondered if she was dreaming. Drowsiness took over, making it impossible to keep her eyes open. She managed to catch a glimpse of Caden through the mist, his voice barely above a whisper as he asked, “Are you done showering?”

Her senses were still dulled, and she wasn't fully aware of the situation, her guard completely down. The softness of his tone, the delicate vulnerability of his gaze… she was like a petal drifting in a calm breeze. Caden's lips curved into a subtle, barely perceptible smile as he gently pressed his fingers against her skin.

“Are you still awake?” she whispered.

Alice flinched at the gentle pressure, her foot jerking reflexively and sending a small splash through the water. The sudden jolt cleared the fog from her mind. Realizing where she was, she instinctively wrapped her arms around herself, her pulse quickening. “What's going on? Why am I here?”

Hadn't she been waiting outside for him to finish?

“You fell asleep,” Caden replied, his tone casual, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “So I carried you in my arms.”

Alice blinked in surprise. Had she fallen into such a deep sleep that she hadn't felt anything? Her gaze shifted to his naked body under the water and her cheeks flushed with sudden heat. “You… took my clothes off?!”

Caden's eyes briefly strayed to the soaked dress strewn across the floor. Earlier, when he'd stepped out of the shower, he'd found her curled up, shivering in the cold, her lips stained blue. He didn't think twice; he scooped her up into his arms, knowing she'd catch a bad cold if he hadn't gotten her into hot water.

“Yes,” he admitted without hesitation.

Alice's face turned to deeper red. "Why didn't you just wake me up?" she asked, her voice raised with embarrassment.

“I couldn't,” Caden said, his tone still unruffled. “Why else would I wake you up like that?”

“How so?” His brow furrowed in confusion.

fingers brushed her knee again,

Alice gasped, the sudden pain starting her and she kicked her legs underwater. The movement caused

Noticing his daring gaze, heat rose to Alicia's cheeks. She quickly sank deeper into the water, her arms instinctively wrapping around her chest

and unapologetic. His voice was low, almost mocking, when he said, “Why bother covering up? “I’ve seen it

she knew he wouldn't dare do anything, at least

his imposing figure cast a shadow over her. With a lazy smile, he said,

the bathroom. Less than twenty minutes later, she cleaned out, her skin flushed and damp. Caden was waiting for her, leaning back in a chair, dressed only in a dark robe. He held a small bottle of ointment in his

the noise was not serious.

of the cold liquid into the palm of her hand

the room glowed with soft amber light from the lamps. Despite the

the gathering storm outside. His expression was distant, unreadable. The minutes passed and the silence between them

across the sky, followed by a deafening clap

that he noticed the slight trembling of his tightly clenched

could be upset by something as ordinary as a storm. Normally, she would have mocked him for it, but tonight,

also afraid

was a fear she had carried with her since the night her parents died. Every flash of lightning and gust of wind seemed to mock her, taunting her loneliness. Wrapped in blankets, she had spent countless nights staring into the darkness, waiting for comfort

of lightning flashed across the dark sky,

blink of an eye, that icy exterior softened, settling

watched as his hands slowly relaxed and

began, feeling her curiosity piqued. “Why did you come

was indifferent, almost

“But you don't seem to

in Caden's eyes faded, replaced by a

laced with playful suspicion. “Are you gathering information for Joshua, or are you planning to team up with me

she replied nonchalantly, but her real motive lay beneath the surface. She just wanted to divert his attention, keep him busy, and protect him from the