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.

her knee again, the touch sending an

pain starting her and she kicked her legs underwater. The

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

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

with the subtle tension cracking between them, she knew he wouldn't dare

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

damp. Caden was waiting for her, leaning back in a chair, dressed only in

earlier. Fortunately, the noise was not serious. The ointment would be enough to soothe

some of the cold liquid into the palm of her hand before

rain pelted the windows. Inside, however, the room glowed with soft amber light from the lamps. Despite the melancholic atmosphere, the warmth of Caden's presence made her feel unexpectedly safe, as if he could keep the

his attention fixed on the gathering storm outside. His expression was distant, unreadable. The

across the sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder. Startled,

then that he noticed the slight trembling of his tightly

as ordinary as a storm. Normally, she would have mocked him for it,

also

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

another bolt of lightning flashed across the

the blink of

slowly relaxed

were doing so well abroad,” she began, feeling her curiosity piqued. “Why did

was indifferent, almost

don't seem to be fighting for her.” Something so obvious

gleam in Caden's eyes faded, replaced by a

gathering information for Joshua, or are you

asking,” she replied nonchalantly, but her real motive lay beneath the surface. She just wanted to divert