The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback

Chapter 212:

Alicia hadn't expected him to take the matter so seriously, and for a moment, words failed her.

If he refused to accept her simple apology, then what did he want? A meal? Some other form of compensation? It didn't seem like Caden's style.

Before I could think about it, his deep, soft voice cut through the silence.

“Are you really sorry?”

Even over the phone, the weight of his tone sent a chill through her.

She felt dizzy, as if she were on the edge of a trap she hadn't seen coming.

“Yes,” he replied, albeit with some hesitation.

“But… even if I didn’t like you, it’s not like it would affect you, right?”

So shouldn't a verbal apology suffice?

Caden let out a low chuckle, but it was anything but amused.

“You say you’re sorry, but you back out so quickly.

”

At this Alice remained silent.

Guilt was gnawing at her, but pride made her insist on proving her sincerity.

“So… how do you want me to prove how sorry I am?”

His mockery echoed in her ear, making her shudder.

“Don’t you know that already?”

Alice froze.

In that instant, she understood exactly what he wanted.

Her first instinct was to hang up on him.

But Caden, calm as ever, added, “I won’t force you.

You don’t have to be so scared of me.

”

“Who says I’m afraid of you?” she snapped, though her voice shook enough to betray her.

“Even your breathing has changed.

”

Seeing herself exposed so easily, she instinctively held her breath, but his complicit silence only made things worse.

Caden, not wanting to waste time, got straight to the point.

“You don’t have to come to me.

Just give me an hour of your precious time and stay on the phone.

”

His stomach twisted.

and she had fallen right

before, it was the first time she found herself having phone

took the lead, guiding her into something much more

absolute, leaving no room

through, Caden’s voice

and I’ll shorten the call by

”

reeling from the intensity of the

think straight, let alone string together

thoughts told her that

ahead…” he

tender voice, Caden

an octave, rough

apart… do you miss

wandered,

ask such a brazen question? What a

a ragged breath, feeling like a

her answer, but she refused to admit

"No.

"

wasn't looking for

to play with her,

At the bar that night, did you

trying to remember

even remember

her dry lips, trying to bring

no matter how hard she tried,

he replied, choosing the

Caden hummed in satisfaction.

“Good girl.

”

became heavier, and the tension in the

feeling cornered in this game he was

last question,” he

“I’ll hang up later.

”

the silence before asking in a low, almost mocking

felt a tingle

her labored breathing

couldn't help but

easy to read as a

you had a

to me by now, but I have to say… you got the hang

”

response, a high-pitched beep

had hung up on

phone, his chest rising

so obedient at the same time? She always did what

deep breath and looked at

like a bundle of nerves: tense, dissatisfied and, in a word, a real

headed to the bathroom to deal with the rest

absurd as it was, the incident left

Christmas approached, the city was bustling with

the opportunity and arranged meetings with a number of

fell into place and the negotiations went surprisingly

his investors, he called Gerry to invite

response caught her

didn't really do

who got it all