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.

trap and she had

the first time she found herself having phone

her

was absolute, leaving no room

through, Caden’s voice broke the

questions and I’ll shorten the

”

from the intensity of

could barely think straight, let alone string together

somehow, her jumbled thoughts told her that answering his questions wouldn't hurt her

he

her tender voice, Caden grew

dropped an octave, rough and

that we’re apart…

mind wandered, her pulse

could he ask such a

ragged breath, feeling like a gasping

wouldn't believe her answer, but she refused

"No.

"

looking for

her, and his knowing chuckle made

bar that night, did you enjoy

trying to remember

even remember it

her dry lips, trying to bring the

matter how hard she tried, all she

replied, choosing the simplest

Caden hummed in satisfaction.

“Good girl.

”

breathing became heavier, and the tension

bit her lip, feeling cornered in this

he

“I’ll hang up later.

”

paused, prolonging the silence before asking in a low, almost mocking tone, “Did this call…

tingle on

dare answer, but her labored breathing gave

couldn't help

easy to read

like you

you’d be used to me by now, but I have

”

a high-pitched beep sounded

hung up on

the phone, his chest rising

same time? She always did what he asked, but acted like she

deep breath and looked

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

to the bathroom to deal with

absurd as it was, the incident left

approached, the city was bustling

seized the opportunity and arranged meetings with

contacts, everything fell into place and the

one of his meetings with his investors, he called

response caught her

didn't really do

who got it all