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.

It was a trap and she had fallen right into it.

before, it was the first

lead, guiding her into

was absolute, leaving

Caden’s voice broke the

and I’ll shorten the call by twenty

”

still reeling from the intensity of the conversation,

barely think straight, let

told her that answering his questions wouldn't hurt

he murmured

tender voice, Caden grew

tone dropped an

that we’re apart… do

wandered,

could he ask such a brazen question?

took a ragged breath, feeling like a gasping

knew he wouldn't believe her answer, but she refused to

"No.

"

looking

to play with her, and his knowing chuckle made that

At the bar that night, did you enjoy it

trying to remember the guy's

even remember

dry lips, trying

she tried, all she

choosing the simplest

Caden hummed in satisfaction.

“Good girl.

”

breathing became heavier, and the tension in the air was

bit her lip, feeling cornered in this game

question,” he

“I’ll hang up later.

”

prolonging the silence before asking in a low, almost mocking

tingle on her

answer, but her labored breathing

couldn't help

easy to read as a

you had a great

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

”

response, a high-pitched beep sounded

hung

his

She always did what he asked, but acted like

breath and looked at his restless

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

stood up and headed to the bathroom to deal with the rest of her

as it was, the incident left Alice uneasy for

was bustling with activity, industries

opportunity and arranged meetings with

everything fell into place and the negotiations went

of his meetings with his investors, he called Gerry to invite him

response caught her off

really do

the one who got it all

set up the