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.

was the first

her into

absolute, leaving no room

voice broke the

three questions and I’ll shorten the call by

”

reeling from the intensity of the

barely think straight, let alone string together a coherent

thoughts told her that answering

he murmured

Caden

tone dropped an octave,

that we’re apart…

wandered, her pulse

could he ask such a brazen

ragged breath, feeling

her answer, but she refused to

"No.

"

looking

to play with her, and his knowing chuckle made

you enjoy it when that male

trying to

couldn't even remember it

her dry lips, trying to bring the memory

how hard she tried,

choosing the simplest

Caden hummed in satisfaction.

“Good girl.

”

breathing became heavier, and the tension

cornered in

question,” he

“I’ll hang up later.

”

silence before asking in a low, almost

a tingle on her

didn't dare answer, but her labored breathing

couldn't help but

indeed as easy to read as a

look like you had a

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

”

beep sounded

had hung up

his chest rising and falling with

time? She always did

breath and looked at

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

she stood up and headed to the bathroom to deal with the

was, the incident

Christmas approached, the city was bustling with activity, industries

and arranged meetings with

everything fell into place

meetings with his investors, he called Gerry to invite

response caught

really

who

set up the