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.

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

took the lead, guiding her

leaving no

Caden’s voice broke the

and I’ll shorten

”

mind still reeling from the

could barely think straight, let alone string

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

ahead…” he murmured

tender voice, Caden grew

dropped an

apart… do you miss

wandered, her pulse

could he ask such a

breath, feeling like a

believe her answer, but

"No.

"

wasn't looking for

play with her, and his knowing chuckle made that

question: At the bar that night, did you enjoy it when that male companion flirted with

to

even remember it

her dry lips, trying

she tried,

replied, choosing the simplest

Caden hummed in satisfaction.

“Good girl.

”

heavier, and the tension in the air was

cornered in

last question,” he insisted, his voice

“I’ll hang up later.

”

low, almost mocking tone,

tingle on

didn't dare answer, but her labored

couldn't help but

indeed as easy to read

you

be used to me by now,

”

a high-pitched beep

hung

at the phone, his chest rising

be so obedient at the same time? She always did what he asked, but acted like she had no

and looked at his restless

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

she stood up and headed to the bathroom to deal

was, the

Christmas approached, the city was bustling with activity,

arranged

to Gerry's contacts, everything fell into place and the negotiations went surprisingly

meetings with his investors, he called

response caught her

really

one who got

just set up