The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback

Chapter 33:

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Alice woke up to be unceremoniously dumped into the car.

Instinctively she curled up into a ball, her wide, wary eyes scanning the interior of the vehicle.

"Where are we going?" I have asked.

Hank turned to look at her and smiled reassuringly. “It's okay, Miss Bennett. It's just me and Mr. Ward. “You’re allergic to alcohol, so we’ll take you to the hospital right away.”

The mention of a hospital immediately made Alice nervous. "No! Please, can we not go?”

Hank paused, looking to Caden for guidance.

Caden, who was uncomfortable with hospitals, hesitated for a moment. Then his expression remained unreadable as he spoke. “Just stop by a pharmacy, get her some antihistamines, and then take her home.”

Hank agreed and started the car.

The car moved slowly along the road, although it was unable to avoid the sharp turns. With each turn, Alice's head seemed to spin even faster.

When they finally pulled up in front of her apartment, Alicia struggled to keep her eyes open and forced herself out of the car. As soon as her feet hit the ground, her knees buckled and she nearly passed out.

"Mr. Ward," Hank said, unable to bear the sight of her in that state. "Shouldn't we help her up?"

Caden watched Alicia through narrowed eyes as she staggered, swaying with every step.

“He can still walk, right?” Caden said dryly.

“I know Miss Bennett has a stubborn streak, Mr. Ward,” Hank said, “but she’s actually a very nice person.”

"If you're so worried, why don't you help her then?"

Hank felt a pang of unease at Caden's words. His grip on the steering wheel tightened, but he made no move to get out of the car.

Alice continued to fight, finally reaching the grass.

At that moment, Hank spoke again. “Are we really going to leave her here, Mr. Ward?”

Caden's face remained expressionless, though a muscle ticked in his jaw. What a stubborn little thing. He practically dragged himself in and out of consciousness, and yet he refused to call for help.

Taking a deep breath, Caden got out of the car. “Pass me the antihistamines.”

Hank quickly complied, handing him the medicine. As he did so, he noticed the cut on Caden's hand. “Mr. “Ward, did a stray cat scratch you again?”

Caden huffed irritably, walking away from the car without answering.

Alicia was surprisingly docile in her intoxicated state, and answered Caden's questions without hesitation. It didn't take long for him to get her unit number.

He helped her up to her floor and opened the door to her apartment.

Caden was still holding Alicia with one arm as he reached for the light switch with his free hand. There was a clicking sound, but the lights were still off.

Caden stood still for a moment, staring at his feet. At first he didn't feel anything, but the dim light in the hallway revealed that he had stepped into a mousetrap.

The pain began to build, gradually intensifying. Caden gritted his teeth and released his foot with a grunt of frustration.

He looked at Alice, who was still unconscious, with a string of curses ready. But he stopped himself.

It would be better to scold her when she was awake and sober.

Finally, Caden found the light switch and flipped it on. The apartment wasn't big, it only had one bedroom, but it was clean and tidy.

Caden carefully placed Alicia on the couch.

Her eyelashes fluttered and she narrowed her eyes. Thanks to the alcohol, her usual hostility toward Caden was nowhere to be seen. If anything, she looked dazed and confused.

Caden placed the medicine on the table. “They're antihistamines. Don’t stop taking them.”

He started to leave, but Alice's hand suddenly shot out, grabbing him by the sleeve.

Caden looked at her with a slight frown.

Alice opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, her vision went black.

She stood still for a couple of seconds, and then her hand moved from Caden's sleeve to his forearm, gripping it tightly.

Caden pressed his lips together and looked out the window. All the lights in the complex were off.

It must have been a blackout.

Fearing he would leave, Alice approached Caden. He tried to let go of her hand, but Alice reacted quickly, lunging at him and wrapping her arms around him in a desperate hug.

Caden couldn't remember the last time he'd seen her this vulnerable. “Aren’t you supposed to be tough and brave?” I have sneered. “What, are you actually afraid of the dark?”

She felt Alicia stiffen, but she didn't say anything. In fact, she was absolutely terrified. She didn't even care if Caden made fun of her for it.

Caden still had his phone, so he turned on the flashlight to illuminate the room. Coincidentally, a message appeared on the screen: it was from the apartment complex's group chat, informing tenants that the power would be restored in half an hour.

He relayed the message to Alice before reaching for the medicine and popping out a pill. “Open your mouth.”

Alice turned her head to look at him and obediently opened her mouth. Although her mind was still clouded, she was aware of her actions. Without much thought, she clicked her tongue against Caden's finger as he placed the pill in her mouth.

Caden gulped at the warm, wet sensation against his skin. “You're still the temptress, even when it comes to something as mundane as taking medicine.”

Alicia blinked, her eyes still glassy. Without any water to wash the pill down, it dissolved quickly in her mouth. She nuzzled Caden’s neck and murmured, “It tastes awful.” He could hear the whimper in her voice.

"Do you know who I am?" he asked coldly.

Alice didn't respond.

Suddenly, Caden felt a wetness in his throat. Warm tears were sliding down his neck and disappearing into his shirt.

He found himself hugging Alice to his chest. It was the second time he had cried today. How strange.

Alicia continued to cry silently for a few minutes before slowly raising her head. Caden had placed his phone on the coffee table, and the light coming from it cast a large shadow over his handsome face.

Alice cupped his face in both hands and stared at him in a daze. His eyes, large and watery, seemed like twin pools calling to her to come closer.

"Why? What have I done to you? Why are you treating me like this?"

Caden remained calm. “Alicia, look at me carefully. “I’m Caden, not Joshua.”

Alice leaned against him with a broken sigh. Fresh tears ran down her cheeks as she rested her forehead against his.

Caden frowned. He never liked getting involved with women, especially when they were emotional, but something in Alicia's eyes kept him rooted to the spot.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“Two years ago,” Alice began, her voice painfully soft. “Why did you trick me? First place was supposed to be mine. “Everyone knew it.”

Caden's breath caught.

Alice hadn't confused him.

Caden's gaze locked onto her face. “Who told you I cheated? “It was Joshua, right?”

Alicia's lips curved into a self-deprecating smile. She had performed exceptionally well in the competition two years ago. She was set to win first prize, but at the last second the judges changed their decision and gave it to Caden.

Joshua had told him everything. He had investigated the matter and discovered that Caden had orchestrated the whole thing.

If Caden hadn't stolen the first prize, his parents would have come home early that day. Maybe they wouldn't have died.

His silence confirmed everything. Caden scoffed. “Of course it's him. Whatever Joshua says is the truth, right? “You believe everything that comes out of your mouth.”

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