The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback

Chapter 61:

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The water enveloped Alicia like a tender embrace, its warmth so luxurious she almost wondered if she was

dreaming. Drowsiness took over, making it impossible to keep her eyes open. She managed to catch a glimpse

of Caden through the mist, his voice barely above a whisper as he asked, “Are you done showering?”

Her senses were still dulled, and she wasn't fully aware of the situation, her guard completely down. The

softness of his tone, the delicate vulnerability of his gaze... she was like a petal drifting in a calm breeze. Caden's

lips curved into a subtle, barely perceptible smile as he gently pressed his fingers against her skin.

“Are you still awake?” she whispered.

Alice flinched at the gentle pressure, her foot jerking reflexively and sending a small splash through the water.

The sudden jolt cleared the fog from her mind. Realizing where she was, she instinctively wrapped her arms

around herself, her pulse quickening. “What's going on? Why am | here?”

Hadn't she been waiting outside for him to finish?

“You fell asleep,” Caden replied, his tone casual, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “So | carried

you in my arms.”

Alice blinked in surprise. Had she fallen into such a deep sleep that she hadn't felt anything? Her gaze shifted to

his naked body under the water and her cheeks flushed with sudden heat. “You... took my clothes off?!”

Caden's eyes briefly strayed to the soaked dress strewn across the floor. Earlier, when he'd stepped out of the

shower, he'd found her curled up, shivering in the cold, her lips stained blue. He didn't think twice; he scooped

her up into his arms, knowing she'd catch a bad cold if he hadn't gotten her into hot water.

“Yes,” he admitted without hesitation.

Alice's face turned to deeper red. "Why didn't you just wakeup?" she asked, her voice raised with

embarrassment.

“I couldn't,” Caden said, his tone still unruffled. “Why else would | wake you up like that?”

“How so?” His brow furrowed in confusion.

Instead of immediately responding, Caden's fingers brushed her knee again, the touch sending an unexpected

jolt through her.

“Hey!” Alice gasped, the sudden pain starting her and she kicked her legs underwater. The movement caused

ripples on the surface, briefly revealing glimpses of her soft skin.

Caden didn't even intend to look away. Noticing his daring gaze, heat rose to Alicia's cheeks. She quickly sank

deeper into the water, her arms instinctively wrapping around her chest in a weak attempt to protect herself.

Caden stared at her, his eyes dark and unapologetic. His voice was low, almost mocking, when he said, “Why

bother covering up? “I've seen it all.” Those words left her silent.

Even with the subtle tension cracking between them, she knew he wouldn't dare do anything, at least not here.

As he stood up, his imposing figure cast a shadow over her. With a lazy smile, he said, “Go wash up.”

Alicia rushed to the bathroom. Less than twenty minutes later, she cleaned out, her skin flushed and damp.

Caden was waiting for her, leaning back in a chair, dressed only in a dark robe. He held a small bottle of

ointment in his hand.

He had taken a moment to examine her injured knee earlier. Fortunately, the noise was not serious. The

ointment would be enough to soothe it.

Without hesitation, Alice accepted the bottle. She poured sof the cold liquid into the palm of her hand

before gently rubbing the sore area.

Outside, the weather had taken a turn for the worse, and rain pelted the windows. Inside, however, the room

glowed with soft amber light from the lamps. Despite the melancholic atmosphere, the warmth of Caden's

presence made her feel unexpectedly safe, as if he could keep the darkness at bay.

He didn't speak, his attention fixed on the gathering storm outside. His expression was distant, unreadable. The

minutes passed and the silence between them grew heavier.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning flashed across the sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder. Startled, Alice's

gaze flew to Caden.

It was then that he noticed the slight trembling of his tightly clenched fists. His breath caught.

Despite her usual composure and arrogance, Alicia would never have imagined that the domineering Caden

could be upset by something as ordinary as a storm. Normally, she would have mocked him for it, but tonight,

with the storm raging around them, she bit back her words.

Because she was also afraid of thunder.

It was a fear she had carried with her since the night her parents died. Every flash of lightning and gust of wind

seemed to mock her, taunting her loneliness. Wrapped in blankets, she had spent countless nights staring into

the darkness, waiting for comfort that never came. No one had been there to whisper, “Don't be afraid.” So she

closed her eyes, willing herself to hold out until the light of dawn.

As another bolt of lightning flashed across the dark sky, Alice cried out, "Caden."

He slowly turned his head towards her. His eyes held a deep, chilling coldness, almost impenetrable. But in the

blink of an eye, that icy exterior softened, settling into a calm, collected demeanor. “What's wrong?” he asked,

his voice deep and magnetic.

She watched as his hands slowly relaxed and his fists unclenched.

“You were doing so well abroad,” she began, feeling her curiosity piqued. “Why did you cback?”

Caden's response was indifferent, almost disdainful. "Because of the inheritance."

Alicia raised an eyebrow slightly. “But you don't seem to be fighting for her.” Something so obvious hadn't gone

unnoticed.

The dark gleam in Caden's eyes faded, replaced by a lascivious smile.

“Why the sudden interest?” he asked, his tone laced with playful suspicion. “Are you gathering information for

Joshua, or are you planning to team up withagainst him?”

Alice smiled amusedly. “I was just asking,” she replied nonchalantly, but her real motive lay beneath the surface.

She just wanted to divert his attention, keep him busy, and protect him from the storm raging outside.

"| could ask you the squestion."

Not one to let things go easily, Caden persisted, “What are you doing here with the Yates family?”

She dismissed his question with a

« | .

shrug. “I don't wot pdgnenmore

yr H H . ’

ERE k under Joshua's

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protection.” The content is on

novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

Caden's grin widened, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “What if | beat him? The Yates family will be mine... and

you too?”

Alice's mouth twitched.

He was being mischievous again,

and for a moment Alice allowed

herself to forget helregtepad ¢hild

ope fader moments

before. She quickly put aside the

fleeting sympathy and capped the

bottle of ointment in her hands,

setting it aside with a soft thud. The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there!

"I'm leaving," he announced, his voice firm.

He headed for the door, stopping briefly to check the hallway. When no one was around, he limped out, leaning

against the wall.

But as she turned the corner, her heart jumped into her throat.

Right in her path was Shelia, with an

insincere smile as 30 asthe m

daggers figs _yes Wr hooting at

Alicia. 1t was clear that Shelia had

been waiting there for stime.

“Alicia,” she purred, her voice mock-concerned. “What were you doing alone in a room with Caden for so long?”