The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback
Chapter 5

Chapter 5:

? ? ? ? ?

Alice's nerves tense like a spring.

That voice…

Her disordered thoughts blurred into chaos, but one thing broke through the haze: Joshua's calm statement.

“Alicia and I have been married for two years. She cares about me, so we kept it a secret. We went straight to the registry, without ceremony. “You were busy abroad at the time, so we didn’t bother you.”

Caden raised an eyebrow, his voice laced with venomous mockery.

"Oh, so she's my sister-in-law."

The way he spat out the words “sister-in-law” seemed more like a slap than a title, leaving no doubt of his contempt for her.

Alice could feel the underlying mockery in every syllable.

And all thanks to her supposed husband, Joshua.

Her hand was shaking as she grabbed a tissue and wiped her hand vigorously, as if to cleanse herself of its filthy touch.

“It seems Alice is a bit of a germaphobe,” Caden observed, his tone a casual jab at her displeasure.

Joshua's expression darkened and the tension between them increased. He didn't expect her to humiliate him like this.

"I seem to have spoiled her too much," he muttered, his voice low and tight with irritation.

Caden's eyes flashed with a dangerous glint.

"If it is a serious illness, she should receive treatment. It could affect her role as a mother. You know how much our father has wanted to have a grandchild."

Hearing this, something flickered in Joshua's eyes.

Even though Alice, his wife, was right next to him, he went ahead and lied through his teeth.

“Thanks for your concern, Caden, but I have some good news for Dad. “I just haven’t gotten around to telling him yet.”

Caden's smile deepened, his gaze shifting to Alicia, who was about to end the charade. She silently excused herself and walked away, the sensual sway of her hips catching Caden's attention.

“How far along are you?” he asked significantly. “You don't look pregnant.”

Joshua didn't miss a beat.

"Just one month."

The response was both a threat and an announcement.

Now, the stakes for inheritance had just been raised, and Jerald, always focused on continuing the family line, would no doubt take his unborn grandson into account. Caden's smile hardened, and Joshua delivered the final blow with a smug tone.

“You better catch up, Caden. “I can’t always be one step ahead.”

Caden, unfazed, waved his hand lazily. “There's no hurry.”

Alice stepped out onto the terrace, the cool night breeze caressing her skin. She drank in the fresh air greedily, trying to calm her nerves.

He took out his phone and called the director of the private cinema again.

“Have you found the ring?” she asked anxiously.

The director hesitated, looking worried.

"Mrs. Bennett, we've searched thoroughly and questioned all the staff, but… we really haven't been able to replace any rings."

“So…” Alice clenched her fist, her mind racing. “Do you have the contact information for the guest who booked the room that day?”

“I’m sorry, but due to our privacy policy, we cannot disclose any information about our customers.”

His heart sank.

“I see,” she sighed in resignation. “Please let me know immediately if anything turns up, okay?”

In a perfect world, I could have purchased an identical ring and passed it off as the original.

Unfortunately, Joshua had custom made it and it was not easy to reproduce.

After dinner, it started to rain.

The relatives began to come out one by one.

Joshua stayed by her side as they walked to the car, his eyes fixed on her bare wrist.

“If you liked the bracelet at the auction, I can buy you something similar,” he said coldly.

Alicia had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. She didn't believe for a second that Joshua had changed his mind about her.

“Trying to buy my silence, huh?” His words were sharp, piercing Joshua's tender facade.

“No need,” he added coldly. “I have no desire to become entangled in your affairs.”

Joshua hadn't meant to sound like that, but his mocking tone struck a chord with her. Her jaw clenched and a bitter smile played on her lips.

“Okay. Don't accept it. The money I spend on you is a waste anyway.”

Alice bit the inside of her cheek before adding firmly,

"Joshua, I've already told you. I'm willing to leave this marriage empty-handed. Let's sign the divorce papers tomorrow morning and get this over with once and for all."

His smile turned into something dark, something dangerous.

"And the ring?"

«I lost it.

Joshua's eyes narrowed, his tone implacable.

"I don't care about anything else. I want the ring."

She could barely contain her frustration, her breathing coming in ragged gasps as he delivered his final blow.

“If you don't replace it,” he said coldly, “I'll assume you're keeping it because you still care about me.”

At that moment Joshua's phone range; it was Lilliana.

“Joshua,” she meowed his name plainly. “The thunder is so loud. I’m scared to sleep alone… Can you eat?”

The car wasn't heading to Lilliana's house, and Joshua was furious with Alicia, so without thinking twice, he threw her out into the rain and sped off.

He didn't even leave her an umbrella.

Alicia stood frozen on the side of the road, the downpour quickly soaking through her clothes. The cold rain soaked her to the bone, chilling her to the core.

Gritting his teeth, he swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth and began walking down the soaked pavement.

Behind her, the soft hum of an engine crept closer. A sleek, low-profile Maybach pulled up beside her, its headlights cutting through the rain.

"Mr. Ward," the driver said, looking back. "I think it's Mrs. Bennett." The car stopped.

Caden looked out the window, his sharp eyes narrowing on Alicia's lone figure.

She had just paused, her fingers gathering the fabric of her soaked dress, tying it to ease her gait.

Her slender legs glistened in the rain.

Although they looked delicate, they had a silent strength.

He couldn't help but remember how those legs had coiled around him like a snake just a few nights before.

Caden's lips curved into a knowing smile at the memory.

“Invite her in,” he said.

The car stopped next to Alice.

The driver got out, holding a large umbrella over his head, his voice polite.

"Mrs. Bennett, it's hard to replace a taxi at this hour. Can I take you home?"

Alice looked up and recognized the man as the Yates family chauffeur.

He hesitated a moment before nodding, his voice soft but firm.

"Thank you. Sorry for the inconvenience."

However, as soon as she got into the backseat of the car, her eyes locked on the other passenger, Caden.

"We'll see each other again so soon, eh?"

Her voice, soft as velvet, had a hint of mischief.

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