Chapter 199:
A surge of anger washed over Alicia, tempting her to unleash a torrent of curses.
She held herself back and, instead, delivered a forceful slap across Caden’s face.
Immediately, Caden’s features darkened, his expression turning stormy.
Her breath came in heavy bursts. “Is this your way of letting off steam? It actually feels quite liberating!”
Caden raised his head, locking eyes with her through a cold, icy stare. Blood tinged his thin lips, giving him a vampire-like appearance.
The unsettling sight immediately cooled Alicia’s anger, replacing it with a hint of fear.
She recoiled slightly, noticing the red imprint on his pale cheek. Having already struck him, she no longer feared the consequences. Swallowing hard, she said, “If you’re upset, hit me back or call the cops. I don’t care.”
Caden averted his gaze, looking past her.
Alicia turned and saw Gerry in his car, leaning out the window with wide eyes, staring in disbelief.
It was clear to her that Gerry had witnessed everything. Deciding to leave Caden to his turmoil, she straightened her attire, bowed her head, and walked away.
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She headed toward the car where the male escort waited. Gerry sprang from his car and confronted Caden.
“Holy crap! Caden, what are you doing?” he exclaimed, eyeing the marks on Caden’s face.
Caden responded with a frosty look.
He then lit another cigarette and strolled toward his car.
Shocked, Gerry followed him. “You forced a kiss on Alicia, and she retaliated? Is that your style? Since when were you two together? Do you actually have feelings for her? She’s your former sister-in-law! How could you— You two were always at odds, weren’t you? Damn, Caden. I misjudged you. You seem so respectable, but you’re just like those domineering CEOs in romance novels!”
Caden slammed the car door shut.
Gerry followed him inside and began to speak, but Caden interrupted, flicking cigarette ash at him.
Gerry quickly spat it out.
Caden, inhaling deeply from his cigarette, icily commanded, “Quiet down and call a driver.”
Gerry reluctantly settled down, glancing back at Alicia, who was climbing into the escort’s car.
He then looked at Caden, who was staring in the same direction, his expression stern and intense. Caden continued to smoke, the smoke curling in the air around him.
Gerry had never seen this side of him.
Cautiously, Gerry ventured, “Do you have real feelings for Alicia?”
Caden, with a raspy voice, responded, “Not exactly.”
Gerry fell silent.
He thought back to the earlier events. He might have been completely misled by Caden’s calm demeanor.
Gerry knew Caden was not one to obsess over anyone, yet there seemed to be something about Alicia. Caden simply watched as the escort led her away.
“Don’t you care at all? Didn’t you see who she left with? This doesn’t seem like you, Caden.”
Caden smirked.
He was certain nothing would happen between Alicia and the escort tonight.
Losing interest in the conversation, he pulled out his phone to arrange his own ride.
Gerry, still intrigued, pressed for more details. “How did things start between you two?”
Caden turned off his phone and shut his eyes, signaling his annoyance. “Enough, stop pestering me.”
Undeterred, Gerry persisted, “Was she that woman you were with at the club a few months back? Damn, you kissed her right in front of me while I was drunk. That’s really something. What about your health? Are you better now? I just can’t piece it together. How did it even start? I never saw a chance for any real connection. Spill it, how did it all begin?”
Caden’s voice was cold. “Shut up.”
Alicia couldn’t do anything tonight for a specific reason—it was the first day of her period.
She had brought the male escort along merely to make a point to Caden.
After calming down, she realized how silly her actions must have seemed.
Why argue with him at all?
He was only interested in her physically and didn’t truly care about her feelings. He treated her indifferently, unconcerned with her companions or actions.
Yet, the presence of the male escort had proved to be beneficial. He arranged a hotel for her, provided warm water, and took care of everything, greatly easing her situation.
Alicia realized she couldn’t return to Caden’s apartment anymore, so she secured the hotel room for a month and began considering long-term rental options. The escort made sure she was comfortable in bed, attentive to her needs.
She expressed her gratitude and paid him.
“You can go now. Thanks for today,” she told him.
The escort hesitated, aware of her connection with Caden but reluctant to leave. “Why don’t I stay a bit longer? You seem unwell.”
Alicia held her stomach, feeling the discomfort. Indeed, the pain of her period was intense, compounded by her consumption of fruit and wine.
“I’m really fine. It’s late, and you should go,” she insisted.
He got the message after she repeated herself, and stood to leave.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
Assuming it was room service, the escort answered, only to be met with a punch that struck him in the eye. The loud impact instantly alarmed Alicia.
