Chapter 207:
After dropping Gerry off, Caden made his way back to his nearby apartment.
At the entrance, the security guard immediately recognized him and respectfully greeted him, “Mr. Ward, there’s a package here that’s been waiting for you. Could you please sign for it?”
Caden’s brow furrowed. “What package?”
Online shopping was not something he typically engaged in. The guard, mindful not to delve too deeply into personal matters, handed it over. “I’m not sure what it is. You might want to check.”
Caden inspected the label. His phone number was listed, but the recipient was named Cade. He understood then.
The package contained dog food Alicia had ordered online. He briefly held the package before tossing it onto the counter.
“Dispose of it or sell it. Keep any money you make,” he said, then turned to leave.
The guard waited until Caden was out of sight before picking up the package, his curiosity piqued. He was surprised. The package contained a luxury imported brand of dog food, specifically for puppies. Caden had discarded it so carelessly.
Was this typical behavior for the wealthy?
Dive into the story world at gαℓησv𝒆ℓs․cøm
Feeling a little envious, the guard decided to keep the package for himself. His own dog would surely enjoy such a fine treat. After securing the package, the guard noticed Alicia entering the building.
He cheerfully called out to her, “Ms. Bennett, it’s been a while since we last saw you.” Alicia paused briefly.
She nodded and said, “Hello. I’ve come to collect something.”
Thinking she was referring to the dog food, the guard was about to fetch it when he noticed she didn’t stop at the desk, but instead continued further inside.
Alicia made a sound of confusion.
She had returned to retrieve a painting. Since moving out, she hadn’t been able to pull herself together or summon the courage to come back. She also hadn’t wanted to reach out to Caden. But tonight, she had finally decided to reclaim what she had left behind.
Before heading over, she discreetly checked with Gerry, who confirmed that Caden had been spending his time at the office lately. He was confident that Caden wouldn’t be at the apartment.
Standing at the door, Alicia was certain the place was empty, yet she paused to take a deep breath before attempting the fingerprint lock. But it failed to activate.
Confused, she realized the fingerprint recognition had been deactivated. After a moment of hesitation, she typed in the password.
The system beeped twice.
The password was wrong.
A wave of disappointment washed over Alicia. Had he changed the password? Or had she entered it incorrectly?
She pulled her hand back, feeling as though she’d been stung by a thorn. Why would he change it? Was he trying to erase all reminders of her? She scoffed at herself.
Forget it. She’d reach out to Caden later about the painting.
Just then, the door unexpectedly swung open from the inside.
Startled, Alicia’s gaze shot upward.
She froze.
Caden stood before her in a white shirt, the top few buttons undone, exuding a casual yet distant air.
She hadn’t anticipated him being home.
Her thoughts blanked for a moment.
She forgot to turn away.
Caden studied her for a moment before asking, his tone cool, “What do you want?”
Alicia quickly gathered her wits.
She tensed her fingers, trying to stabilize her emotions.
“I’m here to collect something.”
“What exactly?” Caden asked, loosening his grip on the door, showing no sign of welcoming her inside. He seemed distant.
Alicia felt uneasy and lowered her gaze. “It’s my mother’s painting.”
Caden remained silent, his intense gaze locking onto her, heightening the tension. After a moment of silence, Alicia added, “I don’t need to come in. You could bring it out to me.”
Caden broke his stare and turned away, entering the apartment. “Fetch it yourself.”
A tightness gripped Alicia’s heart.
She had just steadied her nerves, and the last thing she wanted was to share a space with Caden. Yet, she was determined not to leave without the painting.
After a brief hesitation, she stepped inside.
Changing her shoes, she was suddenly reminded of her first visit. Led astray by Caden, she had embarrassingly bought condoms and blushed right at this very doorstep.
Months had passed since then, and their relationship had cooled to the point where even conversation seemed unnecessary.
Swallowing her sadness, she resolved to be quick and headed toward the painting.
Caden had placed it high up on the shelf. She needed a stool to reach it.
Caden lounged on the sofa, his legs crossed, watching her openly. She looked thinner than he remembered.
Annoyance flared within him, and he reached for a lighter, intending to light a scented candle. But then he remembered that she had made those candles and put the lighter back down.
Alicia carefully removed the painting. The frame was heavy, and as she descended, she lost her balance.
In that brief moment of instability, she clung tightly to the painting, terrified of damaging it. Her knee slammed into the stool.
The solid wood stool made a loud thump upon impact.
Caden’s attention was drawn upward by the sound.
Alicia gripped her knee tightly, biting her lip as she endured the pain.
Once the discomfort subsided, she limped over to return the stool to its place, then made her way toward the door, holding the painting in her arms.
Caden’s expression hardened. “You’re leaving just like that?”
