Chapter 211:
Gerry exhaled deeply. “You two have always clashed from the start. If he admitted anything, it would feel like conceding to you, and Caden’s too competitive for that. He’s been that way since childhood. He would never allow himself to seem lesser.”
As someone deeply familiar with Caden’s history, Gerry naturally empathized with him.
“Caden changed after his mother’s accident. When I asked him why he didn’t defend his reputation, he told me he was already so disliked that one more accusation didn’t matter.”
Alicia’s lips tightened, a lump forming in her throat. “I know.”
Aware of the hardships Caden had faced, Alicia felt her resolve waver, contemplating reconciliation. Yet, the thought left her feeling exposed and vulnerable.
“I never imagined things between you two would turn out this way,” Gerry commented. “He’s never really loved anyone before. But I believe he still has feelings for you,” he added, seeing something deeper in Caden’s actions.
Alicia quickly regained her composure. “Men can show interest in numerous women simultaneously,” she retorted.
“That might be true for others, but not for Caden,” Gerry asserted with conviction.
“Really? Then explain who he was meeting at the airport recently?” Alicia challenged, skeptical of Caden’s affections.
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Gerry paused, momentarily caught off guard by the mention of Yolanda.
“Well, regarding that, Caden and her—” he stumbled, unsure of how to explain, reflecting his own confusion about Caden’s feelings towards Yolanda.
Caden maintained his distance, yet at the airport, he embraced her amidst swirling rumors, remaining passive about the gossip.
Did Caden truly desire both women?
The tension in the air escalated. Alicia fell silent, her thoughts entangled.
Returning to his apartment, Caden entered and surveyed the room. Each glance deepened the chill on his features.
Earlier, upon seeing Alicia, he wondered if she still harbored feelings for him. Yet, her purpose was clear—she was there to collect her belongings.
He had misjudged her resolve. Alicia appeared gentle, but her decisiveness left no room for negotiation.
Stepping inside, he noticed the absence of the small, irritating items that once cluttered the space, leaving him with an unexpected sense of hollowness.
Did he regret his actions? Absolutely.
Yet, he believed he had exhausted all his efforts. Alicia had consistently rejected his attempts—both tender and forceful—refusing to compromise any further. Tossing aside an unlit cigarette, he made his way to the bedroom for a shower.
As he approached the bed, he realized the pink bedding was gone. Though he had always disliked the color, its removal symbolized something deeper—a complete severance.
Was she trying to erase their past entirely?
His expression darkened further with each thought. Consumed by a rising anger, he stepped into the bathroom, but the cool water of the shower barely masked his frustration.
Emerging from the bathroom, he found a message from Gerry.
“I’ve dropped her off.”
Typically unreliable, Gerry had at least managed to handle this task effectively. Caden ignored the message, lighting a cigarette to calm his nerves.
As his eyes scanned the apartment, he was painfully reminded of their intimate moments that had filled every corner. Her presence lingered in the air, rekindling desires the shower had only briefly subdued.
Feeling overwhelmed, he admitted to himself her undeniable allure.
He knew too well that if she were to return, resisting her would be futile.
Exiting the bedroom, his phone vibrated.
Without checking who it was, he answered gruffly, “Speak,” his tone heavy with defiance.
There was a pause on the other end before a soft voice finally said, “Caden, it’s me.”
Caden paused, taking a moment before replying, “Speak.”
Alicia, having just arrived at her hotel, took a deep breath before speaking. Despite Caden’s typically detached tone, she gathered her courage and said, “About that competition back then, I now understand the full story.”
Caden was caught off guard by her mention of it but dismissed it casually. “So?”
“I realized I misunderstood you and held onto resentment for a long time,” Alicia admitted softly.
“The competition isn’t the only reason you resented me,” Caden replied coolly.
Their history was complex. After constantly being overshadowed by him, Alicia had distanced herself. His presence had once sent a chill through her.
Now, reunited under different circumstances, her gaze softened, a stark contrast to the aloofness of the past.
Caden felt a mix of emotions, his long-suppressed desires resurfacing.
Alicia, sensing his apathy yet unable to read his thoughts, continued, “I still need to apologize.”
A heavy silence fell, broken only by the occasional sound of his deep breaths.
Hesitantly, she asked, “Will you accept my apology?”
Caden’s response was blunt. “I never accept verbal apologies.”
