The Unwanted Wife's Unexpected Comeback

In the dimly lit, opulent private cinema, the most exclusive jewelry auction was being broadcast live.

The rich cadence of the auctioneer's voice echoed through the room. "One million, going once, going twice-"

Alicia Bennett barely registered the words, her thoughts entirely consumed by the man under her.

His intensity overwhelmed her, driving her to sink her teeth into his shoulder in a desperate attempt to brace herself against the onslaught.

The man merely grunted in response, neither stopping nor slowing down.

"Loosen up, will you?" he rasped, voice thick with strain as he tightened his grip around her waist, commanding her body to bend to his will.

Alicia, still biting the man's shoulder, paused.

Slowly, she eased her jaw, her teeth releasing their hold.

Just as the apology began to form on her lips, he let out a low, almost teasing laugh. "That's not the part I asked you to loosen."

Alicia froze, heat rushing to her cheeks.

The apology withering in her throat, replaced by a searing embarrassment that turned her skin crimson.

But the intensity between them only grew fiercer as time passed, their bodies entangled in a battle of passion and control.

The auctioneer's gavel fell. "Sold for ten million! Let's give a round of applause to Mr. Joshua Yates!"

The name struck Alicia like a lightning bolt.

Her body instantly went rigid, something that the man couldn't help but notice. His movements paused as his eyes, half-lidded with satisfaction, flicked lazily toward the screen.

The camera zoomed in on Joshua Yates's face, every detail of his familiar features displayed in perfect clarity.

"Joshua Yates, the second son of the Yates family... an acquaintance perhaps?" he drawled, the corners of his mouth tugging into a sly smile as he playfully nibbled Alicia's earlobe.

Alicia's frown deepened. The last thing she wanted was to discuss it.

"Is gossip part of your services too?" she snapped, her voice cold, laced with irritation.

He chuckled softly at her retort, the sound reverberating in the space between them.

Services?

He didn't bother denying it. Instead, his grip on her waist tightened further, his movements growing more relentless, his rhythm chaotic and untamed, as if challenging her.

The room seemed to pulse with their passionate desires, the air thick with lust, their ragged breaths merging into one. Together, they reached a breathless crescendo.

When it was over, Alicia took advantage of the man's time in the shower and quietly made her escape.

She fished out a stack of banknotes from her purse and left them on the chair. Then she inched her way towards the door, quiet as a mouse, wincing at the soreness in her nether regions.

When Caden Ward finally emerged from the bathroom, his gaze instantly fell on the neat stack of dollar bills waiting for him on the chair. Amusement flickered in his eyes, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

Casually, he reached for a cigarette, lighting it leisurely before sinking into the chair, his fingers toying with the crisp notes.

Moments later, his assistant, Hank Ford, burst into the room, clearly on edge.

The faint, unmistakable scent of sex still hung heavy in the air, making Hank's scalp prickle with discomfort. "Er, apologies, Mr. Ward. I let my guard down. Give me a moment, and I'll have her brought back immediately."

They had just returned to the country, taking every precaution. And yet, a woman had managed to slip through the cracks of their security.

Caden exhaled a lazy stream of smoke, his features calm, almost indifferent.

"No need. I was... a willing participant."

Hank's eyes widened in shock.

Only then did he notice the faint red marks decorating Caden's chest.

Hank's vision started to spin. In all the time he'd known Caden, the man had never slept with a woman, not even for a casual one night stand.

There were even rumors that Caden might suffer from some secret ailment, which was why he had never been with a woman.

Yet now, those whispers seemed to evaporate in the face of this unexpected turn of events.

Before Hank could make sense of it, Caden's deep voice pulled him back to reality. "I want you to look into Joshua's personal life. Have the report on my desk in half an hour."

Tonight, Alicia had stumbled into his room, feverish and desperate.

It was obvious she'd been drugged.

And just like that, all his years of restraint and abstinence fell apart the moment he took her into his arms.

And then came the revelation- Alicia was still a virgin.

Two years of marriage to Joshua...

Yet she was still untouched?

The memory of last night's passion stirred something in him, and his lips curled into a satisfied smile.

The unexpected always had a way of intriguing him.

But as he reflected, one thing became abundantly clear-Alicia had no idea who she'd been with due to the drug's effects.

...

By the time Alicia returned home, the first light of dawn filtered through the windows.

Only then did she realize how long she had been out. She paused at the door, gnashing her teeth angrily.

Even after she had pushed herself to the brink of collapse, he refused to let her go, as though his stamina was never-ending.

Who was supposed to be the client here?

But before she could dwell any further, her phone rang. It was her bestie, Monica Flynn, calling.

"Alicia!" Monica practically screeched from the other end of the line, her voice high-pitched with worry. "How are you now?"

Alicia exhaled deeply, kicking off her shoes carelessly. "I've been better," she murmured.

Monica's anger bubbled over, her words sharp and unrelenting. "Joshua's such a piece of shit! He's beyond disgusting! If he doesn't want to stay married, he should just grow a spine and divorce you already! What kind of sick man would scheme against his own wife?"

The sharp pain of betrayal shot through Alicia's chest.

Yesterday was their second anniversary. Joshua had texted her, suggesting they celebrate. Daring to hope he had changed, she had dressed up to the nine's, only to be met with disappointment and a drug-laced drink that sent her spiraling into a night of confusion and chaos.

Was Joshua really the mastermind behind this?

Swallowing the bitterness that tried clawing its way to the surface, Alicia forced herself to climb the stairs, her movements slow and weary. "It's fine, Monica. I'll handle it."

Monica, ever protective, wasn't convinced. "'Handle it'? What do you mean you'll handle it? Just say the word, and I'll be over in a heartbeat. I'll even put on my sharpest heels, ready to kick him in the nuts!"

Alicia couldn't help the small, tired smile that tugged at her lips, though her heart still felt heavy.

Monica's tone suddenly shifted, curiosity sparking in her voice. "But, seriously, who was that guy you were with last night?"

Alicia froze mid-step, a bad feeling creeping up her spine. "Didn't you hire that male escort for me?" she asked uneasily.

"I did call one," Monica said, her voice suddenly serious. "But you never showed up. He texted me this morning, saying he waited all night and didn't see you. So... who were you with?"

Alicia's breath hitched as the realization slammed into her.

Before she could respond, the door to her bedroom creaked open.

She lifted her gaze, and almost instantly, her stomach dropped. There, fresh from a shower, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, stood Joshua. His damp hair clung to his forehead as he stared down at her, his voice low, menacing.

"What male escort?"

Alicia snapped out of her daze as soon as she met the icy gaze of Joshua, her so-called husband.

His expression remained unchanged, cold and indifferent as ever, as though he was looking at a stranger.

The only thing out of place was the love bite on his lips.

Was the kiss he shared with someone else so intense?

A wave of disgust washed over her, and it was all she could do not to gag. Her fingers tightened around her phone as she turned it off with a soft sigh. "It's nothing."

Without waiting for a response, she started to walk inside.

Joshua frowned, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist. "Alicia, what's with the attitude?"

He seemed quite unhappy with her this time, which was a rare thing, considering how little he bothered to come home.

Normally, Alicia would have welcomed him back with open arms, a flicker of joy lighting up her tired features, but today she looked drained, almost hollow.

She didn't resist his grip, meeting his gaze with a calmness that unnerved him. "Haven't I always been like this? Obedient, sensible, making sure the house is in order, ensuring you're comfortable, ready to give your best at work."

A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. "Isn't that what you like most about me? It makes things easier for you, doesn't it? Frees up time for your other... 'special someone'."

Joshua's eyes darkened at the veiled accusation.

Denial hovered on his lips, but he didn't bother. Why should he? He dropped her hand and said gruffly, "Actually, that's why I'm here. We need to talk."

Alicia vigorously rubbed her wrist, as though she was trying to erase his touch.

"So, are you planning to finally go public with her?"

Joshua's expression twisted instantly, his calm facade cracking. "What do you know? Did you have me stalked by a private investigator or something?"

Alicia let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Is that necessary? Last night, you spared no expense to make her happy. Even a blind person could tell you're mad about her."

He stared at her, unsettled by her icy tone.

It was still her voice, still Alicia, but there was something different about her... For some reason, he felt inexplicably hurt, like a thorn pricking his heart.

Perhaps it was the way she looked at him now-her eyes, once warm and filled with love for him, were now completely empty.

There was no anger, no pain, just... nothing. It was a stark contrast to the woman who used to look at him as if he were her entire world.

For reasons he couldn't explain, the sight of her like this stirred something in him, an unfamiliar dissatisfaction. Annoyed by his own reaction, Joshua decided to hit back, his voice harder now. "She's pregnant. It's a delicate pregnancy, so I bought her a little something to lift her spirits."

Alicia's fists clenched before she could stop them.

Pregnant?

So, the nights she had stayed up waiting for him to come home, he'd been with another woman, working diligently to start a new family?

Seeing Alicia wince a little, Joshua felt a flicker of satisfaction. "It's not that I don't want to sleep with you," he said, voice dripping with condescension. "You're just about as thrilling as watching paint dry. No man would want that."

His cruel words pierced through Alicia like a jagged blade, yet she managed to remain composed on the surface.

It wasn't that she avoided intimacy; she just wasn't the one to initiate it. Did that make her so undesirable? Was it a sin not to be seductive enough?

Taking a slow, steady breath, Alicia willed herself to stay calm.

"Fine," she replied quietly. "Let's get a divorce then. You can give her the title she wants."

The word "divorce" made Joshua's eyelid twitch involuntarily.

He scoffed, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Is this another one of your games?"

Convinced he was right, his voice grew colder, more biting. "Alicia, for two years, you've pulled every childish stunt, begging for my attention. Aren't you tired yet? Because I sure as hell am."

He paused, letting his disdain sink in. "You claim to love me so much. Could you really walk away from me?"

Alicia couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped her.

Love him? Did he even understand what that meant?

When Joshua's business had crumbled, leaving him with nothing but debt and shattered dreams, it had been Alicia who emptied her savings to pull him from the wreckage.

Out of gratitude-or maybe obligation-he had married her.

For two long years, she had been the dutiful wife, supporting him as he clawed his way to success.

And what had Alicia gotten in return? She had been cast aside like a useless relic, while another woman carried his child.

Her love, her loyalty, had been ground into the dirt beneath his feet. To care for this man any longer would be masochism.

Her voice steady, Alicia said, "Draft the divorce agreement. I'll agree to whatever terms you want."

And with that, she turned and disappeared through the door, leaving Joshua standing alone in the hallway.

For a moment, he stared after her angrily, but then a cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips.

Fine, she can play the martyr.

He doubted she could keep it up for long.

Storming out of the house, Joshua headed straight to the apartment where his lover, Lilliana Green, awaited him.

"Well, that was fast," she teased upon hearing Joshua was getting a divorce, raising a brow. "Seems she wasn't as tough to deal with as you claimed."

Joshua pulled her into his arms, his fingers gripping her waist possessively. "She's cunning," he muttered, the edge of suspicion creeping into his voice. "I don't know if she's actually agreeing to the divorce or just playing me."

Lilliana perched herself on his lap, her arms draping lazily around his neck, her gaze smoldering with seductive mischief. "Relax, Joshua," she purred, her lips brushing his ear. "Even if she changes her mind, it's too late."

Joshua's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Lilliana's eyes flickered with shadowy intent, her lips curling into a faint smile.

She wasn't foolish enough to show her cards now, so she waved it off with an effortless excuse. "During your two-year marriage, she has lived quietly in the shadows as a mere housewife, disconnected from your world. When you're assertive, would she dare to say a word?"

Joshua pursed his lips into a hard line.

During the past two years, Alicia had indeed done everything for him-given him support and solace.

She had loved him fiercely, but at the end of it all, what value did love truly hold?

Against all odds, he had clawed his way to the top, and he'd finally grasped the power he craved.

That success, however, hadn't come easy, and it wasn't love that secured his position-it was alliances with the powerful.

The prestige of the Green family daughter, that title alone, was worth far more than Alicia's devoted love.

As these thoughts plagued his mind, Lilliana suddenly pressed her luscious, red lips against his. "Joshua," she purred, her voice like velvet, "congratulations on escaping the grind. Shall we celebrate?"

For a moment, Joshua's gaze flickered down to her, but Alicia's indifferent face suddenly flashed before his eyes.

Since leaving the house earlier, Alicia hadn't once called him to ask for his whereabouts.

Before, if he had been upset with her, she would've called him in a panic.

A sharp, inexplicable irritation surged within him. Without thinking, he pushed Lilliana back, his voice gruff. "You're only a few weeks' pregnant. Be careful."

Lilliana, sharp as ever, sensed he was distracted. "Joshua, what's wrong?" she asked gently. "Don't you want to get divorced?"

Joshua's response was instant. "Of course I want to divorce her."

Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. "Then why don't you seem very happy?"

Joshua offered a quick excuse, his voice steady but distant. "My father's condition has worsened. He doesn't have much time left, and Caden returned last night. He's likely here to claim his inheritance. I need to figure out how to handle him."

Lilliana blinked, momentarily thrown. "Caden? Your brother from your father's first marriage? He doesn't even carry the Yates name anymore. What right does he have to fight you for the inheritance?"

Joshua's expression darkened.

It was true-but at the end of the day, he was still the son of a home-wrecker.

All these years of relentless effort had not only been to carve out a name for himself in the Yates family, but to push Caden into the shadows where he belonged.

One way or another, Joshua was hell-bent on winning.

Meanwhile, Alicia stirred from her sleep, the weight of fatigue still heavy on her limbs. Darkness had already fallen, yet she felt even more drained than before.

It was because her dreams revolved around that stranger, his touch still lingering on her skin.

She couldn't tell if it was the lingering effect of the drug or if that man was just so good in bed.

Even now, fully awake, she still felt like she was floating on cloud nine, which made her blush uncontrollably.

Only when her phone buzzed with a call from Monica did she snap out of her daze. "H-hello?" she stammered.

Monica, ever observant, immediately noticed that something about her friend was off. "Your voice sounds all soft and dreamy. What's going on? Did you patch things up with that jerk?"

Alicia cleared her throat, trying to shake the fluster. "Of course not!"

Monica's laughter rang out, hearty and full of mischief.

"Anyway, I got your blood test results. I passed them to a friend of mine with some serious connections. He's digging around to see who bought the stuff."

Alicia sat up a little straighter, her mind sharpening. "Thanks, Monica. Appreciate it."

"If you really want to thank me, do me a favor: stop obsessing over that jerk. And after the divorce, focus on your career. You owe me that much."

Alicia's chest warmed, her head lowering in quiet gratitude. "I know, I know."

Now that she thought about it, she had come to the realization that her feelings for Joshua had never been pure love-they were born out of a debt, a sense of obligation.

Her family's expectations had always weighed heavily on her, and in that lonely, stifled childhood, it was Joshua who had been there.

His companionship had nurtured a vague affection she'd confused for love.

"Lucky for me, love's never been something I've held onto tightly," Alicia murmured. "These last two years... I'll just see it as repaying his kindness."

Monica paused, her usual boldness tempered with thoughtfulness. She knew better than anyone how, once upon a time, Joshua had indeed loved Alicia.

But, it turned out love could be a fleeting thing.

"Alicia, I really hope you've let go for good," Monica said with a convicted sigh.

A sharp pang hit Alicia's chest, her eyes stinging as she fought back the urge to cry. Quickly, she pressed her hand to her eyelids, refusing to let the tears fall.

It was only then she noticed something startling.

Stunned, she stared at her hand.

The wedding ring-something she had once held onto so tightly-was gone.

Gone for a whole day and night, and she hadn't even noticed.

Suddenly, her heart felt lighter, the weight of everything she'd been carrying beginning to lift. She whispered, more to herself than anyone, "Yes, I've truly let go."

...

It didn't take long for Joshua to notice.

He had returned to grab something quickly when his eyes fell on her hand. His brow furrowed as he asked, without thinking, "Where's your wedding ring?"