Chapter 202:


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    Alicia had just slipped the thermos under her clothes when Caden lifted her out of the car.


    As they entered the apartment, Cade excitedly pounced, weaving between Caden''s legs. Caden nudged him gently, but despite falling, Cade''s excitement did not wane. He continued to follow them, barking excitedly.


    Alicia looked at Cade with a pang of guilt. She turned to Caden and asked, “Have you fed him today?”


    As he led her to the bedroom, Caden replied, “No.”


    “Why not?” Alice frowned worriedly.


    “It''s very simple. Just canned food and milk,” Caden replied dismissively.


    A hint of sarcasm crept into her voice as she added, "Why didn''t you think of him when you left with that malepanion?"


    Alice remained silent at hisment. She decided not to intervene further, stood up, clutching her stomach, and prepared to leave.


    Caden, clearly upset, asked, “Where are you going?”


    "To feed him," she replied.


    Caden sighed deeply and pulled her onto the bed. “I’ve already fed her.”


    At that moment, Cade came running in, jumped onto the bed, and snuggled up next to Alicia. His tail was wagging impatiently and he was breathing heavily, clearly seeking affection.


    Alice''s heart softened and she began to caress him gently, her frustration disappearing as she felt the warmth of his presence.


    Caden briefly left, but soon returned with hot water and a painkiller.


    Alice took the ss, still perplexed. “So you can be considered.”


    Caden''s face remained expressionless as he replied, "Only when I realize it''s necessary."


    Alice thought of her father. So ustomed to being served by maids, he could hardly do anything for himself except work.


    Alicia took a sip of the warm water, feeling its soothing warmth spread down her throat and ease her stomach cramps.


    "I''ve met many men who arepletely dependent on maids," she said.


    Caden replied nonchntly, “It''s not that they''re incapable. “They just choose not to.”


    Alice, who had been spoiled by her mother and knew Joshua''s duplicity, was not easily impressed by a simple ss of water. Their problems required more than superficial fixes. They needed a serious conversation.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Exhausted, Alicey in bed, drifting in and out of consciousness.


    It waste when Caden finished his work and entered the room. Heively instinct pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her.


    “Have you changed your mind?” I have asked.


    Alice opened her eyes and whispered, "No."


    Caden, not surprised by her response, continued, “You have seen my medical report and you understand my condition. Only you have the power to affect me. Don’t you see the unique opportunity that is before you?”


    Alice replied dryly: "If you were me, would you ept my use of you as a physical remedy?"


    Caden''s retort was sharp. He sneered, "If I were you, I''d bepletely in control."


    Alice rolled her eyes as she looked away. I have remained silent.


    The differences in thought between men and women were very marked. Sometimes, no words could bridge the gap.


    Caden snuggled his face into her neck, breathing slowly. “Are you sure you won''tmit to me until we''re officially together?”


    Alice''s heart fluttered. She wasn''t sure of her true feelings for Caden. That was the root of her confusion.


    She questioned him: "Why do you resistmitment?"


    As Caden stroked her, he paused momentarily. His mind flooded with memories of his parents, who had once loved each other deeply, forming a perfect family. Then his father''s mistress arrived, with a child in tow, born the same year as him.


    Her mother, overwhelmed by the revtion, suffered a miscarriage and died during the operation. Everything beautiful fell apart that night. It had all been a facade.


    Jerald had been unfaithful since the first year of their marriage, keeping Shelia as his mistress for seven years. Love, Caden reflected, was absurdly cheap.


    As these bitter memories surfaced, his tone grew colder. “You are looking for love, and I respect that. But to me, marriage is nothing more than a bargaining chip for business negotiations. “I can’t offer you that.”


    Alice''s smile faded, tinged with sadness. “A bargaining chip… Then, you’ll choose someone else.” She hesitated before asking, “If I were to ept, what would our rtionship be like until you get married?”


    Caden looked at her deeply, his hand gently caressing her face. “Your situation, right after you left me, shows that both the Yates and Green families are keeping a close eye on you. Doesn’t that scare you?”


    Alice''s voice softened, almost unsure. "Are you suggesting I''ll always be under your protection?"


    “You could be,” Caden replied without hesitation.


    Alicia''s breath caught. "Do you see me as your mistress?" she stammered. "Caden, have you not learned from your family''s fall? Do you want me to be another Shelia or Lilliana?"


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