Chapter 203:


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    Alice''s stubbornness exceeded Caden''s expectations. I have scoffed. “You can''t even guarantee your own safety, and yet you worry about trivial things.”


    “If I can''t live, so be it,” Alice replied, her voice hoarse as she gripped the nket tightly. “What’s the point of living if I’m always under someone’s control?”


    She turned away, unable to stop the tears that burned her cheeks and fell onto her arm. Embarrassed, she pushed him away.


    Caden made no move to touch her again, and a heavy silence settled between them.


    After a pause, he broke the silence coldly. “Alice, your feelings are too cheap. What do you see in me?”


    Alice’splexion paled. “Perhaps,” she whispered, contemting her constant emotional turmoil even after a disastrous marriage. She hade to believe that if anything went wrong, it was not the ingredients that were to me, but the cooks.


    In this day and age, wearing your heart on your sleeve was a fool''s errand.


    “Caden, if you expect me to depend on you, prove that you can handle me,” she said tly. “If not, it''s better that we go our separate ways.”


    “If I really tried, could you handle it?” Caden snapped.


    “You''re just looking for a partner in bed,” she replied. “You have no feelings for me. What''s the point of all this talk? Do you even care if I can''t stand it?”


    Caden''s expression darkened, storm clouds gathering in his eyes.


    Losing patience, he threw aside the nket and got out of bed. “You''re nning on opening a gallery, aren''t you? I''ve arranged for someone to set it up. As soon as the paperwork is ready, talk to Gerry.”


    Alice felt a lump in her throat as she heard his icy tone.


    "No."


    "Like it or not, it''s now up to you to manage it. I''ve reaped the benefits these past few months, and that''s yourpensation," he dered, standing tall.


    His silhouette merged with the light, leaving behind a chilling impression.


    "When you go away tomorrow, don''t forget your stupid dog," he added coldly. Alice froze.


    He had made his position clear. They were about to be strangers.


    His mention of the gallery seemed to erase all traces of their recent history, leaving no room for reconciliation.


    Alicia tensed slightly as she heard the door close behind him. She paused topose herself and picked up the phone to call the movers. Shortly after, she began packing her belongings.


    In the living room, Caden sat smoking. I watched her silently, her expression unreadable. He made no move to intervene.


    Alicia had only been here a few months. Her days had been filled with shared meals and intimacy, but she had very little to show for her time here. After packing, including some of Cade''s things, all of his belongings barely filled a suitcase.


    Despite feeling weak, Alice pulled herself together, determined not to show any vulnerability. Her hands shook as she prepared to leave with her suitcase.


    Caden noticed her struggle to maintain herposure, and it only fueled her irritation. He took a deep drag on his cigarette, the smoke rasping in his throat.


    "Would it really be so bad to stay one more night?" I have asked.


    Alice turned her back and felt a wave of resentment. “I don''t want to get in the way.”


    The removal men arrived downstairs in no time. The driver called impatiently: "Why aren''t you downstairs yet? It''s freezing cold."


    "Just a moment, I''ll be right there," Alice replied in a low voice.


    When the driver realized it was a woman, his tone softened. “Do you need help with your things?”


    "No, there''s no need," Alice replied.


    Cradling Cade in one arm and holding her suitcase in the other, she left the apartment.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    Caden forcefully stubbed out his cigarette, extinguishing the ember.


    The cigarette went out, but the emotional turmoil inside him only intensified.


    Alicia understood Caden well. She knew he meant business tonight. He wasn''t one to beg or plead. She had tolerated the situation for a while before reaching her breaking point. Resolved, Alicia decided to cut all ties with him. The hotel she had initially booked seemed unsafe, so she decided to change to another one. Lying in bed, thoughts of Caden invaded her mind.


    Her heart ached, her nose tingled, and silent tears ran down her face. Joshua, who had been a part of her life for years, brought her feelings of gratitude and guilt, but they paled inparison to the pain Caden had caused her. Thinking about Caden was like an endless downpour, chilling his heart relentlessly. Shey awake all night.


    When the rm clock rang at dawn, Alice mechanically turned it off and got up to get ready for the day. She had slept badly and her stomach hurt, but she couldn''t miss work.


    As she walked out of the bathroom, her phone rang unexpectedly: it was Caden.


    Hesitantly, he answered but remained silent.


    Caden spoke casually. “You left something in the closet.”


    Leaning weakly on the table, Alice listened as he reminded her of the clothes, jewelry, and handbags she had bought, none of which she had used.


    "I haven''t opened any. Do with them what you want."


    "I''ll get rid of everything," he said coldly, his voice sending a chill down his spine.


    He ended the call abruptly.


    Clutching her phone, Alicia was overwhelmed by memories of shopping with Caden, feeling a numb sense of loss.


    Lost in her thoughts, she regained herposure and took a painkiller to ease her difort.


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