?Chapter 211:


    Gerry exhaled deeply.


    “You two have always shed from the start.


    If I admitted something, it would feel like I was conceding it to you, and Caden is toopetitive for that.


    He’s been that way since he was a kid.


    He would never allow himself to seem lesser.


    ”


    As someone deeply familiar with Caden''s story, Gerry naturally empathized with him.


    ?Caden changed after his mother''s ident.


    When I asked him why he didn''t defend his reputation, he told me that he was already so disliked that one more usation didn''t matter.


    ?


    Alice''s lips pressed together, a lump forming in her throat.


    "I know.


    "


    Aware of the hardships Caden had faced, Alicia felt her resolve waver, contemting the possibility of a reconciliation.


    However, the thought left her feeling exposed and vulnerable.


    “I never imagined things between you two would end up like this,” Gerrymented.


    “He’s never loved anyone before.


    But I think he still has feelings for you,” he added, seeing something deeper in Caden’s actions.


    Alice quickly regained herposure.


    “Men can show interest in several women at the same time,” she replied.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.


    “That may be true for others, but not for Caden,” Gerry said with conviction.


    “Really? Then exin to me who he met at the airport recently,” Alicia challenged, skeptical of Caden’s affections.


    Gerry paused, momentarily surprised by the mention of Ynda.


    “Well, about that, Caden and her…” he stumbled, unsure of how to exin, reflecting his own confusion about Caden’s feelings toward Ynda.


    Caden kept his distance, however, at the airport, he hugged her amidst the swirling rumors, remaining passive in the face of gossip.


    Did Caden really want both women?


    The tension in the room increased.


    Alice remained silent, her thoughts tangled.


    Back at his apartment, Caden walked in and looked around the room.


    Every nce entuated the chill on his features.


    Earlier, when he saw Alice, he wondered if she still had feelings for him.


    However, her purpose was clear: she was there to collect her belongings.


    He had misjudged her determination.


    Alice seemed kind, but her decision left no room for negotiation.


    As he entered, he noticed the absence of the small, irritating objects that had previously cluttered the space, giving him an unexpected feeling of emptiness.


    Did he regret his actions? Of course.


    However, he believed he had exhausted all his efforts.


    Alice had consistently rejected his attempts, both tender and forceful, refusing tomit herself further.


    Putting aside an unlit cigarette, he headed for the bedroom to take a shower.


    As she approached the bed, she noticed that the pink sheets were gone.


    Although she had always disliked the color, their removal symbolized something deeper: aplete breakup.


    Was he trying topletely erase his past?


    His expression darkened further with each thought.


    Consumed by mounting anger, he entered the bathroom, but the cold water from the shower barely concealed his frustration.


    Coming out of the bathroom, she found a message from Gerry.


    "I left her.


    "


    Typically unreliable, Gerry had at least managed to handle this task effectively.


    Caden ignored the message and lit a cigarette to calm his nerves.


    As his eyes scanned the apartment, he remembered with pain the intimate moments they had lived in every corner.


    Her presence lingered in the air, rekindling the desires that the shower had only briefly quenched.


    Feeling overwhelmed, he admitted his undeniable attractiveness.


    He knew all too well that if she came back, resisting would be useless.


    As he walked out of the bedroom, his phone vibrated.


    Without checking to see who it was, he abruptly replied, “Speak,” in a toneden 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 answering, “Speak.


    ”


    Alicia, who had just arrived at her hotel, took a deep breath before speaking.


    Despite Caden''s typically distant tone, she gathered her courage and said, "About thatpetition back then, I understand the whole story now.


    "


    Caden was caught off guard by the mention of it, but he dismissed it casually.


    “So?”


    “I realized I misunderstood you and held a grudge for a long time,” Alice admitted softly.


    “Competition isn’t the only reason you held a grudge against me,” Caden replied coldly.


    Their history wasplex.


    After being constantly overshadowed by him, Alice had be distant.


    His presence had sent shivers down her spine.


    Now, reunited under different circumstances, his gaze softened, a stark contrast to the distant demeanor of the past.


    Caden felt a mix of emotions, his long-repressed desires resurfacing.


    Alice, sensing his apathy but unable to read his thoughts, continued, “I still have to apologize.


    ”


    There was a great silence, broken only by the asional sound of their deep breathing.


    Hesitantly, he asked, “Will you ept my apology?”


    Caden''s response was blunt: "I never ept verbal apologies.


    "