?<strong>Chapter 723:</strong>


    “Leave it,” Caden said as he passed by, his tone dismissive.


    “I’m not hungry.” He walked to the bedroom, his figure radiating an unapproachable chill. He took a quick shower and stood in front of the mirror, methodically shaving.


    Alicia watched him from the doorway, taking in the familiar scent of his aftershave, a scent that reminded her of his tender kisses. Her heart clenched, and she asked quietly, “Should we call off the engagement party?”


    Caden’s hands froze, and the razor nicked his skin, leaving a thin red line. He lowered his eyes, his longshes casting shadows over the turmoil in his gaze.


    “No,” he said, his voice steady.


    “The engagement will go on as nned.”


    Alicia didn’t respond immediately. After a moment, she asked, “And Ynda? What will you do about her?”


    “I’m not dealing with her,” Caden said, wiping away the blood and applying aftershave with a practiced motion.


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    “I need her for now.”


    Alicia’s hand gripped the doorframe, her slender fingers turning pale.


    “So no one cany a hand on her?” she asked, her voice trembling.


    Caden turned his head, his gaze cold and distant.


    “Alicia, I need to change my strategy, and that means involving Ynda. This is tooplicated, and I don’t want you caught up in it. I’ll exin everything once it’s over.” He paused, his voice softening.


    “For now, please stay out of it.”


    Alicia pressed her lips together, staying silent. She avoided his sharp, determined eyes and shifted her gaze to the floor.


    Days passed, but Caden did not return. Hank took it upon himself to inform her.


    “Mr. Ward has gone abroad to handle urgent business, Ms. Bet. Please try not to worry.”


    Alicia sat on the edge of the bed, holding her iPad. On the screen were paparazzi photos detailing Caden’s itinerary. He wasn’t alone. Ynda was with him.


    Alicia’s voice barely rose above a whisper.


    “I understand.” Hank nodded but said nothing more.


    Silence swallowed the room whole. Alicia curled up, hugging her knees as she stared nkly out the window into the deepening night. She didn’t know what Caden’s true intentions were. Was he genuinely handling business, or was he choosing to stay close to Ynda as a way to retaliate?


    It didn’t matter. She was too drained to dissect his actions anymore.


    A sense of powerlessness washed over her, leaving her exhausted. Minutes passed in stillness before Alicia made up her mind. She picked up her phone and scheduled an appointment with the obstetrician.


    Later, the specialist’s voice came through the line, gentle yet probing.


    “I’ve just given you the prescription for a month not long ago. What’s changed? Why do you suddenly decide not to keep the baby?”


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