Chapter: 163

Alicia kept her hand firmly over Caden's mouth, her voice trembling.

"I caught a cold. I went out to get medicine, but now my stomach hurts. I can't move. Can you come get me?"

Joshua paused, his mind wandering to the sounds he had heard earlier.

His voice dripped with doubt. "Where are you?"

Alicia hesitated, then answered, "I'll send you my location."

"Alright. I'm coming."

When she finally ended the call, Alicia exhaled deeply, feeling exhausted.

The tension had drained her, and even Caden's fervor had cooled somewhat.

He chuckled, his voice rough. "Miss Bennett, that was quite the act."

Alicia felt a smile, though strained, creep across her face. “It seems you have had plenty of practice at this, Mr. Ward."

Alicia mused that Caden's way of chasing thrills felt refined and methodical.

He probably had his share of women in the past.

This thought caused a pang in Alicia's chest, but she swiftly reminded herself to stop dwelling on it.

It is just two grown-ups finding pleasure. There is no reason to make it more complicated than it needs to be, Alicia reassured herself.

When Alicia tried to leave the car, she realized Caden's hold on her had not eased in the slightest.

Her body felt disconnected, her gaze hollow and impenetrable. "So, are we going on?"

Caden's face remained neutral, but his fingers stayed on her skin, showing no sign of wanting to end.

“Not exactly against it," he replied.

Alicia pushed Caden's hand aside. “Joshua's going to be here any second."

A crooked smirk curled Caden's lips. "Would it not be more interesting if he walked in on us?"

Alicia found herself unable to respond.

What an absolute creep.

At that moment, Alicia caught sight of fresh blood staining the bandage on his shoulder.

After a brief pause, she pulled off the bandage and reached for the pants that had been tossed aside. She chose a clean section of the fabric to wipe away the blood.

Caden's brows furrowed. "What the hell are you doing?"

“You are bleeding again," Alicia said, gently pressing the fabric against the wound.

Caden, ever fixated on cleanliness, scoffed with a humorless chuckle.

“And you are using the pants you just wore? Why not your underwear while you are at it?"

While speaking, he hooked his finger around a piece of white and pink fabric, waving it in front of her.

Alicia, caught off guard, quickly grabbed it back.