Chapter: 442

Alicia's eyelashes fluttered.

She turned her face away. “Why are you squeezing me? It's painful."

“Did I apply too much pressure?" Caden asked, "What have you done to feel this guilty?"

Alicia stood motionless as if making a point. "I'm not guilty. Let go, or we might be seen."

Caden's eyes grew cold. "Am I making you uncomfortable? Why are you so worried about being spotted?"

Alicia was momentarily stunned. "Hasn't it always been this way between us?"

They had always kept their relationship a secret.

Their agreement was nearing its end. They would part ways cleanly, pretending nothing had ever happened. Wasn't that for the best?

Caden paused before slowly releasing her.

“That's right." He touched the new bite mark on his lip and said casually, "What would I do if someone got the wrong idea? How would I ever get married?"

Alicia fell silent for a moment.

She hesitated before responding, "It won't last too long."

That was when Caden grasped the reason behind her downcast expression.

He smirked. "What now? You used me and now you want to dump me?"

Alicia felt a wave of discomfort. "What do you mean? We agreed to follow the contract, right?"

"It's over now," Caden declared lightly. "So, what next?"

Alicia's throat felt tight.

His tone was nonchalant, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint.

This wasn't affection; it was like he was teasing a pet.

She cleared her mind.

“There's no ‘what next'. We stick to the plan."

Caden sneered, "Can you really let go that easily?"

Her heart sank.

She nodded stiffly.

“There are many other opportunities out there. Why hold on to what isn't right?"

With those words, she took a deep breath and left without a backward glance.

Caden remained where he was, his smile tinged with scorn.

Alicia walked into the hall and accidentally ran into Monica.

"Did you see Joshua?" Monica asked, her voice filled with excitement.

"His face was all marked up from slaps, and he slunk away with Lilliana like he was ashamed. What a spectacle! Who did that to him Alicia blinked, on the verge of confessing."