Chapter: 488

Sometimes, no amount of words could close that gap.

Caden nestled his face into her neck, his breaths slow. “Are you certain you won't commit to me until we're officially together?"

Alicia's heart fluttered.

She was uncertain of her true feelings for Caden.

That was the root of her confusion.

She questioned him, "Why do you resist committing?"

As Caden caressed her, he stopped momentarily.

His mind was flooded with memories of his parents, who had loved each other deeply, forming a perfect family.

Then his father's mistress arrived, a child in tow, born the same year as him.

His mother, overwhelmed by the revelation, suffered a miscarriage and died during surgery. Everything beautiful crumbled that night.

It was all a facade.

Jerald had been unfaithful from the first year of their marriage, keeping Shelia as his mistress for seven years.

Love, he mused, was absurdly inexpensive.

As these bitter memories surfaced, his tone grew colder. "You seek love, and I respect that. However, for me, marriage is merely a bargaining chip for business negotiations. I can't offer you that."

Alicia's smile was tinged with sadness.

“A bargaining chip... So, you'll choose someone else." She queried, “If I agreed, what would be the nature of our relationship until you married?"

Caden gazed at her deeply.

He caressed her face tenderly and said calmly and rationally, “Your incident right after leaving me proves that both the Yates and Green families are keeping a close eye on you. Doesn't that scare you?"

Alicia questioned softly, “Are you suggesting I'll always be under your protection?"

"You could be," Caden responded promptly.

Alicia's breathing hitched.

"You envision me as your mistress?" she stammered. "Caden, haven't you remembered the downfall of your own family? Would you have me become another Shelia or Lilliana?"

Alicia's stubbornness surpassed Caden's expectations.

He scoffed, "You can't even ensure your own safety, yet you fuss over trivialities."

"If I can't live, so be it," Alicia responded, her voice raspy as she clutched the blanket tightly. “What's the point of living if I'm always under someone's control?"

She turned away, unable to stop the tears that scorched her cheeks and fell on his arm.

Embarrassed, she pushed him away.

Caden made no move to touch her again, and an uneasy silence fell between them.

After a pause, he broke the silence coldly. "Alicia, your feelings are too inexpensive. What do you see in me?"

Alicia's complexion turned a shade paler.