Chapter: 500

As soon as he lit it, Alicia swiftly extinguished the flame and threw it into the trash.

Caden, now calmer, questioned, "You're taking everything with you, aren't you?"

Alicia reconsidered, remembering the candle's value. She retrieved it from the trash and placed it in her bag.

“It's too sullied for you. I'll keep it," she declared.

Caden scoffed dismissively.

Who cared about the candle, anyway?

After tidying up for over an hour, Alicia announced, “ALL done. Check if you Like."

Caden didn't bother to verify.

He knew Alicia well enough. She likely discarded even the smallest reminders of their time together.

“Have you emptied the bedroom completely?" he inquired, eyeing her Alicia nodded affirmatively.

“Everything I've ever touched is gone," she confirmed.

Caden inspected the room to make sure.

Returning, he held several unopened condoms.

Alicia averted her gaze.

"These are yours. I've never used them," she stated coldly.

Caden, annoyed, threw them into the nearby trash bag. “I've grown to detest this brand. It reminds me too much of our dismal time together."

Alicia fell into silence, her anger nearly pushing her to laughter.

"Dismal?" she mused inwardly. "If it was truly that terrible, why the repeated encounters? Why continue when I was clearly tired? How could he extend our moments together, turning a brief session into a marathon?"

She scoffed dismissively, “Honestly, you're hardly as impressive as you think, I once blamed you, but now I realize it's your issues at play."

Caden's lips twisted into a cold sneer.

"Is that so? Then how do you explain wetting sheets before I even entered you?" he challenged.

Although accustomed to his harsh words, Alicia felt a sting this time.

Refusing to retreat, she shot back, “You label our times together as dreadful, yet your face always showed sheer delight. Why is that?"

"Men can fake pleasure as well," Caden replied flatly.

Alicia smirked. "Fake? Interesting choice of words. I was faking it all along, and so was the so-called evidence. It was all a ruse."

Caden remained silent, his hands balling into fists.

Seeing his reaction, Alicia knew it was time to leave.

“It's alright to admit you're struggling, but seek help soon. I wish you well," she said, picking up her belongings and the painting, ready to leave the toxic environment behind.

In the next second, someone knocked on the door.

"What are you doing up so late?"