Chapter: 572

She mumbled something under her breath, but Caden failed to catch it.

“What was that? ‘Okay’, you say?"

Alicia made some more mumbling noises.

Caden shifted on the bed and leaned closer. “What did you say?"

“Piss off," Alicia said, her voice loud and clear.

Caden let out a small gasp and stared at her in indignation.

Unfortunately for him, Alicia instantly fell into a deep sleep.

Caden watched her sleep. Her steady breathing brought him a profound sense of peace.

Alicia had been busy with her gallery for weeks on end.

Caden had done his best to endure, but his longing only grew. He couldn't even get a decent night's sleep these days, which was why he came all the way to her hotel in the middle of the night.

But seeing her pass out without even putting any effort into their usual banter, he decided to restrain himself for a little longer. He slowly withdrew the hand that had already crept under her clothes.

"Take the morning off tomorrow," he whispered in her ear. "I want to do some morning exercises with you."

Alicia's eyelids fluttered slightly, but didn't open.

Her ears turned red, though, and she snuggled closer into his chest.

Caden had fallen into a peaceful slumber of his own when he was suddenly jolted awake by the ringing of his phone.

Dorian's angry voice came through the line. "I entrusted Yolanda to you, and this is how you take care of her? My daughter is coughing up blood again. You'd better get your ass to the hospital right this instant!"

Caden's face was grim. There was a brief silence, then he ended the call without saying anything.

Alicia woke up from her dream while he was getting dressed. Though her vision was a little hazy, she saw Caden leave the room without a single backward glance.

She couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Thinking that it was still part of her dream, she reached toward the space beside her. It was empty.

The realization was quickly echoed by the hollow aching of her heart.

Alicia lay wide awake, staring at the ceiling.

She knew she had work in the morning and tried to will herself to sleep, but it was useless.

Her thoughts kept circling back to a question: had Caden left this time because of Yolanda again?

After tossing and turning for what felt like forever, she finally gave in, got out of bed, and slipped on a coat. Before she knew it, she was heading back to Caden's apartment.

Cade, the dog Caden had taken in again, was there. Though Caden had made the effort to bring him into his life, his care had been far from attentive. He simply stuck to the basics, offering the usual three meals a day, with no treats or affection beyond that.

Alicia carefully trimmed Cade's fur, making sure to keep it short and neat. To finish, she picked out a pink bow, tying it snugly around his neck.

Cade seemed thrilled with the new look, bouncing around excitedly before settling into her arms, his tail wagging with pure joy.

A smile tugged at Alicia's lips as she held him close.

Eventually, she lay down on the sofa, Cade curled up against her, and drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep that carried her all the way to dawn.