Chapter: 648

Caden had to force himself to let go of her hand, battling his own desires.

“Have you cleaned up yet?" he inquired.

Alicia turned away from him, exasperated. "No!"

His presence under the pretext was clear-he claimed he was there to assist her because he worried she was in too much pain to manage alone.

“Let me assist you," he offered, beginning to undress.

Alicia knew she couldn't best Caden.

Not in arguments, not in confrontations, and certainly not in enduring his stubbornness.

Realizing he meant business, Alicia quickly softened her stance. "I'm already clean enough. You don't need to do this!"

But Caden, already undressed, wasn't swayed by her protests.

“We need to make sure it's thorough," he said firmly.

His hands wandered annoyingly as he helped her.

Though they weren't speaking, Caden seized the opportunity to assert his dominance.

Once he had helped her bathe, he lifted her out and wrapped her in a blanket. Alicia bit her lip, curling up tightly.

Caden moved towards the dresser.

Anticipating his next move, Alicia shut her eyes tight, bracing herself for what she considered inevitable discomfort.

Her complexion turned ghostly. She tensed like someone facing their doom. Caden, seeing her reaction, cracked a smile.

"Why not open your eyes and look at me?" he teased.

Alicia kept still. “Enough talk. If you're going to proceed, just do it," she retorted sharply.

"Aren't you scared it will hurt?" Caden's hand tenderly stroked her thigh, inching upwards. "You were injured last night, and though it's healing, today's actions might reopen it. That could hurt far worse than before. Are you sure you can handle it?"

Alicia's color faded further, yet she remained defiant.

Caden then moved her legs apart.

A surge of resentment washed over Alicia.

She braced herself, believing him capable of true cruelty, and clenched her teeth tightly.

But instead of pain, a cool relief spread over the area.

Puzzled, Alicia opened her eyes and looked down.

Caden was gently applying ointment to her wound, not what she had feared at all.

The warmth from his touch softened the ointment, and he applied it tenderly, ensuring no spot was missed.

After he finished, he straightened his posture.

Alicia clenched her legs shut and inadvertently caught sight of him visibly aroused.

She remained silent.