Chapter: 702

But his temper. that was always the problem.

She snapped, “Besides, what's wrong with the actress showing up pretending to be pregnant? I wouldn't have objected even if it were Alicia who arranged it, and I'm your mother's mother! Who are you to get all high and mighty, huh? What's going on, huh? Do you suddenly care so much about your mother's honor? Is that why you can't stand to see her insulted? If that's the case, why don't you carry that Lina robot you made to remember her wherever you go?"

Caden's hands gripped the steering wheel tighter, but Ciara wasn't done. "You miss her, don't you? You spent all that time, all that money creating Lina, but when's the last time you even bothered to activate the robot? How often do you even interact with Lina? Or is this just another excuse for you to be stubborn and make life harder for Alicia?"

Her words hit him hard, like a punch to the gut.

A knot formed in his chest. It wasn't that he wanted to hurt Alicia.

It was the fear-the raw panic that had seized him when he saw that scene at the office.

Alicia cared about him, and the thought of losing such a caring person. it terrified him.

If that care disappeared, if Alicia's love for him faded away, what would he be left with?

No matter what, he couldn't let that happen.

He had to do whatever he could to keep Alicia.

Caden's eyes hardened as he pressed down on the accelerator, his grip firm on the wheel.

He knew where Alicia lived and sped toward her apartment.

When he arrived, he looked up at her window- but it was dark.

Obviously, she wasn't home yet.

Beside him, Ciara shifted uncomfortably. Caden's speeding had made her carsick. "You'd better go make amends yourself," she said with a sigh, her annoyance replaced by queasiness. “I need to get home before I hurl."

“I'll have Jasmine come pick you up," Caden offered.

Ciara nodded, her expression softening somewhat.

"Go upstairs and check on_ her, she urged. “And remember, communication is key."

Caden gave a stiff nod, his posture rigid.

Seeing how tense he was, Ciara sighed inwardly. Comforting women clearly wasn't his strong suit. She added bluntly, "Be sincere, Caden. Keep your attitude in check. And if it comes to it, kneel and apologize."

"Kneel?"

Caden's frown deepened, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face.

Ciara raised an eyebrow, undeterred. “What's wrong with kneeling? Your grandfather was a general, and even he knelt in front of me when he needed to apologize."

Caden's expression tightened before he deflected. "I'll call Jasmine to take you home first."

Alicia had no idea Caden was looking for her. She needed space—a place to breathe-so she went and found solace in a dimly lit bar.

She didn't drink, but there was something comforting about the noise around her-the laughter, the clinking glasses, and the carefree energy of the young crowd.

The bar was alive with youth and vitality, every laugh and flirtation laced with a kind of raw, fleeting sincerity.

Watching them made her think of those early days with Caden-intense, impulsive, and fresh. At the time, it had felt like love, something profound and consuming.

A faint smile tugged at her lips, but it was bitter, like the aftertaste of a memory gone sour.

How could she have mistaken it for love? How naive! It had only been desire, a brief flare of passion that had fooled her.