Chapter 110

Alice's consciousness drifted. Rain lashed down, and beneath the emergency building, a small figure huddled. Curious, Alice approached. Seeing him, she gasped. It was Caden.

But this Caden was a stark contrast to the arrogant man she knew, the one who greeted her with disdainful stares and constant conflict. This Caden knelt in the rain, staring blankly at the hospital entrance, his body weak, consumed by grief and despair. His face was drained of color.

The wind buffeted her; Alice could endure no more. "Get out of the rain!" she cried.

There was no response. Caden remained motionless, statue-like. Alice touched herself, realizing her own body had become transparent. As she struggled to comprehend this, the Yates family emerged from the hospital. Their servant shielded Joshua from the rain with an umbrella; Joshua walked hand-in-hand with his parents, radiating privilege.

A smug smile touched Joshua's face as he saw Caden. He strode towards him, confident. "Caden," he shouted, "Stop kneeling. Your mother is dead."

Alicia's anger flared, intensified by Joshua's smug expression. "Don't you understand?" Joshua taunted, kicking Caden. "Your mother is dead! Why are you still kneeling?"

Caden crumpled. Alice tried to help, but her hands passed through him, revealing her powerlessness. As Joshua lunged to kick him again, Alicia instinctively shielded Caden. "Joshua, stop…" Before she could finish, a wave of nausea overwhelmed her; she vomited a torrent of water.

Pain jolted her back to reality. A sharp agony spread through her body, forcing a moan. She struggled to open her eyes. When her vision cleared, she saw Caden.

Stunned, Alice stared. This Caden differed from the one in her dream; he looked older, more serious, his eyes holding an incomprehensible depth. She reached for his hand.

"Caden…" she whispered.

He stopped, then abruptly pushed her hand away.

Alice froze, speechless. This was no dream; this was reality. This Caden was irritable, unpredictable, volatile—a far cry from the pitiful figure in her vision.

"Is he conscious?" someone asked, drawing closer.

Dazed, Alicia turned to see a gathering of wealthy women, ostensibly checking on her, their expressions ranging from indifferent to subtly amused. It was a performance. Rachel, one of the group, spoke.

Caden wiped the water from his clothes, his expression unreadable. "Do whatever you want," he said flatly, walking away.

Alicia's confusion deepened at his coldness. What the hell is wrong with him? she thought, frustration mounting. I'm already a wreck, and he's still being petulant?

Rachel summoned an ambulance, feigning concern as she approached Alice's bed. "Mrs. Bennett, are you okay?"

Remembering her earlier experience, Alice instinctively recoiled from Rachel's touch. Rachel softened her tone. "Don't worry. I'll make sure those kids are punished. They won’t suffer for anything."

Alice's expression remained impassive. "Please go away. I need some time alone."

Rachel hesitated. "The ambulance is on its way. Should we call Mr. Yates?"

Alice's voice, hoarse with anger, snapped. "Why would you do that?"

Rachel tried to soothe her. "I know you're divorced, but after something like this…"

"No need!" Alice's frustration and anxiety were palpable. "Don't call him."

Rachel was puzzled. "Why don't you want me to?"

Alice's face hardened. "Why would I want to?"

"You called him several times while unconscious," Rachel pointed out. "Isn't this when you need him most?"

Alice was unsure. She vaguely recalled excitement in the dream, but not from missing Joshua; she had, in fact, cursed him. Touching her nose, she composed herself. "My situation has nothing to do with Joshua. If you want Lilliana to create chaos, call him. But be prepared for the consequences."

Caden's stern face flashed in her mind. A thought struck her. Had I misinterpreted everything?

Without delay, she rose, determined to find him.