Chapter 115

Alice immediately shook her head. "No."

Caden raised an eyebrow. “So he doesn't want to? Or is he impotent?”

Alice hesitated. "At the moment, it's a bit of both."

Caden chuckled softly. “I expected more from him.” He didn't press further, instead asking, “What size underwear do you wear?”

Alice paused, then answered awkwardly, "Monica will come later. I'll ask her to buy me some."

"Do you want him to know you peed yourself?"

Alice blushed. “No one would know if we kept it between us!”

"What if he asks where your underwear is? What would you say?"

Alice remained silent for a moment, then sighed. “I’m wearing a size medium.”

"Medium, huh?" Caden assessed her slim waist and legs, noting slightly fuller hips. Size medium seemed reasonable. He agreed and left the room.

Once he was gone, Alice closed her eyes, seeking rest. A few minutes later, the door creaked open. Hearing leather shoes, she assumed it was Caden. “Are you back?” she asked, sitting up and pulling back the curtain, only to freeze. It was Joshua. He had brought food.

Joshua placed the food on the table and looked at her directly. “Who were you talking to?”

Alice maintained her composure. “I thought it was the nurse.” She reached for her phone under the blanket, hoping to text Caden. Joshua, however, moved closer, watching her intently. She couldn't reach her phone without him noticing.

“How do you feel now?” Joshua asked, frowning.

Alice gave him a disdainful look. “Why are you here? Didn’t you say it was a delicate moment for you?”

Joshua replied, “The Gray family told me you were seriously injured. I had to check on you.” Alice remained unconvinced; she'd seen this kind of performance before. He opened the food container, revealing seafood soup and a small bag of jewelry.

“I can't stay long,” he added, noting her head bandage and pale complexion. “I have to leave soon. But Randolph has gone too far this time. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure things get sorted out.” Though he'd shown little interest during their two-year marriage, Joshua had never allowed her to endure this level of abuse.

Alice lowered her eyelids, looking weary. “Let it be. You have enough on your plate.”

“This is different,” Joshua insisted, genuinely concerned. “Have some soup. Do you want me to feed you?”

"I'm not hungry," Alice mumbled, closing her eyes.

Footsteps echoed from the hallway—Caden's. Alice coughed forcefully, hoping to signal him not to enter. Joshua patted her back. “Why are you coughing? Are you okay?”

Caden, however, entered. They quickly came face to face. Alice's heart sank, feeling the tension escalate.

Joshua stood. “Caden?”

Caden calmly set down his shopping bag. “Word travels fast. You got here quickly.”

Joshua shifted uncomfortably, sensing something was amiss. The atmosphere suggested Caden and Alice were the couple.

“Looks like we’re both fast,” Joshua said, glancing at the bag. “Since when did you and Alicia get so close?”

Alice quickly explained, "He was at the Gray family home when I got hurt. He took me to the hospital."

Caden gave Joshua a cold look. Joshua maintained his polite demeanor. “Oh, yeah? Thanks for that, Caden.”

Alice tried to usher Caden away. “Mr. Ward, if you have other things to attend to, please leave. Thank you for today.”

Joshua interjected, “What's the rush? We rarely get a chance to catch up.” He pulled out a chair. “Caden, why don't you sit down?”

Caden refused. "No need. I'm too busy."

Joshua approached the bed and took Alice's hand. "I wanted to ask about her condition."

Caden's eyes lingered on their joined hands. Alice quickly withdrew her hand.

“Talk to the doctor. I can give you the details,” Caden said firmly.

Joshua acknowledged the tension. “Fair enough, Caden. We won’t keep you.”

As Caden reached the door, Joshua said, "I'll stay with you tonight to keep you company. How about that?"