Chapter 435

“I don’t know,” she said calmly. “He doesn’t need to report the details of his business trips to me.”

Blake straightened. “So, he said it was a business trip?”

“Yes.”

Blake’s brows furrowed. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of injustice on Alicia’s behalf. “He lied to you,” he blurted out.

Ray’s chaotic playing seemed to echo the turmoil rising in Alicia’s heart. “What do you mean?” she asked.

Blake, wanting to be truthful, spoke carefully. “Even though I didn’t interact much with Caden when we were kids, everyone knew about his betrothal to Yolanda. It was arranged by both families. I know it rarely comes up now, but everyone in our circle knows. Before I came here, a mutual friend told me Caden was seen at the Moss family residence today.”

“He is there to attend to family obligations,” Alicia replied.

Blake’s eyes widened. “You knew?”

Alicia’s face remained serene. “Yes, I knew.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me? Why pretend you didn’t know all along? Are you letting Caden take advantage of you?” Blake asked, his tone laced with concern.

“How is this any of your concern?” Alicia snapped, her patience wearing thin.

Blake’s expression shifted, and he apologized softly, sounding awkward and embarrassed. “I apologize,” he said, his voice filled with regret. “I overstepped.”

Alicia let out a long breath and shook her head. “I know you mean well, but I have my own way of handling things between Caden and me.”

Blake pressed his lips into a thin line, nodding in silent acknowledgment. It was clear Alicia was the more vulnerable party in her relationship with Caden. Even if she tried to play mind games, she would only end up losing. Blake knew he was risking their friendship, but he decided to tell her the truth anyway.

“The reason I was so agitated earlier,” he began, “is because Yolanda posted a photo with Caden on her social media.” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “Her caption… the implication… well, she used words that could easily lead to several misunderstandings.”

Alicia didn’t ask Blake to show her the photo. She knew Yolanda’s nature too well; the woman had enough cunning to turn white into black. Alicia feared seeing the photo would only cloud her judgment, and she didn’t want to lose her composure in Blake’s presence. Whatever the truth was, Caden would explain it to her upon his return.

“Mr. Langstaff, you should return to your work,” Alicia added. “I’ll continue teaching Ray to play the piano.”

Blake stared at her for a moment, then sighed. “You really are in love with Caden,” he said quietly.

Alicia managed a faint smile. “If I didn’t love him, there would be no reason for us to be together.”

“But don’t you feel wronged? Like you’re being taken advantage of?”

“A single photo doesn’t prove anything. Dating isn’t a manufactured product. You can’t expect perfection just because you’ve given so much of yourself to it.” Alicia didn’t elaborate further, ending the conversation with, “I’ll wait for Caden to explain it to me himself.”

Blake was left speechless by her response.