Chapter 116

Caden hesitated, waiting until Yankee opened the door and slipped out before following. Alicia waited for his footsteps to fade before speaking, her gaze fixed on the closed door. "Are you staying tonight?"

Joshua's easy smile faltered. "That was only for Caden's ears. He wants everything that's mine. I had to remind him that you're mine, and mine alone."

Alicia frowned, silent, her emotions churning. His feelings were a tangled mess, neither clear nor easily deciphered. She hadn't agreed to Caden's request, but... why did the idea of being alone with Joshua make her feel so guilty?

Meanwhile, Caden exited the hospital and entered Hank's car. Hank, who had been waiting, had seen Joshua coming up the stairs. Noticing the dark cloud over Caden's face, Hank broke the silence. "Mr. Ward, did you meet Mr. Yates?"

Caden's jaw tightened. Instead of answering, he simply ordered, "Take me to the apartment. I need a shower." His voice was sharp and cold.

Hank started the engine, watching Caden in the rearview mirror. Attempting to comfort his boss, he said softly, "You know, Mrs. Bennett is just acting; it's all a show. There's no reason to be jealous."

Caden frowned, narrowing his eyes. "Who said I was jealous?"

Hank swallowed hard, quickly returning his gaze to the road. "I misspoke. I was wrong. You're not jealous."

As Caden's car sped away, Joshua emerged from the hospital, his expression unreadable. Moments later, a hidden camera retracted behind a tree. The man behind the camera immediately sent the newly taken photographs to Lilliana.

Sitting in her room, Lilliana flipped through the pictures, her eyes half-closed. Although the driver's face wasn't clearly visible, and the car wasn't one of his usual vehicles, Lilliana immediately recognized Joshua. She tightened her grip on her phone and typed a question: "What was he doing at the hospital?" Joshua, using a different car and acting so stealthily... it was clear this wasn't a routine checkup.

A message buzzed back: "The only person related to Joshua in that hospital is Alicia."

Lilliana's heart skipped a beat. Alicia? She'd dismissed the idea as ridiculous. If Joshua still had feelings for Alicia, why would he divorce her and become involved with her? But now, the evidence confirmed her suspicions. She'd spent days searching for another woman in Joshua's life, but found nothing. She clenched her fists. Where were they sneaking off to? And where did they sleep?

The more she thought about it, the more worried she became. Anxious thoughts tormented her until, in a fit of rage, she could bear it no longer. She smashed ornaments, vases, and even the framed photo of herself and Joshua. The glass shattered on the floor. As she looked at the broken pieces, her anger turned to sadness. She fell to her knees, sobbing until she was emotionally spent.

When Joshua returned, Lilliana was asleep, her breathing labored, the maid cleaning up the debris. His expression darkened as he surveyed the scene. Without a word, he entered the room.

Lilliana stirred at the sound, her body tensing, her eyes widening. Nausea and pain churned in her stomach. "Don't touch me," she whispered hoarsely, turning away.

But Joshua ignored her. He pulled her against his chest, holding her tightly as she resisted. After such an emotional crisis, she was too weak to fight him off. His hold was unbreakable, and his lips pressed against her skin, breaking her resolve. She cried, her tears soaking his shirt.

Joshua's tone softened, though concern underlay it. "What happened?" he asked gently. "Why are you crying?"

Lilliana looked at him, her eyes red and filled with pain. "Joshua… of all people, why Alicia?" Her voice shook. He had left Alicia, yet she remained a shadow in their relationship. How could Lilliana accept this?

Hearing Alicia's name, Joshua's jaw clenched, remembering his hospital visit. Did Lilliana know? He quickly searched for an excuse. "Alicia? What's wrong with her? Didn't she have some kind of incident at the Gray family's house and end up in the hospital?"

Lilliana's hand lashed out, hitting him with surprising force. "Stop pretending! How long are you going to keep lying to my face? Do I have to catch you in bed with her for you to admit it?"

Joshua's expression remained calm, as if her outburst was a mere inconvenience. "Did anyone say anything to you?"

Lilliana's voice cracked. "Do they have to? I hired a private detective to follow you. He saw you visiting Alicia at the hospital. If there's nothing between you two, why would you meet her behind my back?"

A humorless chuckle escaped Joshua's lips. "I was there for a checkup," he said wearily, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "I've been exhausted lately and needed to see a specialist. While I was there, I heard that Alicia had been admitted, but I didn't see her."

Lilliana blinked in surprise. She wanted to believe him, but doubt remained. "You're still lying to me, aren't you?" she muttered, her voice cracking with disbelief.

Joshua hugged her tighter. "I swear, I'm telling the truth. I haven't slept well, and it affects everything, even my sex drive. That's why I haven't told you. When I feel better, your pregnancy will be well advanced, and I promise I'll make it up to you. Okay?"