Chapter 225

Alice mistakenly believed they had already died. Despite this, she couldn't bring herself to ask Caden, "Is that all? Don't you like anything else about me?" His previous words had been too harsh. Exhausted, her eyelids grew heavy, sleep beckoning. She knew falling asleep meant starting a new life, forgetting Caden and everyone she knew. Reluctant, she couldn't resist. As sleep claimed her, she murmured, "Caden…"

"Yes?" Caden answered instantly, leaning closer, anticipating a confession. Her next words caught him off guard: "I need to go to the bathroom."

Caden blinked in surprise. Alice continued quietly, "Are there bathrooms in hell? Maybe I should just pee right here."

He was speechless. Realizing her urgency, he rushed to help, but it was too late. Lifting the blanket, he saw her clothes were soaked. A vein throbbed in his forehead as his expression shifted from confusion to resignation. Without a word, he took a photo with his phone.

Suddenly, the door opened. The plump, middle-aged innkeeper, her unexpected savior, entered. Her eyes widened. "My God!" she exclaimed.

Maintaining his composure, Caden calmly replied, "I'm sorry. I'll take care of it."

The landlady looked at the bed, her face contorted with anguish. "These sheets are pure silk and cost a fortune!"

"I'll compensate you tenfold," Caden replied, reaching for his checkbook, only to find it missing. He quickly unclasped his luxury watch, worth over nine million dollars, and handed it over. "Please accept this as collateral."

The owner's eyes widened as she recognized the brand. Noticing his wealth and the watch's authenticity, she subtly smiled and pocketed it. "Well then," she winked, "feel free to make as much mess as you want!"

Caden was speechless; he hadn't anticipated this. The owner, possessing some medical knowledge, examined Alice. With a reassuring nod, she turned to Caden. "She's stable; her fever is subsiding. But it's cold; she shouldn't stay in wet clothes. You'll need to change her quickly."

Caden nodded, determined but hesitant. The owner glanced at him, her eyes curious. "You don't look like you've done much laundry," she smirked. "Have you ever washed sheets?"

Caden raised an eyebrow. "Don't you have a washing machine here?"

"Oh, yes," she replied, amused. "But do you know how to use it?"

Caden was momentarily speechless. Then, "Do I seem incapable to you?"

The owner smiled with satisfaction. "Then go ahead." She'd encountered many spoiled men lacking basic skills. Before leaving, she reminded him, "But don't put her underwear in the machine."

"Okay," Caden replied, uncertain. It was his first time handling women's underwear, but it proved easier than expected. The inn's accommodations were basic, the weather harsh. The water took forever to heat. Impatient, he washed them in cold water. It was a struggle; the fabric was delicate, difficult for his large hands to manage gently. When finished and hung to dry, he realized the elastic had stretched. Considering Alice's slim waist, he worried they wouldn't fit.

He paused, contemplating the situation. Given their harsh snowy mountain surroundings and the inn's lack of underwear, they'd have to make do.

Alice slept soundly all day and night, waking the next afternoon. The medication worked: her fever was gone, her wounds less bothersome, but the surroundings still felt like purgatory. A warm yellow lamp softly lit the room. Caden sat in a chair beside the bed, eyes closed. The chair creaked softly, adding tranquility.

Alice watched him, captivated by his stern yet handsome profile. Lost in thought, she didn't realize how long she'd been staring until he opened his eyes, turned, and their gazes met. Startled, her heart raced as she muttered, "Why do I still remember you?"

Caden stared. "Why don't you remember me?"

Alice's voice was hoarse and uncertain. "Haven't I started a new life?"

Caden was momentarily speechless, wondering if the fever had disoriented her. He stood, poured water, and walked to her. With a mischievous glint, he said, "It seems the rules of hell have changed. Before you can start over, you must complete a task."

Alice looked longingly at the water, her lips dry. "What task?" she asked tentatively.

Caden sat beside her and brought the glass to her lips. "You have to sleep with the man you love before you can move on," he replied.

Stunned, Alice stared, unsure if she'd heard correctly. His expression must have been comical, because Caden struggled to keep a straight face as he reiterated, "Yes, sleep with the man you love before you start over."

Alice was speechless. Caden leaned closer. "So, do you want to?"

Her cheeks flushed. Emboldened by her belief in the afterlife, she put aside her usual reservations. "I do," she admitted.

"And what do you want exactly?" Caden asked with a sly smile. "Start a new life or sleep with me?"

Alice's face reddened further. Overwhelmed, unable to express her deepest desires, she looked away. "I want to drink some water…"

This time, Caden looked surprised. Deciding to stop teasing, he realized helping her drink in her condition was impractical. He took a sip, then gently parted her lips with his fingers, leaned down, and passed the water to her with a tender kiss.