Chapter 229

Alice slept soundly. Waking around noon the following day, she found Caden gone. She dressed quickly and went outside. The innkeeper was at the door, receiving a delivery. Caden stood nearby, casually dressed in a long black down jacket, one hand in his pocket. Despite the cessation of snowfall, the wind still raged. Alice bundled up and sat down.

Caden had also received a delivery: several outfits and various necessities. The innkeeper, noticing boxes of medicine, raised an eyebrow. "These are high-quality medicines," he remarked. "Who sent them?"

"A friend," Caden replied curtly.

"Impressive," the innkeeper chuckled. "They're not easily obtained, even with money. Are these for your girlfriend?"

"Yes," Caden answered without hesitation.

Alice was surprised but didn't correct the innkeeper's assumption. As Caden turned to take the packages inside, he saw Alice. She had been in his room for two days and looked paler, noticeably thinner. Her small face appeared even more delicate in the cold light. Caden approached her.

"Does your back still hurt?" he asked.

Alice hesitated. "It still hurts," she admitted, trying to mask the pain. She quickly shifted the subject. "Did you have someone send the medicine?"

Caden raised an eyebrow and casually returned the medicine to his pocket. Alice watched him, a knowing smile playing on her lips as she recognized his frustration and her inability to keep the truth from him any longer.

"Was it Hank?" he asked, getting to the point. "That was a quick delivery."

The wind whipped around them, so Caden wrapped his coat around her as they went inside. "Let's talk inside," he suggested.

"It doesn't matter where we talk, Caden," Alice replied. "You said the weather was severe and the roads blocked, preventing our departure. How did you manage to get the medicine delivered?" It was clear to her that his excuse was just that—an excuse. He clearly wanted to prolong their stay. Now that they had the best medication for her injuries, by tomorrow, she would be completely at his mercy. Was he keeping her here, hoping a change of scenery would heighten their intimacy?

Caden entered their room and closed the door. Without delay, he asked, "Does your mouth still hurt?"

Alice immediately became defensive. "Don't even think about it!"

Caden smirked. It wasn't entirely his decision. He unzipped his pants, ready to proceed, when a knock interrupted him. He paused, then reluctantly zipped them back up. Sighing, he opened the door to find the innkeeper holding a box.

"Mr. Ward, you left something behind," she said with a knowing smile. "Young people have a lot of energy, but be careful—your girlfriend is still recovering."

Caden accepted the box, thanking her calmly. Alice, however, felt a surge of unease.

"What else did you buy?" she asked, her voice heavy with suspicion.

Without a trace of shame, Caden replied, "A box of condoms."

Alice was stunned. "A whole box?"

Caden suppressed a smile, maintaining a serious expression. "Yeah, there are 150 condoms inside."

Alice was speechless. After a moment, she stepped back, beginning to search for something.

Caden raised an eyebrow. "What are you looking for?"

"My phone," Alice replied instantly. "I'm calling the police to get me out of here."

Caden remained unperturbed. "Wherever you go, we'll still have to use those condoms first. Now, lie down on the bed," he ordered, opening the box.

Alice was stunned. "Caden, have you gone crazy? My back still hurts."

Caden produced a tube of ointment, waving it before her. "Even if your back didn't hurt, I'm too busy to do anything with you right now."

Alice was speechless, too nervous to meet his gaze. She turned away, fiddling with the tablecloth. Caden clicked his tongue in annoyance. "What are you playing with? Get on the bed."

The room was cozy, and Alice lifted her thin shirt, revealing her smooth, slender waist. Initially, Caden had no improper intentions. But as she lay down, her thoughts began to wander. She didn't rush to apply the ointment, instead savoring the feel of her skin. She bit her lip, burying her face in the pillow. Caden knew her sensitivity to touch, and it had been a while since they had been intimate. A small gesture could easily ignite a flame. He gave in to his impulses and leaned in to kiss her. Alice raised her head slightly, and Caden, satisfied, let his hands wander beneath her clothes. She didn't resist.

"Why are you so accommodating?" he asked.

Alice's eyes shone with unshed tears. In the gentlest tone, he spoke the harshest words: "You won't be able to do anything anyway. If you're okay with being frustrated, go ahead."

Caden fell silent, adjusting his demeanor. He squeezed out some ointment and began applying it to her bruises, carefully massaging the sore spots repeatedly. It wasn't like him. She lay quietly, a small smile playing on her lips. Then, teasingly, she said, "You're definitely making an effort to have sex sooner."

Caden heard the sarcasm but didn't deny it. Alice had learned a lesson: to continue receiving his attention, he needed to maintain his value. His physical attraction was undeniable, but it would fade eventually. To remain relevant, he needed to grow in all aspects of his life. She looked at Caden, imagining him admired, making headlines, shining under the spotlight.

Caden noticed her gaze. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Alice replied calmly, "Your actions have made me realize something."

"And what's that?" he asked.

"I need to be strong and self-sufficient, so that no one can take advantage of me."

Caden instinctively replied, "With a man like me by your side, no one will dare to bully you."

Alice smiled softly. "When I married Joshua, he promised me the same thing."

Caden noticed the mocking yet resolute expression on her face, a wave of unease washing over him. She had reached her own conclusions, no longer placing the same trust and dependence on him.