Chapter 238

The icy grip of winter tightened as Christmas approached. Festive music and vibrant decorations enlivened the streets, their colors a bright counterpoint to the gray days. Alice, however, remained oblivious to the holiday bustle. She focused her energy on her gallery, trusting Caden to handle matters concerning the Green and Yates families.

She worked tirelessly, managing daily operations with unwavering dedication. Despite being the owner, Alicia remained approachable and open with her employees, ensuring a smoothly run operation. She was often the first to arrive and the last to leave, embodying the ideal of a hard-working businesswoman.

Her diligence soon attracted media attention. A journalist contacted her for an interview, eager to learn more about the woman behind the gallery's success. Alicia prepared meticulously. During the interview, she was poised and elegant, her answers concise and thoughtful. Her confidence and composure impressed the journalist.

The interview concluded positively. Alicia even hosted a meal for the journalist and her team, ensuring a pleasant experience. That evening, she dined with her employees, a gesture of gratitude for their hard work. Exhausted, she still arranged for car service to take them home safely.

Her assistant, noticing Alicia's weariness, urged her to rest. "Miss Bennett, you should go home," he said, "You're working too hard. Take the day off tomorrow."

Alicia smiled warmly. "I'm fine. Just call me when you get home."

Her assistant sighed. "Okay. Good evening, Miss Bennett."

Alicia waved as the car pulled away, watching until it disappeared. Inside, her assistant shook her head, addressing his colleagues. "Miss Bennett works too much," he said, his tone worried. "If she keeps this up, her health will suffer."

"That's what it's like being the boss," commented a colleague. "Starting your own business is a constant uphill battle. If Miss Bennett were more flexible, maybe she wouldn't work so hard."

The assistant understood the implication. Since the gallery's opening, numerous wealthy individuals had approached Alicia with partnership offers, all of which she'd rejected.

"If she was going to sell anyway, why bother starting her own business?" the assistant retorted sharply. "Keep those thoughts to yourself. Say that again, and I'll tell you off."

The employee, visibly surprised, murmured an apology. "I just think Miss Bennett is overworking herself. If she met the right man, he could share her burden."

"Yes, but those men are hard to find," the assistant replied cynically. "Take her ex-husband, for instance. He seemed perfect at first, but he's a complete scoundrel."

Her colleague nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, Alicia, exhausted, fell asleep in the car. Caden's call roused her.

"Hello," she murmured, the tension leaving her body. "What's up?"

Caden, watching his own interview, was wearing a casual red sweater. The sight of him in such relaxed attire stirred something within her.

"Where are you?" he asked, his voice low and firm.

"Heading back to the apartment. Want to come?" Alicia asked, checking her location. She was already halfway to the hotel, too tired to move.

"If I come," she teased, "will you help me with the bathroom?"

There was a pause. "If you give me something in return, I might consider it."

"No, I'm sleeping after my bath," Alicia replied firmly.

"Fine. If you're not interested, I'm going back to the hotel," Caden said stubbornly. "They have good amenities."

Alicia hung up and napped the rest of the way. At the hotel, she shed her clothes and showered. Emerging refreshed, she found Caden lying naked on the bed, watching her with maddening calm.

Alicia was speechless. "How did you get in here?"

He shook his head. "What a stupid question." Caden always got what he wanted.

Her legs felt heavy. Too tired to argue, she silently joined him on the bed. Caden opened his arms, and she instinctively nestled into his embrace. She noticed something pressing against her lower abdomen.

Alicia froze.

"Wow, that's fast," he murmured, amused. "I could hear you showering. My mind naturally conjured up…"

"Stop talking," Alicia interrupted, covering her mouth.

Caden laughed softly, kissing her hand. "Come on," he teased. "He wants to greet you. Maybe…sit on him."

Alicia merely shook her head, her eyelids heavy. She mumbled something inaudible.

"What was that? You said it was…"

She mumbled again.

Caden leaned closer. "What did you say?"

"Fuck you," Alicia said, suddenly loud and clear.

Caden gasped, feigning indignation. Alicia, however, had already fallen asleep.

He watched her, her steady breathing bringing him a rare sense of peace. Alicia had been working relentlessly. Caden had been patient, but his longing grew. He hadn't slept properly in days, which is why he'd ended up at her hotel. Now, seeing her exhausted, he decided to wait.

He slowly withdrew his hand from under her clothes. "Tomorrow morning off," he whispered. "I want to exercise with you."

Alicia's eyelids fluttered. Her ears, however, turned red as she snuggled closer.

Caden smiled weakly, exhaustion overcoming him. He fell asleep, holding her. His rest was short-lived.

The shrill ring of his phone shattered the peace. Dorian's furious voice boomed, "I entrusted Yolanda to you, and she's coughing up blood! Get to the hospital!"

Caden's face hardened. He ended the call without a word.

While getting dressed, Alicia woke. Her vision was blurry, but she saw Caden leaving without looking back. Her heart sank. She reached for him, but found only emptiness. A hollow ache spread through her chest.