Chapter 326:

Alicia blinked slowly, her long lashes brushing against his eyebrows, tickling him. “You’re good to me when we’re not in bed, but only to get us back there, aren’t you?”

Caden remained silent. Was she right? He found himself silently questioning everything.

Alicia laughed softly, her understanding evident. “You’re not fooling anyone.”

“About to confess your love for me, are you, Caden?”

Caden’s body stiffened, visibly unsettled. He quickly composed himself. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’d never say something so ridiculous. Your lips were just soft; I got caught up in the moment.”

Alicia’s expression turned cold. She shoved him back firmly. “Even if you confessed, I’d only see it as a ploy to get me into bed. Mr. Ward, with your high-and-mighty attitude, I’m not foolish enough to believe you’d ever fall in love with me.”

Caden stood, his expression blank. He leaned against the car and lit a cigarette, the bitter taste always helping to clear his mind. Once his thoughts cleared, he regretted his harsh words, wishing he could retract them. “Damn it! I meant to approach her patiently, to finally tell her how I truly feel. Why am I so stubborn?” he raged inwardly.

His usual resilience crumbled. He took a deep drag from his cigarette, trying to steady himself. Not being a habitual smoker, the smoke overwhelmed him, causing a violent cough.

Alicia finished preparing and stood. Caden quickly extinguished his cigarette. “How will you spend Christmas Eve alone here in Warrington?”

Alicia replied indifferently, “I have Lucky.”

Caden pressed, “You canceled on Grandma tonight, yet she still longs to see you. Won’t you visit her?”

“I know she bought my painting to reconcile, and I knew you’d be at Joy Mansion. That’s why I didn’t bring it myself,” Alicia said, her voice softening. “Could you explain to her? It’s Christmas Eve, and maybe now isn’t the time for…outsiders.”

Caden looked at her, his tone teasing. “We’ve been intimate so many times. How can you still consider yourself an outsider?”

A flicker of emotion crossed Alicia’s eyes. “Caden, we’ve ended things. Speaking to me like this is harassment. I might even slap you,” she said sharply.

Caden was speechless.