Chapter 328

After ending the call, she set the card aside and opened the box containing Caden's Christmas cake. He lit a candle and watched it burn down completely. Past midnight, Caden joined Gerry for a game of billiards. Gerry handed him a charm.

“My mom got these for us,” Gerry explained. “One for me, one for Cliff, and one for you.”

Caden slipped the charm into his coat pocket and then quickly pocketed three balls in succession. Gerry was astonished.

“My mom gives you a charm, and you still play this hard against me?”

Caden adjusted his cue stick. “I’m going easy. Otherwise, all the balls would be in the pocket by now.”

Gerry was speechless. Enough with the showing off, he thought. After missing a few shots, Gerry lost interest and teased, “What’s going on with you? Shouldn’t you be spending time with Alicia? Why are you playing billiards with me?”

Caden remained silent. Suddenly, a ball flew off the table and hit Gerry in the face. Gerry held his reddened forehead, feigning innocence.

“What? Did I say something wrong?”

Caden replied coldly, “You know the situation with Alicia better than anyone. Why ask?”

Gerry smirked. “Honestly, Caden, this time Alicia is in the right. Think about it. Would you accept an apology from a love rival if you were in her shoes?”

Caden looked at the table. She had been wronged, but he had apologized and tried to make amends, hadn't he? Without emotion, he muttered, “Women are so complicated.”

Gerry was intrigued. “Did you guys split just over that?”

Caden nodded.

“How delicate,” Gerry mused. “You’ve been together for just over six months, right? That explains it. Your relationship was unstable; one push, and it all falls apart.”

He continued, “Did Alicia catch you being unfaithful with Yolanda? She wouldn’t react so strongly otherwise. I know her pretty well.”

Caden shook his head. There was nothing inappropriate between him and Yolanda; the most they’d done was watch the river together in Averibon. He had always made Alicia feel secure; she had no real grounds for complaint.

Caden concluded, “She’s just throwing a tantrum. Give it a couple of days. I’ll smooth things over, and it’ll all blow over.”

Gerry was somewhat taken aback. “You know how to soothe a woman?”

Caden reflected and realized he hadn’t actually done much soothing. He usually pleased her in bed, bought her gifts, or gave her money. For the most part, Alicia was reasonable.