Chapter 33

Alice awoke to find herself unceremoniously dumped into a car. Instinctively, she curled into a ball, her wide, wary eyes scanning the vehicle's interior. "Where are we going?" she asked.

Hank turned, offering a reassuring smile. “It's okay, Miss Bennett. It's just me and Mr. Ward. You’re allergic to alcohol, so we’ll take you to the hospital right away.”

The mention of a hospital immediately unnerved Alice. "No! Please, can we not go?"

Hank paused, seeking Caden's guidance. Caden, himself uncomfortable with hospitals, hesitated. His expression remained unreadable as he said, “Just stop by a pharmacy, get her some antihistamines, and then take her home.”

Hank agreed and started the car. The car moved slowly, struggling with the sharp turns, each one making Alice's head spin faster.

When they finally arrived at her apartment, Alice struggled to stay awake, forcing herself from the car. As her feet touched the ground, her knees buckled, and she nearly fainted.

"Mr. Ward," Hank said, distressed, "Shouldn't we help her up?"

Caden watched Alice stagger, his eyes narrowed. “She can still walk, can't she?” he said dryly.

“Miss Bennett has a stubborn streak, Mr. Ward,” Hank replied, “but she’s a very nice person.”

"If you're so worried, why don't you help her then?"

Hank felt a pang of unease. His grip tightened on the steering wheel, but he remained seated. Alice, battling dizziness, finally reached the grass.

Hank spoke again. “Are we really going to leave her here, Mr. Ward?”

Caden's face remained impassive, though a muscle twitched in his jaw. What a stubborn little thing, he thought. She practically drags herself in and out of consciousness, and yet refuses help.

Taking a deep breath, Caden exited the car. “Pass me the antihistamines.”

Hank complied, handing him the medicine. He noticed a cut on Caden's hand. “Mr. Ward, did a stray cat scratch you again?”

Caden huffed irritably, walking away without answering.

Alice, surprisingly docile in her intoxicated state, answered Caden's questions readily. He quickly obtained her unit number. He helped her to her floor and opened her apartment door.

Still supporting Alice with one arm, he reached for the light switch. There was a click, but the lights remained off. Caden paused, staring at his feet. Initially feeling nothing, the dim hallway light revealed a mousetrap.

Pain flared, intensifying rapidly. Caden gritted his teeth, releasing his foot with a grunt. He looked at the unconscious Alice, a string of curses forming, but he stopped himself. It would be better to scold her when she was awake and sober.

Finally finding the switch, he flipped it. The apartment was small, a single bedroom, but clean and tidy. Caden gently placed Alice on the couch.

Her eyelashes fluttered, and she narrowed her eyes. The alcohol seemed to have subdued her usual hostility. She appeared dazed and confused.

Caden placed the medicine on the table. “These are antihistamines. Don't stop taking them.”

He started to leave, but Alice's hand shot out, grasping his sleeve. Caden frowned.

Alice opened her mouth to speak, but her vision went black. After a few seconds, her hand moved from his sleeve to his forearm, gripping tightly.

Caden pressed his lips together, looking out the window. All the complex's lights were off. A blackout.

Fearing he would leave, Alice moved closer. He tried to release her hand, but she reacted instantly, engulfing him in a desperate hug. Caden couldn't recall seeing her this vulnerable. He sneered, “Aren’t you supposed to be tough and brave? What, are you actually afraid of the dark?”

She stiffened, but remained silent, terrified, unconcerned about his teasing.

Caden, still possessing his phone, activated the flashlight. A message appeared: the apartment complex's group chat announced power restoration in half an hour. He relayed this to Alice before taking a pill. “Open your mouth.”

Alice turned and obediently opened her mouth. Though her mind was clouded, she was aware of her actions. She instinctively clicked her tongue against Caden's finger as he placed the pill in her mouth.

Caden swallowed, feeling the warm, wet sensation. “You're still the temptress, even with something as mundane as taking medicine.”

Alice blinked, her eyes glassy. Without water, the pill dissolved quickly. She nuzzled his neck, murmuring, “It tastes awful.” He heard the whimper in her voice.

"Do you know who I am?" he asked coldly.

Alice didn't respond. Suddenly, Caden felt wetness on his neck—warm tears sliding down and disappearing into his shirt. He found himself hugging Alice. It was his second crying spell that day. How strange.

Alice cried silently for a few minutes before slowly lifting her head. Caden's phone, on the coffee table, cast a shadow on his face. Alice cupped his face, staring in a daze. His large, watery eyes seemed to beckon her.

"Why? What have I done to you? Why are you treating me like this?"

Caden remained calm. “Alicia, look at me carefully. I’m Caden, not Joshua.”

Alice leaned against him with a broken sigh. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she rested her forehead against his.

Caden frowned. He disliked emotional entanglements, but something in Alice's eyes held him captive.

“Two years ago,” Alice began, her voice achingly soft. “Why did you trick me? First place was supposed to be mine. Everyone knew it.”

Caden's breath hitched. Alice hadn't mistaken him.

His gaze locked on her face. “Who told you I cheated? It was Joshua, right?”

Alicia offered a self-deprecating smile. She had performed exceptionally well, poised to win, but at the last moment, the judges changed their decision, awarding it to Caden. Joshua had told her everything. He'd investigated and discovered Caden's orchestration. If Caden hadn't stolen first prize, his parents might have come home earlier that day. They might not have died.

His silence confirmed it. Caden scoffed. “Of course it's him. Whatever Joshua says is the truth, right? You believe everything that comes out of his mouth.”