Chapter 954:
A chuckle escaped Ellis as he exhaled smoke, his eyes shimmering with a mix of amusement and confidence.
“Get some rest. I’ll leave you be,” Caden said.
After Caden left, Ellis stubbed out his cigarette halfway. He then returned to the room to rinse his mouth and lay down again.
Jaida, half-asleep, asked, “Is someone here?”
“Yes, Mr. Ward stopped by,” Ellis responded.
Jaida noticed the amusement in his voice and opened her eyes wider. “You seem quite fond of him.”
Ellis maintained his smile. “It’s not fondness, but he does strike a familiar chord. I suspect our paths will cross often.”
Jaida’s memories of Caden were vague, yet one moment stood out. “When his fiancée held Brysen’s son, she was genuinely pleased. They’re considering IVF soon.”
“Planning for a daughter, perhaps?” Ellis speculated.
“How did you know?” Jaida was taken aback.
Alicia had indeed mentioned that was their plan.noveldrama
Ellis burst into laughter. “That explains why Caden seems wary of me. We might end up being in-laws with him.”
Jaida was left without words.
Late into the night, Alicia felt the warmth of Caden’s body. She rolled over to find him staring into space. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?” she murmured.
Caden stroked her back gently. “I just can’t seem to relax.”
Alicia misunderstood his restlessness, sliding her hand across his stomach. “In need of some affection?”
He grasped her hand, his tone steady. “No, it’s not that. I’m preoccupied with thoughts of Ellis.”
Exhausted and unable to place Ellis, Alicia asked, “Why are you thinking about him?”
“He’s irritating,” Caden confessed. “I’ve been turning it over in my mind all night and still can’t pin down why he gets under my skin.”
Alicia had no response.
Three days before his surgery, Caden whisked Alicia away to Sowell for a day of fun. They indulged in spicy food, which left Caden with a stomachache by evening.
Yet, determined to keep Alicia’s spirits high, Caden masked his discomfort all afternoon. It wasn’t until they returned to the hotel and Alicia noticed his pallor that she realized he was in pain.
With a mix of frustration and concern, she lightly smacked his head. “Can’t you let me worry a little less?”
Caden sat on the edge of the bed, his face pale yet defiant. “This pain is trivial.”
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