The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback
Chapter 63

Chapter 63:

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Caden scoffed. “Then drink the whole bottle.”

Shelia was speechless. She was used to Caden's bluntness, but this level of directness still caught her off guard.

With a pat on Jerald's chest, he feigned kindness. “Leave it alone, Jerald. There’s no point in arguing with the younger generation.”

Whether it was the effect of the medicine or Shelia's attempt to comfort him, Jerald, though pale, said nothing more. He had long since accepted that Caden's personality was not one for argument. Arguing would not solve anything, and Jerald knew he could not risk worsening his health.

She took her hand away from Shelia. “Where is Joshua? Why hasn’t he arrived yet?”

Shelia smiled. “Joshua is always busy, staying late at work until eleven or twelve most nights. But I made sure to tell him we had dinner tonight, so he should be back by eight.”

I wanted Jerald to see how hard Joshua worked.

Just then, Jerald's eyes fell on Alicia. He blinked, disoriented by his illness. “Is that Alicia?”

Alicia approached slowly, her hands clasped in front of her. She replied softly, “Yes, Jerald.”

Jerald frowned. “Why are you so distant?”

Shelia chimed in excitedly. “Alicia and Joshua are divorced. Joshua is now engaged to Lilliana, the daughter of the Green family. “She is three months pregnant.”

Jerald, hearing the name “Green,” showed little reaction. “I don't get involved in young people's affairs. But why is Alicia still here after the divorce?”

Alice kept her head down, silent.

Shelia chuckled. “Joshua feels sorry for her. He lets her stay here to take care of you. And of course, he pays her monthly for it.”

Caden let out a silent laugh at that.

Alice remained expressionless.

Jerald waved his hand, disinterested. “Leave her alone.”

Without another word, Alice retired to the tea room. She mixed a packet of cold medicine with water, hoping to obtain some relief from her growing illness.

As she was thrashing around, Georgia's voice suddenly sounded behind her. "Mrs. Bennett, are you feeling unwell?"

Alice looked at her, her tone distant. “It's nothing.” And she gulped down the medicine.

Georgia, always careful to maintain a pleasant facade, especially now that Jerald was awake, couldn't afford to slip up. “You've been out in the rain for a long time today. You must have caught a cold. Let me make you some ginger tea to warm you up.”

Alice was not convinced. There was no way Georgia could have suddenly become kind.

“Then make enough for everyone,” Alice replied flatly. “Shelia and Caden were out in the rain too. “They could use some tea.”

Without another word or sign of emotion, Georgia turned on her heel and walked away.

When the tea was ready, they placed bowls in front of each other. Shelia didn't touch hers, claiming she avoided anything spicy at night. Caden was even more dismissive, not bothering to look at his own.

Alice stared into her own bowl. The ginger tea, sweetened with brown sugar, had a comforting aroma. But there was something she didn't like. Her mind was racing.

What could it contain? Poison? Mosquitoes? Laxatives?

Shelia interrupted his thoughts. “Why don't you drink it? Georgia meant well. Don’t waste it.”

Alice hesitated, the hot bowl in her hands.

At that moment, footsteps echoed from outside. The door was flung open, bringing with it a taste of cold, damp wind.

Joshua had returned earlier than expected.

Alicia's gaze flickered. Even though he was wet from the rain, Joshua didn't seem to mind.

As he entered, he respectfully greeted his father. “Dad, how are you?”

Jerald responded with a carefree grunt.

Alice stood up and asked, "Why did the rain catch you?"

Joshua, without suspecting anything, answered as always.

“I had to meet a client before I went home,” Joshua explained, wiping the rain off his coat. “The car was parked a little further from the entrance, so I got wet taking those few steps.”

Alice saw an opportunity. “Just in time. Georgia made some ginger tea. It’ll help with your cold.”

Georgia's face stiffened a little. She opened her mouth to protest, but Alicia turned, saw her, and silenced her with a piercing look.

Without hesitation, Alicia passed the bowl to Joshua.

Shelia quickly intervened: “It's just a bit of rain, Alice. There's no need to make a fuss. You’re the one who’s sick and Georgia made the tea especially for you.”

With that, Shelia headed into the kitchen, calling for the staff to serve the food. Joshua ignored Shelia's comment, briefly glancing at Caden before resting his arm casually on Alicia's shoulders.

“Did you catch a cold?” Joshua asked quietly.

Alice forced a smile. “It's nothing serious. Would you like to try some ginger tea?”

“I’ll drink it,” Joshua insisted. “Have a sip first, and then I’ll finish the rest.”

Alice blinked in surprise. His behavior was strange.

Pursing her lips, she thought that if there was something wrong with the tea, it couldn't be too harmful. After all, Georgia wasn't panicking, and she would have if something was wrong.

Alice took a small sip.

As she moved the bowl, she heard a faint sound coming from the liquid. She paused, a suspicious thought crossing her mind. Joshua snatched the bowl from her and drank from the exact spot where their lips had touched.

A wave of nausea hit Alice.

Her eyes shifted, only to lock with Caden's intense gaze.

Caden's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Joshua drink, and his lips curved into a twisted smile.

Alicia froze for a moment before the sound of Joshua spitting out his tea snapped her out of it.

With a look of disgust, Joshua exclaimed, “What is this rubbish?”

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