FATED TO THE OLDER ALPHA

Chapter5

She Returns!

~Caden’s POV~

It was supposed to be a simple night. I'd won Aria over, and she was leaning against me as she always did.

I was tempted not just by her touch but also by the way she looked at me and the way her lips trembled as she muttered my name. It triggered a dangerous aspect of me that I had long suppressed.

Together, we were in a world that shouldn't have been. A world formed by a one-night stand, but I wouldn't deny I was somewhat pleased she'd be the mother of my heir.

Her breath was warm across my skin as her fingers moved over my jaw. "Caden ... this isn’t just for the baby, is it?" She spoke softly.

I froze.

It was for the baby, of course. She was solely here for that reason. I only permitted myself to touch her for that reason. Because I would be giving up the very thing I had centered my life around if I allowed it to become more.

I didn't respond to her. Rather, I wished she'd forget that question. Hence, I stylishly silenced her with a passionate, deep kiss.

And it worked, for a while. Well, I'm certain she knew I wanted her to talk less about love and emotions.

Unexpectedly, the door opened with a squeak!

I initially believed I had dreamed it, more like a déjà vu in one of my numerous fantasies. I took a deep breath to be sure I wasn't stuck in any trance.

It would have been impossible to hear that unforgettable voice once again.

"Caden?"

My whole body went cold. The entire planet swung around.

No. It isn't possible.

My throat leaped inside my chest! What the hell is going on!!!

Evelyn!?

She was seductively standing at the doorway with her arms placed in an akimbo posture. Damn! She looked so beautiful, real, and alive.

Immediately, I sat up, my hands shivering from the shock of seeing her. My mind whirled with conflicting thoughts.

"Evelyn...?" I couldn't control my gasping, my voice stuttering.

Her wide eyes met mine as she stepped closer. “It’s me, Caden. I'm present.”

I hardly noticed Aria shifting next to me, dragging the covers around her body. As I reached out and ghosted my fingertips over Evelyn's arm, it felt warm, firm, and real; nothing else mattered, not even my so-called heir bearer.

I let out a short breath, and then, I gasped, still finding it hard to comprehend how my late wife was very much alive, standing before me.

A surge of palpitations struck my heart. I couldn't take my eyes off Evelyn as her beautiful eyes completely enchanted me.

I had been heard by the Moon Goddess. My prayers had been fulfilled by her. She had returned Evelyn to me.

I muttered, "You’re back," as my hands framed her face, as though releasing them would cause her to vanish. "You came back to me."

A deep sigh let out of Evelyn's lips while shaking her head. “Baby, I didn't plan to leave at first. "The thought that you believed I was gone broke my heart all these years.”

My spine quivered in disbelief while I kissed her tender wrists before giggling. “Oh dear, I was so wrong to think for a second that I had lost you for life.”

How and why she was here didn't matter to me. The fact that she was in front of me meant the world to me.

I let out a short gasp of hope, a sensation I hadn't experienced in years, overwhelmed my breathing. "Evelyn?" I had to force myself to forget her name, but that seemed impossible.

Evelyn has returned!

The moment was broken by Aria's voice. "Caden ... what’s happening?"

I nearly forgot she was present. Nearly.

I looked at her slowly and remained mute to her gripping questions.

What should I possibly tell her? The handwriting is boldly written on the wall that I never loved her and all long it had been Evelyn. Finally, she's back!!!

Her facial expression was pain itself; she would have cried a million tears already, but somehow she managed to hold herself tightly.

The odd thing was that I felt nothing. I didn't give a sh*t about her or her heartbreak. She should have known better before spreading her legs open for me that very night.

Aria and I had lost whatever had been between us only seconds before. Deleted. As though it had never occurred.

She was nothing more but a MISTAKE!

"Caden?" She called my attention again, her lips trembling at the sight of what she had witnessed.

Like a dagger pounding her chest, Aria let out a deep groan. “Arghh!!!”

I looked in her direction as I turned my head. Her wide eyes were filled with emotions I couldn't even begin to describe: sadness, betrayal, and pain.

She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. The agony was too much for her, but she shouldn't blame me though.

I can't sacrifice my happiness and desire to want Evelyn back to be with her. Never!

I ought to have spoken up. I should have given an explanation. What could I say, though? She was simply competing with someone she wouldn't have won even in a thousand years.

Evelyn was still alive.

And nothing else mattered at that moment.

Aria ran to the edge of the bed, her hands shaking. As she swallowed whatever words threatened to come out, I saw her lips trembling.

Finally, her voice came out, “You said a prayer for her, and she's returned right. “You never wanted me all this time. All you needed was an heir. I was merely a tool to achieve a goal.”

I moved my lips, but nothing came out. Since she was correct after all.

My companion, my love, was Evelyn. I only married Aria out of obligation and because of the baby. I had never let myself want her, but I had held her close, not entirely.

Aria brushed away a tear and shook her head, laughing softly and sourly. "I was incredibly foolish to think..."

She slammed her foot against the floor in agony. “You would never have loved me regardless. I was just simply a naive desperate substitute.”

I wasn't prepared for how hard her remarks affected me.

"Aria—"

"Don’t," she interrupted, her voice trembling. "Just don’t."

She glanced between Evelyn and me; her hands tightened and made my heart skip a little bit in slight concern.

Evelyn drew me back with her gentle words. "Caden ... what is this?" Her piercing blue eyes flashed with surprise. "Who is she?"

I took a deep breath. "She’s... my wife."

Evelyn's lips parted slightly as her face went pale. "Your wife?"

Aria's shoulders trembled as she gave a feeble laugh. "You're correct. His spouse. "But Evelyn, don't worry." She raised her chin. “You've returned. That must put everything straight once more.”

I could hear the pain of a lady who had just been devastated and had to wear a pretentious facial expression to disguise her real anguish.

Aria took a fast breath and held it.

I realized then that I had totally shattered her.

Turning on her heel, she hurried to the door. I ought to have prevented her. I ought to have spoken up. However, with Evelyn in my arms, I felt really happy again for the first time in years.

I stood motionless and I simply let Aria go.