Alicia’s consciousness drifted aimlessly. Heavy rain poured down, and beneath the emergency department building, a small figure curled up tightly.

Alicia moved closer, curious about who it could be. The moment she saw, she was dumbfounded. It was Caden.

But this Caden looked nothing like the man she knew. He always carried an air of arrogance, meeting everyone with a cold, dismissive gaze. He was constantly at odds with her.

Now, Caden knelt in the rain, staring blankly at the hospital entrance. His body appeared weak, consumed entirely by grief and despair. His face had lost all color under the downpour.

The wind blew harshly, making him unsteady. Alicia couldn’t take it anymore. She called out, “Get out of the rain!”

But there was no response.

Caden stayed where he was, unmoving, like a statue. Alicia touched herself, realizing her body had become transparent. As she tried to make sense of it, a group of people emerged from the hospital.

It was the Yates family.

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The family servant held an umbrella, keeping Joshua dry from the rain. Joshua was walking with his parents, holding their hands, exuding an air of privilege.

When he saw Caden kneeling in the rain, a smug smile appeared on his face. He walked toward him, his steps confident.

“Caden,” Joshua called out. “Stop kneeling. Your mother is dead.”

Alicia felt her anger rise within her. Joshua’s smug expression made it worse.

“Don’t you get it?” Joshua taunted, stepping closer and kicking Caden. “Your mother is dead! Why are you still kneeling?”

Caden collapsed to the ground after the kick.

Alicia tried to reach out and help, but her hands passed right through him. Only then did she realize that she was powerless to aid him.

As Joshua prepared to kick Caden again, Alicia instinctively stepped in front of him. “Joshua, stop…” Before she could finish, her throat tightened, and suddenly she vomited a large amount of water.

The pain jolted her back to consciousness. A sharp, aching sensation spread through her body, forcing a groan from her lips. She struggled to open her eyes.

When her vision finally cleared, she saw the person right in front of her—it was Caden.

Alicia was stunned to see him. She could only stare at him in disbelief. The Caden standing before her didn’t resemble the one from her dream. He appeared older, more serious. His eyes held something she couldn’t quite understand. Her thoughts scattered as she reached for his hand.

“Caden…” she whispered.

Caden stopped, but without a second thought, he brushed her hand away, showing no hesitation.

Alicia froze in shock. She wanted to speak, but the words wouldn’t come.

This wasn’t a dream anymore.

This was reality.

Here, Caden was irritable, unpredictable, quick to anger. He wasn’t the same as the pitiable figure from her dream.

“Is she conscious?” someone asked, leaning closer.

Alicia remained dazed. She slowly turned her head and realized that, besides Caden, a group of others had gathered. The wealthy ladies were there to check on her. Each wore a different expression, but none of them seemed genuinely concerned. They were here for the spectacle.

The person who spoke was Rachel.

She was one of the pretenders.

Caden wiped the water from his clothes, his face unreadable. “Do whatever you want,” he said flatly, before walking away.

Alicia didn’t expect Caden to act so distant, and it left her confused.

“What the hell is wrong with him?” she thought, frustration building. “I’m already in a terrible state, and he’s still being so petulant? What the hell is his problem?” She cursed inwardly.

Rachel immediately called for an ambulance, her face masked with concern as she walked over to the bed.

“Ms. Bennett, are you alright?” Rachel asked, feigning worry.

Alicia recalled what had happened before she passed out and instinctively pulled her hand away from Rachel’s.

Noticing the change in Alicia’s demeanor, Rachel softened her tone. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure those kids are punished. You won’t suffer for nothing.”

Alicia’s expression remained blank. “Please leave. I need some time alone.”

Rachel hesitated, her concern still evident. “The ambulance is on its way. Should we contact Mr. Yates?”

Alicia snapped, her voice hoarse and sharp with anger. “Why would you?”

Rachel continued, trying to calm her. “I know you’re divorced, and you’re no longer his wife. But after something like this, it’s only right for him to come and check on you.”

“No need!” Alicia’s words were full of frustration, tinged with anxiety. “Don’t call him.”

Rachel was confused. “Why don’t you want him to come?”

Alicia’s face hardened. “Why should he?”

“You called his name several times while unconscious,” Rachel pointed out. “Isn’t this when you need him most?”

Alicia didn’t know how to respond.

Had she really called for Joshua?

She vaguely remembered feeling emotional in the dream, but it wasn’t because she missed him. In fact, she had been cursing him.

She pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose, trying to compose herself. “My situation has nothing to do with Joshua. If you want Lilliana to create chaos, then go ahead and call him. But be ready for the fallout.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, the image of Caden’s stern expression filled her mind.

Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind.

Had he misunderstood everything?

Without wasting another second, she pushed herself out of bed, determined to track him down.