Ciara sighed. “You’re leaving already? Will you be coming back for dinner?”

“No. I have company tonight,” Caden replied before turning to Jasmine. “Let me know if anything important comes up.”

Jasmine nodded in acknowledgment.

Ciara, however, still looked uneasy.

“Caden, sending Yolanda away is the right move. She’s more complicated than she seems. If you don’t handle her, she’ll end up being a burden and pulling you down,” she stated.

Caden didn’t offer much in return.

“I know what I’m doing.”

He worked until six and left the office right on time.

In hindsight, the whole situation seemed unimportant. Alicia was maturing, and it made sense that she had become more forgiving.

Wanting to enjoy a nice dinner, Caden went out of his way to pick up a fine bottle of wine.

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As fate would have it, Gerry, who had recently invested in a vineyard, bumped into him. With a wide grin, Gerry said, “This wine’s on me. Let’s share a drink.”

Caden declined politely. “Someone’s waiting for me at home. I don’t have time to drink with you tonight.”

Gerry knew exactly who he was talking about. It was Alicia.

“Weren’t you two just fighting? Does that mean you’ve made up already?” Gerry asked.

Caden remained unfazed. “Fight? When did that ever happen? Would she really dare to challenge me?”

Gerry clicked his tongue in disbelief.

“Come on, you’re kidding yourself. Others may back down, but Alicia has the guts to stand up to you. What about the call you made to me the other day? Did she block your number?”

He glanced at the wine with a playful smirk. “With a bottle like this, you two might end up having a romantic evening.”

Caden countered, “I don’t discuss such matters with a virgin.”

Gerry was left speechless.

That sudden jab felt completely uncalled for.

After leaving the vineyard, Caden made his way back to his apartment.

When he opened the door, a cold draft greeted him. His expression stiffened as he surveyed the empty living room.

The table was bare, and the lights remained off.

Only Cade rushed toward him, eagerly licking his hand. Caden took a moment to process the emptiness around him.

He decided to call Alicia.

Her voice came through, lacking warmth. “What’s going on?”

“Are you still busy?” Caden asked.