I tried to form words, my voice barely scraping out."He… he said… you—"
My heart was racing so fast I could feel it in my fingertips, my pulse like a war drum in my throat.I was fighting not to break down again, not to collapse right here in front of her.
"He told you what?"she cut in smoothly."That I’m mean, cruel… a monster?"Her tone was mocking, almost amused, like she’d rehearsed this conversation."That my family holds all the cards for his life, and he’s stuck with the wicked witch?"
I couldn’t speak.I could only nod.Because what else was I supposed to say?My tongue felt too big in my mouth.My body too small in this space.She wasn’t taller than me, but God, she felt like she loomed.Her presence filled every inch of air.Her sneer made me feel like the dirty secret I was terrified of being.
"Well, Cassidy," she said, tilting her head with false sweetness, "you aren’t the first, and you won’t be the last.I am not done with Andrew or the life we built.So if you think him telling me it’s over and that he loves you will do a fucking thing…" She leaned closer, her voice dropping, acidic."You have something else coming."
Her words burned.Oh my God.Andrew had actually told her it was over.He’d said it out loud.To her face.What the fuck was happening right now?
I finally found my voice, though it trembled."Why… why stay?If you don’t love each other… why stay?Why not move on and let each other be happy?"
She laughed then, sharp and cruel, the sound bouncing off the walls.No humour.No warmth.Just derision."Stupid girl.Marriage isn’t about love.It’s about image.A statement.An arrangement.And Andrew agreed to this.He said, ‘I do.’Signed on the dotted line.I will not give up the life I have built.And Andrew may be talking a big game now, but he will get in line.He will never walk away from my money.From his company."
Her words hit harder than any slap could have.They landed like truth carved in stone.My thoughts scrambled, clashing with everything Andrew had ever told me.But something else came through loud and clear.Not once did she mention their son.Not once did she talk about him as her partner, her husband.It was all contracts.Image.Power.
What the fuck was this marriage?
What the fuck had I been dragged into?
I needed to get away.To breathe.To put distance between me and her venom.
I took a step toward the door.But she moved.Cutting me off.
She planted herself in front of the exit, close enough that I could see the precise cut of her coat, the large diamond on her hand, the cruel glint in her green eyes.
She didn’t break eye contact as she stepped closer into my space.Her presence was suffocating.
Her hand rose.For one brief moment, I thought she might slap me.Instead, she touched me.Fingertips against my brow, pushing back stray strands of hair.The touch was deceptively gentle, but it made my skin crawl.She trailed down my cheek slowly, deliberately, then tucked my hair behind my ear.
"You really are exquisite, Cassidy," she murmured.Her eyes flicked over my face, my skin, my eyes.Appraising.Possessive.Almost hungry."God, your skin, those eyes… I can see what drew Andrew in.And your sister and family speak so fondly of you.You have an incredible family.One that people look up to."
Her voice hardened."It would be a shame if public perception were to change about you and your family.How would that affect Clara’s café?Or your dad and brother being the town’s family doctors?Or what your mom does for all those charities?"
Ice flooded my veins.She wasn’t just threatening me.She was threatening my family.
Before I could respond, defend myself, defend them, her hand dropped lower, cupping my jaw with sudden force.Her fingers pressed hard, squeezing until my teeth clicked together.
Her lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes."Stay in your fucking lane, Cassidy."
And then she was gone.
The click of her heels echoed against the tile as the door swung shut behind her.
I stood frozen, pulse hammering, the ghost of her touch still burning on my skin.
I staggered toward the sink, gripping the counter with both hands, staring at my reflection.Pale.Shaken.Small.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I fumbled for it with trembling hands.
Andrew.More texts.More pleas.
I ignored them and opened Clara’s instead.
Clara:You ok?Where are you?
Me:Yes… Sorry, I will meet you at the car.
