By admin Hubby 7
This time, Cassian really had misjudged Selene.
She wasn’t lying.
Before leaving. I’d entrusted Mom to Corwin Delacroix, the man who’d come to get us, and gone back to the penthouse alone.
When I arrived, the place was dead quiet. Thinking Cassian wasn’t home, I headed straight for his study.
I plugged a flash drive into his computer and downloaded everything–all his files, bank records, the works.
Then I went to the bedroom.
When I saw someone in the bed, I hesitated about going in.
Cassian was always on high alert. Even when exhausted, he could sense the slightest disturbance.
But then I caught the heavy smell of alcohol in the air.
took a couple steps inside and accidentally stepped on an empty bottle.
As I pitched forward, I instinctively threw my hands out to catch myself, my chin smacking into his hand.
le was so wasted he didn’t even stir.
When I got up, the moonlight revealed our marriage certificate clutched against his chest.
pulled it free and held it up to the light, looking at our wedding photo–the two of us shoulder to shoulder, smiling.
a that picture, I looked so happy.
low that smile seemed like a cruel joke–proof of how completely I’d fallen for his act.
tore off my half of the photo, crumpled it up, and almost threw it in the trash. But I was afraid he’d notice when he woke up.
fter a moment’s hesitation, I just tossed both the certificate and the torn photo onto the bed.
opened the nightstand safe and took out all my documents and the jewelry Dad had given me as my dowry, then left the penthouse without looking back.
thought everything had gone smoothly.
ut the second I stepped outside, someone clamped a hand over my mouth and dragged me into a car.
nside, I found three or four men–all former muscle from Cassian’s organization.
hadn’t seen them since Cassian disbanded parts of his operation for me.
Apparently, they’d been working for Selene,
‘Selene, what the hell do you want?”
I was shoved into a seat. When I tried to struggle, hands clamped down hard on my shoulders.
Selene sat across from me, her face twisted with hatred.
“What do I want? I want you dead!”
“You pathetic bitch. I thought you had some self–respect. After everything Cassian did to you, you should’ve been long gone by now.”
“But you just can’t help yourself, can you? Still trying to seduce him, sneaking back to his place in the middle of the night.”
Looking at her rage–distorted face, I decided not to provoke her further–for my own safety.
“You’ve got it wrong. I only went back to get my things.”
“Cassian had my father imprisoned, forced me to kneel and call him a murderer, scattered his ashes, hurt me. After all that, there’s no way I could ever forgive
him.”
“I was already leaving. If you hadn’t grabbed me, my mother and I would be on our way out of New York by now.”
“Really?”
My words seemed to calm her down slightly, though her eyes remained suspicious.
I sighed. “Selene, don’t worry. I’m not going to compete with you.”
Whether it’s Cassian or his money or his house–I don’t want any of it. There’s no reason to break the law over some relationship drama.”
Relationship drama?” Selene laughed. “Nerina, you really are naive.”
Let me be honest with you–this isn’t just about Cassian’s feelings.”
he rolled up her sleeve, revealing horrible scars covering her arm.
See this, Nerina? You think everyone grew up loved like you did?”
You have no idea what it was like in our shithole mountain village. Girls were worthless–just a financial burden. My parents beat me constantly because of m o–called brother. They were even planning to sell me for his bride price.”
Actually, I should thank your father. If he hadn’t killed Elias, I would’ve been sold off and never would have found Cassian again!”
It’s not just Cassian I want–it’s his love, his money, and his power.”
I never understood why you made him dismantle those criminal operations. They were so useful! With them backing us, nobody would dare mess with us gain.”
12.03