Chapter 6
“Congratulations, Cassian!”
“That Jocelyn is finally out of the picture. That clingy little witch–she always circled you like some desperate stray… Well, it’s about time. At least she had the decency to step aside. I’d say this all worked out in your favor!”
***
The crowd burst into flattery and raised their glasses in one toast after
another.
Emily nestled softly into his side, twirling the luxury jewelry Sophia had gifted her. She looked every bit the part of the future Mrs. Vroman, already halfway into the family by everyone’s assumptions.
Just as the atmosphere brimmed with celebration, Cassian–who had remained silent the whole time–suddenly spoke up.
“I can’t marry you.”
The room went dead still.
Every gaze turned to him. The air grew heavy, and no one dared to breathe audibly.
Cassian’s grip tightened around the divorce agreement in his hand until it crumpled into a wad. He clenched his jaw so hard that the sound of grinding teeth was audible.
Emily’s expression soured instantly. She tried to keep calm as she asked, “Cassian, have you forgotten? If it weren’t for Sophia insisting you marry
Jocelyn, we would’ve been married a long time ago. Now, after everything, we’re finally here, engaged to be married. And Sophia. approves of our relationship, too. What else are you afraid of?”
Cassian lowered his head. All he could see was the image of Jocelyn in a wedding dress, holding another man’s arm as she walked down the aisle.
He had hated Jocelyn. Or at least, he thought he did. So why did the thought of her marrying someone else hurt this much?
“I need to ask her. I need to hear it from her. Am I just supposed to accept being dumped without a word? This doesn’t feel like something Jocelyn would do.”
That flicker of hesitation stunned everyone–including Emily and Cassian’s friends.
They were all thinking the same thing: Was this proof Cassian never truly hated Jocelyn? Or did he just need closure?
Before anyone could respond, Cassian turned and walked out of the banquet hall in a daze, leaving everyone behind.
The dramatic scene stunned the nearby auction guests. They whispered. among themselves as they watched Cassian disappear into the crowd.
Emily called after him as she hurried to catch up.
“Cassian, wait!”
Back at the villa, Cassian slumped onto the couch in a haze. He held a glass of red wine in his hand, but he never brought it to his lips.
Seeing him lost in thought, Emily leaned in like she always did, her fingers wandering over the firm muscles of his chest.
“I think Sophia’s right. Instead of sneaking around all the time, we might
as well get married soon.
“Now that Jocelyn’s out of the picture, this whole villa belongs to us tonight…”
She bit her red lip seductively, her voice laced with tease as her hand drifted lower.
Caught off guard, Cassian grabbed her hand and pinned it in place. Hist brows drew together.
“I’m not in the mood.
“We’ll talk about the wedding later.”
It was the first time Emily had ever been turned down, and her face twisted with displeasure. Instead of backing off, her touch grew more aggressive.
Then the slap came–sharp, brutal, echoing off the walls.
Emily clutched her face, staring at Cassian in disbelief.
“What is wrong with you? You used to want me so badly. How dare you slap me just because that b*tch Jocelyn is gone?”
Cassian looked down at her without a trace of sympathy. His eyes were cold. “Don’t ever call her that again. Jocelyn is still my wife.”
Emily’s eyes burned with fury. She let out a cold snort. “Didn’t Sophia say you two already got a divorce? She’s not your wife anymore. For all your know, she’s probably promised herself to some other man by now.”
Before she could even finish the sentence, another slap landed. This time, blood welled up at the corner of her lips, and her hair had turned into a
mess.
Chapter 16
“I never agreed to the divorce. So it doesn’t count.”
Cassian pulled out his phone and dialed Jocelyn’s number.
“The number you’ve dialed is currently unavailable…”
He tried again and again. Each time, the result was the same.
1990
