Chapter 8
“Cassian? What are you doing here? I don’t want to see you.”
I barely spared him a glance before turning away to leave.
But I hadn’t expected him to rush up and grab my arm, his brows tightly furrowed.
Jocelyn, how could you just leave without a word? Do you have any idea what you’ve put me through?”
His words made my blood boil.
What he’s been through? Did he even realize the kind of position he put me in?
He was the one who put me through hell–auctioning me off like a possession, stripping me bare, and letting lecherous men examine me like merchandise.
“Don’t play the victim. Didn’t you hate me? Me leaving should’ve been everything you wanted. What else do you want from me?”
At that, Cassian’s expression softened. His tone suddenly dropped, almost pleading.
“I never agreed to the divorce, so it doesn’t count. A marriage is between two people. We should at least respect each other, right? You can’t let Grandma make that decision for me.”
And what right did he have to stop me from leaving?
He had been in love with Emily all along–he had done nothing but betray
and humiliate me throughout our marriage.
Looking back. I should’ve gone to Sophia much earlier and walked away from this train wreck of a marriage.
“This marriage was forced on us from the start. No one cared what we wanted. Now that things are finally back on track, shouldn’t you be relieved?
“We both signed that divorce agreement, Cassian. It’s over. For real.”
I
turned to leave again. But he grabbed the grocery basket in my hand.
“So this is it? You’re divorcing me just to cook for some other man? I won’t allow it!
“As long as I don’t agree to the divorce, you’re still my wife! I won’t let you get involved with anyone else! This relationship you have going with that man–it’s scandalous!”
So, Sophia had already told him about Liam.
But whatever I felt for Liam now, it wàs no longer his concern.
I let out a cold laugh. “And what about you and Emily? How innocent were you two, exactly?”
“You want the truth? I heard everything. The sounds of you and her messing around together. That same night you threw me into that room naked and let other men see all of me–I heard it all.”
Cassian stepped back in disbelief, his voice laced with panic. “So… You knew everything?”
I looked him straight in the eyes and gave a small nod.
And honestly, I was glad I heard it with my own cars. If not, I would’ve.
11
spent the rest of my life in the dark, letting the man I called my husband get away with doing something this vile in secret.
That would’ve been the true nightmare.
When Cassian saw me nod, his bravado collapsed. He pressed his lips. into a thin line, and his arrogance vanished in an instant.
“It was just a moment of weakness, nothing more. Don’t overthink it, alright?”
Ah–so that’s the classic excuse cheaters always use, isn’t it?
A moment of weakness? Or deliberate favoritism toward Emily?
Only he knew the truth.
“It doesn’t matter what I think anymore, does it? We’ve already signed the divorce agreement. That means we go our separate ways now. I won’t interfere in your life, but don’t come causing trouble in mine either.”
With that, I turned around and walked back to the apartment, carrying a basket full of groceries.
Cassian stood frozen where he was, utterly dazed, not moving an inch.
When we got home, Liam took the basket from me and headed into the kitchen, eager to show off and let me see how much his cooking had improved.
It had been five years, and yet somehow, his cooking still tasted exactly the same.
I sat on the couch, watching his figure move around the kitchen. Suddenly, an electronic invitation landed in my inbox.
A second later, Emily’s call came in. “Jocelyn, guess what? Cassian and I
are getting married soon! Sophia’s had everything planned out for us. If you’re free, you should stop by and join our wedding!”
I wasn’t surprised in the least.
Sophia was traditional and cared deeply about her family’s image.
If she knew Cassian and Emily were involved, she would’ve jumped at the chance to push them into marriage. That way, she could minimize the gossip and preserve their reputation.
I didn’t bother opening the invitation. I simply said, “Ms. Reagan, thank you for the invitation. But I’m overseas right now–there’s no way I can make it back.
“But still, I wish you a happy wedding.”
1954
