Chapter 5
Cassandra glanced down and saw that the message was from Clara. Her brows immediately knitted together.
She opened the message and saw a photo of a broken amulet.
Staring at the screen, Cassandra’s frown deepened. She recognized the amulet instantly.
Two years ago, she had gotten the amulet from Willowstone Hill. She believed in an old superstition that said climbing the 999 stone steps to the top and making a heartfelt wish would bring health and happiness to someone she loved.
The wind had been fierce that day, Cassandra’s knees bled from kneeling, but her heart was full of warmth, convinced the amulet would protect Aidan forever.
When she gave it to him, he hugged her, spun her joyfully, and said, “Cassie, I’m the luckiest man in the world!”
Now, that same amulet was in pieces, as broken as their relationship.
Looking back, it all seemed like a cruel joke.
Another provocative message quickly followed,
“Oh, Cass. I’m so sorry. Aidan gave me this amulet to wish me good health. I’m sure you recognize it since you worked so hard to get it. Unfortunately, I accidentally broke it. You won’t blame me, will you?
“I felt really bad, but Aldan reassured me that it was worthless anyway.”
Clara’s message had a smug tone, clearly written to hurt Cassandra.
Cassandra stared blankly at the broken amulet for a moment, then calmly replied, “You’re right. It’s worthless. I bought it online for a dollar. If you like it that much, I can order a whole box for you. Then again, I doubt even an amulet could protect someone as twisted as you.”
Reading Cassandra’s reply, Clara flew into a rage. Was Cassandra mocking her?
Just wait! She’d make Cassandra regret her words!
Right now, Cassandra was practically alone. Once she lost her fiancé, she probably wouldn’t even have the strength to live on Just imagining it made Clara feel immensely satisfied.
But Cassandra no longer cared about any of this. Instead, she felt oddly excited about her new married life.
She turned the ring on her finger thoughtfully. What was Tristan doing right now?
She realized how bold she’d been, marrying a man she hardly knew. Yet, strangely, she didn’t regret it at all.
Thinking about this, Cassandra opened Tristan’s chat window on her phone.
Clicking on his profile picture, she was surprised–it was a latte art coffee cup, beautifully decorated and comforting. It seemed out of character for someone as cold as Tristans.
Did Tristan like latte art?
The coffee looked oddly familiar, like something from a distant memory she couldn’t quite place.
Whale Cassandra was lost in thought, a message from Tristan suddenly appeared.
“Are you asleep?”
Cassandra quickly replied, “Just about to.”
“Good. By the way, my parents are eager to meet you,”
His words hit her like a bombshell.
Cassandra felt her heart pounding nervously. Of course, she’d eventually have to meet her new in–laws.
Bracing herself, she typed, “Okay, You can arrange the meeting.”
Tristan seemed pleased, “Great. Sleep early. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” Cassandra closed the chat, her heart still racing
She scolded herself silently, “Get a grip, Cassandra! It was just a marriage of convenience. Both of you did it to keep your families happy.”
The next day at noon, Victoria invited Cassandra to lunch at The Grand Garden, a downtown restaurant. Victoria was worried about Cassandra after everything that had happened.
The Grand Garden was a luxurious spot in a bustling city area, famous for its elegant landscape gardens that provided a peaceful escape amid the urban rush
Halfway through lunch, Cassandra went to the restroom Unexpectedly, she ran into Clara, standing at the mirror, touching up her makeup.
Clara wose an elegant Valentino dress with flawless makeup on her face, looking graceful and innocent.
Sering, Cassandra etter, Clara’s lips curled into a slight smirk. “Oh, Cass. What a coincidence!”
Cassandra wat annoyed. Of all places, why did she have to run into Clara here?
Chi tit haunted by this woman, unable to escape her preseike
When Canada wasted siled, (lare contfround rushingly, “I’m bare with Aidan He’s waiting in the private dining room. Would you like to pɔin sa?
*, the you,” Cammarata replied really “I’m afraid i magta lose my appethe ”
Chapter 5
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“Cass, are you still mad at me? I’m really sorry, but Aidan and I…” Clara pretended to look remorseful and innocent.
Seeing Clara’s fake expression, Cassandra wasn’t going to back down. “Mad? Actually, I should thank you. Aidan is garbage, and you clearly love picking up trash. Keep him since I’m not interested anymore. We’re done. I hope you two stay together forever.”
Clara’s eyes flashed, unwilling to believe Cassandra could truly let Aidan go. Determined to provoke her further, she sneered. “Cass, I know you’re still desperately in love with him, but love doesn’t care who was there first. Didn’t your mom ever teach you that?”
Hearing Clara mention her mother, Cassandra’s anger exploded. Without thinking, she stepped forward and slapped Clara hard across the face.
“You stole my fiancé, and now you have the nerve to rub it in my face? You deserve much worse than that!
“Or are you just following in your mother’s footsteps? Are there no single men left in the world? You just had to go after someone else’s fiancé? How shameless can you be?”
Clara, completely stunned, held her reddened cheek and stared at Cassandra in disbelief. The sweet, innocent act she always put on crumbled in an instant, leaving her humiliated and speechless.
Cassandra had no intention of wasting more words on her and turned to leave.
Suddenly, Clara grabbed Cassandra’s arm, her eyes quickly filling with tears, as if she had suffered terribly. “Cass, I’m sorry! It wasn’t on purpose, really! You misunderstood! There’s nothing between Aidan and me! Please don’t be angry!”
Cassandra froze, startled by Clara’s sudden performance.
Just moments ago, Clara had been smugly gloating, and now she acted like a helpless victim?
Clara’s grip was painfully tight, so Cassandra shook her arm free. Clara dramatically stumbled backward, deliberately falling onto the floor with a loud cry of pain.
Cassandra stared in disbelief. Was Clara made of glass or something? How could she be so fragile?
But when Cassandra noticed a familiar figure rushing toward them, she immediately understood–this was all an act. Clara had staged this drama perfectly.
How ironic! With acting skills like that, Clara really should’ve gone into acting. Aidan’s angry voice rang out instantly. “Cassandra, what did you do to Clara?”
