Chapter 2
Cassandra’s eyes widened in shock. She quickly explained, “No, it’s not like that at all! My relationship with Aidan really is falling apart. My grandmother’s getting older, and her greatest wish is to see me married. That’s why I’m looking for someone to marry.”
Using Tristan as a backup? She hadn’t lost her mind.
Tristan’s expression remained unreadable. “You’re really willing to leave that man?”
“What’s there to cling to about a guy who can’t stop cheating?” Cassandra’s eyes flashed with disgust.
After hearing what Aidan said earlier, her heart had finally turned cold.
Tristan raised an eyebrow, a subtle gleam passing through his eyes. He leaned closer, his voice turning husky and dangerously seductive as he asked, “Are you sure about this?”
Cassandra’s eyes glistened, but her voice was steady. “I’ve never been more sure. It’s time I dumped that jerk for good.”
Without another word, Tristan pulled Cassandra into his arms, leaning closer to her ear. His warm breath brushed against her sensitive skin, making her tremble.” Remember, you started this. Don’t regret it later.”
Cassandra flushed deeply, her heartbeat racing uncontrollably. After a long moment, she raised her eyes to meet his gaze, whispering softly but firmly, “I won’t regret it.”
She had tossed all logic out the window.
“Good. We’ll register our marriage tomorrow,” Tristan said, giving her no room to change her mind.
Cassandra blinked in surprise. “So soon?”
“Why? Do you have a problem with that?”
“None at all. But could you drive me home first?” Cassandra needed to go home and get her documents.
Not long after, Tristan dropped Cassandra off at her house.
Currently, Cassandra was living with her grandmother. Her father, Jack Callum, abandoned her and her mother years ago for another woman, Sophia Winslow. Sophia’s daughter had even changed her name to Clara Callum.
After the betrayal, Cassandra’s mother, Matilda Kingsley, suffered a mental breakdown, later passing away tragically in a car accident.
It was a pain that Cassandra carried every day, blaming her father for her mother’s death. She would never forgive him.
Clara was three years younger than Cassandra and had just graduated from college. Coincidentally, she was now working at Aidan’s company, F&W Jewelry.
At the company’s recent annual party, Clara performed a stunning solo dance. That must have been when she and Aidan first hooked up.
F&W Jewelry had rapidly risen in the past two years, becoming a rising star in the jewelry industry. It was probably because of this alone that Clara found her way into the company.
Cassandra also worked at F&W Jewelry, but she specialized in design. She rarely interacted with Aidan during work, and she had never gotten involved in hiring decisions. She only learned Clara had joined the company at the annual party.
At the time, Cassandra hadn’t said anything. She’d cut ties with the Callum family long ago, so she hadn’t expected Aidan would stoop low enough to hook up with
her stepsister.
Cassandra had always worked harder than anyone to win over Aidan’s family. Now, it was clear that all her efforts had been wasted.
She’d always been a talented designer. Back then, she’d even won first place at the national jewelry competition.
When she and Aidan got together, they founded F&W Jewelry, carefully choosing the name together. Now, even thinking about it felt like a cruel joke.
“We’re here.” Tristan’s deep voice brought her back from her thoughts. “It’s late, so I won’t disturb your grandmother tonight. I’ll visit another time.”
Cassandra snapped back to reality and nodded. “Alright.”
“Get some rest. Tomorrow morning, I’ll send someone to pick you up,” Tristan said.
“Okay.” Cassandra obediently agreed.
Only when Tristan’s luxury car vanished into the distance did Cassandra finally head inside, feeling like everything that happened tonight had been a strange dream.
Quietly entering the house, she saw that her grandmother was already asleep.
Checking her phone, Cassandra realized then that she’d missed numerous calls, some from Aldan and others from her best friend, Victoria Ashford. Victoria had been her roommate and closest friend since college, someone she could always count on. She understood her better than anyone.
Now a sales manager at a major company, Victoria was an unstoppable workaholic.
Cassandra quickly called her back
The moment the call connected, Victoria’s worried voice came through immediately. “Cassie, are you okay? Why didn’t you answer your phone? Where are you right now?
“I’m fine Don’t worry I’m already home,” Cassandra tesponded, trying to sound casual.
“That’s good but is everything okay between you and Aidan? He called me earlier, sounding really anxious. He said he couldn’t find you anywhere, Victoria said
“Actually I have something to tell you, but you have to promise me not to freak out,” Cassandra hesitated but decided to be honest. Victoria would find out
Chapter 2
eventually anyway.
Victoria paused nervously, sensing trouble. “Okay. Tell me what happened.”
“I broke up with Aidan. We’re officially done. By the way, he’s with Clara now,” Cassandra admitted calmly. She was starting to come to terms with it already.
“What?” Victoria exploded immediately. “You’re saying that jerk, Aidan, is actually dating that bitch, Clara?”
Cassandra quickly moved the phone away from her ear as Victoria unleashed a rapid–fire tirade.
“Does she have no shame at all? Are there no other men in the world? She really had to go after her stepsister’s boyfriend?
“Aidan’s a total jerk! He knows you and Clara can’t stand each other, yet he still went and hooked up with her?
“I knew trouble was coming when Clara joined F&W! That woman is always scheming something!”
“Hey, calm down.” Cassandra chuckled helplessly but felt deeply moved by Victoria’s fierce support of her. Her fury–driven rant was oddly comforting at this
moment.
Victoria continued, “So, what’s your plan? You’re not just letting them get away with this, right? You were the campus queen. You could’ve had anyone, yet you chose Aidan. You built that company for him, and this is how he repays you?
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“Clara acts all sweet and innocent in public, but she’s just like her mother–a total homewrecker who steals other people’s men! You should let everyone know her true colors!”
“And then what? Make everyone think I’m pathetic because I couldn’t keep my man?” Cassandra sighed softly. “Honestly, I’ve thought it through already.”
“But that’s just letting them off too easily!” Victoria huffed.
“Don’t wony. They’ll pay for what they’ve done. Besides, there’s always something better waiting after you let go of the old,” Cassandra replied calmly.
She suddenly remembered the upcoming jewelry competition. Clara had been eager to use it to become famous.
Just a few days ago, Aidan mentioned it in passing. Cassandra found that odd at the time, but now it all made sense. He simply wanted to promote his new girlfriend.
Winning the competition was the fastest way to fame, after all.
Tonight’s events had already been shocking enough, so Cassandra decided against mentioning her marriage plans with Tristan to Victoria right now.
“True,” Victoria said reluctantly. “Then, what’s your next move?”
“Settle existing accounts and leave the company,” Cassandra replied firmly. She’d had enough of these toxic people and situations.
“Good. You have my support. Call me if you need anything at all!” Victoria said.
Back in college, Cassandra had been a shining star. She was beautiful, smart, always at the top of her class, and won every competition she entered.
If she hadn’t been so blindly in love, nothing could’ve held her back.
“Relax, I’m fine,” Cassandra assured her gently.
After hanging up, Cassandra turned her phone off completely, refusing to let Aidan contact her again.
Starting tomorrow, she would never settle for trash like him again.
