Chapter 1

"Ms. Blake, you've looked at quite a few styles already. Has nothing caught your eye yet?"

There was no response.

"Ms. Blake?"

Cassandra Blake snapped back to reality. She paused, then pointed at a random diamond necklace. "I'll take that one. Please wrap it up for me."

The sales associate let out a quiet sigh of relief. "Of course. My pleasure."

All the saleswomen in the jewelry boutique were particularly in good moods, mainly because Cassandra had been consistently making purchases there every day for the past three months.

One of them remarked, "Your man must really love you. He buys you jewelry like it's nothing! I'm so envious of you."

Another said, "That's right. They say a man's heart is where his money goes. He definitely sees you as his world!"

"He's not only filthy rich but also a hopeless romantic… You truly win at life, Ms. Blake…"

As the others offered their flattering remarks, Cassandra merely curved her lips into a faint smile. Her eyes, however, were fixed on the young sales associate not far away.

Unlike the others gathered around her, showering her with praise, the young woman was quietly focusing on packing up the necklace Cassandra had just purchased. Her hands were soft, graceful, delicate, and surprisingly eye-catching. At that moment, Cassandra felt like a voyeur.

It wasn't her fault. She just wanted to see up close the kind of woman who had captured the heart of her husband, Cameron Dorsey.

He had always been composed and self-disciplined; a man who, for this seemingly ordinary sales association, was willing to throw away 15 years of shared memories, betray every promise made in love, and abandon Cassandra.

The young woman was Annabelle Green. She wasn't exactly stunning; at best, she could be considered delicate and pleasant-looking.

Those hands, however, were truly beautiful. They were slender and soft, exuding elegance. Even a woman like Cassandra was drawn to them, let alone a man.

Before leaving, Cassandra asked, "Can you guys do me a favor?"

She was a VIP client, so it was a no-brainer question.

Without waiting for an answer, she removed the ring from her ring finger and passed it to one of the sales associates. "Melt this for me, please."

The sales associate was shocked. "This looks like… your wedding ring. And it's engraved with letters, too…"

Indeed, the engravings read, "CD & CB", Cassandra's and Cameron's initials. He had been the one to engrave them himself.

The sales associate asked for confirmation, "This ring must mean a lot to you. Are you certain you want to melt it?"

Cassandra replied confidently, "I'm certain. And do it now."

…

By the time Cassandra arrived home, the sun had set. As soon as she stepped through the gates, she was welcomed by a frantic Cameron. The two collided, and she staggered back several steps, nearly losing her balance. Fortunately, a large hand caught her waist just in time, keeping her from falling.

Cameron knitted his brows, drawing her attention to the thin layer of sweat on his forehead. "Where have you been? What took you so long to come home?"

"We were worried, Mrs. Dorsey. It's almost 7:00 pm now. You could've sent Mr. Dorsey a text if you had known you'd be late. He almost went to the police…" said their housekeeper, Lisa Wallace.

Meanwhile, standing behind Cameron was his assistant, Harold Smith. When he saw Cassandra, he visibly relaxed before talking into the phone, "Hey, Officer Walter? Mrs. Dorsey is back. I'm sorry for the hassle."

Cameron lowered his body to check on Cassandra. After ensuring she was fine, his expression darkened. "Why didn't you pick up my calls? I thought something had happened to you."

He touched her face out of instinctive habit, then frowned. "Why do you feel so cold?"

Cassandra pushed his hand away, bypassed him, and walked in. "I got too bored at home, so I went out to take a breather. My phone just happened to die."

Cameron hurried after her, slipping off his suit jacket and gently draping it over her shoulders before pulling her into a quiet embrace as they walked. "Here. Wouldn't want you to catch a cold."

She initially started to struggle, but when she knew it'd be futile, she allowed him to be.

Once they entered their home, he ordered Lisa, "Prepare some hot apple cider for Cassie."

He then turned to Harold. "And get takeout from The Golden Ladle. You know the dishes she likes, right? Tell them to go easy on the salt and sugar."

"Roger, Mr. Dorsey."

Everyone left to fulfill their tasks, leaving Cassandra and Cameron alone in the living room. His hand remained on her shoulder, dominant, but his tone was extremely submissive. "I'm sorry I was harsh earlier. I was just too worried about you. Forgive me, please, Cassie?"

She shook her head. "I'm not mad."

"You don't seem too happy lately. Did I do something wrong?"

"I'm fine."

"You're not. I've known you for 15 years, long enough to tell whether you're mad at me. I've been reflecting on myself lately, but I just can't seem to know what I did wrong. Will you just tell me? I'll fix it, okay?"

Cassandra lifted her head to gaze at the man she had loved for 15 years. Suddenly, a sense of unfamiliarity rose. He still looked much the same as before, though the confident air of a successful businessman had replaced his youthful innocence. For some reason, he now felt like a stranger to her.

"You're overthinking it. I'm just on my period."

Cameron remained dubious. "Is that really it?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

He made a phone call. "I'm not going into the office this week. Just have Harold deliver the necessary documents to my doorstep."

"What are you doing?" she questioned.

He said, "I want to spend time with you. You're feeling down, and I should stay home and accompany you."

A chuckle escaped from Cassandra's lips, baffling Cameron. "Why are you laughing?"

"Shouldn't I when I have such a great husband?"

He grinned. "You know you can tell me anything, right, Cassie? We're husband and wife; we work things out together."

"And what about you? Do you have anything to tell me?"

He gave a playful peck on her lips. "We've been married for three years. It's time we have a baby."

Cassandra stayed silent and simply pulled out a stack of documents. "Take a look at them and sign them."

Without even glancing at the papers, Cameron flipped to the very last page and signed his name. Then, he passed them back to her. "Here, done."

"Aren't you gonna take a look first?"

"I'll give you everything you want. I know you're scared about childbirth, Cassie, but if this could give you a sense of security, I don't see why I shouldn't say yes."

"Cameron, I really think you should take a look before—"

One of their phones vibrated with a text message, interrupting their conversation. It was Cameron's. He glanced at it, and his lips curved ever-so-slightly, indulgence oozing from his eyes.

He tapped on the screen a few times to reply, and after a while, he rose to his feet. "I'll go make a call, Cassie."

"Sure."

After Cameron left, Cassandra got up and headed to the garage. She started the car, and the dashboard screen lit up. Sure enough, his WhatsApp was still logged in. His recent chat history appeared clearly on the screen.

Baby Anna: "That rich woman came back to buy another piece today! I'm so happy! I bet my commissions are gonna be sky-high this month. Don't worry—I'm definitely buying you a fancy dinner."

Cameron: "You sound excited."

Baby Anna: "Well, of course. I wish that rich woman would come to our store every day! Gosh, I love her!"

Cameron: "I used to purchase at your store every day as well. Don't think I got the same treatment."

Baby Anna: "You're different. She's my VIP client!"

Cameron: "And what about me?"

Baby Anna: "Wait a second. What's your name again? Whatever. Nobody's stopping me from being a successful careerwoman!"

Cameron: "So, I'm disposable to you?"

Baby Anna: "Hahaha! You know what? Let's call. That rich woman tried on more than ten necklaces today, and my hands got so tired from arranging everything back in its place."

Cameron: "Okay."

Cassandra stared at the contact name, Baby Anna, for a long time before finally closing her eyes.

That sales associate, Annabelle, and her beautiful hands kept forcing their way into her mind, invading every corner of her thoughts.

She turned off the engine and went home.

On the couch lay the documents Cameron had just signed, perfectly untouched. She picked them up and tucked them carefully back into her bag. At the top of the first page, bold black letters spelled out, "Divorce Agreement".

Chapter 2

Sitting beside the divorce agreement was another document. She had hired a private investigator to look into Annabelle.

At 23 years old, she was a community college graduate with a certificate in nursing. She was born and raised in a rural county outside the city. Her parents worked low-wage jobs in a small town near Hannover. Back home, she had a younger brother who was a deadbeat gambler.

When Cassandra first discovered the affair, she spent days tormenting herself with the same question. Why Annabelle?

How could a woman as average as her be the one to capture Cameron's heart? Was it because of her delicate hands? Or had he simply gotten bored of their 15-year-old relationship?

When Cameron returned, Cassandra remained seated on the couch as though she hadn't set foot in the garage and uncovered more of his secrets.

His lips curled in delight, his eyes still as gentle as before. He casually slid his phone into the side pocket of his suit jacket, then said apologetically, "Cassie, I need to head out."

By then, Lisa had also returned with the freshly made hot apple cider. She quizzically asked, "You're going out now, Mr. Dorsey? Is it for work?"

Cameron hummed in response, his voice light as he replied, "Someone really important is buying me dinner."

Soon, Cameron sped away in his car. Lisa said, "Have some hot apple cider to warm yourself up, Mrs. Dorsey. Mr. Dorsey specifically had this made for you."

Cassandra took the cup. "It's too hot. I'll drink it later when the temperature's right. It's late. You should call it a day."

"Okay. But you have to drink it, Mrs. Dorsey."

"Alright, alright."

Lisa removed her apron and subsequently left the villa. When she did, Cassandra poured all the apple cider into the toilet, flushed it, and headed out in sunglasses and a mask.

After hailing a cab, she told the driver, "Follow that car in front."

About 30 minutes later, Cameron's black Land Rover halted beneath a run-down, old apartment block. A few minutes later, a slender figure emerged from the building and slipped effortlessly into the passenger seat.

Her pale, delicate hands reached for his broad shoulder as she leaned in, offering him her lips in a familiar kiss.

Despite having mentally prepared for this, seeing the kissing couple in the car still stunned Cassandra to her core. It wasn't until a while that the cab driver broke the silence. "Ma'am, they're gone. Are we still tailing them?"

She quickly regained her composure. "Yes, please."

…

Ten minutes later, Cameron led Annabelle into a bar. From the moment they got out of the car, she clung sweetly to his arm, chattering away like a cheerful bird.

Outside the private room, a few friends were already waiting for them. Seeing the couple, they promptly greeted them, "Cameron, Annabelle."

The lavish setting of the bar made Annabelle somewhat uneasy. In a cutesy tone, she said, "I know I said I'm buying you dinner, but I can't afford this place."

Cameron simply looked at her with indulgence. "And where was the place you had in mind? Food trucks by the road?"

She pouted adorably. "They're delicacies, okay? If we had gone there, I could probably buy you at least one item from each food truck."

"And then I'd have diarrhea for the entirety of the next day."

She playfully stuck a tongue out. "I didn't know you had such a weak stomach. Look at me—I grew up just fine eating street food."

One of Cameron's friends chimed in with a laugh, "Aw, Cameron's girl is so thrifty. You're lucky, dude."

Exactly—Annabelle was the picture of frugality and responsibility, while Cassandra was just the reckless one blowing money on shopping every day.

…

By the time Cassandra came home, it was already midnight. She scheduled a courier pickup on her phone, took a shower, and drifted off into a heavy sleep.

When she woke up the next morning, Cameron was standing with his back to her, buttoning up his shirt.

"You came home last night?" she asked, unconvinced.

He let out a chuckle. "What does that mean? I've never not come home."

"Shouldn't you be…"

She finished the thought in her mind, "...spending the night with your young lover?"

Cameron suddenly leaned down, pressing her beneath him. "Or… were you waiting up last night to make a baby with me?"

The last few words came out in a low, heated breath, his lips grazing hers. He kissed her hard, and it was clear this wasn't going to be just a gentle brush.

Cassandra shoved him away in resistance. "Get off me."

Cameron's eyes were still clouded with the haze of desire as he propped himself up slightly over her. "What's wrong?"

"I—"

A ringtone interrupted the moment again. This time, it was Cassandra who speedily answered the call. "Yes, it's me. Have you arrived? Okay, I'll be right there."

She cast him aside and climbed out of bed.

Naturally, Cameron was no longer in a good mood after being interrupted. "Who called you at this hour? It sounded like a guy."

Her expression was grim as she put on her jacket and practically drove him out. "It's not early anymore. Why aren't you heading out for work?"

"Did you forget? I had Harold inform the whole office that I won't be coming in for the next few days. I'm supposed to spend time with you."

"I'm fine without you."

Cameron stood up and wrapped his arms around Cassandra's waist from behind, pressing a trail of soft kisses along the nape of her neck. "How are you supposed to make a baby without me?"

As he spoke, he tightened his grip around her waist, the action highly suggestive. However, it only sparked the anger within her. She pushed against him more forcefully this time as she warned, "Let go of me."

He simply assumed it was a playful resistance between couples, so he cupped her chin and kissed her again, his voice low and teasing. "I'm not letting you go."

"Gosh, I said let go!"

Somehow, Cassandra found the strength to escape from his arms. Cameron was stunned, with his arms still hanging in midair, but his gaze was starting to show confusion and displeasure. "Cassie, what's wrong with you?"

She turned around and smoothed out her clothes. "Nothing. I scheduled a courier pickup, and he's waiting for me downstairs. I don't want to keep him at our door."

When Cassandra went downstairs, the guy had already been invited into the living room by Lisa. At the sight of her, he stood up awkwardly and asked, "Are you Ms. Blake, the one who scheduled a pickup?"

Cassandra nodded. "Follow me upstairs."

She led the way, with the courier following her into the bedroom.

Cameron stood off to the side with his arms crossed, his eyes flashing with hostility as he looked at the stranger. "Who told you to come in? Get out!"

The courier was flustered. "Well, Ms. Blake—"

"I did." Cassandra opened the wardrobe and told the courier, "Just these few boxes. Can you weigh them for me?"

Cameron stared at the empty wardrobe, his brows furrowing. "Where are your clothes, Cassie?"

She simply pointed at the boxes.

"Why did you pack up your clothes? Are you leaving?" he questioned, straightening up to grab her shoulders. "Where are you going, Cassie?"

Chapter 3

Cassandra looked up and laid her eyes on the man she had loved for 15 years. Then, a smile crept onto her face.

She was set on leaving, but not just yet. She might've fooled Cameron into signing the divorce agreement, but there was still a 30-day cooling-off period before the divorce was finalized.

She had practically read him like a book. It was clear to her now what kind of game Cameron was playing.

He wanted to have the best of both worlds, planning a baby with her while having his share of fun with another woman. He thought as long as he kept it hidden, this double life could stretch on indefinitely.

Unfortunately for him, he underestimated a woman's intuition.

In truth, he had been careful—meticulous, even—but 15 years of shared time together couldn't be erased. One glance, one subtle shift in his behavior, was all it took. In the end, Cassandra followed that thread straight to the other woman, Annabelle.

Cassandra didn't blame anyone. Falling for someone new and growing tired of the old were human nature. If Cameron wanted to have it both ways, that was his choice.

She might be one of the boats he tried to anchor, but she refused to be docked in the same harbor forever. She could sail wherever she wanted or wherever the wind took her. She wasn't the kind of woman who needed a man to survive anyway.

"Answer me! Why did you pack all your clothes into these boxes?" Cameron was furious, clutching her shoulders with an overwhelming strength to the point of hurting her. Cassandra let out a gasp, and it was only then that he let go of her. His gaze lingered fervently on her, demanding an answer.

She chuckled. "These clothes are out of season, and I don't like them anymore. I'm planning to donate them all and get new ones. What's wrong? Backing out already? You told me yesterday I could buy whatever I wanted without needing to inform you."

Cameron was slightly startled. "So… these are just for donations?"

Cassandra nodded. "It'd be a waste to throw them away, don't you think? Donating them gives them a new purpose, at least."

Immediately, he snorted softly, as though a weight had lifted off his shoulders. "You freaked me out. I thought you had packed your bags to leave me."

"You didn't do anything wrong for me to leave you, did you?"

"Right. We're way too close for you to be leaving me."

The courier was thoroughly entertained by the drama unfolding beside him. It was like watching a live soap opera. He even got a taste of the couple's sweet moment, though nothing topped the joy of landing a big order like this.

There were four full boxes, which ought to weigh at least 200 pounds. What a big shipment!

He was in such a good mood that even his tone turned cheerful. "If you ask me, your husband really cares about you, Ms. Blake. You're one lucky lady. Men this loyal are rare these days."

With a possessive stance, Cameron wrapped his arm around Cassandra's waist. "You hear that? Men like me are rare these days. You'd better cherish me."

Cassandra pushed him away yet again. "Where's my phone? I need to pay this guy."

…

After breakfast, Cameron returned to his study. Wednesday mornings were reserved for the executive meeting. Even if he didn't go into the office, he still had to join via video conference.

In the meantime, Cassandra made a phone call of her own.

"Mr. Fawn, have you reviewed the divorce agreement? Once the cooling-off period ends, I plan to file. Any issues with that?"

On the other end of the line, an attorney at law, Kevin Fawn, replied, "The agreement itself looks fine. There are no children involved, so custody isn't an issue. And since you're not asking for any assets, it should go through smoothly. But…"

"But what?"

"When you finalize the divorce at the courthouse, Mr. Dorsey will still need to sign in person. Are you sure he's willing to go through with it?"

Cassandra frowned. "Is there any other way we can bypass him and file?"

"It'll be a challenge."

She let out a cold laugh, then transferred a sum of money to Kevin. "How about now? Do you have a way?"

His tone shifted instantly, doing a complete 180. "But no challenges are impossible, right?"

"Go on."

"We can have Mr. Dorsey sign an authorization letter. His representative attorney can then handle the divorce paperwork with you on his behalf."

Cassandra gave it a thought. It was just a signature on a document, which he had easily given before. Getting him to do it again shouldn't be too hard.

"Alright. Get the authorization letter ready. I'll find a way to get his signature. After that, you'll come with me to the courthouse—"

"Oh, no, no, can't do that…"

Kevin was too greedy, and Cassandra was starting to get annoyed. "Don't worry. Once it's done, you'll be paid well. I don't short people who get things done."

"It's not about the money. Sooner or later, Mr. Dorsey will find out the truth. You can disappear after the divorce, but I still have to make a living in Hannover. If he decides to come after me, my tiny firm won't stand a chance…" he said awkwardly.

"What do you suggest?"

"Well… I don't suppose you know another lawyer you trust? Preferably someone who can disappear right after the job's done?"

Like a hitman, but it was a lawyer instead? Of course, Cassandra didn't know someone like that. She did, however, know one lawyer who would be thrilled to see her and Cameron divorced.

…

It was 3:00 pm at a cafe. Cassandra had been waiting for nearly two hours before the other party finally showed up.

"Long time no see, Mr. Scott."

The man who walked in was tall—nearly six feet and three inches—dressed in a sharply tailored suit, with a faint, mocking smirk tugging the corner of his lips.

Ryan was Cameron's childhood best friend and the third son of the prominent Scott family in Easthaven.

While his two older brothers tore each other apart over the family fortune, Ryan had always stood apart, aloof and disinterested. After graduating from a top law school, he left the family circle entirely and became a lawyer.

For reasons she never quite understood, Ryan had taken an instant dislike to her the moment she and Cameron started dating. His hostility was obvious.

Unlike the other guys in Cameron's circle, who had addressed her by her first name from day one, Ryan had only ever addressed her with a cool, distant "Ms. Blake".

"I wonder what this meeting is about, Ms. Blake. I don't recall anything between us worth talking about."

Cassandra stated, "I'm here to congratulate you, Attorney Scott."

Ryan raised a brow. "What for?"

"For having your wish come true."

She pulled a stack of photos from her bag, which were all shots of Cameron and Annabelle in their intimate moments that the private investigator caught—hand-holding, hugging, and even kissing.

Ryan burst into a laugh. "Not bad, Cameron. Looks like you finally figured it out. Life's too short to stick with the same woman."

Over the years, Cassandra had grown used to Ryan's snide, sarcastic remarks. Regardless, he was the only one who could help her get a divorce right now.

He pushed the photos back toward her, his eyes narrowed and calm. "So, are you hoping I'll convince Cameron to go home to you? I'm sorry, but you've got the wrong guy. It's actually my dream for you two to drift apart and live separate lives under the same roof."

"I know. That's why we share a goal this time," she said.

He raised a brow. "What does that mean?"

"I'll find a way to get Cameron to sign an authorization letter, appointing you as his representative lawyer to handle the divorce with me."

Chapter 4

Ryan remained out of the loop. "You held on for 15 years, Ms. Blake. I even heard Cameron mention that you two are trying to have a baby. What exactly are you playing at?"

"I only need the word from you, Attorney Scott. Are you helping me or not?"

He said nothing, simply studying her as if trying to peel away her facade and see through her schemes.

Just then, a waitress approached carrying a tray of coffee but slipped slightly, bumping into Cassandra. The latter lost her balance and stumbled into Ryan's arms instead.

Not far from outside the cafe, a camera shutter clicked, instantly capturing the moment.

Ryan's senses sharpened at the flash. Slightly annoyed, he gently but firmly pushed Cassandra away. "You're being followed."

She stumbled slightly and steadied herself with a hand on the table. "No one's following me."

"Someone just took a photo of us," he said with a teasing edge. "Did you offend anyone lately? Because with the way we looked just now, it'll probably be hard for you to explain if that photo gets out."

Cassandra chuckled. "There's nothing to fear if I've done nothing wrong. You're a man of integrity too, aren't you, Attorney Scott?"

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Are you… always this forward?"

She gathered her things and slipped on her sunglasses. "I have somewhere else to be. I'm hoping the divorce can be finalized as soon as possible, and I believe you do too. Once you've drafted the authorization letter, send me a digital copy. I'll find a way to get Cameron's signature, and we can then move quickly through the process."

"Alright."

Without another word, Cassandra turned and walked out. She hailed a cab and left.

Mid-ride, her phone lit up with a message of several photos—all of her and Ryan. The angles were sharp and deliberately chosen, making it appear as if Ryan had his arms around her. It was an undeniably intimate pose.

"Check out the photos I just took. Let me know what you think."

The one who texted was Cassandra's best friend, Roxanne Miller, a seasoned wedding photographer. Naturally, she was an expert at capturing ambiguous moments like this.

Cassandra: "They're good. Thank you, Roxy."

Roxanne: "I don't understand what they're for, though. Is it to trigger Cameron?"

Cassandra: "He doesn't hold enough importance for me to do that anymore."

Roxanne: "What are they for, then?"

Cassandra: "Ryan's the rebellious, unpredictable type. I need something on him, just in case he tries to trip me up."

Roxanne: "You're worried he won't help with the divorce? Seriously? Hasn't he always wanted you and Cameron to split?"

Cassandra: "He'd rather make things difficult for me than see the divorce go smoothly."

It wouldn't be the first time. Every time she tried to do something, Ryan seemed to make it his personal mission to oppose her.

Now that she was determined to end her marriage, she couldn't help but worry he would change course and throw a wrench in her plans. She needed leverage, just in case.

Suddenly, the cab jerked to a hard stop.

Cassandra was thrown forward, slamming into the back of the front seat with a thud. Even the driver swore under his breath, "Why the hell are they hugging in the middle of the road? Geez…"

It was only then that she noticed the couple standing a short distance ahead.

The man seemed to have just picked something up from the ground and handed it to the woman. She covered her face, visibly emotional, and threw her arms around him in a hug right in the middle of the street.

Several cars screeched to a halt behind them, brakes squealing.

From a nearby black sedan, someone stepped out, clearly annoyed. "Can't you have your little love story at home? Do you know how dangerous this is for all of us?"

The man, with one arm wrapped protectively around the woman and the other flashing an apologetic "OK" gesture, responded with a smile, "Sorry, my girlfriend dropped her bracelet. I was just picking it up for her."

The man was Cameron.

"Even so, you can't just walk into oncoming traffic to pick it up! What if a car hit you? Who'd be responsible? And what about all the drivers you just held up? You owe us an explanation!"

Cameron remained calm as ever. He raised his voice slightly and said, "Apologies, everyone. I'll cover the losses. Once you've calculated the amount, contact my assistant. I'll triple the compensation."

Money talked.

The moment he said "triple", the few drivers who had gotten out and were ready to argue immediately backed down, their anger deflating on the spot.

Harold hurried over and collected their contact numbers. Soon, the traffic cleared up.

"Uh… Ma'am, would you mind waiting for a moment?" the cab driver asked Cassandra, half-hopeful. "It won't take long! I'll just give my number and be back in a minute."

The driver was clearly tempted by the triple fare.

Cassandra replied calmly, "This ride costs about 30 dollars. Even tripled, it's barely a hundred. I'll give you a thousand, so just drive."

"Oh! A-Absolutely!" the driver affirmed, grinning ear to ear as he hit the gas.

No wonder people said money could move mountains.

She rubbed her temples, a dull ache forming behind her eyes. Suddenly, she found herself understanding Annabelle just a little.

A handsome, mature, and composed man had visited her store every day, never crossing the line nor pressuring her, yet he'd buy a piece of jewelry from her each time. He'd take it from her hands with the same steady gentleness…

That kind of slow-burning, determined pursuit wasn't something that any woman could resist, especially someone like Annabelle, who came from a rough background and was always strapped for money.

"That woman sure is lucky. She has a handsome boyfriend who's willing to risk his safety to pick up her bracelet for her. That's crazy."

Cassandra stayed silent, and the driver continued, "But if he's so rich, why doesn't he just buy her a new one? Why did he have to run back into the traffic like that? It was so dangerous!"

Right. It was extremely dangerous.

Suddenly, a memory of her first meeting with Cameron surfaced in her mind. Their first encounter had happened in almost the exact way.

She had been in eighth grade at the time, walking home from school, when she found an injured kitten by the side of the road. Hugging it to her chest, she decided to take it to the nearest vet.

As she was crossing the street, however, the kitten suddenly wriggled free and darted into traffic. Cars sped by, horns blaring. Several nearly ran the poor thing over.

Panicked and eyes stinging, Cassandra was just about to dash into the street when a swift figure came running from the opposite side. With one smooth motion, he scooped up the kitten mid-run, dodged past the cars, and arrived safely beside her.

The teen boy had been wearing a white basketball jersey and a matching white headband across his forehead. Sweat glistened on his skin, dripping from the ends of his hair.

"Is this yours?" He pulled her away from the road and into safety, gently placing the kitten back in her arms. "A cat's life matters, but so does yours. Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?"

Back then, Cameron was already a senior in high school. He was several years older than her and nearly a head and a half taller.

Holding the trembling kitten to her chest, Cassandra stood completely in his shadow, biting her lip as she gave a quiet nod.

A few of his close friends had been with him that day. One of them looked her over and frowned slightly. "That cat's hideous. If you really like cats, just get a better-looking one. How dumb are you to risk your life over something like that?"

Cameron shot back, "Shut up, mouth breather."

"I'm just stating the facts. The cat is hideous! And it's so dirty—"

"Say another word, and I'm tossing your ugly shoes onto the road."

"Ugly? You called my favorite pair of shoes ugly? Its name is AeonWing. Have some respect!"

Cameron crossed his arms and sneered, "But to me, they're ugly and stinky. If you like shoes, why not just buy a new pair? It's not worth risking your life running into traffic to pick up an old pair."

His friend immediately went quiet, deflated.

Cameron turned back to Cassandra with a gentle smile and reassured her, "It's okay. You're fine now."

"T-Thanks."

He lowered his head and glanced at the school emblem on her shirt. "You're from Hawthorne Academy as well. What's your name?"

"Cassandra Blake."

He smiled lightly. "I'm Cameron Dorsey. If you need any help in the future, you can always come to me."

Cassandra was a reserved girl. Even after learning his name, she never went looking for him. Instead, he consistently came to her. Over time, it became clear what his intentions were.

That first encounter marked the beginning of their relationship, and today's chance meeting would likely be the end of it.

Cassandra thought to herself that maybe this was for the best. It should end just as it began. It had been 15 years. Love and sweetness were bound to come to an end, after all.

Chapter 5

Cassandra pulled out her phone to make a call. The other party soon picked up. "Cassie?"

"Where are you, Cameron?"

"In the office. What's going on?"

She looked into the rearview mirror and saw Cameron's and Annabelle's reflection—his hand was firmly holding Annabelle's, the other gripping his phone. The scene was ironic.

Annabelle seemed intent on speaking, but Cameron raised his hand and stopped her. He pointed at his phone and placed a finger against his lips.

"Cassie, do you want me to get you some desserts from the shop in Easthaven? I'll bring them home to you."

"I'm good."

"I thought you loved their tiramisu cake?"

Cassandra said, "Oh, I did, but people change. I might've loved it in the past, but I don't anymore."

Cameron's voice was laced with worry. "Cassie, is something upsetting you? You sound off."

"I'm fine. Just carry on with your work. Goodbye."

…

When Cameron returned, he was carrying a mini cake in one hand. Cassandra sat on the floor, sorting through a stack of old photo albums. They had known each other for so long that just the albums from their student years filled four or five thick volumes.

Seeing the photos, Cameron seemed momentarily moved. He leaned down behind her, half-wrapping his arms around her waist. "Why are you going through our old photos?"

"Why are you home so early?" Cassandra asked.

He chuckled. "I missed you, so I came home early."

She finished organizing the photo albums and quietly placed them into a cardboard box. Without drawing attention, she slipped a lighter into her palm, then casually tucked it into the pocket of her jeans.

She had assumed he would be off spending time with Annabelle and had planned to burn all the albums while he was gone. Now, he had completely disrupted her plan.

"Honey, why do I feel like you're not happy to see me home early?"

Cassandra stood up and dodged his touch. "Work should come first."

However, Cameron stuck to her like a piece of gum on the bottom of her sole. "No, you always come first."

He leaned into her ear and whispered, "Honey, I feel like you've been giving me the cold shoulder lately. Did I do something wrong and upset you?"

What once felt like sweet intimacy now felt like pure disgust when doubt took root.

The arms wrapped around her waist had likely just held another woman; the lips trying to kiss her might've kissed someone else only hours before. That thought alone made Cassandra's stomach churn.

Then, there was also the faint scent clinging to him. It wasn't his usual cologne but the smell that lingered in department stores. And who spent a long time in a particular department store? The answer was painfully clear.

Cassandra shoved Cameron away and bolted to the bathroom, where she threw up violently.

He patted her back while passing her some tissue. His frown and the concerned look on his face didn't seem to be fake. "Why are you throwing up all of a sudden? Is it food poisoning? Lisa!"

Lisa quickly darted over. "Yes, Mr. Dorsey?"

"What did she have this afternoon? Was the food fresh enough? She has stomach problems, and that's the whole reason why I hired you to cook for her. Why is she throwing up now?"

Lisa was startled, to say the least. "Mrs. Dorsey wasn't at home for lunch. She went out. Maybe it was the food outside?"

Cameron frowned, his voice low and stern. "Food outside isn't clean, and pre-made meals aren't fresh. If you're hungry, just tell Lisa what you want, and she'll cook it at home. Why insist on going out?"

Cassandra was already lightheaded from the excessive puking, and hearing those words only fueled her anger. "Geez, Cameron. Am I supposed to be locked up at home? Do I not have the right to step out of the house?"

"I just want to protect you. You worry me when you're out and about alone. You know what? From now on, I'm coming with you whenever you need to be somewhere."

She scoffed. "Do you even have the time?"

What was he—a robot that could handle work, spend time with his lover, and be her personal assistant all at the same time?

Cameron stared at Cassandra for a while, then wiped the sweat on her forehead with a new set of tissues. "What are you talking about? Of course, I'll have the time if you need me to be there for you. After so many years, haven't you realized how much I care about you?"

She had definitely realized a lot more than that.

Suddenly, Lisa gasped and clapped her hands. "Mrs. Dorsey has been having mood swings lately, and she just vomited… Could she be pregnant?"

Cameron was initially dazed, then turned ecstatic. "Cassie, are you—"

"No," Cassandra interjected firmly. "I just found your scent a little off, and it made me nauseous. That's all."

"No way. We have to go for a check-up—"

She roared, "Cameron! You know better than anyone else whether we've done it in the last three months."

At that thought, Cassandra couldn't help but find it laughable. For the past three months, Cameron had rarely eaten at home. He always said he had dinner arrangements, that he had already eaten out.

At first, she didn't think much of it. Given his status, there was no shortage of people lining up to treat him to a meal.

One night, however, while half-watching the TV at home out of boredom, she heard a line that struck a nerve. "When a man stops eating at home, it's usually because he's already full from somewhere else."

That single line jolted her awake and tore open a raw, bloody truth.

The length of a relationship couldn't prove its loyalty as people changed. What was once real love didn't mean he wouldn't fall in love with someone else later.

Cameron looked grim. "So, that's what you've been mad at me about. I'm sorry, Cassie, but the company has been keeping me busy lately. I know I've been neglecting you, but I promise I'll come home for dinner every night from now on, okay?"

"I don't need you to do that. I don't want to keep you away from your 'business.'"

"Come on, Cassie. There's no need to lash out."

"Am I lashing out?"

His gaze flickered with a hint of confusion. "I don't get what you mean."

Cassandra's eyes fell on his wrist, where a simple red braided bracelet adorned it. It had no jewels, just plain and unadorned. The handiwork was even a little rough, clearly handmade. Dangling from it was a tiny metal charm shaped like a crescent moon.

Noticing her gaze, Cameron quickly explained, "Oh, this? The admin team gave them out to everyone at the office—kind of like a token now that summer is approaching. Everyone got one."

Cassandra withdrew her gaze. "Oh, is that so?"

"Do you like it? I'll tell them to give me an extra one tomorrow."

"No, thanks. I hate jewelry."

He nodded. "I know that. You've never liked anything that feels like a constraint—necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings… Every time your birthday or our anniversary comes around, I never know what to get you."

"I do have something I want now. Can you give it to me?"

Cameron was pleasantly surprised. "Of course. What do you want?"

"I want to buy an asteroid and have it named after myself."

"That doesn't sound difficult." He pulled out his phone to make a call, adding, "I'll get Harold onto it right now—"

"It's okay. I've already picked it out. All that's left is your signature, then the bank can transfer the funds."

He nodded again. "Okay. Where do I sign?"

"The document will be here in another few days. Once they send it to me, I'll get your signature."

"No problem."

"Can you head out?" Cassandra asked. "I need to change."

Cameron chuckled. "Cassie, we've been together for 15 years."

"I don't like being watched while I'm changing."

He gently planted a kiss between her eyebrows. "Okay. Whatever you want. I'll wait for you in the dining room. We'll have dinner together."

"Sure."

Once Cameron left, Lisa followed him out. Cassandra fished out her phone and refreshed her social feed. The very first post was from Annabelle.

"May I be the star and you the moon, shining brightly together every night. Almost lost you today, but luckily, he was there to help me find you again."

The photo showed her beautiful hand, wearing a handmade red braided bracelet with a small metal charm shaped like a star. It matched the moon charm Cameron wore perfectly. What a pair.

Without hesitation, Cassandra set fire to the photo albums, reducing 15 years of memories to nothing. She tossed the ashes into the toilet and flushed it clean.