Chapter 1

After five years in a coma, Cassandra Monroe finally woke up.

Her husband's low, velvety voice brushed against her ear as he stroked her cheek.

"Cass, you're no longer of any use to me," Gregory Hart whispered. "Just stay asleep and never wake up."

What a jerk! Cassandra dug her nails into her palm, suppressing the wave of nausea churning in her stomach.

She had met Gregory when she was 12 years old and married him at 20 years old. At 22 years old, she gave birth to twins, but complications changed everything. To save her children, she was left in a vegetative state.

The doctors said she retained only the most basic life functions, with no consciousness at all. In other words, she was nothing more than a hollow shell that breathed.

But the truth was, Cassandra could hear and feel everything. She just couldn't wake up.

Ironically, this cruel twist of fate had allowed her to see Gregory's true colors.

Just then, a nurse knocked and reminded Gregory, "Mr. Hart, visiting hours are over."

He smiled gracefully at her and nodded in acknowledgment. Before leaving, he bent down as he always did and kissed Cassandra's forehead.

"Cass, wake up soon, okay?" he murmured affectionately. "I'll be waiting. I'll always love you."

Cassandra sneered inwardly. Such perfect acting, and he wasted it on her, someone in a coma.

Still, Gregory had his audience. Two nurses lingered by the door, staring dreamily at his retreating figure.

One of them sighed. "Mr. Hart is such a perfect man. For five long years, he's come to visit his comatose wife every single week."

"Not only is he handsome, but he's a billionaire too!" the other nurse said with a pout, her tone tinged with envy. "Women throw themselves at men like him, yet he hasn't had a single scandal in five years. Cassandra must have hit the jackpot to end up with such a perfect husband!"

Cassandra's lips curled into a mocking smile at those words.

Gregory had used her to secure his position in the company, exploited her for her ability to bear children, and, to top it off, wished she'd remain in a coma forever. Perfect husband, indeed.

Cassandra threw off the blanket and tried to get out of bed, but after five years of immobility, her muscles had wasted away. The moment her feet touched the floor, she toppled over.

Gritting her teeth against the pain, she crawled toward the window.

Outside, a black Bentley was parked by the curb. She recognized it immediately. After all, the license plate was her birthday.

The car had been Gregory's birthday gift to her, given on their wedding anniversary.

At the time, Cassandra was overjoyed. She threw herself into his arms, clinging to him as she asked, "Gregory, you really love me, don't you?"

He smiled, kissed her, and said earnestly, "Silly girl. You're my wife. Who else would I love? Cass, this is just our first year. We have ten, 50 more years ahead of us."

As it turned out, love could be staged convincingly.

Now, Cassandra watched as Gregory's secretary, Olivia Simmons, stepped out of her car in heels. Olivia carried herself as though she were the lady of the house.

Beaming, she ran toward Gregory. But she tripped over something and tumbled. He sprang forward and caught her in his arms, concern etched across his face.

It was a look Cassandra had never seen before.

To Gregory, Cassandra had always been a woman of steel—never weary, never in pain, and always obedient, like a loyal pet. Whenever he needed her, all he had to do was crook a finger, and she'd come running without hesitation.

Back when she graduated from college, she had been offered a position at the world's leading medical research institution.

Yet, Gregory had said, "Cass, stay for me. I need you."

At the very last second, she had stopped before boarding. Just like that, she gave up her future to become Mrs. Hart.

After they got married, Cassandra poured everything she had into helping Gregory. She even worked herself until her stomach bled, eventually developing a new drug that cemented Gregory's position at Nimbus Group.

He went on to become the youngest board member in the company's history. Back then, he had promised to treat her well for life, and she had foolishly believed him.

Memories cut through Cassandra like a knife, and she trembled all over. She closed her eyes as tears slipped past her lips, leaving a bitter taste on her tongue.

She watched coldly as Olivia coquettishly planted a quick kiss on Gregory's cheek. Cassandra felt a wave of disgust at what she saw.

In the next instant, the back door of the car swung open.

Cassandra saw the twins she had risked her life to bring into the world step out. Noelle and Ashton, her precious children, were perfectly beautiful.

"Ash! Elle!" she cried out, tears welling in her eyes.

She wanted nothing more than to hold them close.

But then, her children ran straight into Olivia's arms, planting kisses on each cheek. Gregory stood beside them and watched on with a tender smile. They looked every bit like a perfect family of four.

The sight felt like a knife twisting in Cassandra's chest.

She had been in a coma for five long years, and in all that time, Gregory had brought the twins to see her only a handful of times.

She remembered one visit vividly. Olivia had been there, too.

When no one else was around, Olivia had deliberately made Noelle call her "Mommy" right in front of Cassandra. At the time, Cassandra wished she could tear Olivia apart.

She pressed her hands against the window, her eyes hardening with resolve. She could dump Gregory like he was trash, but the twins were her own flesh and blood. She swore to get them back, no matter what.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, Noelle looked up at Cassandra's window. The moment their eyes met, they were both taken aback.

Cassandra instinctively tidied her hair and gave Noelle a tentative smile. Yet, the girl recoiled, clinging to Olivia in fear.

Cassandra's eyes darkened with pain. Her own child was afraid of her.

"Daddy, Mommy Olivia! There's someone up there!" Noelle exclaimed as she pointed at Cassandra's window.

Gregory turned to see what she was pointing at, and his expression shifted at once. That was Cassandra's hospital room!

Yet, there wasn't a soul by the window.

"Elle, are you sure you saw that?" he asked.

"Yes! I saw her! There's a woman with long hair up there!" Noelle insisted, nodding firmly.

Gregory frowned. Just as he was about to speak, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and glanced at the caller ID.

It was David Reed, Cassandra's attending physician.

So, he answered, "Dr. Reed?"

"Mr. Hart! I've got good news!" David's excited voice burst through the receiver. "Mrs. Hart has woken up!"

Chapter 2

In the hospital room, Cassandra sat quietly on the bed as several doctors and nurses busied themselves examining her.

She had pressed the call button herself to let the nurses' station know she was awake.

After being trapped in a coma for five years, she'd had enough of merely existing. Now that she was finally awake, one thing was certain—she was getting a divorce.

Cassandra could accept that her youth had gone to waste. But she was determined to reclaim her wealth, career, and most of all, her two children.

She wouldn't let Gregory, that jerk, walk away with everything. Her ultimate goal was to strip him of custody and leave him with nothing.

But after five lost years, she needed time to prepare for the divorce.

Just then, out of the corner of her eye, Cassandra caught sight of Gregory's jacket outside the door.

It was time.

"Dr. Reed, what's wrong with my eyes?" Cassandra asked, feigning panic. "Why can't I see anything the moment I wake up?"

Gregory had just stepped into the room when he heard those words. He frowned and walked to her bedside, concern written all over his face.

"Cass," he called softly.

The sound of his voice made Cassandra sick. Still, she forced down her disgust. "Gregory, you're finally here."

Her eyes were vacant, and pretending to be blind, she felt her way toward him until she found his arms. The moment she leaned in, she caught the faint scent of a woman's perfume on him.

"Gregory, I'm scared. I can't see you…"

Gregory held her close, his voice soft as he reassured her, "Don't be afraid. I'm right here. No matter what it costs, I'll make sure you see again."

At that moment, David spoke up, "Don't worry, Mr. Hart. There's no serious damage to her eyes. She's just been in a coma for too long, and her optic nerves haven't fully recovered yet."

"How long will it take for her vision to return, then?" Gregory pressed.

David hesitated. He was clearly unwilling to make any promises. "It depends on her recovery. It could take a couple of months or longer. It's hard to say."

Cassandra leaned weakly against Gregory's chest, her frail posture betraying nothing of the chill in her eyes.

She felt the tension in his body ease. A woman who might never regain her sight was enough to make him lower his guard.

Cassandra seized the chance to make her request. "Gregory, I don't want to stay in the hospital. Take me home. When my eyes are healed, the first thing I want to see is you and the children."

"Mr. Hart, bringing her back to a familiar environment will likely help her eyes recover," David added.

Gregory considered for a moment, then agreed to take her home immediately.

Her legs were still too weak to walk. So, he borrowed a wheelchair and wheeled her downstairs.

Cassandra remembered the way Gregory had just held Olivia, and the thought almost made her laugh. He could embrace another woman, but he couldn't bring himself to touch his own wife.

There was a mirror in the elevator. Through her sunglasses, Cassandra studied Gregory's reflection behind her.

Five years had passed, and he was as handsome as ever. If anything, he now carried the allure of a man in his prime.

She, on the other hand, looked pitifully thin. It was as if he had bled the life out of her.

In this marriage, he had indeed drained her dry.

…

Meanwhile, after Gregory and Cassandra left, David quietly dialed a number.

"Mr. Lockwood, Mrs…" He almost bit his tongue in a panic. Flustered, he corrected himself and continued, "I mean, Ms. Monroe is finally awake."

…

Downstairs, Cassandra scanned her surroundings without betraying a flicker of emotion. There was no sign of Olivia, Noelle, or Ashton. She figured they must have left already.

Gregory wheeled her to the passenger side and opened the door. The first thing she saw was a Chanel lipstick lying on the seat.

He glanced at her, picked up the lipstick without a word, and slipped it into his pocket. Then, as if nothing had happened, he settled her into the passenger seat.

"Gregory, in the five years I was in a coma, did any other woman ever sit in this seat?" Cassandra asked softly.

"Of course not," he denied flatly.

After a pause, he teased, "Everyone in the city knows my wife is notoriously fierce. You had the guts to storm an abductor's hideout with a gun, after all."

She was fierce, indeed, and not without reason.

Not long after they got married, Gregory was abducted. With the police making little progress, Cassandra was beside herself with worry. So, she pulled every string and called in every favor until she finally learned where he was.

She had gone with nothing but a case full of cash and a gun, ready to stake her life for his. He had once sworn he'd never let her down.

The traffic light ahead turned red, and the car came to a steady stop just behind the crosswalk. Suddenly, Gregory turned to Cassandra. "Cass, what did it feel like, being in a coma for five years?"

Behind her sunglasses, she watched impassively as he reached for her hand.

"It felt like I was trapped in a long dream. Everything's dark. There was no sound or light. I-It was terrifying."

Hearing the answer he wanted, Gregory finally relaxed. He patted her hand gently and said, "It's all over now, Cass. We're going home."

"Yes. It's all over," Cassandra replied, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

It was over between them. From here on, it was time to settle the score.

The light turned green, and Gregory stepped on the accelerator. As the car pulled smoothly ahead, a black Maybach sped past from the opposite lane.

When the cars brushed past each other, Cassandra's face—hidden behind her sunglasses—flitted across the Maybach's tinted rear window.

In the car, a man sat shrouded in shadow. His features were sharply defined, and he carried an air of cold detachment. But when Cassandra's face flickered past, something in him stirred.

Theodore Lockwood's eyes widened as he lowered the window, his gaze following her vehicle into the distance.

His assistant, Wesley Kirk, glanced back from the passenger seat and asked, "What's wrong, Mr. Lockwood?"

He had never seen Theodore lose his composure before.

"Nothing," Theodore answered.

The Bentley sped off, soon disappearing into the distance. Only then did he finally look away.

Not far away, the Nimbus Group sign blazed against the night sky, bold and commanding.

Theodore's eyes narrowed slightly. A thought crossed his mind, and the corners of his lips curled into a mocking smile.

"Cassandra Monroe," he whispered hoarsely. Beneath the calm, cool tone of his voice lay a trace of tenderness. "Was it worth it?"

Chapter 3

Once the black Bentley stopped in front of a villa, Gregory carried Cassandra out of the car. He then set her in the wheelchair and guided her toward the house.

From behind her sunglasses, Cassandra studied the house they had started their married life in. It had been five years since she last saw it, and looking at it again now felt like a lifetime had passed.

Gregory leaned down and murmured, "Cass, we're home. Do you smell that? Those are the tulips you planted for me. I've taken good care of them all these years."

She stared blankly at the tulips blooming in the yard. Under the moonlight, they stood tall and graceful. It was a beautiful sight.

Cassandra had planted every single one herself. All because Gregory had once said tulips were his favorite.

Back then, her world had revolved entirely around him. Whatever he liked, she loved. She had planted hundreds, if not thousands, of tulips. Yet, she never once asked why.

After she fell into a coma, Olivia brought a bouquet of tulips each time she came to visit.

"You didn't know, did you, Cass?" Olivia had whispered with a sweet smile. "Tulips are my favorite. It was so thoughtful of you to fill the yard with them. Every time I visit the house you and Gregory shared, it makes me so happy."

The memory sent a surge of hatred through Cassandra. She gripped one of the tulips beside her and snapped its stem in two.

She didn't regret loving Gregory all those years. She had given everything she had and could live with the loss, but he had no right to treat her love with such contempt.

By then, Gregory had wheeled her up to the front door.

Cassandra had designed the entire villa herself, inside and out. Even the door lock, a fingerprint scanner, had been her choice.

From where she sat, the lock was directly in front of her. She instinctively reached out to press her finger to the scanner, but before she could touch it, Gregory's hand caught hers.

She could feel his palm was slightly damp. Clearly, he was nervous.

"Cass, let me get it," he said.

A cold glint flashed in Cassandra's eyes. So, he had even erased her fingerprint from the lock.

She wanted to laugh, but the ache in her chest made it impossible.

Cassandra quietly withdrew her hand, watching as Gregory pressed his finger on the scanner. Just before the lock opened, a slender, feminine hand reached out from the inside and pulled the door open first.

Standing in the doorway was none other than Olivia, looking every bit the lady of the house.

Cassandra balled her hands into fists on her lap as she fought to keep her emotions in check. So, while she had been lying in that hospital bed for five agonizing years, Olivia had moved into her home, slept with her husband, and claimed her children as her own.

Olivia opened the door with a bright smile. However, she hadn't expected to see Cassandra in a wheelchair beside Gregory. All at once, her smile faltered.

At that moment, Cassandra spoke, "What is it, Gregory? Why aren't you taking me inside?"

Through the reflection in the wall mirror, she caught him signaling Olivia to stay quiet.

Olivia quickly realized Cassandra couldn't see. So, she stepped back obediently and let Gregory wheel Cassandra into the house.

"Gregory, where are Ash and Elle?" Cassandra asked, her voice edged with urgency.

She had already chosen their names back when she was pregnant.

Right now, she couldn't care less about Olivia, the homewrecker who had moved into her house. All she wanted was to see her children and hold them close.

For five long years, she had held on, clinging to her love for Ashton and Noelle until she finally woke.

"They've already gone to bed," Gregory answered in a low voice. "They have school in the morning. Besides, your eyes haven't recovered yet. There's no rush."

Behind her sunglasses, Cassandra's gaze darkened. Still, she knew better than to press him now. It would only make him suspicious.

"Then…"

Cassandra had just begun to speak when the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the stairs. She turned instinctively and saw Noelle and Ashton coming down hand in hand.

Both of them were dressed in pajamas and slippers. One was in blue, while the other was in pink.

The sight of them nearly brought her to tears.

"Daddy," Ashton called out.

A beat later, his gaze shifted to Cassandra in the wheelchair. Realizing who she had to be, he gripped the hem of his shirt nervously, unsure how to react.

On the other hand, Noelle's eyes lit up as she looked at Olivia. "Ol—"

She was about to call Olivia's name when Olivia shook her head slightly. Though she didn't understand, Noelle fell silent.

"Elle? Ash?" Cassandra fought back the ache in her chest as she opened her arms to them. "It's me… Your mommy. Come here and let me hold you, okay?"

Instead of running to her, Noelle shrank back in fear. Ashton, however, hesitated for a moment before cautiously stepping forward. He reached out carefully and brushed Cassandra's face, as though to make sure she was real.

"Are you really my mommy?" asked Ashton.

"Yes, sweetie. I'm your mommy, and Noelle's, too," Cassandra said softly.

She wanted nothing more than to pull Ashton into her arms, but she was afraid of frightening him. To them, she was probably just a stranger who had been asleep for five years.

Then, Gregory interrupted, "Alright, it's late. Ash, take your sister upstairs and go to bed. I'll explain everything to you both tomorrow after school."

Ashton glanced at Cassandra several times before turning toward the stairs. Unable to hold back any longer, she asked, "Ash, can I hug you before you go?"

Her tone was almost pleading, and a single tear slid down her face.

Ashton hesitated for a long moment, then turned back. He had barely taken a step when Gregory's commanding voice cut through the air. "Ash, go to your room."

After saying that, he rested a hand on Cassandra's shoulder.

"Take it easy," he said in a low voice. "They lost you the moment they were born. They just need time to understand."

A chill spread through Cassandra's chest. She knew Gregory was doing it on purpose. He didn't want her getting close to the children.

Just like that, Ashton took Noelle's hand and led her upstairs. Noelle, reluctant to leave, looked back at Olivia before blowing her a kiss.

The sight made Cassandra close her eyes, a sharp ache twisting in her chest.

Olivia could have that worthless man, Gregory, for all she cared. But Noelle and Ashton were her own flesh and blood. There was no way she'd allow anyone to take them from her.

After the children went upstairs, Gregory carried Cassandra back to their room and laid her on the bed.

The wedding photo that once hung on the wall had been taken down and carelessly tossed into a corner. Worse, it was covered by a piece of cloth that happened to hide her face.

Cassandra sneered inwardly. It seemed Gregory loathed her so much that he couldn't even stand to see her face in a photograph.

"Cass, get some rest. I'll be in the study to take care of some work," Gregory said gently before turning to leave.

"Gregory," she suddenly called out. "Do you know what my favorite flower is?"

He froze for a moment, clearly caught off guard, but quickly composed himself.

"Of course," Gregory replied confidently. "Your favorite flower is the tulip because you've always liked whatever I do. You've always been that way, Cass."

Cassandra smiled faintly. "Yes. I've always been that way."

She had always loved what he liked, letting her world revolve around him and putting herself second. Looking back now, she realized just how foolish she had been.

As soon as the door closed, Cassandra's smile vanished. She didn't believe for a second that Gregory had gone to his study.

With great effort, she set her feet on the floor and steadied herself against the wall, inching her way toward the window.

Every step sent a searing pain through her body. The window was only a few feet away, yet it took her five long minutes to reach it. By then, she was drenched in sweat.

When Cassandra finally reached the window and looked down, she saw Gregory and Olivia locked in an embrace beneath the moonlight.

Chapter 4

Olivia clung tightly to Gregory's waist, surrounded by the tulips Cassandra had planted. The scene looked like something straight out of a painting.

Cassandra let out a derisive laugh, and then she watched as Gregory gently pulled away from Olivia. In the next instant, he took the lipstick she had accidentally left behind from his pocket and handed it to her.

After exchanging a few words, Olivia rose on tiptoes to kiss Gregory.

Disgust churned in Cassandra's stomach at that sight. Unable to watch any longer, she turned away from the window and made her way to the walk-in closet.

The closet was spacious, with her clothes kept on one side. They were mostly neutral-toned dresses that made her look demure.

Gregory had always liked her in muted tones. She, however, had never liked them herself. But he once told her she looked beautiful in white, so she dressed the way he preferred.

Cassandra couldn't help but feel utterly pathetic.

Moments later, she pulled open the hidden compartment in her closet. Inside were her ID, passport, bank cards, two phones, and a bulging file.

The words "Halewood University" printed across the cover made her chest tighten. Yet, she simply glanced at it before turning away.

The file held the one thing she had never sent, and it was the biggest regret of her life.

After that, Cassandra unlocked one of her phones and scrolled through her contacts. Thankfully, everyone's numbers were still there.

She then called her best friend, Evelyn Caldwell.

The phone had barely started ringing when Evelyn picked up. Her voice trembled with excitement as she asked, "Cass? Is that you?"

Before Cassandra could even answer, Evelyn launched into a tirade. "I swear, if you're not Cass but that bastard Gregory calling to ruin my sleep, I'll drag your sorry ass all over Twitter tomorrow! My eight million followers won't go easy on you!"

Cassandra chuckled. For the first time in years, she felt a flicker of warmth inside her.

"Evelyn, it's me."

Almost immediately, the line went silent. But she knew Evelyn too well. Hence, she pulled the phone away and silently counted down.

"Three… Two… One."

Sure enough, Evelyn's scream pierced through the phone. "Cass! My baby! You're finally awake! Oh, my God, I missed you so much! Are you home or still in the hospital? Send me your address. I'm coming over right now!"

Of course, Cassandra wanted nothing more than to see her as well. However, now wasn't the time. So, she replied, "Evelyn, I can't see you just yet. I need you to do two things for me."

"Name it. What do you need? I could hire someone to take that bastard Gregory out!" Evelyn growled. "I still can't believe he left you in a coma for five years!"

Now that was a true friend.

Cassandra smiled before going straight to the point. "First, I need you to dig up everything you can on Gregory's secretary, Olivia Simmons. The more detailed, the better."

"Sure thing. That woman's been glued to his side at every public event since you fell into a coma. She even dresses like she's Mrs. Hart herself. I've hated her from the start!"

Cassandra fell silent. In fact, Olivia had started out as her secretary. Gregory had brought her on while Cassandra was pregnant, saying he didn't want her to overexert herself.

Now, it seemed Gregory and Olivia's relationship was far more complicated than she had thought.

"Cass, what's the second thing?" Evelyn pressed.

Cassandra steadied herself and replied, "Send a few gardeners to my place tomorrow. I want the tulips in the yard dug up and replaced with my favorite—"

"Yellow roses!" Evelyn blurted.

Cassandra was taken aback. "How did you know?"

She had loved yellow roses since childhood, but barely anyone knew. Later, when she found out Gregory liked tulips, she never mentioned it again.

Evelyn had been her roommate in college, so how could she possibly know?

"Turns out he wasn't lying. You really do love yellow roses," Evelyn mumbled.

Cassandra asked, "Who is he?"

Then, Evelyn uttered a name that left her completely stunned.

"Theodore. He told me that."

The phone nearly slipped from Cassandra's hand.

The name Theodore was all too familiar. Even now, that unnervingly handsome face, with its hint of devilish charm, was etched into her memory.

The last time she had seen him was at the airport seven years ago.

Cassandra had received Gregory's call, and in the final moments before boarding, she had turned back without a second thought. Theodore had been the only one to stop her.

He had stood tall before her, his lean frame blocking out the daylight. The setting sun cast half his strikingly handsome face in shadow, and a dangerous glint flashed in his cold eyes.

Theodore had always been distant, almost detached from everything around him. Cassandra had never seen him lose control, but she would never forget how icy his gaze had been that day.

She could see her own reflection in that unreadable gaze.

To this day, Cassandra still remembered the last thing Theodore had said to her. "Cassandra, is he worth it?"

He had stared down at her, his lips tightening into a thin, cold line.

She hadn't answered him then. Instead, she had brushed past him with resolve and never looked back.

But now, she could finally answer him.

Cassandra stared at her pale, hollow reflection in the mirror and thought, "He wasn't worth it. But Theodore, I'll deal with the mess I made."

Chapter 5

Across the city, neon lights burned bright against the night. With one hand in his pocket and a file in the other, Theodore strolled out of Orion Club, Astoria's most exclusive private club.

The collar of his black shirt was undone, his whole demeanor radiating a kind of effortless arrogance. He looked every bit the picture of a spoiled heir.

Wesley, who had been waiting by the car, quickly stepped forward and greeted him, "Mr. Lockwood."

Having worked for Theodore for seven years, Wesley could tell from his expression alone that the deal was in the bag.

Theodore tossed him the file carelessly. Inside were documents for a 25% stake in Solvance Pharmaceuticals.

"From today on, Solvance Pharmaceuticals is a Lockwood company," he said, the brazen pride in his casual tone impossible to miss. "Lockwood as in mine."

Wesley replied, "When Mr. Zayn hears about this, he's going to lose it. He's been eyeing Solvance Pharmaceuticals for months and never managed to close the deal.

"But Mr. Lockwood, you've never paid attention to the domestic pharmaceutical market. What made you suddenly take an interest in Solvance?"

Theodore glanced at him, and the overwhelming authority in it sent a chill down Wesley's spine. He lowered his head at once. "I'm sorry, Mr. Lockwood. I spoke out of turn."

With that, he hurried to open the backseat door for Theodore, then remembered something. "Mr. Lockwood, all arrangements at the hospital have been completed. The security cameras and elevators on Ms. Monroe's floor have been disabled. You can proceed directly to her hospital room."

Theodore had been living abroad for years. Whenever he returned to the country, he maintained a low profile, staying only a few days before leaving once his business was done.

Yet, one thing never changed. Each time he came back, he always made a stop in Astoria to visit a woman in the hospital. More precisely, a woman who had been in a coma.

Once, Wesley couldn't hold back his curiosity and worked up the nerve to ask, "Mr. Lockwood, who exactly is Ms. Monroe?"

Theodore didn't even look up from his paperwork as he said lightly, "She's just a fool."

Wesley refused to believe he'd fly all the way home every year and go out of his way to visit a so-called fool. But of course, he dared not voice it.

Tonight, though, Theodore did something uncharacteristic. He declined, saying, "I won't be going anymore."

Wesley was taken aback but didn't dare ask further. "Understood, sir. I'll take you straight to the hotel to rest."

Theodore said nothing. Instead, he got into the car, leaned back against the seat, and closed his eyes, a trace of weariness crossing his face.

In no time, the car glided forward.

Streetlights flickered through the half-lowered window, casting fleeting shadows across his sharply defined features.

"Wesley," Theodore called out in a low voice. "Have someone get Willow Court ready. I'm moving in tomorrow night."

Wesley was both surprised and delighted. "Mr. Lockwood, you've finally decided to stay for good!"

Theodore lifted his gaze toward the window. The dim yellow glow of the streetlights reminded him of the sunset at the airport seven years ago.

"It's been seven years, Cassandra," he thought.

…

Lying in bed, Cassandra could hear Gregory's footsteps approaching. Over the past five years in the hospital, she had heard them far too many times.

At first, those footsteps had filled her with hope. But in time, only pain and hatred remained.

As the door opened, the anger on her face softened instantly. "Gregory, you're done?" Cassandra asked gently.

"Yeah," he responded evenly.

He then approached the bedside and brushed her cheek. "Why aren't you asleep? Did I wake you?"

Cassandra caught sight of the fresh lipstick stain on the collar of his white shirt. She could almost picture him kissing Olivia just moments ago and the way Olivia had nuzzled against him afterward.

"Close your eyes and rest," Gregory murmured, leaning in to give her a goodnight kiss.

Cassandra could smell Olivia's perfume on him. He was about to kiss her with the same lips that had just kissed another woman!

She could no longer suppress the wave of nausea. Without a second thought, she shoved Gregory away and gagged.

"What's wrong, Cass?" Gregory asked in a panic. "I'll call Dr. Reed immediately!"

He looked genuinely concerned, a picture of a perfect husband—if only she were blind enough to miss the flicker of contempt in his eyes.

Cassandra had to hand it to Gregory. He was a good actor.

"No. It's fine," she replied once she caught her breath.

A beat later, she reached out and tugged lightly at the hem of his shirt. "My stomach just feels off. Maybe I'm hungry."

Gregory's gaze lingered on her hand clutching his shirt. It was a gesture so familiar that it left him momentarily dazed.

He remembered how she always did that. When his stride was too quick and she fell behind, she'd tug at his shirt in a playful manner, saying, "Wait for me, Gregory."

As Gregory lost himself in the memory, a rare, genuine smile tugged at his lips.

"Shall I make you something to eat?" he asked softly.

That was exactly what Cassandra had been waiting for. Her lips curled into a smile, and she said playfully, "Then, I want the mac and cheese you make for me."

He had made it for her on two previous occasions.

"Alright," Gregory responded, then turned to leave the room.

Once his footsteps faded, Cassandra crawled to the nightstand on the other side and picked up the phone he had left there when he came in.

The passcode was six digits. She remembered his old code. It had been the date he became a board member of Nimbus Group. But when she keyed it in, it didn't work.

Did Gregory change it?

Cassandra bit her nail absentmindedly. After a moment's thought, she entered the twins' birthdates. However, it still didn't work.

At that moment, a message popped up on the lock screen.

Olivia wrote, "Mr. Hart, this was the happiest birthday I've ever had. Thank you for bringing the kids to celebrate with me."

She even added a heart emoji at the end.

No wonder Olivia, Noelle, and Ashton had been waiting for Gregory earlier. As it turned out, he had taken the children to celebrate Olivia's birthday before going to the hospital.

Cassandra closed her eyes, a chill spreading through her chest. She couldn't help but feel it was unfair.

In all their years together, Gregory had never once celebrated her birthday willingly. The only time he did was after she had shamelessly begged Abraham Hart to intervene.

Meanwhile, Olivia had effortlessly received the attention and care Cassandra had begged him for for years.

Cassandra stared at the screen, a suspicion forming in her mind.

Could it be…

She hesitated, then entered Olivia's birthday. Sure enough, the screen unlocked.

Cassandra went still. A moment later, she let out a self-deprecating chuckle and murmured, "Gregory, you really love her, don't you?"

She tapped open his WhatsApp. Olivia's chat was pinned at the top, and she, his legitimate wife, didn't even appear in the list.

For five long years, Gregory had visited her regularly at the hospital, keeping up the illusion of a devoted husband. But the truth was, he had long considered her dead.

Heaviness settled in her chest as she scrolled down until she found her own contact. As she expected, he had saved her number under her full name—Cassandra Monroe.

When Cassandra opened the chat between Gregory and Olivia, several new photos appeared. They were group shots from that evening's dinner. In each one, Olivia was grinning from ear to ear.

She wore a party hat, holding Noelle and Ashton as she smiled at the camera. Gregory, on the other hand, stood behind her.

To anyone else, they looked like the picture of a happy family.

"Two scumbags… What a perfect match!" Cassandra thought bitterly.

She scrolled up again, but there were no other messages.

Gregory had always been cautious, never leaving any trace behind. All his previous conversations with Olivia had long been deleted.

Without hesitation, Cassandra forwarded the photos to herself. Olivia had just handed her the evidence on a silver platter, after all.

After that, she deleted every trace of what she had done and marked Olivia's messages as unread.

Once she was done, she set Gregory's phone back exactly where it had been.

Cassandra lay back down. From the corner of her eye, she saw the wedding photo tossed in the corner. A cloth covered her face, but she remembered just how sweetly she had smiled that day.

In the photo, Gregory's lips curved in a smile, too, yet his gaze remained icy. He didn't love her, or rather, he never had. All along, she had been nothing more than someone he used.

Cassandra wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, relief softening her expression.

"Gregory, I don't love you anymore," she whispered.