Chapter 5
The next morning, as if concerned Anastasia might reconsider their hasty agreement, Cassian arrived at precisely eight–thirty to escort her to the marriage bureau.
Being Cassian Rhodes meant never waiting in lines–they were immediately ushered through a private entrance, the staff practically tripping over themselves to accommodate them.
As they signed the documents, the clerk couldn’t help commenting, “You two are absolutely stunning
together. Like something out of a magazine.”
Anastasia felt heat creep up her neck. During their official photo, she caught something
unexpected–the barest hint of a genuine smile on Cassian’s usually impassive face.
Thirty minutes later, they stepped into the crisp morning air with marriage certificate in hand, Anastasia still processing the surreal turn her life had taken.
Mrs. Rhodes. She was actually Mrs. Rhodes now.
Before she could fully absorb this new reality, Cassian took her left hand in his. His touch lingered as he slipped a silver ring from his pinky finger and placed it on her ring finger, his eyes never leaving
hers.
“Perfect fit,” he murmured, his thumb brushing across her knuckles.
Anastasia studied the ring in fascination. The band featured an intricate, almost otherworldly pattern that seemed to shift in the light.
As a jewelry designer, she prided herself on recognizing materials and craftsmanship at a glance,
but this piece defied categorization. The metal was unlike anything she’d ever encountered–neither platinum nor white gold nor silver.
It seemed more like a mark of possession than a mere accessory.
“This looks… incredibly valuable,” she said, hesitantly meeting his gaze.
“It’s nothing,” Cassian replied, still holding her hand. “A placeholder. I’ll have proper wedding bands designed specifically for us.” The way he said “us” carried unexpected weight.
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Anastasia opened her mouth to protest, then thought better of it. “Okay.”
His possessiveness was unmistakable, and she sensed he wasn’t a man accustomed to hearing “no.”
Satisfaction flickered in his eyes as his hand moved to the small of her back. “Good. Let’s go. Home or office?”
Just then, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and felt her body tense.
After several rings, she finally answered.
“Hello.” Her voice was flat.
“Where the hell are you?” Jasper’s voice cut through the speaker, impatient and entitled.
“Out,” she replied, surprised by how little his voice affected her now.
“What do you mean ‘out‘? The A‘ Design strategy meeting started fifteen minutes ago. Everyone’s waiting.” His voice rose with irritation.
Anastasia responded with deliberate formality, “Mr. Hale, I’m taking a personal day.”
Christ, Ana. Is this still about last night? They were drunk. It was nothing. You’re being
s.” Jasper showed zero remorse, his tone dismissive.
“Joke or not, I couldn’t care less anymore.” She paused, a spark of satisfaction warming her chest. “And for your information, I’m taking today off because I just got married.”
“What kind of bullshit game are you playing now?” Jasper’s voice cracked with shock. “Who the fuck
would you marry? Is this some desperate ploy to force my hand?”
Anastasia nearly laughed out loud.
Force his hand?
So that’s how little he thought of her–just another woman trying to trap the eligible bachelor.
The realization should have hurt, but she felt nothing. He’d become a stranger to her overnight.
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“Don’t worry, you’re not the groom.” Her voice was ice. “I’ll be in at three to clear out my desk.” She
hung up mid–protest.
As she lowered the phone, her expression hardened.
Cassian’s eyes hadn’t left her face during the entire exchange. “Hale?” His voice had dropped an
octave.
Anastasia nodded once.
Cassian’s jaw tightened imperceptibly, his hand at her back pressing more firmly. “Starting today, that man exists to you only as a business associate,” he said, his voice deceptively casual. “Nothing
more.”
Anastasia met his penetrating gaze without flinching. “Trust me, he’s nothing to me now. But since this happened so quickly,” she gestured between them, “I need a little time to sort things out. Can we
keep our marriage private for a few days?”
She needed to handle the professional separation cleanly.
Cassian studied her for a long moment, his eyes unreadable. “You can have your time.” His fingers traced a pattern at the small of her back, sending unexpected heat through her body. “But
remember, Anastasia,” he leaned closer, his breath warm against her ear, “when you chose to wear
my ring, you accepted everything that comes with being my wife.” His lips nearly brushed her skin.
“And I expect my wife in my bed, not just on paper.”
Anastasia’s breath caught as heat rushed to her face and pooled lower.
Despite delivering such an intimate promise with the cool confidence of discussing business strategy, his words triggered a response she couldn’t control.
She bit her lower lip, noticing how his eyes tracked the movement. “I understand completely. Give me three days to talk to my grandmother and… prepare.”
She wasn’t naive about what marriage to Cassian would entail physically.
She wasn’t prudish or old–fashioned about these things.
But they were practically strangers, despite now being legally bound.
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Cassian watched her blush spread, his eyes darkening with satisfaction. “Three days,” he agreed, his
voice a silken promise.
Thinking about her tense call with Jasper, he asked, “Do you need me to intervene with Hale?”
“No,” Anastasia said firmly. “I can handle him myself. He’s not worth your attention.” She met
Cassian’s gaze directly. “I promise, by tonight there will be nothing connecting us beyond
unavoidable business matters.”
Cassian looked faintly surprised at her independence. Most women would use their new husband as a weapon against an ex.
“Three days, then,” he confirmed. “My driver will collect you and your belongings on Saturday morning. And we’ll arrange a proper meeting with Elisabeth. I look forward to meeting the woman who raised someone like you.”
“Thank you,” Anastasia said softly, genuinely touched.
They’d just met and married, yet he was already treating her grandmother with more respect than
Jasper had shown in three years.
She remembered how during their entire relationship, Jasper had visited Elisabeth exactly four
times.
Each visit had been filled with ostentatious gifts and thinly veiled impatience to leave.
With newfound clarity, Anastasia saw how she’d ignored countless red flags, making excuses for Jasper’s behavior.
At least now she’d seen through the facade to the hollow man beneath.
“Call me if you need anything,” Cassian said, his hand sliding to her waist as he guided her toward
his waiting car. “Anything at all.” The double meaning wasn’t lost on her.
Anastasia tensed briefly at his possessive touch, then consciously relaxed. She was his wife now. This was her new normal.
Life really was unpredictable.
Twenty–four hours ago, she’d been planning her future with Jasper. Now she was married to one of
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the most powerful men in New York.
But as she slid into the leather seat of Cassian’s Bentley, Anastasia felt no regrets. In fact, for the first time in years, she felt like she might be exactly where she belonged.
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