The next time I opened my eyes, I was staring up at a hospital ceiling.
Aaron was sitting beside me, carefully peeling fruit. Next to him sat a vase of irises–my favorite flowers.
When he saw me awake, his eyes lit up and he reached toward me, “You’re awake.”
He looked flawless in a black suit, gaze gentle, his expression full of love–just like the man I
used to know.
But I knew better now.
Without a word, I pulled away from his hand. He froze, then looked at me with an apologetic expression.
“I’m sorry. I never should’ve locked you up. But you know Nancy once saved my life–I can’t just turn my back on her. Think of this as me repaying a debt, okay? Once this is over, I’ll come right back to you. Just let me take care of her.”
He pulled me into a tight embrace. The scent of roses filled my nose.
I gagged.
Nancy loved roses. The fragrance on him was unmistakable.
I slipped out of his arms, expression flat and nodded.
“Okay,” I said it so easily, it caught him off guard.
He stared into my eyes and something flickered in his expression, like he knew something was
different now.
Then his phone buzzed.
He glanced at the message and everything else fell away.
Through the crack between us, I saw the photo clearly. Nancy in red, sheer lace lingerie–barely covering anything.
He sprang to his feet, tossed a small box on my lap without a second glance.
“Cassidy, this is a peace offering–from both of us. Nancy didn’t mean to accuse you. She made a mistake, that’s all. Please, accept it and forgive her.”
I don’t know what else Nancy said over the phone, but whatever it was made Aaron smile.
“Nancy can be a little too emotional sometimes, but she never meant any harm,” he added, almost fondly.
Then he left–just like that.
I opened the box.
Inside was a pair of rose–shaped earrings. The moment I lifted the lid, that heavy, sickly–sweet scent of rose perfume hit me like a wave. I flung the box across the room, my skin already flaring up in hives.
That box was a silent taunt from Nancy.
And Aaron–he knew. He knew I was allergic to roses. He used to be so careful. But now? Now
Chapter 2
4:41 am
he just went along with whatever Nancy wanted.
Or maybe… maybe he didn’t even remember I was allergic.
My hands clenched so tightly the skin split open. Blood dripped silently onto the white sheets.
Fifteen minutes later, I got a message from him.
[Get some rest. I’ll come pick you up once you’re discharged.]
A tear slid silently down my cheek. I deleted the message and turned off my phone.
Three days later, I was discharged. Only the housekeeper came to pick me up.
My phone buzzed. A message from Aaron.
[Nancy’s not feeling well. Hope you understand. I’ll bring you a gift in return.]
I swiped the message away.
Twelve more days.
Back at the estate, I started packing.
Every photo album I once treasured went into the fireplace. Every letter, every note, every dress he’d ever made for me–burned. And when I was finally ready to leave, Aaron walked through the door with Nancy. He saw the suitcase in my hand and his brow furrowed.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
I didn’t answer. I brushed past him and Nancy, heading toward the door, but he grabbed my wrist tightly.
Nancy’s eyes flashed with something poisonous before she burst into tears.
“Aaron… maybe Cassidy knew I was coming and that’s why she’s leaving. Maybe I should just gc back to the club. Sure, men bother me there, but I’ve gotten used to it.”
Aaron’s eyes filled with sympathy. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her hair gently.
“You’re not going anywhere. I’m here now. You don’t have to go back to that life,” he soothe her.
I let out a small, bitter laugh and turned away again.
Then Aaron’s voice rang out behind me.
“Housekeeper, bring the madam back inside. Don’t let her leave the estate.
I turned back slowly and Aaron looked annoyed.
“Cassidy, don’t make this harder than it has to be. You already agreed back at the hospital,
remember?”
I said nothing and walked into the living room.
From the kitchen, Aaron came out carefully carrying a bowl of soup. He placed it gently into Nancy’s hands.
“This is for you, sweetheart,” he said tenderly. Then he glanced at me, hesitating. “Cassidy… it’s for pregnant women. I’ll make your favorite next time.”
He reached to me but I stepped back. His fists clenched, unease creeping into his eyes.
Everything had started slipping out of his control the moment I left the hospital. His phone rang
231
and he rushed out to take it. But I still caught a few words.
“Mr. Mackey, the estate you requested for your wife is ready. When will you move in?”
I smiled bitterly.
That wife… wasn’t me.
When he was gone, Nancy took her time sipping the soup, then glanced up at me with a sneer, “It a man says he loves two women, the one he loves is always the second. I won’t let my man have
two.”
Then, without warning, she tipped the bowl aside and threw herself to the ground, stomach–first.
“Aaron!”
Her scream cut through the air.
Aaron came running in. When he saw the blood beneath her, panic exploded on his face.
“Doctor! Somebody call a doctor!”
Trembling, he picked her up, while she pointed a shaking finger at me.
“Cassidy put irises in my soup,” she choked out, then coughed violently–dark blood splattering from her lips.
Aaron’s eyes snapped to mine–ice cold, sharp enough to cut through bone.
Then suddenly, he kicked me hard in the stomach, sending me crashing to the floor.
Pain exploded through me and I couldn’t even straighten up. I clutched my belly in agony, barely able to breathe.
“Baby… my baby…” I gasped, barely able to speak.
But Aaron just stood over me, eyes cold and full of disgust.
“I can’t believe how cruel you are, Cassidy. I never thought you’d stoop this low. If anything happens to Nancy or that baby, I swear–I’ll make sure you pay for it.”
With that, he turned and carried her out the door.
He didn’t look back. Not once.
And just like that, he turned and rushed off with Nancy in his arms–never once looking back.
