Chapter 23
Cassidy stood on the balcony, watching Lily watering the flower beds in the garden below.
The little girl wore a soft yellow dress, humming a tuneless nursery rhyme as she hopped about, looking completely
content.
‘What are you thinking about?”
A pair of warm hands embraced her from behind, Wesley resting his chin gently on her shoulder.
He still carried the faint scent of hospital disinfectant, having clearly just returned from work.
‘I was thinking…” Cassidy hadn’t turned around yet, but already found herself smiling.
‘About the first time we met, when you brought Lily to buy picture books.”
Wesley chuckled softly, his eyes behind the gold–rimmed glasses full of tenderness:
‘Even then I thought, how is it possible my college junior is still so beautiful after all these years?”
‘Such a sweet–talker,” Cassidy playfully punched his shoulder, laughing heartily.
Their laughter caught Lily’s attention in the garden.
The little girl abandoned her watering can and flew upstairs like a butterfly: “Uncle! Miss Cassidy! What secrets are
you sharing?”
Wesley bent down to pick up his niece, kissing her dirt–smudged face:
I was asking Miss Cassidy if she’d like to stay with us forever.”
ily’s eyes instantly brightened, her small hands clutching Cassidy’s shirt:
Really? Miss Cassidy will stay with us forever?”
Cassidy’s heart melted like it had been soaked in warm water.
he took Lily from Wesley, nodding at the little girl’s expectant gaze: “If Lily wants me to.”
I do! I do!” Lily cheered, hugging Cassidy’s neck, then turned to Wesley.
Uncle, give Miss Cassidy a ring! Just like they do on TV!”
Wesley’s ears reddened slightly as he pulled a small red velvet box from his pocket and knelt on one knee.
24·20
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17.6
Chapter 23
“Cassidy Morgan,” his voice trembled slightly, “will you..”
“Yes, I do,” Cassidy answered firmly before he could finish, tears in her eyes but happiness curving her lips.
Their wedding was set for three months later.
On the wedding day, the weather was exceptionally beautiful.
Cassidy wore a simple white gown, carrying wildflowers Lily had picked for her, walking toward Wesley amid the guests‘ blessings.
When the minister pronounced them husband and wife, Lily eagerly jumped into Cassidy’s arms, sweetly calling her “Auntie” for the first time.
At the back of the gathering stood three lonely figures–one tall, two small.
‘I’ll handle this,” Wesley squeezed her hand reassuringly, his voice soft.
‘No, I’ll go myself,” Cassidy took a deep breath, gathered her dress in her hands, and walked toward the entrance.
The moment the door opened, Emma rushed forward: “Mommy! You look so beautiful today!”
Cassidy stepped back, avoiding her embrace, asking coldly: “Why are you here?”
Gabriel’s gaze fell on the wedding scene behind her, his voice hoarse, his eyes filled with nostalgia and regret:
‘We meant no harm… just wanted to wish you happiness.”
‘Not necessary,” Cassidy’s voice was calm. “Please leave.”
Her words weren’t loud but carried unmistakable finality.
Gabriel’s face instantly paled. He reached for the sobbing children, his eyes showing desperation.
‘Ethan, Emma… let’s go.”
‘No!” Emma broke free from her father’s grasp, flinging herself at Cassidy’s legs, crying hysterically:
‘Mommy, please look at me! Please!”
Cassidy looked down at the daughter she had once cherished. She didn’t bend down, just gently removed those small hands:
“Goodbye, Emma. And Ethan. Don’t come looking for me again. Live your new lives.”
“I’m starting my new life too.”
As she turned away, she heard Gabriel’s suppressed sobs and the children’s heart–wrenching cries behind her.
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Chapter 23
But when she returned to the wedding celebration and saw Lily running toward her with a small flower basket, Wesley smiling at her in the sunlight, those sounds became distant and blurred.
Later, Cassidy heard from the old butler that the Westbrook household wasn’t doing well.
After Natalie’s expulsion, everything fell apart.
Gabriel was consumed with work, the children boarded at school, their personalities growing increasingly difficult.
They had tried to visit her in Seattle again but were stopped by security outside her neighborhood.
Sometimes, Cassidy dreamed of the past.
She dreamed of staying up all night when Ethan had a high fever, of the children’s smiling faces when they first called her “Mommy.”
Upon waking, Wesley would immediately sense her distress and pull her into his arms, whispering words of
comfort.
‘Cassidy… do you ever regret it?” he once asked hesitantly.
Cassidy watched two stray cats playing with Lily in the garden and shook her head:
‘My life now is happy, my future bright. I won’t look back.”
Just then, Lily ran over carrying the two kittens, her face smudged with grass stains, asking excitedly:
‘Auntie! Aren’t they adorable? Can we keep them?”
‘Of course we can,” she smiled, lovingly wiping the sweat from Lily’s little face.
“This is our home. Whatever you want.”
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows over the three of them.
The shadows that had once darkened her life would never affect her again.
