CASSIE 13: Freedom Gained
Vanessa’s eyes reddened, and so did the mark of my palm on her cheek.
“Miss Monroe, please understand… I didn’t do anything…” Vanessa glanced at Asher, whose expression revealed shock at what I had done. “Asher… I’m innocent.”
I froze when she suddenly collapsed, crumpling to the floor like discarded paper.
Mrs. Reid’s face twisted with horror and confusion.
“Asher, Vanessa is innocent! I’m sure there’s been some mistake!” Vanessa’s cousin cried, rushing to her side.
If Asher believed even the slightest lie in all this, I’d be impressed by the level of deception–or perhaps he was simply blind to what was right before his eyes.
Vanessa’s family crowded around her, pushing me aside with concern. I was shoved to the ground, and the dizziness hit me hard. I noticed a bruise on my arm but quickly tugged my sleeve down, hoping no one would notice.
It would likely go undetected anyway, especially since I was already drenched in red wine.
As Asher stepped toward me, a voice from Vanessa’s cousin cut through the tension.
“Asher, hurry! We need to get Vanessa to the hospital!”
Asher looked flustered, though maybe this was how he reacted to chaos. He ignored me completely, lifting Vanessa in his arms and striding toward the door. It was almost laughable–he could play the hero for everyone else while completely disregarding me, his girlfriend of years.
“Stop!” Mrs. Reid exclaimed. “If you leave now, Asher, I’ll die from the disappointment! Haven’t you had enough of this nonsense?”
Hesitation flickered across Asher’s face. “Mom, I’ll explain later. I’m really sorry… I’m taking Vanessa as her boss. Please understand… I’ll return soon!”
Then, without another word, he disappeared from view.
Mom hurried to my side, pulling me into a protective embrace.
“What the hell just happened?” Dad demanded, his voice tight with anger. I could feel his humiliation, just like my own.
The Reid family couldn’t even look us in the eye.
“L–let’s wait for Asher’s explanation, Mr. Monroe,” they stammered, trying to salvage whatever was left of their dignity.
I scanned the gathering. Half of the invited guests were Vanessa’s allies; I was certain of it.
The whole event felt designed for her, and here she was, trying to challenge me. Though hurt pierced heart, anger and resentment quickly overwhelmed it.
I couldn’t hold back any longer. In a twisted way, it felt like this was my moment, my advantage.
“I’m no longer going to marry Asher!” I announced, my voice carrying across the room.
Asher’s mother gasped. My mom didn’t react, her face a blank mask, while my dad’s lips pressed into a thin line.
“I want everyone to know–I am done with Asher. This is over. I hope you all respect my decision,” I said, my tone leaving no room for questions.
I turned to look at my dad, searching his face for his reaction.
He didn’t say a word. He simply gave up silently.
Mom’s eyebrow arched slightly, and I recognized the subtle approval in her expression.
I walked out of the hall, feeling as though I were walking through a corridor of shame. But deep down, I knew I was finally taking the freedom I deserved, along with the compensation my family would eventually get from the Reids.
As my parents engaged with Asher’s family in conversation, I slipped out of the hotel and took a deep breath, letting the fresh air of the tropical city fill my lungs.
“What happened to you?”
The unexpected voice nearly made me jump. I hadn’t noticed Ronan leaning against the wall, observing me.
His expression was sour; his eyes turned dark Successfully unlocked! et, pulled out a car key, and pressed it swiftly.
A luxury vehicle parked nearby responded with a soft horke
“Get in,” he instructed, opening the passenger door.
I hesitated, glancing around nervously. My parents were still inside, and someone might have observed me entering a car with an unfamiliar man.
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CASSIE 13: Freedom Gained
But then, I realized my parents were likely still absorbed in their conversation with the Reids, and with my hair and clothes in disarray, I was drawing attention. Without another thought, I climbed into the car. The fresh scent inside immediately surrounded me, the same one that lingered in his penthouse in London.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, disbelief coloring my voice.
Panic suddenly flooded through me as I became acutely aware of my disheveled state. I felt like a scruffy chick sitting in his spotless car. He had always surprised me, but this time was different.
“Did I mention to the message that I’m in Singapore?” he asked, casually.
I scratched the back of my head. “I mean, I didn’t expect we’d meet this soon.”
“I wanted to see my girlfriend without delay,” he replied coolly. “So, I asked around.”
My cheeks flushed. “C–could you take me somewhere?” I stammered, then quickly added, “No funny business! I–I just want to get to know you better.”
The corner of his mouth twitched upward.
Ronan drove me to a villa nestled in Mount Sinai, not far from my parents‘ mansion and the Reid family estate.
Perfect. I could easily call a driver from our home if I needed to leave. Nevertheless, I didn’t want to return home yet and was still upset with Dad.
Ronan’s villa had the same men I’d encountered during our first meeting. Fear flashed across their faces when they saw me, confirming our previous encounter had left an impression.
“You can use my shower,” Ronan offered.
Thank goodness! The red wine clinging to my skin and clothes made me increasingly dizzy.
His bathroom was huge, with a jacuzzi tucked in one corner.
After washing away the evening’s humiliation, I realized I had no change of clothes. I found a thick robe in a drawer and wrapped myself in it. It was oversized–probably his.
“Ronan?” I called out, stepping out of the room.
I heard shuffling noises coming from behind a door and assumed it must be him.
When I opened the door, I found the art gallery he had mentioned in his messages. But it wasn’t that that took me aback, leaving me breathless.
It was the paintings!
All the subjects in them were me–lifelike, clear, and sharp as if they’d been captured with a high–definition camera.
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