CASSIE 29: Two Lives
Asher’s scream echoed inside the car, thunderous and laced with frustration. I remained unmoved, a cold detachment settling over me.
If we crashed right then, it’d just match the mess I already feel inside.
“Damn it, Cassie!” he exploded.
“Are you done?” I asked flatly.
We sat there, caught in a heavy silence, a thousand things left unsaid hanging in the air. But in the end, he just swallowed whatever it was he wanted to say, looked away, and started the vehicle. The drive to his villa passed in suffocating silence.
The moment we arrived, his grip was rough as he dragged me inside and shoved me onto the couch.
“You’re not leaving, Cassie! You’re staying here until you realize I’m the only one you’ve ever truly loved, and the only one who’s ever truly loved you!”
“Alright…” I said quietly, emotionless like a doll that only moved when commanded. I had no energy left for arguments, but something dark within me yearned to provoke him further.
As I expected, my lifeless compliance only fueled his frustration.
I walked upstairs without looking back at him and entered the room he’d prepared for me, filled with all my favorite things. Asher had set this place up like a fancy prison.
The loud slam of the front door downstairs told me he had left.
Tears streamed down my face the moment I was alone.
“Asher Reid, this is what you’ve made of us,” I whispered to the empty room.
My phone buzzed. Isabella’s name flashed on the screen. I wiped my tears and steadied my voice.
“Hey, baby!” I greeted cheerfully.
“Are you busy?” she asked.
“Yeah… my family needs me to handle something,” I lied, infusing artificial cheer into my voice.
“Aw! I was hoping to invite you to dinner. Grayson’s away on business, and I’m absolutely bored. I need someone to talk to.”
“I’m sorry, Issa…” I murmured, more honestly than I meant to. The sadness thought wasn’t all an act.
Staring at my reflection right now, I barely recognize the woman looking back at me. I didn’t want Isabella to worry.
“It’s fine. But why do you sound sad? Are you okay?” Concern tinged her words.
“I wanted to see you too. But… a lot is happening right now.”
“Then let’s go shopping when you’re free.”
“Sure! Hope your credit card’s ready…” I said, trying to fake our usual playful banter.
After the call ended, I sat motionless on the edge of the bed, the frustration simmering within me. Beneath it, there was a gnawing sense of anger at myself for letting it affect me this way.
***
My shopping trip with Isabella went as planned. I even helped her a few times, like during her live stream. I realized I was only ever truly happy when I was with her.
Because every time I saw Roxie, sadness came along with her. Most of our conversations were heavy, filled with grief and pain. She carried so much emotional baggage, it was hard not to feel it, too.
That’s when I found out Gideon only used her as part of a twisted revenge plot. Turns out, Mr. Blake had fallen hard for his best friend, but she chose Roxie’s brother instead. Then came the car accident–her brother ended up in a coma, but the woman didn’t make it. Gideon saw his chance to strike back.
Roxie was hopelessly in love with a monster.
How did the three of us–Isabella, Roxie, and I–fall for men who drained us from the inside out? Men who knew precisely how to hurt us, and still, we loved them anyway.
I tried to stop thinking about them, especially with my next therapy session coming up. I needed to stay calm and keep my emotions in check. I was already in the room, dreSuccessfully unlocked hen Dr. Quinn walked in. There was something different in her expression. Disappointment, or maybe pity, I couldn’t quite tell. Another doctor came in with her.
“Cassie…” Dr. Quinn said my name gently, her eyes filled with something I couldn’t name.
“What happened?” The words barely made it out as anxiety tightened in my chest. Had the cancer spread? Was this the moment she would tell me there was nothing more they could do?
1/3
CASSIE 29. Two Lives
“Miss Monroe… there’s a decision you’ll need to consider carefully, the other doctor said.
I swallowed, trying to steady my breath, bracing myself for whatever they were about to say.
“Okay… What is it?”
“We saw something unexpected in your blood test, Cassie… Dr. Quinn replied, her clipboard pressed against her chest The
a shield.
The other doctor continued, “After reviewing your latest results, we believe your recent fainting spells might not be related to the cancer. It’s possible you’re pregnant.”
That’s when I noticed the department badge on her chest–she was an obstetrician.
The room felt like it shifted a little as I tried to wrap my head around what they just said
Pregnant? Seriously? How could that even be possible?
“We’ll need to conduct a pregnancy test to confirm,” Dr. Quinn added softly
I just sat there, frozen, the word echoing in my mind. ‘A baby‘
They took more blood, checked my vitals a few times, and did an ultrasound. I saw a tiny flicker on the screen–my baby’s heartbeat. When the results finally came in, confirming what they’d suspected, the reality struck me hard
Ronan Carter and I had created a life. Eight weeks pregnant… Who could have imagined that, considering esting fe been through?
“This is such a surprise. It’s a miracle for someone like you,” the obstetrician said. “Given your previous therapy this could have been dangerous for the baby…”
The two doctors exchanged a glance.
A miracle baby… A genuine smile began to tug at my lips.
“Cassie, I’m afraid I need to discuss something difficult with you. Unfortunately… you can’t have this baby? Dr. Quinn said, her voice heavy with sympathy.
“B–but… why?” I stammered. “Isn’t this a miracle, doctor? You just said so yourself.
Dr. Quinn’s lips pressed together, and she hesitated before speaking again. The baby won’t survive if you continue with chemotherapy, Cassie…”
My heart sank, and my lips trembled as I instinctively placed a hand on my stomach, as if to protect the tiny life growing
inside me.
“But the baby could survive if I omit the therapy while being pregnant, right? I asked, already knowing the answer. “Yes…” Dr. Quinn lowered her gaze, unable to meet my eyes as she delivered this confirmation.
The other doctor gently spoke up, “What we’re trying to say is that you need to think very carefully about what’s best for you…”
Dr. Quinn added softly, “Cassie, the chances of you surviving are much higher if you continue the therapy. Your cancer is aggressive, but it responds well to treatment. If we hold off now…
“How high?” I interrupted. “How long until I can be declared free of cancer if I continue?”
I could feel Dr. Quinn’s concern. Her eyes were full of sadness, and her face showed no promises, only probabilities and maybes.
A lifetime of treatments with no clear end, or a limited time to give this miracle baby a chance at life.
.“I won’t choose the option that sacrifices my baby, doctor…” I murmured.
“Cassie…” Dr. Quinn’s voice cracked when she said my name. I could tell she understood what my choice meant.
“Doctors, this child deserves a chance. I hope you can understand my decision.”
口
Subscribed
♡
0
