CASSIE 35: Fading Away
“Dear Asher,
I don’t know why I’m writing this now, but something inside me says it’s the only way to leave this world finally. Leave it without the anger, hurt, and bitterness that have held me here for so long. The pain you caused, the heartbreak, the loneliness when you left me shattered, it’s been more than I could bear.
I thought I was strong enough to carry it, to heal. But the truth is, I’ve taken it so lo it’s become a part of me, a wound that never healed. You made me a monster inside me, Asher Reid.
And now, facing the end, I know I can’t take it with me. I can’t let it consume me any longer.
I’ve spent too much time holding onto this anger, this pain, this resentment. But it won’t heal me. So, I’m letting go…
I forgive you.
Not because you deserve it, but because I do.
I don’t need this pain anymore. I’m choosing peace, not for you, but for me. Yes, you hurt me, but you also taught me that I‘ m worthy of love, and love, even when lost, never truly disappears.
Wherever I am now, know this: I’m free. Free from the past, the hurt, and all bitterness. Just a heart that’s finally learned to let go.
Goodbye, Asher…
Cassie.”
***
Tears welled in Asher’s eyes as he read the letter Cassie had left behind. For months, he had wandered like a lost soul, searching for her, only to have his remaining hope shattered by her final words.
Why couldn’t Cassie understand?
He wished he could see her one last time, to make things right. But Cassie’s anger toward him ran too deep. Even in her final words, she forgave him, not for him, but for her own peace of mind.
And she left him to deal with the pain he brought on himself.
He broke down. This was the price of his choices, and he would carry it. Cassie had made sure of that.
Weeks later, word got to Asher, and Cassie was gone.
Isabella had sent some proof to her parents.
Maybe everything had unfolded the way it was meant to…
Looking for a bit of escape, Asher walked into one of his old spots one night. That’s when he saw Gideon Blake, seated alone. He looked like someone trying to forget things that never really go away.
Asher slid onto the stool beside him. The music pounded through the floor, but both of them felt empty.
“I’m sorry about what happened months ago…” Asher began.
Gideon merely glanced at him before emptying his glass.
Back when Asher was desperately looking for Cassie, he confronted Gideon, insisting he bring Roxie out, because Asher was sure Roxie knew where her two friends were.
But with hollow, haunted eyes, Gideon had just said, “Roxie’s dead.”
Asher had brushed it off as a lie back then. But the truth hit later–Roxie had stayed on that ship when it caught fire during
a party. She got trapped inside, and by the time Gideon’s men tried to save her, it was too late. The flames had already taken her before the sea swallowed what was left.
She was gone. Roxie died before Cassie ever did.
Asher and Gideon sat there in silence, side by side, sharing their grief–no words left between them.
Two years later, Asher married a woman his family had selected for him. While passing through an airport, he encountered Ronan cradling a tearful two–year–old boy with wispy blonde hair.
Even though the toddler wouldn’t stop crying, Ronan stayed calm, gently rubbing his back like he’d done it a hundred times before.
Successfully unlocked!
“Sir, let me calm him down,” said the woman beside him, whom Asher assumed was the baby’s nanny.
“It’s fine,” Ronan replied with remarkable patience, continuing to comfort the child.
A few moments passed before Asher caught a full glimpse of the little boy’s face. The child’s bottom lip quivered, his
expression a perfect mirror of Cassie whenever she was on the verge of tears. Something about those familiar features
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CASSIE 35 Fading Away
made Asher’s heart skip a beat.
The resemblance was uncanny. The realization hit him like a wave.
Cassie’s baby didn’t survive, that’s what Isabella had said. That’s what he and the Monroe couple believed. There had never been any confirmation no official report, no media coverage that stated Cassie gave birth before she died.
As everything started to click, Asher finally saw it–Ronan had been behind keeping this secret all along.
“Ronan Carter!” Asher barked, striding toward him.
Ronan tensed up instantly, his protective instincts kicking in. He pulled the kid closer, pressed a gentle kiss to his temple, then, with a bit of hesitation, handed him over to the woman beside him.
“Is that… Cassie’s child?” Asher managed to ask.
“Our child,” Ronan corrected without hesitation.
“Do the Monroes know about him?” Asher pressed, his gaze drawn to the baby now contentedly accepting a bottle.
“They will–if you tell them. But I don’t think you will,”
Asher clenched his jaw before responding, “Her parents deserve to know their grandchild exists!”
Ronan’s expression hardened. “This is my personal life, Asher Reid! Or have you forgotten? How Mrs. Monroe once wished my child dead just to make way for your marriage to Cassic. If the roles were reversed, would you really put your child in their hands?”
He scoffed. “You’re married now, Mr. Reid!” Then, clenching his jaw, he continued, “I wish I could do the same. But my heart will always belong to Cassic, and now–to our son.”
With that, Ronan turned and walked away, leaving Asher frozen in place. This encounter with his lifelong rival had wounded him more profoundly than anticipated.
Now he understood why Cassie had loved that blonde bastard. Why did she forgive Ronan, but never him?
Ronan had earned her love–his devotion to Cassie went way deeper than Asher had ever realized.
‘Asher, it was time to let go…‘
At least now, Asher could finally begin to release himself from the prison of his own making…
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ROXIE 1: Lost Cause
ROXIE 1: Lost Cause
