CASSIE 1: Broken Normal
[Cassie Monroe]
I was the type of person who always brushed things off. Life was too short to dwell on things that could break me, especially when there was much more to enjoy. I had perfected my bubbly exterior, which everyone loved, making me seem like the perfect match for Asher Reid. But behind the smiles and ideal image, a woman slowly fell apart in silence.
I always believed Asher would be my husband. My family had made sure of that, probably from the moment I first saw him. The idea had been planted in my mind and had grown with our relationship until I couldn’t tell what I truly wanted and what everyone else assumed would happen.
Sometimes, I wondered what would happen if I just screamed, “I’m not okay.” Would
anyone even notice?
I walked into our apartment, exhausted from a long day of photoshoots. As usual, Asher’s car wasn’t in the driveway, and the apartment felt empty. I was used to the silence by now. It wasn’t unusual for him to be late, especially with his business meetings or other “commitments.”
The laughter echoing from our villa made my heart sink. I had only been gone for the day, and yet it felt like Asher was already back to his usual screw–ups.
“Cassie?” Asher called out like nothing was wrong.
I turned and saw him coming from the living room, his casual shirt messy and his hair all over the place, like he had been… busy.
on?”
Frowning, I asked, “What’s going on?”
I tried to keep my voice steady, but my eyes flickered past him to the woman sitting on the couch behind him.
She was practically lounging there, dressed in tight, revealing clothes, her legs crossed just so. She was looking up at me with a smirk as if I were the one who was intruding.
“I didn’t know you were bringing company,” I said quietly, my heart sinking.
Asher turned to glance back at her, then quickly back to me, but there was no apology in his eyes. It was just a casual indifference that made my stomach twist.
“Yeah, I figured you’d be busy with your shoot. She was just stopping by.”
“Stopping by?” I repeated, my heart sinking deeper. The words didn’t even register in my head. How could he say that with such ease?
A woman suddenly showing up at a man’s villa, where he’s staying with his fiancée? Seriously?
The woman stood up. “Miss Monroe, I just visited Mr. Reid to thank him for the other
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CASSIE 1. Broken Normal
day.”
So, she knew who I was.
“The other day?” Again, 1 echoed their words.
“He saved me from some aggressive men at the club. I’m just here to repay his
kindness.”
“What kind of repayment?” I asked sharply. “Did that include your body?” I didn’t mean to, but speaking up felt all too familiar.
“Cassie!” Asher snapped. “Don’t embarrass my guest. She’s just here to keep me company while I work from home.”
Right! He should’ve said ‘being lazy‘ too.
The woman chimed in, smiling sweetly. “I’m just a friend visiting, Miss Monroe. I hope my presence doesn’t upset you.”
“Miss… whoever you are, how would you feel if you walked into your own home and found your fiancé lounging on the couch, giggling with some other woman?”
Asher’s face flushed red. I could tell he thought I was being crazy again.
The woman turned to Asher, her voice softening. “Mr. Reid, it seems she’s unhappy to see me. Maybe I should go instead…”
“Don’t worry about Cassie,” Asher said, his voice softening as he addressed her. “This is just how she gets. It’s nothing personal, sweetheart.”
‘Sweetheart?‘
That familiar ache returned, but I reminded myself–it had always been like this until, eventually, I just went numb.
“Cassie, she’s just a friend. Can you please stop making a scene?” Asher said, shrugging like it was no big deal.
“A friend who left her lipstick on your lips and collar?” I asked coldly, tugging on his shirt. “Right?”
I wanted to stand my ground this time, especially with someone watching. I held back my tears, refusing to let them fall. The woman flushed with embarrassment.
“Mr. Reid, I’ll leave now…”
She headed for the door, her steps slow, almost dragging, clearly hoping Asher would follow.
‘Asher, if you walk out that door, don’t bother looking for me when you come back.’
Those were the words I wanted to scream.
But how many times had I made that promise to myself? How many times had I broken it, returning to this apartment, to him, like a tired bird to a broken nest?
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CASSIE 1: Broken Normal
I wasn’t even sure anymore.
So, instead, I stayed silent.
“You’re impossible!” Asher yelled. “I’m going after her because you’ve hurt her feelings! When will you learn, Cassie?”
He shook his head in disgust and stormed after the woman.
Iwas left alone in the apartment, fighting the scream that clawed at my throat.
Instead, I felt the familiar pressure building behind my eyes, the ache spreading through my chest like poison. I fought against the tears–a battle I’d fought countless times before.
Somewhere along the way, this became normal for me. The steady breakdown of my boundaries and the slow loss of what I used to think was unacceptable.
This wasn’t the first time Asher betrayed me. Not even close.
Every time he cheated, he gave the same excuse–that for wealthy men like him, being faithful wasn’t really expected. Having different women was just part of their lifestyle.
The men around him made it seem normal, too, like cheating wasn’t a big deal.
Deep down, I knew they were making excuses, but I still let myself believe them and pushed aside what I knew was right.
The first time, the second time, and all the times after that… they piled up until I became numb. But even now, my heart still aches.
Standing in front of the mirror, I could barely recognize myself. My collarbones stuck out more, my cheeks looked sunken, and the light in my eyes was gone. The changes in my body were just a reflection of how broken I felt inside.
I miss the old me–the bubbly girl who didn’t have to force a smile or pretend.
Then I got an email from Isabella: “I’m in Mexico. Gabriel stood me up at the wedding.” I sighed, the weight of it all sinking in. I’d always warned Isabella about her relationship with Gabriel, but here I am, stuck in the same toxic cycle with Asher.
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