"Hello, welcome, miss," the receptionist greets us with a warm smile. I remain silent, letting Danica handle the check-in process.
"Oh, Ms. Russell. Your room is 368 on the 10th floor," the receptionist informs us. I glance at Danica, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
"Thank you," Danica acknowledges the receptionist's assistance before guiding me towards the elevator. "Wow, you already booked the room for us?" I inquire, and she simply smiles back at me.
"Cassandra, I'm sorry to dampen the mood, but I need to do this," she says as we step into the elevator. "Why are you saying that? Is something wrong?" I ask, concern evident in my voice. She shakes her head.
"You're my best friend, and I want you to be happy. That's all," she explains, and I remain silent, waiting until we arrive on the 10th floor.
Ding!
We walk side by side until we reach the door marked 368. Danica hands me the card, but before I open it, she speaks up. "Before you see what's inside, I want you to know that I did all of this because I don't want you to continue living like this. You'll understand once you see."
Confused by her cryptic words, I swipe the card and open the door. As I step inside, my eyes widen in disbelief, and my heart shatters into a million pieces. Before me stands Wesley, shirtless, with a woman who appears to be unclothed beneath him. I glance at Danica, but she avoids my gaze, facing the wall instead. I'm at a loss for words; it's all so unbelievable.
"Wesley!" I find myself shouting his name, my vision blurred by tears. He initially looks shocked, but his expression quickly turns cold. He rises and stands before me, while the woman beside him hastily covers herself with a blanket.
"I thought you were in London," I managed to utter, my voice trembling.
"You see me standing right here before you," he replies, devoid of any guilt.
"Why? Why are you doing this to me?" I ask, my tears flowing freely down my cheeks.
"Want to know why? Because I don't love you anymore. I feel like this marriage was the biggest mistake of my life. I thought, 'Why should I be tied down so early when I can still enjoy myself with another woman?'" he coldly explains. Enraged, I slapped him across the face. He appears taken aback, and anger fills his eyes.
"Living with you was a mistake, you know that? Pack your things and leave our house. Don't ever think of coming back because my lawyer will serve you with divorce papers," he declares, his words leaving me speechless and shocked.
"No. No, you can't do this to me. I love you with all my heart, Wesley. Besides, I'm..." I start to speak, my voice breaking.
"I don't care. Just disappear from my life. I want to be free and enjoy myself," he interrupts callously. The woman beside him smirks at me, fueling my anger and desire to slap her and pull her hair. But Wesley stops me.
"Cassandra! You're no longer my wife. Both you and your pathetic friend can disappear from my sight because I never want to see your face again," he coldly tells me. I stare at him, hoping this is all a nightmare, but it's painfully real. I slapped him once more.
"You'll regret this, Wesley. Sooner or later, you'll regret it. I'm certain of that," I warn him, but his face shows only anger from being slapped twice.
Danica pulls me away from the room, guiding me home to pack my belongings. "Danica, why did he do this to me? I haven't done anything wrong. I love him, Danica," I sob uncontrollably. She wraps her arms around me in a comforting embrace.
"I know, Cassandra. I know how much you love him. And now you're pregnant with his child. We'll figure this out. I promise," she reassures me, as we both break down in tears.
"I'm so sorry, Cassandra. I had to reveal your husband's true colors. Well, now he's your ex-husband. I don't want you to stay like this. Remember, you have your child and me. I'm your best friend, and I won't leave you alone." I wipe away my tears and look at her, determined.
When we arrive home, I head straight to the room to pack my clothes. I only take my own belongings, leaving behind anything that Wesley bought for me. As I continue packing, the doorbell rings. Danica goes downstairs to see who it is while I focus on gathering my things.
"Cassandra..." Danica's voice catches my attention, and I turn to see her accompanied by a man. I assume he's the lawyer Wesley mentioned.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Adams. I'm Harold. Mr. Adams's lawyer. We're here to give you this," he says, handing me a file. I know exactly what it is.
"I'm no longer Mrs. Adams. You can call me Cassandra," I state firmly. Harold nods, and I open the file to find that Wesley has already signed his part, indicating that he had planned to divorce me beforehand. This is the end. My once-perfect life is shattered. These memories may fade away like bubbles in the sea. Summoning all my strength, I sign the papers and hand them back to Harold.
"Thank you, Cassandra. I will take my leave now," he says before exiting the house, leaving me feeling deflated, collapsing onto the floor.
Danica rushes to my side, helping me stand. "Danica, my life is in ruins," I cry, and she gently pats my back, soothing me. "You have to be strong. We can start a new life, just the three of us: you, me, and your child." I look at her, and she offers me a reassuring smile. I struggle to find the right words, but perhaps Danica is right. Wesley was not the right person for me. I must gather strength for this baby who is innocent and has done nothing wrong.
Together, we finish packing, and finally, we're ready to leave. Before stepping out, I glance around the room one last time, leaving my wedding ring on the table as a symbol of closure. I walk out of the house, determination in my heart. I have to be strong; I still have my child to protect. That's what I remind myself.
"Cassandra, I've already booked our tickets for Los Angeles. We're leaving tonight. Are you okay with that?" I'm too drained to speak, so I simply nod in response.
I must build a new life for myself and my child. Goodbye, Wesley. I'll do as you say and never show my face to you again. After all of this, I will never want you back.
Wesley
I'm getting ready for work right now. I check my appearance in the mirror, ensuring I look presentable. After my divorce with Cassandra, I decided to hire a maid named Felicity. With the absence of someone to take care of the house, I realized the need for assistance. I called Felicity, who answered after one ring.
"Felicity, when you arrive, please remove all of Cassandra's clothes from my closet. You can dispose of them or keep them for yourself if you'd like. That will be all," I inform her before ending the call. I want to remove any remnants of our past and move forward. Now that I'm single, I have the freedom to pursue relationships without any constraints. Being committed was enjoyable, but I easily grew bored. As for my relationship with Cassandra, I surprised myself by remaining faithful to one woman for nearly three years. While she brought fun into my life, seeing her face every day occasionally became monotonous. I crave new experiences and the excitement of having different women by my side. At my age, I want to enjoy life to the fullest.
I leave the house and enter my black Jaguar. Driving to my company, I hand the car keys to my chauffeur and make my way inside. Accustomed to being the center of attention, I head straight to my private elevator, avoiding crowded spaces. It's important for me to assert my authority and receive the respect I deserve.
"Good morning, Mr. Adams. They are already waiting for you in the meeting room, sir," my secretary informs me, and I nod in acknowledgment before proceeding to the meeting room. Morning meetings are not my favorite, but they are a necessary part of running the company. Upon entering the room, everyone rises to show their respect. It's not a board meeting, just a gathering of managers. We promptly commence the meeting once I take my seat.
The meeting lasts for about two hours, and now I find myself in my office, attending to my work. Thankfully, my next meeting is in three hours. I review the files for my new project in Milan, focusing on the tasks at hand. Suddenly, my office door opens, and instead of being annoyed at an interruption, I am pleasantly surprised to see my best friend, Vincent Davis, walking in and taking a seat on the couch.
"What brings you here?" I ask, curiosity in my voice. Vincent and I have been best friends since high school. While I used to have a large circle of friends, most distanced themselves due to my arrogant and egoistic behavior. Vincent, however, remained by my side and tolerated my attitude throughout the years.
"Why don't we go out and have a good time tonight? It's been a while, man," Vincent suggests, and I set my pen down before moving to the couch opposite him.
"I'm not in the mood, Vincent. I have a lot of work to catch up on, and I'm really exhausted. All I want is to rest tonight," I reply, leaning my head back against the couch and closing my eyes.
"Really? Or is it because you regret divorcing Cassandra? Who knows... Ha!" I remain silent, refusing to engage. "You still love her, don't you? Well, of course you do. I don't understand why you cheated on her and let her go. She's gorgeous and amazing. If I were you, I wouldn't have let her slip away," he adds.
"You better watch your mouth before I shut it for you," I warn, hearing him laugh. My eyes are still closed.
"You know what? Sometimes you can be incredibly foolish. So foolish that it's hard to comprehend. This has to be the dumbest thing you've ever done, bro. But hey, I'm not here to lecture you. I just wanted to invite you to the club, that's all. If you're not ready to move on, then fine, I get it," he says, and I open my eyes at his words.
"I want to enjoy my life, Vincent, and I believe I made the right decision. It may seem unconventional, but I'm happier now. More than ever before. Alright, I'll come tonight. Just text me the details," I respond, and he smirks. It's a good thing he's my friend, or else I might have already thrown a punch his way.
I'm on my way to the club Vincent texted me about. It feels like the first step into my new life as a single person. I've chosen to wear black jeans and a white shirt for the occasion. The club isn't too far from my house, only about a 10-minute drive. I may be driving a bit faster than usual, but can you blame me? This car has a way of making me speed up.
Once I arrive, I park my car in the VIP section and make my way inside. The guards recognize me immediately, granting me easy access. It's one of the perks of being wealthy and well-known. As I scan the crowd, searching for Vincent, I spot him surrounded by two girls. He wastes no time when it comes to attracting female attention.
Suddenly, a girl wraps her arms around my neck, catching my attention. I smirk in response, and she returns it with a seductive smile. We make our way to the dance floor, moving together in sync. I hold her waist and plant kisses on her neck, eliciting a pleasurable moan from her. Tonight is shaping up to be quite entertaining.
"Let's find somewhere more private," she suggests, and I lead her out of the crowded club. We head towards the nearest hotel. Usually, I wouldn't leave the club this quickly, but tonight seems to be an exception.
Once we're inside the hotel room, I waste no time in kissing her lips passionately. She reciprocates eagerly. My hands begin to explore her body, and her moans fill the room. Soon enough, we find ourselves on the bed. I've discarded my shirt, and she's still in her undergarments. It doesn't take long before both of us are fully naked, giving in to our desires.
The next morning, I woke up to find a woman sleeping beside me. I couldn't help but smirk at the familiar scenario. I quietly made my way to the bathroom, taking a quick shower to freshen up. After dressing in my clothes, I grabbed my phone, wallet, and keys. Before leaving the room, I left some money on the nightstand, considering it a gesture of courtesy. Then, I exited the room.
In the hallway, I patiently waited for the elevator and pressed the button for the ground floor as soon as it arrived. "Yes, sir," my secretary answered when I called.
"Willow, I'll be arriving after lunch, or perhaps a little later. Please reschedule my appointments accordingly," I informed her.
"Understood, sir. Is there anything else I can assist you with?" she inquired.
"No, that will be all," I replied before ending the call.
I made my way to the car and drove home, feeling a sense of discomfort in my body. Upon reaching my residence, I unlocked the door and headed straight upstairs.
Taking another shower helped alleviate some of the uneasiness I felt. After a brief ten-minute shower, I emerged from the bathroom, towel wrapped around my waist. Glancing around the room, I noticed the photos of Cassandra and me hanging on the wall. It served as a reminder that I needed to move out of this house as soon as possible.
Perhaps I would start searching for a new place tomorrow. Living in a home filled with memories was proving to be challenging. While the memories with Cassandra were mostly pleasant, I didn't want to carry the weight of blame in our failed relationship. I refused to burden myself with unnecessary guilt.
Walking into my walk-in closet, I donned my suit and took a moment to adjust my appearance. Checking my watch, I realized I needed to hurry to avoid being late. I made my way to the car and drove to my company, determined to focus on my professional responsibilities.
Cassandra
Three years later,
"Ms. Walker." I glanced up to find my secretary, Hera, standing before me.
"Yes? What is it?" I replied with a smile.
"Actually, you have a meeting right now, and everyone is waiting for you," she informed me. My eyes widened in realization as I had completely forgotten about the meeting.
"Oh my, how could I forget? Let's go immediately," I said, quickly grabbing my phone and the necessary files for the meeting. Hera and I made our way to the meeting room, where everyone was already assembled. "I apologize for my tardiness. Shall we begin?" I asked, hoping to make up for my delay. With that, the meeting commenced. Lately, my schedule had been extremely busy, and I hadn't been taking proper breaks or eating well. I knew I needed some rest after this.
As you may know, I now have my own boutique. I ventured into starting my own company as a fashion designer, and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. I currently have nearly five boutiques, with locations in London, Milan, and three in Los Angeles, where my dreams first took flight. I began my new life there with the money I saved from my part-time job, and now my business is flourishing. Danica has been instrumental in this journey, as we co-own the boutique together. With my background in fashion and design from university, I seized the opportunity to launch my own clothing line.
It all started with a small shop, but soon we began receiving numerous requests to open additional boutiques. Danica and I worked tirelessly to earn enough money for our first boutique. We faced challenges initially, but as months went by, things started to improve. Our hard work paid off, and I am now reaping the rewards. My life has undergone significant positive changes.
The meeting revolved around the launch of my new branch in Brooklyn, New York. The grand opening is scheduled in three days, and I can't help but feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
The moment I opened the door, my adorable twins, Finley and Lindsey, ran towards me and hugged my feet. Yes, you heard it right - I am a proud mother of twins. They have been the source of immense joy in my life. Danica, my best friend, has been my pillar of support throughout this journey. She currently resides in Paris, pursuing her dream as an interior designer. Although it was tough to be apart after everything we went through, I knew it was important for her to follow her passion.
"Hello, my loves." I embraced both of them tightly and planted kisses on their cheeks. Placing my handbag on the table, we walked together to the living room. "So, tell me, what do you want to do today?" I asked, curious about their plans.
"We want to eat!" Finley and Lindsey chimed in unison, making me burst into laughter at their adorable synchrony.
"Is that all?" I playfully teased them.
"We also want to play, sleep, and eat," Finley replied with a mischievous grin. Just then, Riley, the nanny I hired to assist with their care, entered the room. "Oh, hi, Riley," I greeted her warmly, and she responded with a smile.
"Ma'am, I haven't bathed them yet. May I take them to shower?" Riley asked.
"If that's the case, it's fine. Besides, I planned to take them to the playground later, so they might need to shower again if they do it now," I explained, and Finley and Lindsey nodded enthusiastically. "Are you both excited?" They eagerly nodded their heads.
"Riley, I'll go change my clothes first. Please get the kids ready," I instructed. With a nod, I made my way to my room. Opting for a casual outfit, I styled my hair in a low bun before heading back to the living room. I waited there as the sound of their little footsteps echoed down the stairs. "Mommy, let's go!" they exclaimed in unison, their faces beaming with excitement.
"Riley, you can head home now. I can handle things from here. Thank you for your help today," I said appreciatively. She nodded, grabbed her bag, and prepared to leave.
"Finley and Lindsey, don't run. Oh my gosh," I said with a shake of my head, watching their energetic play on the playground while I sat on one of the nearby benches. A smile formed on my face as I observed their adorable antics. Finley with his dark brown hair and brown eyes, and Lindsey with her light brown hair and matching brown eyes. They resembled him so much, and despite everything, I couldn't help but think of him. The memory of when he heartlessly cast me aside like a stray dog will forever remain etched in my mind.
Suddenly, my phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. Retrieving it from my pocket, I answered the call. After a brief conversation, I ended the call and glanced towards the playground to check on Finley and Lindsey. However, to my alarm, they were nowhere to be seen. Panic coursed through me, and I swiftly stood up, scanning the area. "Finley! Lindsey!" I called out desperately, but they didn't respond.
