Chapter 8

Three days later.

Cassian appeared near the entrance of his daughter’s private preschool just before dismissal. Among the rows of luxury cars and neatly uniformed children, wealthy mothers gathered in small groups, showing off designer bags and polished smiles.

The quiet mood shifted the moment Cassian stepped out of his black SUV. His presence commanded the whole area.

Several mothers turned to look, some hiding behind dark sunglasses, whispering with curiosity. A few female teachers glanced his way too, quickly pretending to be busy with the children. But Cassian did not look at any of them. His sharp gaze locked onto one specific person driving up in an old, dusty sedan.

Elara.

She stepped out of her car calmly, wearing simple, modest clothes. Even without expensive labels, her quiet dignity stood out in the flashy school yard. Cassian walked straight toward her.

Just as Elara closed her car door, a deep, calm voice spoke near her.

"Good afternoon."

Elara jumped slightly. She turned around, her eyes widening when she saw who it was. For a second, she looked away, her eyes dropping to the ground.

"Good afternoon," she answered softly, her voice polite but guarded.

Cassian noticed her simple clothes and quiet manner. He understood right away, to approach someone like her, he had to keep a respectful distance.

"Anya told me... you helped her the other day. Thank you," he said, his tone softening a little.

Elara shook her head quickly. "It was nothing," she murmured, holding onto her car keys as if they could protect her from his intense stare. "I only did what anyone would do."

Cassian studied her face. There were tired lines around her eyes, but also a strong inner strength.

​"Consider this a token of my appreciation. If you ever need anything, call me anytime." he said, holding out a sleek, elegant business card.

Elara hesitated, staring at the card. "You really don't have to do this, sir," she said politely, trying to step past him.

Cassian took a half-step to the side, smoothly blocking her path. "I'm serious," he said in a low, steady voice. "I don't like owing people."

Realizing he wouldn't just walk away, she finally took the card. "Thank you," she said shortly, and walked around him.

Cassian did not stop her. He just watched her walk away into the crowd.

​A faint, dark smile touched his lips. "I wonder how you will react... when you see your husband with his mistress," he thought to himself.

He turned back to his car and drove away before Anya could spot him and yell 'Daddy!' in front of everyone.

♡♡♡♡

Meanwhile, Elara felt uneasy. Her short talk with Cassian left a heavy feeling in her chest. His cold, controlled gaze was very intimidating.

She could not help thinking that Anya was a lot like her father, direct, focused, and carrying a quiet power that made people nervous.

Then, a happy voice broke her thoughts.

"Mommy!"

Elara turned around, and her worries melted away instantly. Ollie was running toward her with a huge smile.

She opened her arms and hugged her son tightly.

"Hey, sweetie. Are you done with school?" she whispered.

Ollie nodded happily and kissed her cheek.

"Let's go home," Elara smiled, taking his small hand as they walked together toward the parking lot and climbed into her old, dusty sedan.

Once the car doors were shut and the engine rumbled to life, Ollie reached into his jacket pocket. He held up a bright, shiny playpass card, his eyes shining with hope.

​"Mommy, can we go to the mall?" he asked happily. "Anya gave me this! She said I can play all day with it!"

​Elara looked at the card through the rearview mirror, her heart sinking. She knew how expensive that indoor playground was.

"Sweetie, listen to Mommy," Elara said gently. "This card belongs to Anya, not us. We cannot keep things that aren't ours. Tomorrow, you have to give it back to Anya at school and say thank you. Be a good boy, okay?"

Ollie looked sad for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, Mommy. I'll give it back tomorrow."

Elara sighed softly as she looked at her son through the mirror. Ollie never asked for anything. He rarely went anywhere fun, and seeing him look at the card with such bright eyes broke her heart. She couldn't bear to crush his little dream completely.

Just for today, she thought, her heart aching. He deserves to have fun at least once.

"Alright," Elara whispered, changing her mind. "Mommy will pay for your ticket today, okay? But we are only going for a little while."

Ollie cheered, clapping his hands.

As she drove to the mall, Elara held the steering wheel tightly. Staying out late meant she would face Audrey's harsh words when she got home. But seeing Ollie so happy made it all worth it.

The mall was only fifteen minutes away. When they reached the top floor where the indoor playground was, Elara walked up to the ticket counter to pay for a regular ticket, opening her bag for her wallet.

Before she could hand over her money, the staff member at the counter smiled brightly.

"Congratulations, ma'am! You are our 100th visitor today!" the clerk announced cheerfully. "As part of our special promotion, your child gets a free all-day VIP pass!"

Elara froze, surprised. "Wait... really? Is there a catch?"

"No catch at all, ma'am! It is completely free," the clerk answered sweetly, putting a special wristband on Ollie.

Elara let out a breath of relief, smiling down at her son as he jumped up and down with joy. She thought it was just a lucky stroke of good fortune for her little family.

She had no idea that the system, the counter, and the lucky count had all been set up by a single phone call from Cassian Kenneth’s office an hour earlier.

After making sure Ollie was safe inside the playground, Elara walked away to browse the shops. The mall was quiet, cool, and smelled of expensive perfume.

She walked slowly, just passing the time, looking at beautiful items behind glass windows that she could never afford.

Then, she walked past an exclusive jewelry boutique.

Her steps stopped.

Her body froze.

Through the clear glass window, she saw a man she could never mistake.

Garrett.

He was standing close to a display case with a woman right beside him. Vanessa. Her arm was wrapped around his arm in a way that only lovers do. They had been drawn right to this exclusive shop at this exact time by an invitation for 'Exclusive Seasonal Privileges and a Complimentary Gift' that Cassian’s assistant had discreetly sent to her.

And Garrett did not pull away.

In fact, he was smiling, opening his wallet to buy her whatever she wanted.

Elara could not move. Her blood ran cold as she stared through the glass, trying to deny what her eyes were seeing.

​It was real.

​Her hands shook into tight fists, and her heart pounded hard against her ribs as the awful truth hit her.

​This was not a work meeting. This was not a business partner, and it was certainly not a mistake.

​It was pure betrayal.