Chapter 6: Cracks in the Glass

Cassian Blackridge’s morning began the way most of his mornings did with silence, control, and a neatly organized schedule projected onto the glass screen in his study.

At precisely eight o’clock, his assistant’s voice came through the intercom.

“Sir, the board has requested an emergency briefing.”

Cassian didn’t look up from his tablet. “Schedule it for noon.”

There was a pause. “They’re already gathered.”

That got his attention.

Cassian set the tablet down slowly. “Why?”

Another pause shorter, tighter.

“Photos from last night are circulating,” his assistant said. “You left your own wedding reception. Alone.”

Cassian’s jaw tightened.

“Anything else?” he asked.

“Yes, sir. Mrs. Blackridge”

The word scraped.

“did not return to the residence. Several outlets are reporting that the bride was seen leaving the venue in tears.”

Cassian stood.

The glass wall shifted as he paced toward the window, the city stretching beneath him his kingdom, orderly and obedient.

“How bad?” he asked.

“Public sentiment is… unfavorable,” his assistant admitted. “There are questions about the marriage. And the divorce rumors”

“They’re rumors,” Cassian cut in. “Nothing more.”

“Of course,” she said carefully. “But Mrs. Blackridge’s absence is being noticed.”

Cassian ended the call without another word.

He stared out at the city, a dull irritation spreading through his chest. He had calculated the fallout. Short-term curiosity, nothing more. People would move on.

They always did.

His phone buzzed.

A single message from his mother.

Margot: She refused to cooperate.

Cassian’s fingers curled around the device.

So Avelyn was still being difficult.

He typed a reply, then deleted it.

Instead, he called his lawyer.

“I need the divorce expedited,” he said when the call connected. “No delays.”

“Sir,” Gideon Price replied evenly, “there may be complications.”

Cassian frowned. “Explain.”

“Mrs. Blackridge left without accepting the settlement terms,” Gideon said. “And she hasn’t appointed representation yet.”

Cassian’s irritation sharpened. “That’s her problem.”

“It could become yours,” Gideon said calmly. “An unrepresented spouse attracts scrutiny.”

Cassian ended the call.

Across the city, Avelyn Cross no, Blackridge was becoming inconvenient.

Naomi’s apartment felt smaller by midday.

Not claustrophobic just temporary.

I sat at the small dining table, my laptop open, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. Emails stared back at me. Old contacts. Half-finished applications I’d abandoned when my engagement became official.

A life put on hold.

Naomi leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “You don’t have to decide everything today.”

“I know,” I said. “But I need to do something.”

Doing nothing felt too much like waiting. Like hoping.

And I was done with both.

I clicked open an email draft addressed to a name I hadn’t contacted in years.

Dr. Helena Moore.

My former mentor.

I swallowed and began to type.

Dear Dr. Moore,

It’s been a long time. I hope you’re well…

The words came slowly at first, then faster as something loosened inside me. I told her about leaving the firm, about the research project I’d never finished, about wanting to return not as someone’s wife, but as myself.

I didn’t mention Cassian.

I didn’t need to.

When I hit send, my hands were shaking.

Naomi smiled softly. “That took courage.”

I exhaled. “It shouldn’t have taken losing everything to remember who I was.”

The doorbell rang.

Both of us stiffened.

Naomi glanced through the peephole, then relaxed. “Delivery.”

I frowned. “I didn’t order anything.”

Naomi opened the door and accepted a slim envelope, frowning at the name on the front.

She handed it to me.

From: Blackridge Legal Group

My chest tightened.

Inside was a letter polite, cold, efficient.

A request to meet.

A reminder of discretion.

A suggestion that cooperation would be… appreciated.

I read it once.

Then again.

Slowly, I folded the paper and placed it back in the envelope.

Naomi watched me carefully. “What are you going to do?”

I looked up at her, a strange calm settling over me.

“I’m not running,” I said. “But I’m not bending either.”

Outside, the city moved on, unaware of the quiet shifts taking place within me.

Cassian thought this divorce was a conclusion.

For me, it was a beginning.

And he had no idea what was coming next.