CHAPTER FIVE

Cane was the first to visibly react to what she said. It was a deep, genuine laughter that came from the belly. He laughed so hard while the women wondered what was so funny about it. 

Caro was annoyed because he was treating what would help her lightly, and Cassie was just impatient. She couldn't wait to get this over and done with.

"Wait, you're fucking serious?" He asked after he sobered up, his easy expression morphing into something sinister. Still, Cassie stood her ground. 

She was genuinely done. She thought she could persevere for her daughter's sake, but it was obvious Caro was not above killing her daughter to get ahead, so yes, she was done. Caro could have him.

"Yes, I want a divorce." She repeated for the third time. "You win, Caro." In a flash, Cane had her by the hair, and she screamed in agony. 

"You stupid bitch!" He sneered as he dragged her along. “You are an exchange deal between me and your father, and you think you can get away from me. I took care of you, fed you, and in return, you gave me a daughter and asked for a divorce? I have half a mind to strangle you, stupid cunt!"

"Cane, if she wants to leave, let her leave, no?" Caro yelled after them.

"Shut up, Caro, and get out of my sight." He snapped. Caro watched him drag her out of sight with a huff. Seriously, what was so good about her that he wouldn't just divorce her?

Here she was. She gave him a whole son, yet he wouldn't make her his Luna?"

Cane's destination was the basement, and when he got there, he flung Cassie in, then followed. "Say that to me again."

"I want..." The rest of her words were lost in a scream. Cane hit her head on the wall repeatedly. When he stopped, she was a mess, whimpering at his feet for mercy.

"Please, let me see my daughter."

Cane bent to her level and smiled cruelly. "Keep asking for a divorce, and I will do just that. Except you're leaving without your stupid daughter." With those words, he left her alone in the basement.

While Cassie suffered in the basement, her two-year-old daughter went through a bone-resetting surgery on her own. Cassie could feel her pain, and it only added to her suffering that she couldn't get to her.

She spent a week in the basement with nothing in her belly. Her wolf shut down from exhaustion. She would have ended her own life if not for Maria.

Unknown to her, Aser was already plotting how he was going to get her out of the Red Mansion. Ever since she got married, he has planted someone to keep an eye on her.

He only received periodic updates from his contact, but three days ago, he received more than an update. "She asked for a divorce. She's been locked up, and her daughter has been taken from her." 

That was all the sign he needed. "Hold on, my queen. I will be there soon."

It was Cane that shook her awake the morning she completed her week in the basement. 

"I hope you've learned your lesson."

"My daughter? How is she?"

"I'm glad you asked because the next time you ask me for a divorce, I will ship Mary abroad faster than you can say Jack, and then you will be locked up in here forever. There's no way out of this for you, you hear me?"

"Her name is Maria."

"I say, do you hear me?" 

"Yes, my Lord!" He gripped her chin painfully, not letting go until she nodded her obedience. 

She was a mess when she got back to her floor, but whatever pain she was in disappeared the moment she laid her eyes on her sleeping daughter. 

Her resolve didn't waver. She was going to leave him, but she was going to have to be smarter about it. Cane didn't make any empty threats. He was really going to ship her baby abroad. 

Cassie had only her determination, she had no idea how she was going to break free from this prison called Red Mansion. 

One afternoon, while she was plotting ways to leave. Her phone pinged with a text from an unknown contact.

"I can help you escape." She swore and jumped off the bed. She was paranoid as hell. This text was very convenient as hell. She looked around the room to see if it was bugged or something. She didn't find anything.

She decided to ignore the message. It was probably a trap from Cane to see if she would try to leave him. That was something he could do. Or, Caro. She could be setting her up to show Cane.

The offer was tempting, but she had to be wise. She was desperate, yes, but not enough to lose her daughter over it. On the other side of the phone, Aser stared at their text thread impatiently. 

About two hours later, she received another text that made her hands shake. 

"I'm going to help you only if you help me." The text said, conveying just how impatient he was.

"How can I help you?" She decided to play along. Two could play the game. 

"I know about your talent." Aser texted.

She gasped when she read the text. Now, she was certain that this person was playing a terrible prank on her. The only people who knew anything about her secret talent were her father and half-brothers. Except something told her it was none of these people.

Which begged the question. "Who are you?"

"Accept the deal and find out."

"What do you intend to gain in return?"

"I could use someone of your talent for myself." Aser was smiling on the other side. She was smart not to trust him immediately. She was sharp as ever.

After a long deliberation, she decided to throw caution to the wind. Sooner or later, she would have to take a risk if she ever dreamed of leaving the mansion in one piece.

"You scratch my back and I scratch yours." Aser sent to help her make up her mind.

It took her hours before she responded, and when she did, it was positive.

"Matthew, set up the plan!" Aser gave the order to his right-hand man.