Chapter 3

•Cassie POV•

I felt like all the strength in me had drained out as I pushed open the door and stepped into the silence of the house.

The familiar scent of home hit me, but it no longer felt comforting. Instead, it mocked me, reminding me of the dreams I once had. The picture of Scott and I raising kids here, building a perfect family. That picture was now shattered, leaving only pain behind.

I collapsed onto the couch, dropping my car keys on the table. Covering my face with my palms, I cried until my chest ached. How could I have been so blind? So stupid? I hadn’t even suspected him. I had swallowed every lie he fed me, believing in the man who was nothing but a stranger in my bed.

The ache in my chest burned deeper the more I thought about it. I had poured my soul into planning Layla’s wedding, the long nights, the early mornings, making sure everything was perfect. And all along, the groom was my husband. My own Scott. The cruelest slap life could give me.

My phone buzzed again in my pocket, but I ignored it. Whoever it was, I didn’t care. The call rolled into voicemail.

Then Layla father's voice filled the air.

“Cassie Newman, my daughter just told me about your behavior at the ring store. I’m disappointed. For a top wedding planner, this is unexpected. I know you don’t want to pick up my call, but you better return to planning my daughter’s wedding, or I’ll make sure your reputation is ruined.”

The message ended, his threat hanging in the room like a blade over my neck.

I sank deeper into the couch, drowning in loneliness. I didn’t even recognize myself anymore. My life had turned into a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from.

“Cassie, I’m sorry.”

I froze. Scott’s voice echoed from the doorway before he barged into the living room.

He looked a mess, his hair sticking up like he’d run his hands through it a hundred times. His eyes, full of guilt, locked on me. “I know I messed up,” he said quickly. “I just… I didn’t want you to find out like this.”

I lifted my head, my tear-stained face meeting his. For a moment, that flicker of softness in me almost surfaced. But then, the image of his hand intertwined with Layla’s flashed in my mind, and it hardened me all over again.

“You were waiting for the right time to break me,” I whispered, my voice raw.

“No, Cassie. It’s not like that,” he muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“Then what is like, Scott?” My voice cracked.

He hesitated, his eyes darting away. “I didn’t want to hurt you too much. But since you’ve found out… I hope you can forgive me. For not being the husband you always wanted.”

Forgive him? After five years? Rage rose in me, giving me a strength I didn’t know I still had. Tears blurred my vision as I shot to my feet. “Forgive you? That’s all you have to say?” My voice trembled, but it carried fire. “Where is it?”

“Where’s what?” His brow furrowed.

“The divorce letter,” I snapped.

He looked lost, like he didn’t even know what I was talking about. “Cassie…”

“Don’t Cassie me!” My chest heaved as anger shook me. “If you’re going to stand here and throw me a pity party with your sorry, then it’s your loss. You wanted to divorce me, didn’t you? I’m sure you already have the papers ready!”

“Cassie, are you okay?” His voice was cautious now, his eyes full of fear, like he thought I was losing my mind. He stepped closer, reaching for me, but I shoved his hand away.

“Where is it?” I demanded.

“It’s right here,” another voice chimed in from the doorway.

I spun around to see Layla strutting in, a smug smile plastered across her face, a brown envelope in her hand.

“Layla, stay out of this,” Scott snapped.

“Why should I?” She laughed, sauntering closer. “She wants the divorce so bad, so let’s give it to her. After all, we’re getting married next week. The sooner she’s out of the picture, the better.” Her eyes slid over me with disgust.

I felt like I’d been stung. My chest tightened as she extended the envelope toward me with a smirk.

I snatched it from her hand, pulled the papers out, and slammed them onto the table. My hand shook as I picked up the pen she tossed beside it, but I signed anyway. My name bled across the page like the final nail in a coffin.

“Cassie—” Scott started, stepping toward me.

But I didn’t let him finish. I grabbed the papers and shoved them hard against his chest. “You can rot in hell, Scott. I swear you’ll regret this. Karma will find you.” My voice was sharp, broken, filled with every ounce of pain I carried.

Turning away from them, I stormed toward the stairs to gather my things.

“Goodbye, Cassie,” Layla sang, her laugh echoing behind me.

•••

An hour and a half later, everything still felt like it was spinning. I was dizzy, drained, and hollow as I stood in front of Tamara’s apartment. After sending her a message, I couldn’t bear to stay another minute in that house.

The moment the door opened, Tamara’s mom rushed toward me. Her arms wrapped around me in a warm hug that nearly broke me all over again.

“Oh, Cassie…” she murmured, her voice soft, her embrace comforting. “It’s alright. Everything will be alright.”

I sniffled against her shoulder, letting her guide me inside. The cab driver who brought me had already dropped my things at the entrance. It was all I had left. I didn’t take anything from Scott. Not the gifts, not the jewelry, not even the clothes he bought me. I wanted no trace of him.

“Thank you, Mrs. Brown,” I whispered weakly.

“Of course, dear.” She gave me a kind smile. “I’ll make you some tea.”

She walked off toward the kitchen, leaving me to sit in the quiet of their living room. My chest still hurt, but her warmth made me feel a little less alone.

The front door suddenly swung open, and Tamara rushed inside. Her eyes widened as soon as she saw me. Tears brimmed in her lashes.

“Oh my God, Cassie.” Her voice cracked. “I thought it was just the divorce… but this, this is worse than I imagined.”

I looked up at her, my heart thudding painfully as fear crept into me. What did she mean? What else could possibly be worse than this?