Chapter 5

•Scott POV•

I stared at my phone screen, restless, as I dialed Cassie’s number again. The call went straight to voicemail before disconnecting. My chest tightened. She must have blocked me.

“Damn it,” I muttered, shoving a hand through my hair. A rough breath left my lips.

What have I done? This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. I had spent months planning how to tell her in a way that wouldn’t break her, but it didn’t matter. No matter how I said it, she would still end up hurt. 

“Scott, is this resort better or should we look for a different place for our honeymoon?” Layla’s voice broke my thoughts. She leaned against me on the couch, her head resting on my shoulder. Her perfume filled my nose, sweet but suffocating.

“It’s not bad,” I said without looking.

She raised her head, her eyes narrowing. “You didn’t even check to know the one I was talking about. What’s the problem, Scott?” She hissed and rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re still thinking about Cassie.”

Her words stung. I pushed up from the couch, standing tall. “I’m not. You can discuss the honeymoon with your mother. I’ve got something else to deal with.”

I walked toward the door, my chest heavy.

“Scott, honey,” Layla rushed after me. “You didn’t even look at the pictures. This is supposed to be our special moment.”

I didn’t answer. My thoughts were too clouded. I needed air, space, anything to get away from this. I gripped the handle of my car door, ready to leave, when the sound of engines filled the driveway.

Two black Mercedes pulled up fast. My stomach dropped. Without being told, I already knew who it was.

The driver stepped out first, quickly opening the back door. Layla’s father climbed out. His face was stone, his steps heavy as he came straight to me. I lowered my head in greeting, but when I raised it—

Smack!

The slap cracked across my cheek, sharp and stinging. I stumbled back, my jaw tightening from the blow. It stung worse than Cassie’s slap.

“How dare you, Scott!” Mr. Kendrick’s voice was thunder.

“I’m sorry, Mr Kendrick,” I managed, lowering my gaze again. I knew at once Layla had told him something.

“Dad, no! It’s not his fault,” Layla cried, rushing to stand between us. “It was that bitch, Cassie. She tricked him to marry her and made a scene. I already told Antonio to take it down.”

Her words hit me harder than the slap. I turned to her, my voice low. “Take what down?”

Layla’s eyes flickered. She looked away briefly before whispering, “The video. Someone filmed what happened at the ring store. It’s all over the internet.”

My eyes widened as my heart sank.

Mr. Kendrick’s glare burned into me. “When you came for my daughter, I accepted you because I thought you were a decent man. But after this? With the media, with everyone talking about you and that woman—” He spat the word like it was poison. “—I’m calling off the wedding.”

“No, Dad!” Layla grabbed his arm, her voice breaking. “Please, don’t do this. Scott loves me. He didn’t mean for this to happen.” She looked at him desperately. “He’s not like that. Please.”

But Mr. Kendrick shook her off. “Layla, enough! Do you have any idea how this makes our family look? The Kendricks don’t live in shame.” His tone left no room for argument.

I stepped forward, trying to steady my voice. “Sir, please, listen. I can fix this. Just give me time—”

He raised a hand sharply, cutting me off. “Don’t. Don’t say another word. You’re not fixing anything.”

“Dad, please!” Layla’s voice cracked. Tears rolled down her face as she clung to his sleeve. “Don’t call off the wedding. I love him!”

But Mr Kendrick didn't listen to his daughter, he turned to his bodyguards. “Take her to the car.”

“No!” Layla screamed as one bodyguard gripped her arm. She kicked and pulled, but he dragged her toward the Mercedes. “Dad, please, I beg you! Scott!” Her cries pierced me, clawing at my chest.

“Sir, don’t do this!” I stepped closer, but his glare froze me in place.

“You,” he warned, pointing a finger at me, “stay away from my daughter. Unless you know the right plug to pull, Kendrick Motor investment is gone. Consider this your last warning.”

His words cut deep. My lips parted, but nothing came out. I could only watch helplessly as Layla fought against the bodguard, her screams echoing. “Scott! Don’t let them take me!”

Her father didn’t look back as he got into the car. The engines roared, and just like that, they were gone.

I stood frozen in the driveway, my face burning where his hand had struck me. My chest was heavy with regret. In seconds, I had lost everything, Layla, the wedding, the deal with Kendrick Motor.

I dragged a hand down my face, feeling the sting of both the slap and my choices. What was left now?

My mind spun to Cassie.

I pulled out my phone again, dialing her number with shaky hands. Straight to voicemail. Again. And again.

“Cassie,” I whispered to myself, but the silence on the other end answered louder than words.

I slammed the phone shut, gripping the steering wheel as I slid into my car. My knuckles whitened as I pounded the leather with my fist.

“Damn it!”

I started the engine, my mind racing. If Cassie had block me, there's only one place she would be and that's with her bestfriend, Tamara. 

I drove fast, the city lights blurring past as my heart hammered. Over and over, I whispered to myself, “She’ll be there. She has to be there.”

By the time I pulled up outside Tamara’s house, the night was still and heavy. I jumped out, rushed to the door, and knocked hard. 

The door creaked open, and Mrs. Brown appeared, her robe wrapped tight around her. Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Scott?”

“Mr Brown, sorry for disturbing. Is Cassie here?” My voice came out rushed, desperate.

She blinked, surprised. “No, I haven’t seen her. Why? Is everything alright?”

I froze, swallowing hard. The words caught in my throat. 

“No, Mrs brown. She's hadn't come home since she left this afternoon,” I muttered, my voice low. “I’m just worried.”

Mrs. Brown studied me, her face softening. “Scott…” she started, but I stepped back quickly.

“Thank you,” I said, forcing the words. Then I turned away.

Back in the car, I gripped the wheel with both hands, slamming my palm against it. The

horn honked loud in the quiet night. My chest burned as regret sank in.

Where could Cassie be now?