Cassie’s POV I had gone into Emmy’s room as an excuse, but now, I was regretting it. The truth was, I hated leaving things like this.I knew Enzo had questions. Raymond’s abrupt arrival, our private conversation in the kitchen, Enzo walking in on us, it was all unnecessarily raising suspicion. And as if that wasn’t enough, Raymond tried to take a dig at Enzo several times at the dinner table. I didn’t understand why Raymond thought it was okay to show up unannounced. According to him, he couldn’t leave me alone with Enzo after knowing what he did to me. “You are just overreacting.” I told him in the kitchen. “How am I overreacting?” He said, “He choked you in sleep, Cassie. God forbid, you could’ve passed out. Or worse. Anything could have happened. How are you okay with being under the same roof as him?” “What do you suggest then? Should I move in with you?” “Of course, not. Just get him into a facility. Let him get some help.” “No, thank you.” I said, “I know how to help my
Enzo’s POV I kept staring at her, waiting for her to say something. Waiting for her to own up, give me a chance to forgive her. But it was Raymond that spoke first, “She’s a special woman.”I broke away from her eyes to look at him instead. He was looking at her with longing, “You’re a lucky man.” My jaw clenched. Fisting my palms under the table, I brought myself to say, “Are you jealous?” As soon as the words left my mouth, both of them stilled. He peeled his eyes off to look at me, but he revealed no surprise.He was a smart man. He wouldn’t fall for the bait just yet. “Any man would be.” he said, “Don’t you agree?”I smirked. But not any man would kiss your best friend's wife.I opened my mouth to say exactly that when Cassie interjected. “Hello?” She said, “I’m still here.” Raymond let out a dry laugh. “Aren’t you flattered?” “Not in the slightest.” She said, “Can we start eating? I’m starving.” No matter how much I tried, I couldn't wrap my head around this. It was evid
Enzo’s POV I woke up today feeling like shit. My head was hurting like it was hungover, pounding from inside. “Cassie?” I called out loud as I walked out of the bedroom. No response.I fixed myself a cup of coffee and wandered about, only to realize that she was nowhere to be found. And neither was my daughter. Great. She ran away, and she took our daughter with her. Honestly, I didn’t blame her. And it was perhaps for the better. But her laptop was still here. I frowned and walked toward it. Maybe she forgot it. I was about to close the screen when it lit up. And to my surprise, it was a text from Raymond. I didn’t mean to read it, but I couldn’t help it. ‘I can’t stop thinking about our kiss. Please call me.’ My heart sank. My eyes ran over the text once again. And again. And again. Until I was sure that I read what I read. Our kiss. Suddenly, as the words registered in my brain, I felt bile rise up my throat. Stepping away from the laptop, I shut the screen down. I could
I instinctively tightened my scarf around my neck. Shit. How did I forget to cover them? “No.” I said, trying to escape his scrutinizing gaze. “They are.” He said, unnecessarily suspicious. “It’s none of your business, Raymond.” I said, walking away from me. To my surprise, he got up at once and tugged at my scarf. Before I knew it, he pulled it from around my neck, exposing it entirely. “Raymond!” I hissed, but it was too late. He had already seen the bruises. Clenching his jaw, he stepped closer. “Who did this?” I huffed out loudly. “It’s none of your business, Raymond.” “Cassie, don’t be silly.” He frowned, “This is serious. Who the hell tried to choke you?” “I dont talk want to talk about it.” “I’m not going to let you go until I get an answer from you,” he said, “This is not something I can ignore. And nor should you. Christ, did you even tell Enzo?” I gave him a glare. Bloody hell. “Right, you didn’t.” He said, wearing a smug look, “If you won’t tell me who did it,
I knew it was the last thing he had to see, but my instinct made me jump away from him at once. I knew he wouldn't do anything to me now, but the angst of the past few seconds have triggered the fight or flight response in me. I was still trying to fight for my life. “How… when did you even come inside?” He asked, looking at my face in helplessness, “I remember falling asleep alone. I didn’t think… I had no idea it was you. I’m so sorry, Cassie.” “I… I came in just now.” I mumbled, wiping off the sweat that broke onto my forehead. Honestly, I had no idea how to respond, “I wanted to spend the night with you. I thought… I didn’t think you were having these… nightmares…” He shook his head in utter dismay, “This is why I wanted to be alone.” He said, “I knew I was not safe to be around. My mind is not in the right space.” “I get it.” I said, “I get it now.” When the doctor said that Enzo was struggling psychologically, I never imagined that it was like this. This was a proper traum
The last I spoke to Enzo was two days ago.Ever since Enzo came back home, his mental health has gotten worse. He refused to speak to any of us. He refused to step out of his room. Heck, he refused to share the room with me. “I’d like to be alone.” Was all I got in response whenever I asked him what was wrong. Since it was never a good idea to push him, I gave him the space he wanted. I worked from home for two days, ensuring he at least took his food and medication on time. But on the third day, I’d had enough. This could not be his permanent coping mechanism for whatever it was that was happening to him in his head. So for breakfast that day, I forced him to join me. “So,” I started, digging into my smoothie bowl, “Did you look up the shrink I told you about?” He paused eating to look at me, “Yes.” He said, and lowered his eyes once again, “I don’t like her.” “Why?” He shrugged, “No reason.” I sighed, rolling my eyes. “Why don’t you try a session with her? Maybe she’s not