Chapter 2: Her Last Goodbye

“What are you doing? Let me go!” Cassidy shouted, twisting in Jaylord's arms. Her heart pounded with disgust and fear.

Jaylord’s grip tightened as he sneered, “Why fight it, sweetheart? Your mother sold you for thirty thousand dollars. You belong to me now.”

Cassidy froze, shock flooding her chest.

“What…?” Her voice cracked.

Jaylord leaned in, his breath hot and foul. “She’s not even sick. She just wanted your money. But don’t worry. Be a good girl, and maybe I’ll treat you nicely.”

Her head spun. Her mother lied. Sold her. It couldn’t be true.

“Let me see if you’re different from those other women Dylan had,” Jaylord sneered, reaching for her hand.

The haze in Cassidy’s mind cleared. Her stomach twisted with rage. Without thinking, she slammed her forehead into his nose and kicked him hard between the legs.

Jaylord doubled over, groaning in pain.

Cassidy didn’t wait. She bolted for the door.

“Damn it! You dare run?!” Jaylord bellowed, clutching himself as he stumbled after her.

Cassidy ran through the hall, her heart racing. But standing by the door, blocking her escape, was Sameen.

Relief flooded her. “Mom!” She ran to her. “Help me!”

But Sameen only smiled, her eyes cold.

“Dylan never deserved your love, Cassidy. But Mr. Harver? He’s rich. He’ll take care of you.”

The truth slammed into Cassidy like a truck. Jaylord had been right. Her own mother sold her.

Tears blurred her vision as Jaylord’s footsteps echoed closer.

“Mom, please,” Cassidy begged. “Let me go.”

But Sameen's grip tightened, stronger than Cassidy expected. Her frail act disappeared.

“Stop being stubborn. This is for your own good.”

Cassidy’s chest heaved. Her voice broke. “You lied about being sick... just for money.”

Sameen looked away, guilt flickering for half a second.

Inside, she cursed Jaylord. Stupid man. Why tell her the truth?

Suddenly, Jaylord grabbed Cassidy from behind, his hands rough on her waist. His lips pressed against her cheek, thick and wet.

“Help! Let me go!” Cassidy screamed, thrashing in his hold.

Sameen only gripped her wrists tighter.

Cassidy’s eyes burned with fury. With all her strength, she shoved her mother back, elbowed Jaylord, and stomped hard on his foot.

Jaylord roared in pain as she slipped free and ran.

“Idiot! Grab her!” Jaylord shouted.

Cassidy burst out of the hospital doors, the cold air slapping her face. Footsteps thundered behind her.

They can’t catch me. Her legs burned. Her lungs screamed for air. But she didn’t stop.

Then her foot slipped on the wet pavement, sending her crashing to the ground.

“Cassidy, are you okay?” Sameen’s voice asked sweetly, kneeling beside her.

For a moment, Cassidy’s heart flickered with hope. But Sameen’s next words made it shrivel.

“If your face gets ruined, no one will want you. You're useless enough as it is.”

Cassidy’s lips trembled, but before she could respond, Jaylord’s shadow loomed.

“You can run, but I’ll still get what I paid for,” he sneered, reaching for her.

A sleek, black limousine rolled to a stop nearby.

Cassidy's heart leapt with hope. Dylan!

She scrambled toward the car. But as she neared, her heart shattered.

Inside, Dylan sat with Selena. His hand gently cupped Selena’s face, his eyes soft with affection.

“I’m sorry for everything,” Dylan whispered to Selena. “I promise, I’ll treat you better now.”

Selena smiled, resting her head on his shoulder.

Cassidy’s hand pressed against the window. “Dylan…”

Selena’s eyes flicked toward Cassidy. For a moment, concern flashed across her face.

“She needs help,” Selena whispered.

But Dylan’s face hardened. “She already took the money. That’s all I owe her.”

The car pulled away. Mud splashed across Cassidy’s legs as the tires spun.

Her heart cracked, watching the man she once called her husband drive off without a second glance.

Jaylord’s arms closed around her again. Sameen hovered nearby, smug and satisfied.

Cassidy gripped the lamppost beside her, digging her nails into the cold metal. But as Dylan’s car disappeared, she realized…

She was on her own now.

“Cassidy?”

The familiar voice cut through the chaos.

Cassidy's grip on the lamppost faltered. Her legs buckled as Jaylord yanked her back into his arms.

Tears blurred her vision. Her heart clenched tighter than his hold.

“Let her go!” another voice shouted.

“Rodel,” Cassidy gasped, hope flooding her chest.

In seconds, Rodel reached them. He shoved Jaylord aside with enough force to make him stumble. Then, without hesitation, he wrapped Cassidy in his arms, shielding her.

“I called the police,” Rodel said coldly, his sharp eyes fixed on Jaylord. “Get lost.”

Jaylord’s expression twisted with recognition.

“Rodel Helton, Helton Group, right? Our companies work together. You really want trouble?”

Rodel didn’t flinch. His voice stayed low, dangerous. “Try me.”

Jaylord clenched his fists but backed off, cursing under his breath.

Rodel scooped Cassidy into his arms and carried her to his car. Her body trembled, her face pale as snow.

She used to be Dylan’s wife. Now, she looked like a broken doll.

Rodel's jaw tightened as he drove, guilt heavy in his chest.

When they arrived at his house, he gently placed her on the bed.

“Call my private doctor,” he ordered the maid. His voice cracked with worry.

Cassidy drifted in and out of sleep for three days. When she finally opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Rodel’s exhausted face beside her.

His eyes softened with relief.

Tears welled in hers.

The TV played quietly in the background.

“Just three days after the divorce, Dylan Edwards, CEO of the Edwards Group, was seen with his new girlfriend, Selena Johnson.”

Cassidy’s heart twisted.

“Don’t look at that,” Rodel said gently. He picked up an apple from the nightstand. “I bought these for you. Let me peel one.”

His hands moved steadily, the silence between them thick with unspoken words.

They’d known each other since they were kids. She married Dylan. Rodel never got the chance to tell her how he felt.

Tears slipped down her cheeks.

“Rodel,” she whispered, her voice shaky, “I want to go abroad.”

Rodel paused, the apple half-peeled.

“You’ve decided?”

She nodded, her eyes filled with quiet determination.

Rodel didn’t ask why. He didn’t need to. He’d always understood her.

The maids nearby exchanged looks. They had never seen Rodel so patient, so gentle with anyone.

“I’m going abroad,” Cassidy repeated, her voice steadier this time.

Rodel smiled faintly. “Then I’ll come with you.”

She shook her head. “No. I need to go alone.”

For a moment, his face fell. But then, he nodded silently, respecting her choice, even if it hurt.