Chapter 7

“Mom… have you ever thought about being with Daddy Helton?” Noel asked, his head resting on Cassidy’s lap.

Cassidy sat on the couch, both boys curled up between her arms, their warmth pressed against her. Her eyes softened as she looked down at them.

“Do you really think that’s… appropriate?” she asked seriously.

Nardy spoke up, his voice calm but firm. “Mom, your life isn’t just about me and Noel. It’s about you too.”

“And besides,” Noel added with a playful pout, “the reason we even came back… was to find our real dad.”

His small fists clenched, but he kept the words to himself — We’ll make him pay for hurting you, Mom.

But Dylan’s face flashed through his mind, that cold, disgusted expression.

"You’re trash, Cassidy."

Was that really how he saw her?

“Mommy, look.” Noel suddenly sat up, holding out the iPad. The screen showed the latest entertainment headline:

“CEO of Edwards Group abuses fiancée — Helton Group heir linked to Dylan Edwards’ ex-wife.”

Cassidy froze, her eyes scanning the words again.

“Mom? You okay?” Noel’s voice was full of worry.

Cassidy’s heart raced — not because of the attention… but because they were controlling her story now.

Dylan’s ex-wife.

That’s all I am to them.

She searched her name on the news site. Her face stared back at her under bold headlines.

“It’s late. Go to bed,” she whispered, her voice steady but tight.

The twins exchanged a look, sensing her breaking point. Without another word, they climbed the stairs.

Upstairs, Noel whispered, “Nardy… Dylan Edwards is our dad.”

Nardy’s jaw tightened. “Yeah… but I won’t let him hurt Mom again.”

The two boys huddled together, whispering their plan. Noel grinned mischievously. “Perfect… just what we should do.”

Downstairs, Cassidy stared at the screen, at Selena’s photo, her expression pale and cornered.

But her mind drifted to six years ago… that rainy day… Selena in her pretty dress… smiling sweetly as she was “kindly” asked to leave.

And now?

Now, Selena had set her up.

People changed. Selena certainly had. But Dylan?

His hatred for her never faded.

Cassidy’s heart ached. “What did I do… to deserve this?” she whispered to the empty room.

She set the iPad aside, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet of the house Rodel loaned her.

Her eyes drifted to the shelf, to her first international design award. The glint of the trophy reminded her — she wasn’t that fragile girl anymore.

Tomorrow, she told herself, I’ll start over. Dylan… Selena… I’ll let them go. Their lives aren’t my concern anymore.

Meanwhile, at the Edwards estate…

Selena sobbed, her eyes red, her body trembling as Dylan held her gently.

“Someone set me up,” she cried. “I swear, I didn’t know Harvey would—”

“Shh.” Dylan brushed a hand over his brow, exhaustion in his eyes. “I’ll deal with Harvey. You… just stay calm. For the baby.”

Selena bit her lip, her stomach twisting.

Harvey begged to come… he wanted to break into high society… but… would he really do that in front of so many people?

It was a trap… but who?

Cassidy’s face flashed in her mind. Cold. Quiet. Dangerous.

“Is this her doing?” Selena whispered to herself, fear blooming in her chest.

“Everything was fine when she was living quietly abroad…” Selena’s voice trembled, her eyes wet with frustration. “Now she comes back… and all this happens.”

Dylan stayed silent, his eyes sharp.

“She’s to blame, Dylan. I know it,” Selena whispered.

Dylan gently took her hands. “If it’s not Harvey… then who?”

Selena hesitated. “You… won’t be angry if I tell you?”

“Why would I?” Dylan asked, his voice soft, but his gaze unreadable.

Selena bit her lip, then said carefully, “I think… it’s Cassidy.”

The moment the name left her lips, Dylan’s patience snapped.

“Why do you keep bringing her up?” His tone was cold, eyes narrowing.

Selena’s heart jumped. “Are you… mad at me? I won’t say it again, I—”

“No.” Dylan’s jaw tightened. “Why Cassidy? Why do you suspect her?”

A flicker of cunning lit up in Selena’s eyes. She lowered her lashes, playing the helpless victim. “She almost pushed me to the ground today… I know she hates me. Everything was fine before she showed up… but now… strange things keep happening. I don’t want to think badly of her but—”

Dylan fell quiet, considering her words.

It makes sense, he thought. Harvey wouldn’t risk his partnership with me like that. Someone set him up… and right now… Cassidy is the only suspect.

“Dylan?” Selena’s voice wavered, pulling him from his thoughts. Her eyes shimmered with tears. “I know Cassidy resents me for keeping you away from her. I… I’m sorry. Am I… just a burden to you?”

Tears rolled down her cheeks, her pitiful expression cutting straight through Dylan’s defenses.

“Don’t say that,” Dylan replied firmly, wiping her tears. “If she really did this… I’ll make sure she pays for it.”

Selena hesitated, but her voice was soft, calculated. “Am I being… unreasonable?”

“You?” Dylan scoffed. “You’re the kindest woman I’ve ever met. If anyone dares to hurt you… they’ll regret it.” His eyes darkened, his anger simmering. Cassidy… how dare you humiliate me in public?

“Enough for today,” he whispered. “Rest.”

Selena nodded, reaching for him. “Stay with me?”

Dylan carried her to her room, but after settling her down, he left. She’d insisted — no sharing a bed until marriage.

Back in his own room, Dylan grabbed his phone.

“David… I need Cassidy’s address. Now.

 The next morning…

Cassidy packed her bag as Noel and Nardy hovered nearby.

“Noel, Nardy, stay home, okay? Mommy’s off to work at Dad Helton’s company. I’ll come pick you up at lunch.”

The twins kissed her cheeks in unison.

“Take care, Mommy!” they chirped together.

Cassidy smiled, ruffling their hair. “Good boys.”

Moments after the door closed, Noel turned to Nardy. “Wanna take the Ferrari?”

“No way — too flashy. We’ll go with this.” Nardy tapped his smartwatch, and a sleek, electric kids’ racing car rose from a hidden spot in the garden.

“You charged it?”

“Of course. Let’s roll.”

The boys jumped in, giggling as they zipped across the yard and slipped away unnoticed.

Meanwhile…

Cassidy stood by the roadside, checking her phone as a call from Rodel came through.

“Cassidy? Need me to pick you up?”

“I’m waiting for the bus. I’ll be there soon.”

She never noticed the dark minibus creeping closer.

The van screeched to a halt beside her. Hands grabbed her before she could scream, yanking her inside.

“Let me go!” Cassidy shouted, struggling wildly. “Who are you?!”

Her phone clattered to the ground, still connected. Rodel’s panicked voice crackled from the speaker.

“Cassidy?! What happened? Cassidy?!”

Cassidy’s voice broke through the line — “Let go of me! Who are you—”

Then static.

Rodel bolted to his feet, dread clawing at his chest. “Cassidy?!”

He grabbed his jacket, racing out the door. The elevator was too slow — he slammed the stairwell door open and took the stairs two at a time.

Inside the van…

Cassidy’s wrists were bound, a cloth tied tightly around her eyes. She kicked and struggled, but a rough voice snapped, “Shut up.”

“You’re breaking the law! You’ll regret this—”

A slap cracked across her face, leaving her cheek burning.

Cassidy clenched her fists, fear and fury building in her chest as the van sped off into the unknown.