LOGIN“Your pregnancy support team.” Dante replied cheerfully. Cassandra's eyes widened. “Pregnancy care team? What's even that?” Dante gestured at the ladies and they quickly filed out of the door as swiftly as they had come in. “I made sure they were all verified before hiring them.” He reassured her.“I get that they are verified, but why hire them?” Cassandra asked, still in disbelief. “To take care of you.” Cassandra opened her mouth but she was too stunned to say a word. “You can test their skills later, and if you are not satisfied with anyone, you can fire and hire someone else.” He added, barely noticing Cassandra's bewilderment. “Mr. Caldwell, I think you should…” “Babe, What's going on here?” Clara's voice cut through the room as she stormed in in a bathrobe and messy hair. “Who are those ladies in the living room?” Dante turned to face her, “I was just explaining to your sister. They are the pregnancy care team.” “What? What care team?” Clara questioned, surprised, “Wh
The security guard in front of the Caldwell mansion opened the gates, forcing Clara to take the wheel again and drive into the compound.When the car came to a halt again, Cassandra dropped the papers on her lap, “I have to give it to you, Clara. You're really good at lying that I sometimes find myself believing your bullshit.” Clara clenched her teeth, avoiding Cassandra's gaze, “I don't know what you are talking about.” “Back in college, you and Sera were the only ones who knew about my online boyfriend. Funny how only one of you ended up married to him.” Cassandra explained, “Do you really think I was stupid enough not to realize you were the one who deleted my profile?” Clara swallowed, pinching her thigh. “You were already engaged to my ex-fiance then, but you just had to have him too, right?” Cassandra questioned. “Nathan fell into a fucking coma. Did you expect me to remain tied to him?” Clara snapped angrily at her. But Cassandra didn't flinch, instead, a hollow laugh es
“We are your parents. Do you think we’d run away because of a mere $5M? What part of ‘we do not have any more cash to spare’ do you not understand?” Bernard complained bitterly, his eyes red with anger. But Cassandra didn't even look at him as her eyes remained glued to the piano playing on the TV, her finger tapping on her suitcase in rhythm. “You know the Horizon project has drained all our cash flow. If we move another $5M, we will be completely broke before the next dividends arrive.” He explained despite his anger, “Give us a few months and you can get your balance.”“Why don't you ask your favourite daughter for help? Her husband is a billionaire.” Cassandra reminded him, still not looking away.“Cassie, since when did you become so unreasonable?” Evelyn chimed in, practically pacing around the living room. Cassandra’s head snapped towards her direction, her eyes red, “I’m unreasonable?” “You’re making me carry your precious daughter's child and I am the unreasonable one bec
By the time Dante was done sorting out the bills, Cassandra was already in the car, her nails digging into her palm. She was trying her best to forget the past, but he always managed to ruin it with every conversation. Cassandra sighed, “I can't believe I have to live with these two for almost a year.” She leaned back on the chair, massaging the back of her neck. Just then, the car door clicked open and Dante entered. Cassandra quickly adjusted in her chair, turning her gaze to the window. Dante stared at her quietly. He knew something was wrong, and he also knew not to bring it up again. Instead he adjusted the angle of the chair, noticing her discomfort. Cassandra glanced briefly at him, then turned her gaze away. No other words were exchanged for the next thirty minutes that it took to drive into the Hart’s home. “I still have to pack my things. I will come over by myself later in the evening.” Cassandra said as she stepped out of the car. Dante also stepped out, nodding
“...pregnant.”The word echoed in Cassandra's ears again. Her hand fled to her stomach again. She still felt normal. It didn't look like anything had changed, yet her life was about to take a completely different trajectory. She glanced at Dante who seemed to have already gotten the information before her. He was grinning from ear to ear, his eyes fixed on her stomach. “This is such great news. Thank you.” He said, his eyes finally shifting to Cassandra’s face. She gave a small smile and nodded. Cassandra always thought this news would be like every other news to her. No emotions, no attachment. But somehow, it tugged at her heart. After months of trying in the past, and weeks of trying now, she was finally pregnant. It wasn't her child, but her body was still the one carrying it. She would be the one experiencing the pregnancy symptoms, the hormonal changes and, eventually, the pain of childbirth.In some strange way, that made her a mother too. “My part here is almost done
SEVEN DAYS LATERCassandra dropped a single piece of flower on the grave slab and stared blankly at the tombstone for a while. Nathan Smith. 19/05/2023. He was her ex-husband, but somehow, staring at his grave didn't stir any emotions.Except maybe…pain.It felt like she was staring at a stranger, except he wasn't. At least not completely. Cassandra had only seen him conscious once. The day her parents forced her to give up her engagement to him to Clara. Her grandma had prepared it for her, but her parents decided Clara was a better suitor…until he had an accident. The next time she saw him again, he was lying motionless on the bed with tubes helping him to breath. That day, she had just become his bride. “Cassie, dear.” Mrs. Smith’s voice came from behind her as she halted just beside Cassandra. Behind them a few relatives who had come to pay their respects were already walking out of the gates of the cemetery, escorted by Mr. Smith. “Thanks for coming, really.” Mrs. Smith







