Chapter 5~The Change Of Heart

Cassian’s POV

The door slam echoes in my apartment long after she’s gone.

I lean against it, eyes closed, her words replaying like a bad dream. “Please. One week. I’ll do anything.” Her voice was raw, breaking on the edges. Her eyes were desperate, shining with tears she wouldn’t let fall. I’ve seen that look before. On my mother’s face the day she left. But Elodie Voss isn’t my mother. She’s just a neighbour. A baker. A woman with a bakery that's failing.

I push off the door and walk to the kitchen. The apartment is silent. Too silent. I moved to Snowhaven two months ago to escape exactly this, the family pressure, the endless board meetings, the arranged dates my father kept setting up. “You need an heir, Cassian. The Hart empire won’t run itself.” I came here for a break. For quiet. Not for her.

But her bakery treats have become my only comfort. Every morning, I look forward to ordering through her app. Something that feels like a home I never had. I run a hand through my hair.

My phone buzzes. A message from my father.

“Update on the acquisition. MamiSweet Bakery is prime for takeover. Sign the papers, or I’ll handle it myself.”

I ignore it. The plan was simple: buy the distressed asset, flip it into a Hart franchise. But that was before I knew her name. Before I fixed her oven that night, she was in her flour-dusted apron, thanking me like I’d saved the world. Before I saw how she smiles through everything, even when it’s killing her. 

But moments ago, that smile was nowhere to be seen, only desperation and anguish filled her eyes. I can’t allow myself to help her, not when I will be the one who will bring her the greatest pain. 

I go to bed still thinking of the dark-skinned baker with blue eyes and curly hair that I want to run my hands through.

The next day, I decided to stay inside and work from home. I check my email to see a lot of emails to attend to, and I begin work right away. By evening, I hear a knock. Soft. Hesitant. I have a feeling it's her, so I don’t answer.

The day after. When I step out for my early morning jog, I spot a Mamisweet bakery box on my porch. I open it, and I see one of my favourites in her store, the caramelised shredded pancakes, and it’s still warm. A note is attached,

 “Please reconsider. I will do anything.”

 I set it on the counter, staring at the very delicious lure. I couldn't resist the smell anymore. I scoop a spoon into my mouth, and the taste hits me instantly. The sweetness instantly calms my mind. I almost knock on her door, accepting her deal. Almost. 

My father’s voice rings in my head, “Never bring emotions to business. That's a sign of weakness.” 

She’s fighting for her bakery and her family. I’m fighting to keep mine from crushing hers. The acquisition plan looms like a shadow. I sign it, and she loses everything. I don’t sign it, and I defy the empire I’m set to inherit.

The following days, she continues to drop the boxes on my porch, but this time, I don't take them in, ignoring them on the porch. 

This continued until the night before she left for the retreat. I stare at the open acquisition draft on my laptop. She didn’t leave anything on my porch today.  My father’s signature line waits on the draft. I hover over the sign slot for a minute, thinking what would happen after I sign this. I closed the laptop, deciding to think more about it tomorrow.

It’s the morning of the next day. I watch from my window while sipping my morning coffee as she loads her suitcase into the car. Shoulders slumped. She pauses, looks toward my door one last time. It felt like someone was squeezing my heart in a vice grip at the resignation on her face and I couldn’t bear it anymore. I dropped my coffee and stepped out of my house. Just as she was about to enter her car, I called out to her,

“Hold on. Elodie” She turns to me, eyes wide and hopeful.

“I changed my mind,” I say, voice low. “I’ll do it. But only if you accept my three non-negotiable demands.”

She stares. “What demands?”

I step closer. “First, NO feelings involved” 

“That should not be a problem”, she raises her eyebrow, scanning me from head to toe. Liar. I caught her eyes lingering when she felt I was not watching.

“Second, my business or what I do in my personal life stays private to me.” 

She nods quickly, “That will also not be a problem”

“And for the third one, I will tell you about that when the time comes”

She nods, smiling so wide her one-sided dimple is showing, “Okay, I accept your demands.” 

“We have a deal. You can go on, I won't be joining you today. I will meet you at the resort tomorrow. Text me the address.”

“Tomorrow?”

“I have some things to settle before I go”, I tell her, opening her car door for her to go in.

For reasons I can’t name yet, I’m helping her.

And it feels like the first real choice I’ve ever made, I feel good and alive about it.

“Tell your parents that your Fiance will be arriving tomorrow, as he has important things to tie up before coming.” I lean down and peck her on her cheek, smelling caramel and pineapple on her skin. I think I just found my favourite scent. I want to just hug her all day so that I keep smelling her. I tuck her hair behind her ear as I stand back up.

She freezes, reaching her hand to touch her cheek, she looks to me eyes wide. I shut her car door, amused.

“If this is the way you will react whenever this happens, I wonder what you will do when we pretend kiss.”

Her face turns red, and she quickly drives out. I smirk and return to my apartment. This will be a rollercoaster.