Chapter 7

I tossed and turned in the big, soft bed for what felt like hours. The luxury around me should have made me sleep like a baby, but my mind wouldn’t rest. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Cassian’s cold gray eyes and Hanna’s angry face. Finally, I couldn’t bear it anymore. I sat up and switched on the bedside lamp.

I didn’t know if there were cameras or listening devices hidden in the guest house. Rich people like Cassian probably watched everything. I had to be careful. I pulled out my old phone from my bag and took several pictures of the beautiful room — the large bed, the expensive furniture, the sparkling bathroom I could see through the open door. I sent them all to my mom with a short message: “I’m inside. Guest house for now.”

Less than five minutes later, my phone buzzed with her reply.

Marie: “Good girl. Stay safe. Come visit me tomorrow. I have something important to tell you.”

I typed back quickly: “I don’t know if I can leave in the morning, but don’t worry. I will come tomorrow.”

I added: “Get some sleep and take your drugs, Mom. I love you.”

She sent a simple “Okay” and a heart emoji. That was rare for her. Marie wasn’t the emotional type anymore — not after everything she had suffered.

I stood up, stretched my sore body, and walked into the kitchen area of the guest house. My mouth fell open again. The kitchen was bigger than my entire old apartment. Shiny marble counters, a huge fridge, a fancy coffee machine, and rows of expensive plates and glasses. Everything looked brand new and untouched.

I opened the cupboards and found only instant noodles, some eggs, and a few snacks. Nothing fancy. I smiled to myself. Even in this rich place, they kept simple food in the guest house.

I boiled water and made myself a bowl of noodles. As I sat at the small table and ate, my mind wandered.

Cassian had said he would find me a room in the main house soon. But honestly, I would rather stay here in the guest house. It gave me more privacy. I could move freely, talk to Marie without worry, and plan my next steps without anyone watching too closely. The main house felt too dangerous — too many eyes, too many chances to make a mistake.

But there were two other people I really wanted to meet soon.

Darren Fletcher and Hans Walter.

The two friends who had helped Cassian destroy my mother twenty years ago. The ones who had beaten her, raped her, and laughed while doing it. I wanted to see their faces. I wanted to watch them fall apart the same way they made my mother fall.

A slow, cold smile came to my lips as I finished the last bite of noodles.

I washed the bowl and spoon carefully, dried them, and put everything back exactly as I found it. No traces. Then I went back to the bed, lay down, and closed my eyes.

Sleep came easier this time.

I was exactly where I needed to be.

---

**Main House – Cassian’s Room**

Cassian walked out of the bathroom, water still dripping from his dark hair. He wore only a towel around his waist. Hanna was sitting up in bed, arms crossed, her face still twisted with anger. She hadn’t stopped talking about the girl since I arrived.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and looked at her with tired eyes.

“What do you want from me, Hanna?” he asked quietly.

Hanna’s voice rose. “I feel like you’re changing, Cassian. Like you don’t want me anymore. You bring some random poor girl into our home without even asking me first!”

Cassian gave a small, tired smile. “We’ve been together for twenty-nine years. We grew up together, dated for years, and now we’ve been married for five. I have never brought any woman into this house before. You know that.”

Hanna looked away, still fuming. “Then why now? Why her?”

“I have my reasons for bringing Hazel here,” Cassian said calmly. “She’s not just any girl. Her life is in real danger. That’s all you need to know.”

Hanna’s eyes narrowed. “What reasons? Tell me!”

“That’s not for you to worry about,” he replied. His voice was cold again. “I have a lot of work to do tonight. I’ll sleep in the study.”

He stood up, put on his black pajamas, and walked toward the door without another word.

Hanna stared into space for a long time after he left. The room felt too quiet. Anger burned in her chest, but something else was there too — suspicion.

She knew there was something about that Hazel girl that didn’t sit right. Was Cassian cheating on her with that dirty little waitress? Or did the girl have another motive for approaching him? Cassian was too blind to see it if she did.

She couldn’t let her money bag fall into someone else’s hands. Not after all these years.

Hanna picked up her phone from the bedside table. Her fingers moved quickly as she typed a message to her private girls’ group chat — the circle of rich wives and socialites she had known since school.

“Girls, come to my house tomorrow morning. It seems my husband is taking a mistress. Need your advice.”

Several messages poured in almost immediately.

“Oh my God, Hanna! Is it true?”

“Who is she? Some gold digger?”

“We’ll be there early. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.”

Hanna read the replies with a wicked smirk on her face. She closed the phone and placed it back on the table.

She lay down, pulled the silk covers over herself, and closed her eyes.

Let them come tomorrow.

She would not let some poor orphan ruin her perfect life.