Chapter 13

I didn't say anything as I paused on the stairs.

No. I wouldn't allow whatever they had going on to affect me.

"It's so nice to hear Master Rooke laughing again. Miss Celeste is so good for him. I remember how they used to always laugh like this." I heard maids whisper beneath the stairs.

Ouch.

I clenched the rails as I took a deep breath.

I went downstairs and grabbed water and a pack of Oreos. That was going to be my dinner.

 

It had not been up to 30 minutes when Rose knocked on my door.

"Ma'am?" She opened the door.

"Yes, Rose?"

"Mr. Rooke has asked that you join him for dinner. He is waiting downstairs."

What? What did he want with me?

"Let him know that I am busy."

I saw Rose hesitate before she nodded and left.

Now he wanted to try to reconcile?

I was left alone for the next two hours. I guess Cassian didn't care enough to ask again.

 

After about two hours, I looked into my bag of Oreos. It was finished, and I was still hungry.

Me and my stupid pride.

I hesitantly walked to my door and peeked out. No one was around. I checked my phone, and it was 10 pm. The lights were already turned off. It seemed everyone had already gone to bed.

I carefully walked down the stairs and into the kitchen.

 

Sitting on the counter was packaged food. There was a note attached to it.

'I figured you would be hungry. Don’t starve yourself.'

I didn't say anything as I looked at the note.

Did he really leave food out for me despite me rejecting his offer?

That was.... Thoughtful.

 

I sat down and ate quickly, the food satiating my hunger. I barely ate lunch, and there was no way Oreos would sustain me for the night.

I was almost done when I heard footsteps coming. I almost choked on my food as I hurriedly drank water.

Who was that?

 

The mysterious walker finally entered the kitchen. It was Cassian.

"H.. Hi." I said, my mouth full.

"I see you were really hungry. You shouldn't have starved yourself to avoid me. You could have eaten upstairs." He said, getting himself a glass of juice.

My eyes were fixed on his mask. Did he really wear it all the time, even at night? Did he wear it to sleep too?

"I can feel you staring." He finally said as I looked away.

"About the other night," he began.

"There's really nothing to talk about, unless you want to apologize, of course." I said as nonchalantly as possible.

"Apologize? Why would I apologize?"

I glared at him.

"Seriously, you embarrassed me in front of my friend, and as if that wasn't enough, you got me a babysitter."

"A babysitter? He's a bodyguard. You need protection, and why on earth didn't you tell me about your commuting problems? You've been walking out of the estate every day."

"Oh, I don't know, maybe you were too busy with your woman."

He gave me a look. "This again?"

"Again?" I scoffed. "As I said before, I still don't care what you do with her, but I'm not going to allow you to try to control me or my life."

"I was just looking out for you. If you had money issues, you could have come to me. You didn't have to string yourself up like an accessory for men to prey on."

I gave him a death stare.

"What? Accessory?"

I stood up and walked to him.

"I'm sorry Elara, I didn't mean it-"

"No, you did. You said exactly what was on your mind. I'm sorry I'm not as poised as your precious Celeste."

I stormed off angrily, ignoring his shout for me to wait.

Just when I thought he was a good person or there was at least something growing between us! He just had to mess it up!

I had to stop myself from screaming in frustration when I got to my room.

Why? Why was my life like this?!

 

I looked at my painting. Even this felt wrong. Everything felt wrong!

I burst into tears as I sank to the floor.

No. No. I couldn't live like this.

Was I supposed to stay in limbo while Cassian fooled around and be ready to have a baby in three months? I couldn't do it. I couldn't.

 

I had no idea how much time I had spent on the ground, but I knew I spent enough time to have a headache.

I looked to my canvas. I knew there was no way I could realistically leave this marriage without hell freezing over.

I took a deep breath as I cleaned my tears. I would pour my frustration into my work. That would be a healthy outlet.

The next morning was quite ordinary. I was eating downstairs with Cassian and Celeste for the first time in a while.

"Elara, I was thinking maybe we could go out. Just get to know ourselves as girls. We have hardly spoken since I moved here." Celeste suddenly spoke to me.

I looked up and saw Cassian already looking at me.

"Sorry, I'll be busy." I said curtly.

I saw Cassian frown at me as Celeste pouted. "Okay, then."

Like she didn't know what she was doing. Did she honestly think we could be friends?

 

As I went up to my room to get changed for work, my phone pinged.

A text from Vivienne.

I didn't open it as I had no strength to deal with her half-madness this early in the morning.

When I finished, my phone started ringing.

Vivienne.

She couldn't take a hint, could she?

 

"Hello, Mrs. Rooke. Good morning."

"Elara, where were you? I texted." I heard her annoyed voice.

"I wasn't with my phone." I said, rubbing my temples.

"We need to talk. Meet me for lunch by 1 pm, and you better have good news for me."

Great. I just finished dealing with my crazy husband last night, and now I had to face his mother.

How lovely.