Chapter 5

Cassian POV

I grabbed her by the waist and kissed her.

I didn’t stop to think. Didn’t care about logic or restraint. I just needed to feel her. To feel my wife.

It was reckless. Raw. Wild.

But it didn't matter.

I braced for the slap.

But she didn’t pull away. Not at first.

For one fragile second—she kissed me back.

And in that single moment, my world stopped.

I could feel her heart racing.

Her breath mixed with mine.

Her hands gripped my coat tightly.

I just knew it was her.

I could feel the tears at the brim in my eyes, it was tears of relief, for five years, for five good I had blamed myself for her death. The DNA result relieved me in ways I cannot explain.

Then a voice interrupted us

“Am I interrupting something?”

We both froze.

I turned slowly.

And I saw Talia, she was a few feet away.

Leah... Raven or whatever name she chose to answer, Pulled away instantly, a bit flustered and slapped me right across the face.

The sound echoed.

Hard.

I didn’t move.

She didn’t say anything. She just walked away, flustered, and confused, Aiden running after her.

I stood there, breathing heavily, still feeling the taste of her lips.

Then Talia walked closer.

“Wow,” she laughed bitterly. “So this is what we’re doing now? Kissing random girls in public?”

“Talia—”

“I’m pregnant.”

I stuttered back in shock. “What?”

She pulled something from her handbag and threw it at my chest.

It fell on the ground. It was a pregnancy strip with two lines.

“I’m carrying your child, Cassian,” she said loudly—loud enough for everyone to hear.

I stared at it dumbfounded.

“No,” I whispered.

“Yes,” she barked. “And we’re getting married.”

“Talia—”

“You’re lying.”

She stepped closer. “I’m pregnant. With your child. And I’m not asking for your approval . We’re getting married, Cassian. End of story."

“Talia, this can't be true, me and you never happened so stop deceiving yourself”

“And just so you know. I have the CCTV footage. You and me. The Black Hood Suite. You don’t remember because you were too drunk to stand.”

I picked up the test strips looking at it in disbelief.

“And guess what?” she said, stepping even closer. “You’re going to stand beside me at that altar. Whether you like it or not. Because this time, I’m not waiting for you to make the decision.”

My mouth opened, in shock.

I wanted to scream at her. Accuse her. Demand proof. But all the pieces didn’t fit.

I remembered that night—I had blacked out. But did I...? Could I...

I didn’t know what to believe. And that scared the hell out of me.

She turned around and walked away.

I look at her, unable to wrap my hand around this.

Test still in my hand.

Mind racing.

Heart pounding.

And the only thing I could think about was…

Leah.

Then—before I could take a breath—

“Mr. Wolfe!”

I turned.

Elena, my secretary, rushed toward me breathless, folder in hand.

“Not now,” I said immediately..

She didn’t stop.

“I’m sorry, sir, but this is urgent.You need to see it. Immediately.”

I looked at her and the folder, I took the folder, flipping it open. My eyes scanned the first page. And stopped.

“No...” I muttered.

I flipped to the next. Then the next. All red. The numbers were low.

“Elena,” I said slowly. “Is this confirmed?”

“Yes, sir. The primary shareholder just pulled his entire investment. That’s 22% of the company’s control—and the market reacted immediately. Our stock is plummeting.”

A cold sweat formed along the back of my neck.

“How long do we have before this hits the board?”

“Thirty minutes. Maybe less.”

I shut the folder and inhaled deeply, trying to steady myself, I had barely processed Talia pregnancy news and now this?.

“ We will talk later.” I said, I clearly couldn't think now in this state.

“ And when would that be?, when the company runs into a laughing stock!” Someone shouted.

Vivienne.

My mother.

She walked towards me.

“I just got off the phone with Director Martin,” she said.

“Of course you did, always meddling.” I muttered.

“Cassian, what is happening?” she demanded. “How could you let this happen?”

“I didn’t let anything spiral,” I snapped. “Our investor pulled out without warning.”

Her jaw clenched. “Because your behavior has been erratic. After that girl's death you are barely yourself.”

I laughed bitterly. “ And whose fault is that.”

Vivienne exhaled, frustrated, and crossed her arms.

“Listen to me,” she said tightly. “There’s still a way out. We can clean this up. Talia’s father is willing to reinvest—if you agree to move the wedding forward.”

I stared at her.

“So that’s it,” I said. “You want me to save the company by marrying Talia.”

She didn’t blink. “You’ve done worse things for less.”

I stepped closer.. “You ruined the one good thing in my life. And I let you. But today… Today I tasted what I lost. And I’m not letting anyone steal it again.”

“I will not marry Talia,” I said, voice cold.

She stepped back, stunned. “Do you even know what you're saying?”

“I know exactly what I’m saying. I don't care if I lose it all.You want to destroy me, Mother? Be my guest. Burn it all. But I’m done being your puppet. And I’m sure as hell not marrying Talia, so do your worst.”