Mag-log in“He needs to be stopped,” Cassian said calmly, his gaze on a flustered Marina. “And you need security.”“No, I do not.” Marina fired back. She wouldn’t sit back there and let Cassian dictate how she would live her life. “What I need is for you to stop meddling in my life’s business like I’m some girl who needs her big bro’s protection.”“I’m sorry, sweetheart, but as long as that child is still inside your belly, I’m responsible for your protection to an extent.”“I’m not a child, Mr. Vale.” She protested.“No, you’re not, but you’re carrying my child, which makes you an important part of my life.” He reminded her as if she might have forgotten. “That man keeps appearing in your life. Considering your nasty history with him, I don’t trust him not to harm you or the baby someday. You need security, and he needs to be stopped now. I’ll file a restraining order against him.”Cassian had seen the videos of Marina and Collin flying around before she got home. She met him pacing the living
Marina smiled, looking at her friend. How nice she was to always think of others before acting in her own interest.“He needs all the time in the world to heal.” She shrugged, wondering why Marina was staring at her like that. “I don’t think he wants to rush into a new relationship now. We’re starting off as friends, a good one if you ask me.”“You’re such a good person, Rose,” Marina said before she could hold back the words. “I hope life is kind enough to give you a partner as good as you are.” Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought of her life since she reunited with Roselyn, and even before they fell apart. She’d been wonderful, a perfect friend one could ask for. Reaching for her hand, she stroked it lightly. “Whatever you do, just know that I’ll support you.”“Even if it means dating four men at the same time,” Rose rolled her eyes. “Still one of my fantasies, though.”“I know you’re crazy, but not so much crazy, but even though it comes to that,” she paused, clearing her th
CHAPTERCassian was back from the trip, but their relationship was still as sour as it was before he left. Throughout the three-day trip, Marina had spoken to him once and had not returned his calls. He was back home and discussed the shopping he’d purposely suggested to make things right between them again, but Marina had declined the offer to go with him.“Roselyn is waiting downstairs.” She told him as she added final touches to her light makeup. “She knows some of the best designer stores for babies.”He approached, halting behind her to give them the distance she seemed to be asking for since that dinner. “Is there a reason you’re refusing to go shopping with me?” He asked.Pretending not to be affected by his closeness, Marina shook her head, intensifying her gaze on the mirror before her. “We’re women,” she said vaguely. “The baby is a girl. I believe we can make better options for her.”He regarded her with a tired gaze. “Women? Is that the same reason you avoided my calls and
MARINAMarina sat up to grab the note Cassian left on the bed. Pretending to be asleep, she had left her eyes half shut, monitoring his movements around the room before he left that morning.“I hope you feel better when you wake up,” yawning, she read out the content of the note. “It’s been days, and you’re yet to talk to me about what happened at the dinner? Or is the baby still demanding space? I’ve contacted the designers to come check the house for the placement of the baby’s nursery. Please, supervise them. If you feel better when I’m back from my business trip, we’ll do some shopping for the baby. Be good.”Her heart fluttered, but she quickly squeezed the paper in her hands, ignoring the butterflies that had been left awake in her stomach. She didn’t need them now. This was just about the baby, strictly the baby.She was gradually approaching six months. Her tummy had gotten a lot rounder, very visible, and fatigue was always setting in whenever she went through stress. The doc
Marina had remained quiet throughout the ride back home because she didn’t want to worsen Cassian’s mood. She could as well pretend not to have discovered anything. It didn’t matter after all.Cassian occasionally glanced her way, hoping she’d talk to him, but she remained mute. For someone who’d been chatty on their way to the restaurant that evening, she was unusually silent, and it disturbed him.“Hey,” he caught her wrist the moment they stepped into the room, pulling her closer. Marina almost melted into his touch, but she maintained her fierceness. “Did someone say anything to you when I left the table? Did Adam piss you off?”“No, Cassian, this is not about your uncle.” She responded, battling the inner voice that was encouraging her to savor Cassian’s warmth.“Then it’s about what? We were good before we left for dinner.”“Pregnancy hormones,” she lied, “I just want to be alone.” She loathed that she was beginning to shut him out, but that might as well be their new reality af
Dinner was set in a fancy restaurant with board members of the Vale Empire, who were also friends of the late couple. A total of five older men dressed in black and brown suits. Cassian was the youngest of the men, and she was the only woman among them.Adam made the number of men six. He sat there at a corner, watching her with a burning focus that made the food stale in her tongue. She trusted him not to spill her secret here.“They must be so proud of how far you and Adam have been handling the Empire after them.” A man in a brown suit, also the oldest of them all, began, smiling, revealing too many teeth. “Roy, your father must be smiling in heaven.”Daniel, another man beside her, cleared his throat. “If there is anyone Roy would be proud of right now, it’s definitely his son.” The table went silent as his glare clashed with Adam’s across the space. “We should be specific when giving praises.” He resumed eating his food, pretending as if he hadn’t disrupted the peace that reigned







