Chapter Seven: A Fresh Beginning

Cassienne unpacked her clothes, placing them neatly in the wardrobe, when her phone began to ring. The sound echoed from somewhere inside her handbag, but she didn’t rush to get it. Her body felt heavy and worn out. All she wanted was to finish arranging her things and finally rest.

She had rented this condo a year ago, back when she first thought of leaving Dreston. She had even paid the rent in full. Back then, she had packed half of her belongings, convinced she would walk out of the Tremont mansion and never return. But she didn’t. She stayed. She continued to endure everything.

Still, something had pushed her to keep the tenancy. Maybe instinct, or maybe the distant hope that one day she would need this place. And now, here she was, beginning again.

The phone eventually stopped ringing, and silence settled back into the room.

After a few more minutes, she was finally done unpacking. She pulled out her laptop and set it on the new work desk she had bought earlier. She placed it near the floor-to-ceiling window of her bedroom so she could enjoy the sunlight while working.

The room was finally coming together—clean, simple and peaceful. Something she hadn’t experienced in a very long time. She still planned to buy more things, especially groceries. She had always loved home-cooked meals, but life with Dreston meant eating chef-prepared dishes or ordering takeout. Now that she was on her own, she wanted to cook for herself again.

She was just about to head out when her phone buzzed again. This time, she reached into her bag and pulled it out.

Dreston’s face appeared on the screen.

Her heart thumped lightly, before exhaustion washed over the reaction. She stared at his name for a few seconds, debating whether to answer.

But she reminded herself that picking up his calls would only drag her back into the same painful cycle.

So she declined the call, slipped the phone back into her bag, grabbed her purse, and headed to her appointment.

The mall was unusually busy for a Saturday, as though every elite in Southvale had decided to shop at the same time. Ret Mall—one of the biggest and most luxurious in the city—was a favored spot for the richest families, including, ironically, the Tremonts and the Arcleys.

She found a parking spot, stepped out, and began walking toward the entrance. That was when her gaze landed on two familiar figures just ahead of her.

Dreston and Tina.

They were heading into the mall, walking side by side, fingers intertwined. He was laughing, and she was smiling too. They looked good together—like a real couple. Like two people who were genuinely in love.

A sharp pain stabbed through her chest.

He had never laughed with her like that. Not once in their five years of marriage.

Maybe long ago, in high school, they had laughed together. But after the wedding, everything changed. He had become distant—cold even, like a stranger she no longer recognized.

She took in a shaky breath and looked away, ready to leave. She even considered going to another mall farther out of town just to avoid the sight of them. But then she stopped herself.

Why should she leave? She hadn’t done anything wrong. All she had done was walk away from him. She had every right to be here.

So she lifted her head, straightened her shoulders, and walked into the mall.

Inside, she didn’t see them anymore, and relief washed through her. She truly wasn’t emotionally ready for another confrontation—not today.

“Calm down, Cassienne. You’ve already moved on,” she whispered to herself.

Even if the words weren’t completely true, she needed to believe them.

She focused on shopping. She bought groceries, household items, extra cleaning supplies, and a few essentials she had forgotten. Once her cart was full, she headed to the checkout.

The line was long, so she joined checkout point two and waited patiently.

Despite her efforts to stay calm, her mind drifted. He had called her earlier—was he calling while he was with Tina? Or had he picked her up afterward?

“Stop it, Cassienne,” she whispered. “You promised not to think about him again.”

But healing wasn’t instant. Even if their marriage had been empty, five years was still five years. And before that, he had been her closest friend throughout high school. Her heart wasn’t a light switch she could flip off.

Eventually, she paid for her items. Two attendants helped her carry the bags and load them into her trunk. She tipped them generously and thanked them before they left.

“Cassienne.”

Her heart recognized the voice before her body could react, leaving her instantly frozen.

She didn’t even need to turn to know he was close. But slowly, she forced herself to face him.

And there stood Dreston, walking toward her. Even now, after everything, her heart responded to him with a painful, stubborn beat.

He stopped in front of her. He was alone—Tina was nowhere in sight.

He removed his dark sunglasses, and his grey eyes met hers.

“Let’s go home,” he said quietly. “We need to talk.”

Her breath caught. “Home? Talk?” she muttered.

After everything he had done? After what she had witnessed? After how he had shouted at her in front of his staff?

She let out a soft scoff, disbelief filling her.

What did he truly think of her?

“I am sorry,” she replied. “But we have nothing more to say to each other.”