Chapter 55
Other side.
Cassian stood beneath the warm glow of the streetlights, his p posture impeccable, commanding attention as usual. Passersby couldn’t help but steal glances at him. He was the man they saw at charity events, gracing Television screens and tabloids. A man lauded for his kindness, his pour, and the respectability he wore like an expensive suit. On the surface, Cassian appeared to be everything society admired–a paragon of wealth, compassion,
and chann
But the Cassian standing in front of Ophelia now! This was the real Cassian–the one no
or no one saw, the one who had mastered the art of playing with
hearts and minds.
“You can’t leave me like this, Cassian!” Ophelia’s voice cracked as desperation clawedl at her timar. Her mascara–laced tears smeared her once perfect face, and she clung to him like a lifeline. “I’ve loved you withoeverything Hardt You can’t just walk away!”
His lips barely moved, curling into a faint smirk–one of pure contempt. His eyes, usually brimming with warmth when in public, were now cold and indifferent as they drifted lazily across the crowd gathering around them. “You’re embarrassing yourself” he hissed in a low tone, the charm in his voice replaced by venom
Ophelia’s trembling hands gripped his wrist tighter, as if that alone could make him stay. “Cassian, please!”
He stared at her hand wrapped around his wrist, his jaw tightening in irritation. His voice was quieter now, but each word hit like a slap. “We’re in the muddle of the street. Everyone’s watching. Have some dignity, Ophelia”
The humiliation didn’t register in her desperation. “Let them watch! They don’t know us, they don’t understand.” Her voice rose, filled with frustration. “Why are you doing this to me? I gave you everything!”
Cassian exhaled sharply, clearly annoyed. “That’s your problem,” he said with a cruel smirk, “not mine.”
Ophelia’s face twisted in anguish. “But you” Her voice broke, trembling. “You promised me we’d be together forever!”
A shadow of amusement flickered in his eyes, but it was laced with cruelty. “Forever?” he mocked. “I never promised you anything. What you felt? That was your fantasy, Ophelia. Not my reality”
Her knees felt weak, and she nearly collapsed, staring up at him with wide, tear–filled eyes. “You knew me! You took advantage of everything I shared with you, all my vulnerabilities. You… you destroyed me!”
Cassian tilted his head, his gaze hardening. “Destroyed you? Don’t give yourself that much credit” He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low deadly whisper. “You did that all on your own.
For a moment, her breath hitched. The man she had devoted herself to, the man she thought loved her, was looking at her as though she were an insect–something insignificant, something to be squashed. It broke her in ways she hadn’t anticipated.
But Cassian was no longer interested in her pain. His mind had long since moved on from her. This wasn’t the woman he valued. No, Ophelia was just another in a long line of playthings–someone to amuse him, someone to break. She wasn’t Lorraine.
Lorraine the only woman he had ever regarded with a sliver of genuine interest. Unlike Ophelia, Lorraine wasn’t desperate for has approval, nor did she cling to him in a pathetic display of love. No, Lorraine was different. She was an enigma, a challenge. And now that her brother Callisto was out of the picture in Lorraine’s life, Cassian finally had the chance to make her his. He had waited for this moment for years–years spent building. his power and influence until he could finally challenge Callisto for the one thing he truly wanted.
Cassian smiled coldly as he thought of Lorraine. The mere idea of claiming her for himself sent a thrill through him. Unlike Ophelia, Lorraine wasn’t just another toy. She was an object of immense value, something worth fighong for. Something he would win.
Ophelia’s voice dragged him back to the present. “I love you, Cassian,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, shaking with emotion. “Please. don’t leave me like this”
He sighed in exasperation. “Love?” He scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. “You call this love? This obsession, this madness?” He looked at her with a mix of pity and disgust. “You’re not in love with me. Ophelia. You’re in love with the idea of me.”
Her heart shattered at his words, but she couldn’t stop herself. She lunged at him, clinging to his arm. “Tell me what to do. Cassian! I’ll do anything! Just don’t leave me Her voice was desperate, her grip like iron.
Cassian looked down at her for a long moment, his lips curling into a malicious smile. “Anything?” he asked, his voice soft but cruel.
Ophelia nodded frantically, hope rekindled in her chest. Yes, anything! Just tell me, and I’ll do it!”
Cassian’s eyes flickered with dark amusement. He nodded toward the corner of the street, where a homeless man lay slumped against a wall, his ragged clothes barely covering him. “Sleep with him,” Cassian said, his voice calm, almost bored
1/2
Chapter 55
Ophelia froze, her breath catching in her throat. She stared at Cassian, wide–eyed, unable to comprehend what he had just said. “W–What
Castian’s smile widened, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. “You heard me. Sleep with him. Prove to me how far you’re willing to go for my
attention.
Her stomach twisted in horror, her knees buckling beneath her. “Cassian please.” She couldn’t bring herself to move, her mind reeling from the sheer cruelty of his command
But Cassian had already grown bored of the conversation. He shrugged, turning to leave. “If you can’t do it, then this is where it ends. I’ll break our engagement, and you can go back to being nothing”
Ophelia’s heart shattered once more. She couldn’t let him walk away. Not like this. “I’ll do it,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I’ll do it.”
Cassian paused for a moment, then turned back to her, his face a mask of indifference. “Good,” he said coldly. “Make sure you leave proof. I don’t want you coming back to me without it”
And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Ophelia on her knees, broken and defeated, as the man she once loved disappeared into the night without a second glance.
But in Cassian’s mind, the real battle had only just begun. The battle for Lorraine.
After divorce he wants[/caption]
