active

www.novel-oasis.com

Learn more

VIDEO

🔞🔥Click to Read more about📜The Billionaire's Ex-Wife (Her Ex-Husband's Regret)📜

https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/vbb2055wgvd1wbyhqadl53nf?ad_id={{ad.id}}&sid=120219105342830400&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}

OasisFun

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481059027_29520511734214935_6985455324552120197_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=P_DxkA-NElcQ7kNvgHSxX9Q&_nc_oc=AdjqVC40bzvXqcbjloeCMkcCKr20BsF02KXMeFz5ijPLLKeEpXHWcQgm66Br8jnzYzqDww1enzrOz4krCL2ESPRD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A2UC_PL8ThUgA0FArcXJ6I5&oh=00_AYC7N16rOi_onv5KsqgGYGRMWeTn90YEZyfv3Zdurz8oYg&oe=67C74474

PERSON_PROFILE

💖🔞💋Please, baby. Help me change Daddy's heart.

I march towards my husband's office on the top floor of Steele Corp Building, carrying a present in my hand. It's our third anniversary and I thought I'd give my husband a surprise. I just came back from the OBGYN. I placed my ultrasound photos inside a small box and wrapped it with a ribbon.

"Excuse me, Miss Carlisle. You need an appointment to see the CEO," Tara, my husband's secretary, blocks the entrance to my husband's office. "Or do you want me to call your supervisor?"

She raises a haughty brow at me, acting like she's above me.

Well, I suppose she is above me. She is the CEO's executive secretary, sitting in the office at the top floor, while I'm just a graphic designer with a cubicle on the third floor.

I have been married to Steele Corp's CEO, Kayden Steele, for three years. But sadly, no one in the office knows about it.

"Umm..." I force a smile on my face. "Mr. Steele called my extension and personally asked me to bring the present that arrived for him." I motion at the box in my hands.

"A present? From whom?"

"His wife, maybe," I reply nonchalantly.

Tara smirks. "You know he's still single!" See? Not even his secretary has a clue. "Although, I wonder if it's from that woman he asked to be picked up at the airport."

"What?" Now, it's my turn to be surprised. "What woman?"

Tara raises a skeptical brow at me again. "That information is none of your business," she replies. Then she turns to open the door to Kayden's office. "The graphic artist is here to see you, Sir?"

"Let her in," I hear Kayden say.

As I walk past Tara, I can't help smiling at her smugly. If she only knew what I'm carrying in my hands right now.

This gift, this wonderful news, is going to bring my husband closer to me.

This baby will change everything!

I close the door behind me, and with wobbly legs and a big smile of anticipation on my face, I walk towards Kayden.

He looks up from the papers on his desk as he watches me intensely. I almost lost my nerve as I remembered how devilishly handsome he was, with his midnight black hair, and blue-gray eyes. We've been married for three years, but he still takes my breath away.

"Kayden," I call, my voice almost squeaking. "I have... some news for you."

"Before you say anything, I have something to say to you, too," he says in a voice laced with ice. When he speaks so coldly to me like that, I wonder if he's the same man who makes hot love to me at night.

"Oh, okay. What do you want to tell me?" I ask.

He stands up from his seat. I cannot read the expression on his face as he stares back at me in silence.

"Kayden, what is it?"

He sighs heavily before turning away from me, as if he can't bear to look at me when he says what he needs to say.

"You see, when I was young, I vowed to marry someone," he mumbles. "But unfortunately, I couldn't because..." he trails off, heaving another sigh. "But now, she's back in town. And I don't think I can do this anymore, Cassie."

Wait, what did he mean by that?

He turns around. His eyes look distant, devoid of any emotion. "This is not working out for both of us. I want a divorce."

Divorce?

The word keeps ringing in my head like a deafening siren. Sure, this marriage was far from perfect. But in the years that I've been married to Kayden, I tried to be the perfect wife. I made sure I gave him no reason to regret ever marrying me.

"But... why?" Tears begin to brim my eyes.

“Come on, Cassie. Did you really think this marriage was going to last?” he asks. His voice was ice cold, and his face almost stoic. “You know it wasn’t my choice to get married. You drugged me and threatened to expose my indiscretion the same week that I was going to be announced as CEO of Steele Corp! What was I supposed to do? Of course, I had no choice but to marry you!"

I shake my head. "No, Kayden! I told you before that I didn't drug you. That night, somebody drugged me, too! I-I was framed. I don't even remember how I got to your room that night! Somebody made it seem like... like I staged it all!"

He sighs heavily. I doubt that he heard anything that I just said. Or maybe he did. He just doesn’t care. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I managed to gain control of my father’s company. Your family got whatever it is you wanted to gain out of this marriage. Maybe it’s better we walk away now, while we still can. Before we tear each other apart.”

“I gave my life to this marriage, too, Kayden!” I tell him evenly. “I didn’t plan on marrying a stranger as soon as I graduated university! This was against my will, too. I also have dreams I gave up because of this marriage.”

“How could I believe you? Your father was too eager to give you away. And his business suddenly boomed, didn’t it? I was desperate to gain control of my father’s company. And you just took advantage of my vulnerable situation.”

I can’t believe I’m hearing this. In the three years that we’re married, I can hardly remember when Kayden showed me any affection. He’s always been reserved and indifferent. It wasn’t a perfect marriage, but I never thought he’d ask me for a divorce so soon.

My hands tremble. The box I'm carrying drops to the floor. My wonderful news, my little ray of hope, completely forgotten. "Tricking you into marriage is the last thing I would do!”

He scoffs. “But that’s exactly what you did, didn’t you? I dreamt of building a family for myself. On my own terms and at the right time. Marrying you felt like I wasn’t given a chance to choose what I wanted for myself.”

I shake my head, unable to control the tears that's flowing from my eyes. I realize that no matter what I say or do, Kayden will never believe me.

"Is that why no matter how hard I tried to be the perfect wife... even after the many nights we made love, you... you never learned to love me?"

Kayden's face remains relentless as he stares back at me. "Love? When you trapped me in this marriage, were you thinking about love at all? Your father bagged his biggest clients at the mere mention of my name, remember? It’s all about money and power. Of course, I could never love you!”

I inhale deeply. It's painfully obvious now what the man I had desperately loved for three years thought of me: a gold-digging, scheming bitch!

Looking back at that night, I know that somebody had spiked my drink, and somehow, I ended up in Kayden's penthouse. And the morning after, somebody had tipped the paparazzi and made it look like I blackmailed Kayden into marrying me. I know that somebody had set me up. I just don't know who.

Kayden inhales deeply. “How could I love anyone who robbed me of my will?”

"You're wrong, Kayden," I sob. "It seems that after all these years, you never saw me for who I really am."

Kayden shakes his head. "It doesn't matter now. My lawyers are already preparing the divorce papers as we speak. Let's do this as quietly as possible," he says. "Anyway, there are only a few people who knew you were my wife."

I nod, feeling numb. "Yes. You did an excellent job keeping me a secret."

That was his first request to me: keep quiet about the marriage. Thinking about it now, he must have been planning to divorce me since then. Why did he wait three years to do this?

I wipe the tears on my cheeks as I struggle to compose myself. I know that when Kayden makes a decision, there's very little chance that he'll change his mind. "An—anything else you want to say?"

"One last thing," he replies.

I look up at him, pretty sure that there's nothing he can say that would make me feel any worse than I do at this moment.

He takes a deep breath and announces, "I don’t want to see you around the office. You're fired!"

..............................................................................
Hold on, baby! Mommy’s here. I will do everything to protect you.

This was not how I imagined this day would end.

Somehow, when I got the news that I was pregnant, I was so overjoyed that finally, something good came out of my marriage to Kayden Steele. For the first time in three years, I do not feel alone.

But suddenly, my life takes a one-eighty. Not only did I lose my husband, but I also lost my job and my health insurance, all in the space of two hours.

I can still remember the HR Manager's apologetic smile when I signed my termination papers.

"Can... can I at least keep the insurance for another eight months?" I plead.

She shakes her head slightly and gives me a sad smile. "It's company policy, sweetheart. Once you're terminated, all benefits, including insurance, will cease."

"But... I was fired without a reason!" I argue.

"That's why you're getting severance pay," she counters. "And two months’ worth of salary. Otherwise, you walk away with nothing."

The severance pay and two months’ worth of salary won't be enough for my food, vitamins, prenatal checkups, and hospital bills when I deliver. I must find a job soon.

When I get home, and by home I mean the mansion where Kayden and I live in, Kevin, the fifty-year-old family butler meets me at the main entrance. He, too, cannot hide the pity in his gray eyes.

"This is as far as you can go. I've been told to pack all your belongings. They're all in the car now." Kevin whispers softly. "I'm just following instructions." I can almost hear the tears in his voice.

"It's okay, Kevin." I raise my chin and paste a smile on my face. That smile that I always wear like a uniform. The armor that hides my real emotions. "You've been so good to me these past three years. I will never forget that."

Kevin nods gracefully. Then he holds his arm out for me. "For the last time, Madam Steele. Let me escort you to your car."

Holding back my tears, I take his arm and let him escort me to the car that will carry me and what little belongings I have for the next chapter of my life.

As the car drives away, a wave of sadness washes over me.

I gently place my hand on my abdomen, picturing the life growing inside of me. This baby is Kayden's own flesh and blood. It deserves to live and be raised in that grand mansion. But like me, this little one has been denied Kayden's love and all the privileges that came with it.

"I'm so sorry, little angel!" I can no longer hold back my tears. "I'm so sorry!"

I don't know what I'm going to do next, or how I'm going to do it. But I know that I will never let this baby suffer. I will make sure that it will live a happy, comfortable life. I will not deny it its birthright!

Even though Kayden may not be ready to hear it now, I will make sure to tell him about our baby in the future.

He may not have been able to love me. But I'm sure he will love his own baby.

Kayden may be cold and ruthless, but I don't think he's a complete monster. There were times during our marriage that I actually felt that he was trying to make it work.

Maybe I just wasn't good enough. Or maybe we were just not meant to be.

Then suddenly, I remember what he said.

‘You see, when I was young, I vowed to marry someone…’

My heart feels like it's breaking into a million tiny pieces as if it wasn't already completely shattered. What Tara said about Kayden having someone picked up at the airport all makes sense now. I completely understand why after all these years, no matter how hard I tried to be the perfect wife, Kayden just couldn't love me.

He's in love with someone else. And he felt that I robbed him of his future with her.

He must have been secretly loathing me because he thought I masterminded this marriage. When in truth, I was as much a victim as he is.

"Aargh!" Something in my abdomen throbs and I feel a little jolt of pain.

Is my baby feeling my heartbreak, too?

The driver stops in front of a house in a very familiar neighborhood. It is far from the posh neighborhood where the magnificent Steele Mansion sits, but somehow, this place, this house brings back so many memories of my childhood. Perhaps Kevin made a good decision to send me back here to my parents' home.

There was a time when this house used to be a picture of bliss. It is made of wood carvings and sculptures that add to its unique charm. No one has lived here for years, but I come here occasionally. This reminds me so much of my mother.

"I'll bring your things inside, Ma'am?" the driver asks.

"No, it's alright. You can just leave them by the door."

The driver leaves, and I take my keys to open the main door when I realize that it's unlocked.

"Huh? Did someone break into this house?"

I push the door slightly, careful not to make a sound. When I step inside the house, I find that the lights are turned on.

"Shit! Someone's here!" Panic starts to grip me.

I know I should call the cops, but somehow, something possesses me, and I grab the dusty golf club sitting behind the door instead. Then I walk towards the corridors, ready to swing at the potential burglar. But suddenly, I hear a familiar voice coming from the living room.

"My lawyers told me that this house is still in her name, Kayden. I thought we agreed that this was going to be mine!"

I know that voice perfectly well even though I haven't heard it in years.

Wait, what? Did I hear it right? Was she talking to Kayden? As in my Kayden?

I sneak towards the living room, deliberately trying to overhear her phone conversation.

"You're the most powerful man in the country, Kayden Steele! Didn't you promise to make me happy? Well, this house was my parents'. It should also be mine. It will really make me happy!"

Mine? How dare she?

My father, who is an architect, remodeled this house for my mother before she died. This belonged to my mother even before she got married. So, it's only right that it gets passed on to me! Why is this bitch claiming the house as hers?

"Alright, love. I trust you. I'll see you at dinner. Love you!"

What the ?

Realization hits me like an ice-cold bucket. This is the woman that Kayden asked to be picked up at the airport. She is the reason why Kayden is divorcing me. She's the reason why my baby will not have a complete family.

I drop the golf club in my hand as I clutch my belly, feeling a flush of anger and betrayal. The woman must have heard the thud as she turned around to see me.

She gives me a proud smirk, not even ashamed that I heard her conversation with my husband.

"Well, well. Look who's here," she snickers. "Happy to see me again, my dear stepsister?"

..............................................................................
'Mommy! Cassie pushed me!'

'Mommy! I want Cassie's toy! Take it from her!'

'Daddy! Cassie won't let me borrow her dress!'

'Mommy! Cassie stole my boyfriend!'

Unpleasant memories flood my brain. My stepsister's relentless whining while we were growing up still echoes in my ears, even after all these years.

My father married Megan's mother when I was eight years old. I tried my best to make Megan feel at home with us, to form a sisterly bond with her, but she never really liked me. She constantly watched me, the things that I had, and the stuff that my father bought for me. I could feel that envy that simmered within her whenever I got a new toy, no matter how small or inexpensive it was.

As we grew older, the rivalry only got more complex. We were no longer fighting over toys or material possessions. I felt that we were competing for the same affection and attention. She made sure to steal every guy that I ever dated, making me feel like I was insignificant and undatable. She even made my father dislike me.

And now...

"Were you... talking to Kayden just now?" I ask in a shaky voice.

"Oh, you heard that, huh?" she asks, smirking. "Well, I guess there's no point keeping it a secret now. Yes, I was just talking to Kayden." She holds out her left hand in front of me, showing me a gold ring with a huge rock in the center. "Do you agree that this ring is perfect for the future Mrs. Kayden Steele?"

As I stare at the sparkling ring on Megan's finger, my heart sinks. I know she expects me to salivate over how huge the rock is, or how expensive the ring must have been. But the only thought that runs through my mind is, 'She gets a ring?'

Because Kayden just signed our marriage license. He didn't bother to get me an engagement ring, not even a wedding ring.

"Oh, you poor thing,' Megan puts on a pout that is supposed to be apologetic, but clearly, she is just rubbing her affair with my husband in my face. "Your marriage with Kayden was never going to work out. I knew it."

"How... how long have you known my husband?"

"Too long. I have always thought we'd end up together. But then you stole him from me like the scheming, sneaky gold digger you are! But he would never love you. The two of us share a bond since we were kids. No amount of scheming or seduction from you could take him away from me.”

My blood boils as I hear Megan's tirade. How could she flaunt her affair with my husband and have the audacity to accuse me of stealing Kayden from her?

"That's not true!" I cry. "We were building a family! We were doing okay until you came back to the picture. If you didn't, I know he would stay with our little family."

"Family?" she hisses. "What family are you talking about?"

I don't reply. Instead, I raise a brow at her triumphantly. Her eyes widen in shock, and her glance goes to my tummy.

"You're..." She shakes her head in disbelief. "No way that baby is Kayden’s.”

This time, I feel a little victorious. It's good to see Megan fall from the high table for a change.

"Believe it or not, Megan," I continue to taunt her. "When Kayden decided to marry me, I did believe he was willing to try. He wouldn't do that if he completely hates me, would he?"

“So, you managed to seduce him to go to bed with you? He must have been wasted to even sleep with you.”

It’s my turn to smirk at her. "What are you scared of Megan? The fact that Kayden isn’t completely immune to my charms? Or that this baby might change everything between us?”

Megan takes a step closer, her eyes looking livid. “How will a bastard change anything?”

What the did she just call my baby?

My blood boils as Megan's words hang in the air.

The audacity, the cruelty!

I ball my hands into fists as I try my damnedest to stay calm and composed.

"This baby is not a bastard! This baby could just well be the heir of Steele Corp. Remember, we're still married. And Kayden has yet to find out about this baby. He just might rethink his decision about divorcing me."

Anger flares in Megan’s eyes when she hears my words. I can tell that she realizes just how vulnerable her position is.

"You're just like your mother! A shameless, scheming slut!"

She raises her hand and swings, but I anticipated that move, as she has always done this to me in the past. I catch her arm before her palm can land on my cheek.

"I'm not going to tolerate you calling my baby a bastard, and my mother a slut, Megan! You are way out of line!"

I push her arm away, giving her a small shove. Megan stumbles backward, but her eyes remain filled with anger. She groans in frustration and swings her arm to to knock off the gas lamp on the table. Then she grabs the nearest vase and throws it at me.

"Bitch!" she screams.

Acting on instinct, I dodge the vase but lose my balance. I fall to the floor.

Just then, I feel a gush of blood flow from between my thighs. I look down and realize that I'm sitting in my own pool of blood, while my vile stepsister looms over me, smiling triumphantly.

"No, no! My baby!" I cry out in agony and pain.

Suddenly, everything feels hot. That's when I realize that the fire has quickly escalated. My mother's house is going down in flames.

"Oh, God, please no!"

I know that Megan will never help me. It will be better for her if I were to lose this baby. I know I must call for help, or I will lose everything—including my and my baby's life.

I reach for my cellphone and press the first key on my speed dial. Kayden's phone rings several times but he never picks up.

'Kayden... please!'

'Pick up the phone. Our baby... our baby needs you!'

But all I hear is the ringing tone from the other line.

Oh, God! I know I haven't been lucky in this life. But please... spare the life of my baby!

This baby is all I have now. Please save it! That's all I ask. That's all I need!

Kayden, if you can't be there for me, at least be there for our child.

But even after another try, there's nothing. Once again, Kayden has chosen to ignore me.

Coming back to my senses, I dial 911 instead.

"Help! Bleeding... pregnant..." The smell of smoke threatens to choke me. "Fire!"

I fall to the floor, almost passing out. When I open my eyes again, I see a devilishly handsome face staring back at me.

"Kayden..." I would recognize that face everywhere.

Amidst the raging inferno, Kayden miraculously appears and finds me lying on the floor, bleeding.

"Jesus Christ, Megan!" he curses. "What happened here?"

Kayden approaches me, and for the first time in years, I see a glimmer of worry in his eyes.

"Cassie..." He kneels in front of me. But then, we hear a shrill scream and then a thud. We both turn around and discover that Megan has collapsed onto the floor.

Kayden's driver appears and he turns to him. "Take Cassie out of here!" Then he walks toward Megan and gathers her in his arms, while his driver lifts me from the floor.

The taste of defeat lingers on my tongue as I watch Kayden carry Megan out of the blazing house.

I doubt that she's seriously injured. I bet she fainted to get Kayden's attention!

Megan seems unscathed, and I can't help but think that she just pretended to faint when she saw Kayden coming to my rescue.

Even in spite of my pitiful state, Kayden chose to abandon me.

It seems... the three years we spent together really meant nothing to him!

Whatever concern I thought I saw in his eyes is all gone now. And in the end, it's all the same. Kayden has chosen Megan over me.

..............................................................................
Wake up! You must get back on your feet and keep walking, and then you need to move on!

I bolt up from the bed, my heart races as the urgency in the voice echoes inside my mind. I look around the unfamiliar surroundings, feeling confused and disoriented.

Where am I?

The room I'm in is all white. From the paint on the walls to the sheet that keeps me warm.

"Easy, child. You might hurl if you force your movements," the nurse says to me.

"How long have I been unconscious?"

"Two days. But don’t worry, you’ll be fine.”

Suddenly, I remember something.

"My baby!" I ask frantically. "Tell me my baby is okay!"

Tears brim my eyes, as panic grips my insides. The nurse reaches out for my hands to steady me. "Don't worry, dear," she smiles at me reassuringly. "The babe is safe."

I sigh in relief. I touch my abdomen with my hands as if cradling my baby.

I'm so sorry, my love. I should have been more careful. I swear I will never risk your life like that again!

I guess I forgot how cruel and childish Megan can be. I should not have told her about the baby.

But where is Megan? I remember she fainted and Kayden saved her.

I sink back on the bed as I remember the way Kayden carried Megan in his arms, saving her from danger, while I, his wife, was bleeding on the floor.

I can't help but feel a mix of anger and betrayal as I recall that moment. The realization hits me hard, shattering whatever illusion I may have that Kayden would learn to love me.

"There was… there was a woman with me. What happened to her?" I dare ask. "The last time I saw her, she was unconscious."

Or pretending to be unconscious!

The nurse shakes her head. "She was just brought into the emergency room, and then she was discharged. She didn't sustain any injury."

"Did anyone come here to check on me?" I ask, my voice both tearful and hopeful.

I could not have mistaken the sliver of concern I saw in Kayden's face when he saw me in my pitiful state. But it quickly disappeared when Megan put on one of her best acting performances.

"You mean your husband?”

I nod.

“I haven’t seen him around. But I bet he’s preoccupied with dealing with the media about this whole fiasco.”

"Media?" I echo.

The nurse smiles as she straightens the sheet on my bed. "Well, you and the baby need plenty of rest. It's best not to bother yourself with such trivial things," she replies. “Rest now. Just press the call button if you need me.”

The nurse closes the door behind her, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

The two of us share a special bond…

How long have she and Kayden known each other? When did they start an affair when Kayden's drowning in work here, and Megan is busy working as a model in Paris?

Damn it! I should not bother with such useless things.

The entertainment news is on when I turn on the TV.

"It seems that business tycoon, Kayden Steele, is officially off the market." The news anchor's voice echoes through the room, and my heart skips a beat. Images of Kayden flash across the screen. "Rumors have been circulating the past few days that the elusive CEO of Kayden Corp is secretly married. However, today, his PR team confirmed that there's no truth to this. Instead, they confirmed that he is dating model, Megan Brown. It is reported that the two have been good friends since they were kids, and their relationship has recently evolved into something more romantic."

My heart breaks as I watch the videos of Kayden and Megan together. Sightings of Kayden holding Megan's hand and kissing her feel like a knife stabbing me multiple times in my chest.

How could Kayden do this to me? How could he easily announce his relationship with Megan, when he's kept me a secret for three years?

He discarded me the moment Megan came back to town. When he saw me bleeding, he still chose to rescue Megan, and left me for his driver to save!

Tears roll down my cheeks, and the moment I realize it, I quickly wipe them away.

you, Kayden Steele! You do not deserve these tears!

I will not shed a tear for him. I'm pregnant with his child, but this baby will remain my own! Kayden will have no right to know about it. His child will never call him 'Daddy'! Perhaps, that will be the most suitable punishment for a monster like him!

With shaking hands, I reach for my phone and send Kayden a message.

'You had a good thing going on, but you chose to give it away. You don't deserve me. Let's get a divorce! Goodbye, Kayden.’

I click send without even rereading my message, not trusting myself completely that I will have enough courage to send it.

I gently caress my tummy.

It's okay, baby. We're going to be just fine.

***

Kayden.

'...Goodbye, Kayden.'

Those words ring in my head like a nightmare. I can't shake off the feeling of dread that has been eating me up inside since I saw her lying in a pool of blood.

I still remember the way she looked at me—hopeful and pleading. She looked at me like I was some sort of guardian angel created to keep her safe.

Damn it! I should have saved her. But Megan screamed and fainted. And like a force of habit, I went to her instead.

Megan and I shared a past, and because of that, I’d always thought she’d be the one I would spend the rest of my life with. Until Cassie came and life threw me a curveball.

I take my coat off and lay it on the bed. Then I realize that the bed covers are purple. I look around. I remember coming to this room whenever I was feeling too much pressure from work, or my family. I don't know why, but somehow, this room feels warm and peaceful.

Funny how I only realize this now. This was Cassie's room. And now that she's gone, I didn't expect it to be as cold as all the other rooms in this house.

Somehow, somebody got wind of our marriage. The gossip almost went out of hand. The PR Team told me how bad it would look if people found out that I've been married to one of my employees for three years, and I kept it from the public, leaving her to be treated like a lowly employee. That's why they suggested that I announce dating Megan immediately, to divert the issue and prevent damage to Steele Corps' reputation.

It seems like the right thing to do. But... why doesn't it feel right? Why do I feel guilty for every little thing I did and said to Cassie?

I stare at her number on my phone. I close my eyes and press the call button. I don't know what to say to her. I just know that suddenly, I want to hear her voice again.

But she doesn't answer until finally, she turns off her phone.

I groan in frustration, throwing my phone on the bed.

I know this is for the better. Finally, she's gone... she's out of my life.

But ! Why do I suddenly feel so empty?

..............................................................................
Cassie.

"Cassie, your grandfather’s lawyer, Attorney Magnus, has been calling you since morning,” Lyn, my assistant, says.

“I’m still not interested.”

A few days ago, I had the shock of my life when I discovered that my mother’s family is old rich. They own King's Court, a chain of luxury hotels. And my grandfather named me his successor to handle the business.

“I doubt there’s room in my portfolio for managing a chain of hotels, don’t you agree?”

Lyn raises a brow at me for a moment. “You’re one of the smartest women I know. You probably got your father’s talent for designing. But your knack for closing lucrative business deals? Maybe you got that from your late grandfather. I heard he was brilliant."

Four years ago, I discovered my passion for interior design. With my relentless efforts to give my son a better life, I built Cassandra Designs, which is now one of the biggest interior design firms in the country.

“I heard King’s Court is in trouble,” I remember one of the many articles I read the night I learned about my grandfather.

“Your grandfather had been sick for a while. No one was good enough to continue his life’s work. But it's only right that you take over his company, and later, pass it on to your son."

A smile tugs at my lips as I remember my three-year-old son. Jet black hair and piercing blue eyes. He’s a spitting image of…

“By the way,” Lyn interrupts my thoughts. “Attorney Magnus seems to be aware of your son’s condition.”

"What do you mean?"

"He'll use whatever he can to convince you to do this."

"Ha! What could they possibly have that I want?"

Lyn looks at me meaningfully. "We're talking about your mother's family here. Blood-related family. Who knows? Maybe one of them just might be your son's perfect bone marrow match."

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

Lyn nods. "We're running out of options. Unless you want to go to your son's fa..."

"No!" I cut her off. "There must be another way. Kai's father doesn't even know about him!"

"Then I suggest you meet with your grandfather's attorney."

As soon as I step into my office, the smell of flowers fills my senses. I find baskets of roses of different colors around the room. My eyes catch sight of the man standing near the glass walls and gazing at the city view.

"Do you really have to be overly sentimental, Mr. Sullivan?" I ask.

Ethan Sullivan used to be my next-door neighbor. He sought me out when he heard the news of my old house catching fire. I could hardly believe that from a scrawny little boy who wears thick glasses, he turned into this tall, charming man, who built one of the country's biggest financial institutions.

He turns around, his gray eyes dancing. "Happy birthday, Cassandra."

"You really shouldn't have gone berserk at the flower shop," I tease.

"Well, Cassandra Carlisle deserves only the best, doesn't she?"

"Please, have a seat." I lead him towards my desk. "Can I offer you anything?"

"No, thank you," he replies. "I won't stay long. I'm running late for a board meeting."

"Then why did you come? You should have just called. We can always meet later."

"But I want to greet you in person. And for you, Cassandra, I'd make the whole world wait."

I look away from him, a blush starts to creep over my cheeks. For the past year, Ethan has made it known that his feelings for me are more than friendly. But he's been very patient and understanding.

"Ethan," I say. "You've been a wonderful friend and support system to me and Kai."

He narrows his eyes, looking at me intently. "But you know I could be so much more than that, right?"

"Ethan, you know I care about you, too. But I've been through a lot. And Kai's health is my priority."

He reaches across the table to squeeze my hand. "I know that, Cassandra. And trust me, I would never ask you to put anything before your son."

I squeeze his hand back. Ethan has always been there for me and Kai. I know he deserves more than just friendship from me.

I smile at him. "Ethan, I..."

Then suddenly, Lyn bursts into the room, with a look of urgency on her face. "Sorry, Cassandra. But..." she trails off. "Attorney Magnus is here to see you."

I groan. "He's really persistent, isn't he?"

"Want me to take care of it?" Ethan asks.

I shake my head. "I'll manage. I guess, we can just talk later."

Ethan looks disappointed. I guess he felt that I was going to finally give him the answer he'd been waiting for before we were interrupted.

"Okay. I'll see you at dinner later," he said in a sober voice.

'Was I really going to say yes to Ethan just now?' I ask myself as I watch Ethan leave. 'Am I over the past? And am I ready for this?'

Lyn comes back into my office followed by an older man.

"Miss Carlisle," Attorney Magnus says. "I am sorry to barge in on you like this. But desperate times call for desperate measures."

"I thought I made myself clear, Attorney Magnus. I'm not interested in my grandfather's business."

Attorney Magnus takes out an envelope from his suitcase and puts it in front of me. I open it and see photos of people I do not know. Most of them are old, some are even handicapped.

"Who are these people?"

"These are the people who worked with your grandfather in building his hotel empire," Attorney Magnus replies.

"So?"

"Right now, they stand to lose their jobs, their benefits, their means of living. All because you refuse to take what your grandfather has given to you."

"What?"

"No one is leading the company right now, and the other shareholders are selling their shares to another company for a takeover."

"But isn't a takeover a good thing? You gain what you can and cut your losses?"

"King's Court is still a lucrative venture. The company that will take over knows this. But it will be a complete takeover, meaning the very people who helped your grandfather build it will be let go for a small amount of compensation. That includes all the other members of your family... including your grandmother."

"My grandmother?" I echo. I have no idea I have another living grandparent.

Attorney Magnus puts a photo of an old woman who looks like my mother in front of me.

"Your grandfather's dying wish is for King Court to remain in your family. He regretted his decision to send your mother away, and it drove a wedge between him and your grandmother. Your grandmother has depression. She never took it well that your mother had been sent away."

Listening to his story, I feel my eyes start to get wet.

"If the CEO of the company that wants to buy the hotel manages to convince the major shareholders to sell their shares, then your family will lose King's Court. Your grandmother will lose everything. These people," he motions at the photos in front of you. "It's like you just handed them a death sentence."

"Are you trying to make me feel guilty?"

"I know about your child's condition," Attorney Magnus says gently. "You have cousins, nieces, and nephews from your mother's side of the family. None of them is interested or capable of running the business. But... perhaps one of them could be your son's match."

Damn it!

"Do you really think I'm capable of saving my grandfather's legacy?"

"Your grandfather watched your success over the years. He believes in you. And so do I."

I feel like I don’t have a choice. Besides, what have I got to lose?

"Okay, I will give it a shot."

Attorney Magnus gives me a triumphant smile. "I'll guide you through this, don't worry."

"What do I need to do first?"

"Attend the investor's meeting on Friday," he replies. "Announce that you have accepted the position. The CEO of the company that's buying us out will be there, too. Tell him that if he wants to invest, he's welcome to do so. But they can't take over your grandfather's business."

"Where is this meeting?"

"In South Carolina."

I suddenly stop short. South Carolina was my old hometown.

"And... what's the name of the company that wants to take over King's Court?" I ask nervously.

"Steele Corp," Attorney Magnus replies. "You need to meet with its CEO, Kayden Steele."

..............................................................................
"You're not backing out, are you?" I can hear the weary in Lyn's voice when I told her what Attorney Magnus had asked me to do.

"Attorney Magnus drives a hard bargain. He did assure me that my family is willing to help my son, should one of them be a match. But... South Carolina is the one place I tried hard to stay away from!"

"But, Cassie, we have been searching for years," Lyn heaves a frustrated breath. "I suggested going to your relatives because I know you don't want to see or talk to your ass of an ex-husband. But it turns out, you'll have to go to him anyway!"

"I know. Life's a bitch, right?"

I have gone a long way from the last time I've seen Kayden Steele. I've built a pretty good life for myself and my son. Back then, I vowed never to see or think of him ever again. And I certainly didn't plan to do business with him!

"You..." Lyn trails off. My eyebrow shot up at her. She squirms as if the question she's about to ask is physically hurting her. "You don't still have feelings... for... him, right?"

"Ha!" is all I can utter for a moment.

My mind wanders to that devilishly handsome man, with midnight black hair and dazzling blue eyes, who is a replica of my son.

I don't love him anymore!

I close my eyes for a moment and call in my last memory of him: him carrying my bitchy stepsister out of the blazing house that she burned.

And with that memory in mind, I raise my chin to Lyn and say, "When I was Mrs. Kayden Steele, I was a sweet, innocent, gentle pushover. I had nothing to my name, and I would do anything to please my father." I slightly slam my fist on my desk. "I am no longer that woman! And the only feelings I have for Kayden Steele right now, are feelings of loathing!"

"If you don't want to ask Kayden for help with Kai, you have other relatives who probably are a match, too. This just gives us plenty of alternatives."

"I didn't say yes to Attorney Magnus yet."

"There's an inaugural event that you should go to two days from now. It would be a good opportunity for you to meet important people in the city. You should go to that. Give Kayden Steele the shock of his life."

Lyn's suggestion is quite tempting. But in all honesty, I don't even need my grandfather's company. I am happy with my peace now. Why do I need shake up my life and see the person who broke my heart years ago?

Just then, Lyn's phone rings.

"Yes... what?!" The tone of her voice sends me on high alert. "We'll be right there!"

I stare back at Lyn in panic. That tone, and that look on her face can only mean thing... Kai is having another episode.

"Let's go to the ER!"

"Is he okay?" I ask, my voice shaking.

"I'm sure he will be. He had a nosebleed and then he fainted."

I quickly grab my bag and half run towards the door in legs that can barely support my weight. This is not the first time this has happened. And I know that after a blood transfusion, Kai will be okay. But that's the other problem. His blood type is one of the rarest. We're running out of places to get it.

As my driver speeds to the hospital, I try to calm my raging nerves.

Please, god! Let him be okay! I won't ask for anything else, just save my son!

Lyn and I rush into the emergency room, panic visible in both our faces. My heart pounds inside my ribcage as I desperately search for my son's doctor.

Finally, I spot Doctor Willis, Kai's hematologist, standing near the nurse's station.

"Doctor! What happened to my son?"

"Miss Carlisle, Kai has another episode of severe anemia," she responds. "I'm ordering blood transfusion right away. We're just waiting for the blood supply."

"Is he going to be alright?" I ask, my voice shaky.

"As long as he receives the blood he needs, he'll be fine."

But that's always the problem. Kai's blood type is extremely rare.

I feel a surge of panic as the reality sinks in. If we can't find a suitable blood donor soon, my son's life will hang by a thread. I glance over at Lyn, her eyes filled with worry.

"Doctor Willis," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "Is there anything we can do? Any alternative options?"

She sighs. I can hear the frustration in it.

"We've exhausted all our resources in the area. The blood bank is running low on Kai's blood type, and it takes time to locate a suitable match."

Time.

That's a luxury I don't have. If Kai doesn't receive the transfusion soon, I might lose him. Then everything that I worked hard for in the last four years would have been for nothing.

"Perhaps we can help," a familiar voice says behind me. I spin around and I see Attorney Magnus standing here beside a guy, who looks like he just got out of college.

"How?"

"This is Alberte King," Attorney Magnus replies, referring to the guy beside him. "He's your nephew."

"Nephew?"

"Yep," the guy replies. "And like your son, I'm an AB negative, too."

Relief washes over me like a cold bucket. I forget about my own ego, my own doubts and apprehensions. Right now, I'll accept any help, even if it's tagged with the almost impossible favor that Attorney Magnus is asking from me.

"Good," Doctor Willis says. "Come with me, young man."

As we wait for Alberte, I sit beside Attorney Magnus in the waiting area.

"I know why you brought him here," I tell him.

He looks at me nonchalantly. "No, you don't know. Because we just genuinely want to help you. Whether you fly to South Carolina to meet with your son's father is entirely your decision to make."

Right!

"And I'm done!" Alberte announces as he reappears in the waiting area.

"We're initiating your son's blood transfusion right away, Miss Carlisle. He'll be out of danger soon."

"Thank you, Doctor."

Alberte extends his hand to me. "It's nice to meet you, Aunt Cassie." Despite having donated a huge amount of blood, Alberte's attitude is still positively jolly.

"Just call me Cassie, you brat!" I say, breathing in a sigh of relief. Instead of taking his hand, I reach forward to give him a hug. I am happy to meet a new relative, and one that has the same blood type as my son no less! "Nice to meet you, too, Alberte! And thank you!"

An hour later, I set beside my son's bed, watching him sleep peacefully. I study his face and cannot help but remember his father.

I enclose his tiny hand between my palms and bring it to my lips for a kiss.

"Mommy..." My eyes fly open when I hear his voice.

"Kai, my baby..."

He smiles at me weakly. "Where's my Daddy?"

What did he just ask me?

I blink back at him in utter surprise.

"Do... do I even have a Daddy?"

He's only three! Who taught him to ask these kinds of questions?

I clear my throat and giggle nervously. "Well... you know how truly special you are?"

"Uh-huh?"

"Well... you're very special because God created you to be only for me!"

Then I tickle him, and I am rewarded by his high-pitched laugh.

Damn it! Pretty soon, I will no longer get away with these answers!

I reached forward and give my son a tight embrace.

my ego. my fears.

I will do anything to save my son. And I realize now what I really have to do.

It's time to see my ex-husband once again.

OasisFun

https://www.facebook.com/100091233910499/

LEARN_MORE