Chapter 99
This secret was something that Cassandra and Daisy had buried for over a decade. It was something they once swore they would take to their graves.
But Daisy said, “Cassie, I’ve always suspected that your problems with Cameron stemmed from what happened with me. As your friend, I couldn’t just stand by and watch you two fall out over a misunderstanding.
“But now, it’s gone too far to take anything back I didn’t know how to make up for what I owed you, so I told him everything that happened that night. The rest is between you two.”
The phone was handed back to Cameron, and Cassandra could hear his breathing through the speaker.
Neither of them knew how to begin. Eventually, Cassandra broke the silence first. “I hope you keep whatever Daisy told you to yourself. If you don’t, I won’t forgive you.”
Cameron’s voice was hoarse and weary. “Even now, the first thing you say to me is that you don’t trust me.”
“You lied to me once, and I also kept something from you,” she countered. “By your logic, that makes us even.”
“Cassie, I just want to know if you’re safe. Where are you right now?”
“I’m… at a friend’s place. I’m safe.”
“You’re lying. I already asked Daisy. She said that you don’t have any other friends in Stokelle “His voice grew tense. “I know that you don’t want to see me. Just tell me where you are. Don’t worry, I won’t go there myself. I’ll have Harold pick you up.”
At that, Cassandra fell silent.
“Cassie, the wind’s howling, and it’s pouring rain. You’re alone out there, and I can’t stop worrying. Daisy’s worried, too.”
The silence on her end continued.
“How about I hand the phone back to Daisy? She can come and get you instead. Is that okay?”
“Don’t disturb her,” Cassandra cut in sharply. “She’s working. I told you I’m in a safe place. I-
Suddenly, the phone was pulled from Cassandra’s hand. She turned with a start and saw Ryan standing behind her.
She hadn’t noticed him until now. His brows were furrowed as he stared at the phone screen.
“You’re awake?” Cassandra asked in surprise.
Chapter 99
Ryan didn’t respond. Instead, he stretched out his arm and shut the open window behind her. The wind, rain, and chill were instantly shut out)
The living room was pitch–black, and there was no moonlight tonight. The street lamps below could barely illuminate the ground, let alone reach the 64th floor.
The entire room was shrouded in a deep, eerie dimness.
After closing the window, Ryan didn’t move away. His arm stayed right where it was, pressed against the wall beside her head.
Instinctively, Cassandra tried to step to the side but he caught her movement first. With his other arm–the one holding the phone–he planted his hand against the opposite side of the wall, trapping her in place.
Her back was now against the wall, and his chest blocked her front. The space between them shrank with every inch he leaned in, and she could feel his breath against hers.
Confused by what Ryan was doing, Cassandra pushed at him hard. “What the hell are you doing this late at night?”
But if a man like him was determined to hold his ground, she couldn’t shove him away.
Her phone was still in his hand. On the other end, Cameron was growing frantic. “Cassie? Are you still there? Cassie?”
“Are you sympathizing with him?” Ryan asked, his voice suddenly deeper than she’d ever heard. It was full of pressure and dominance, like something was about to explode.
Trying to wriggle free, Cassandra said, “Can you just… move away?”
But Ryan pressed a hand to her shoulder and gently pushed, sending her back against the wall again. The dull thud wasn’t exactly painful, but there was definite force behind it.
This was new. Before, their arguments were always just about verbal sparring. He’d never laid hands on her. Not like this.
For the first time, she felt a tinge of fear.
Cassandra licked her lips and spoke softly, “Please move. I can’t breathe like this.”
“Cameron stood in the rain for four hours outside Daisy’s place for you. Do you feel bad for him?”
“No, I don’t,” she flatly said.
“Daisy already told him everything about that night, so the misunderstanding between the two of you is resolved. You want to go back to him, don’t you?”
“I said I don’t-”
Chapter 99
“No,” Ryan’s reply landed firmly. It was solid, resolute, and final. “Cassandra, I won’t allow it.
At this moment, Cameron’s wary and suspicious voice came from the phone. “Cassie… Who’s that man with you?”
