There were countless messages waiting for me on WhatsApp. Without even reading them, I deleted them all.
Just as I finished, my phone rang. It was Cassandra.
"You finally turned your phone on. I thought you were dead!"
I could hear a hint of excitement in her voice, but more than that, she sounded surprised.
When I did not respond, she lowered her tone and continued. "I got engaged to Damien Knox because he helped me secure a major project. His only request was that I agree to the engagement."
"But don’t worry! It’s just an engagement, not a real marriage."
"So don’t be mad. You’re always so jealous."
I gripped my phone tightly, anger surging through me. Veins popped on the back of my hand.
About that project… I was the one who had negotiated it. The client had insisted on a drinking contest to test the quality of our liquor. I drank until my stomach nearly bled just to win that contract.
But while I was hospitalized, Damien swooped in and took credit for closing the deal.
I had not even had the chance to explain before Cassandra announced our engagement. In the excitement, I had let it go.
Now, the thing that enraged me the most was not just the betrayal, but the fact that if she had told me the truth earlier, I never would have brought my mother to that party.
After my mother’s death, I had spent days in silence, forcing myself to reflect. In the end, I saw things clearly.
"Cassandra, it’s fine. I have no problem with you marrying him."
Her tone immediately turned sharp. "Nathaniel, don’t try to act tough and gain sympathy. I won’t allow it."
"Don’t go around blaming me, or I swear I’ll make sure you regret it for the rest of your life."
Regret?
I laughed bitterly.
The only thing I regret is ever being with you and because of that, I lost my mother.
"Fine. Then I’ll make sure to fulfill that promise and never bother you again."
"From this moment on, I’m breaking up with you."
For a second, Cassandra was stunned as she had not expected me to push back.
Since the day we met, this was the first time she had ever seen me so indifferent and the first time I had been the one to bring up breaking up.
Then, suddenly, I heard Damien’s playful voice in the background. "Cassie, bring me the underwear from the bed. I’m naked right now."
"Or do you want me to walk out like this?"
Hearing that, I immediately understood. They were living together. That was why he spoke so ambiguously, teasing her about bringing him underwear.
I could already picture the scene where Cassandra picked up his clothes and played along with his little act. "How about you help me put it on?"
She giggled and agreed without hesitation. Then, as if nothing had happened, she spoke coldly into the phone. "Nathaniel, you want to break up? Fine, I’ll help you with that, too."
"But remember, if you ever regret this, you won’t be able to win me back and..."
I did not bother listening to the rest and immediately hung up.
There was no need to guess what would happen next. But strangely, I did not feel anything anymore. No pain, no heartbreak.
From that day on, Cassandra never returned to the home she once called warm.
She used to be so clingy. When I cooked, she would hug me from behind, resting her head on my back while waiting for dinner.
Now, when I looked at the kitchen, it was nothing but a cold, empty space. The laughter, the warmth… it was all gone.
Cassandra Sinclair, I’m so done with you.
Rolling up my sleeves, I started clearing away everything that reminded me of her.
Once I was done, I took a long shower and lay down on my bed. For the first time in a long time, I slept peacefully.
The next day, when I walked into the office, my colleagues gave me strange looks. "Mr. Arden, why are you back?"
One of them nudged the other and whispered, "You still call him with such respect? Careful! If Mr. Knox hears you, he’ll have you kicked out. Didn’t he already warn us?"
