Cassie stared at the couple she had long come to call her parents and at the boy who had grown into the closest thing she knew to a brother.
Their faces were a blend of worry, heartbreak, and helplessness, a reflection of everything she felt but refused to show.
"I already have some money saved up aside from what I invested in the Novarion Group," she said softly. "My online followers are a lot, but now I want to venture into real business."
Losing her daughter to her soon-to-be ex-husband came with both brutal heartache and unexpected clarity. The downside was obvious: she was going to miss Rose - miss teaching her, miss watching her grow, miss the small routines that only a mother could give.
But on the bright side, she suddenly had time. Time she could either drown in grief or use to build something for the future she still believed in.
Her online businesses had been built for flexibility, but now she could pour herself into them fully, maybe even transform them into something bigger than she had ever imagined.
"And how can we help?" Adrian asked, ready to move mountains.
Cassie hesitated. Frederick looked so much like his father that right now, she couldn't bear being surrounded by anything that mirrored her pain.
"Thanks, Dad," she murmured, "but I'd really like to do this on my own. I want to leave Chicago for a while. I'm thinking about Manhattan... or Palo Alto. I'm still deciding."
Both places were hubs for the wealthy, the elite, the influential. If she marketed her products right, she could tap into their world - a world Frederick always assumed she could never survive in without him.
Adrian and Corinne exchanged a glance, their sadness evident, but they understood she needed space. "Just... keep in touch, will you?" Corinne asked.
Cassie inhaled slowly. She had no idea how long it would take for the pain to fade. Maybe not until she regained custody or simply had the right to see her daughter again.
For now, the only thing that might numb the ache was work. "I can't promise," she admitted quietly. "I'm going to be very busy, and honestly... I need to get away from everything that reminds me of Fred. Just keep an eye on Rose for me."
Her honesty stung, but they accepted it. Their ache could never compare to hers.
Corinne sighed. "Rose will be just fine, but maybe we should've matched you with Franklin instead. He seems more responsible, though his last name is Roth. It's not too late. He's still single. I mean, not married."
Cassie choked on her saliva. "Mom, I've had my bitter taste of marriage. All I want now is to rebuild myself and do all the things I couldn't do. I want my daughter to be proud when she sees me again."
Sienna had managed to win Rose over. How, Cassie still didn't understand, but she was determined to change that someday.
"You're so much like your mother," Corinne added softly. "Your father spent three years chasing her, another four courting her. She was too focused on her career. By the time she agreed to marry, she was thirty-six. They struggled for years to have a child and finally had you at forty-five."
Cassie blinked, stunned. Her real parents were a blur in her memory. She had been too young. Adrian and Corinne had filled their roles so effortlessly after their deaths.
"I believe they lived their lives," she whispered. "Now I get to live mine. And you two... you've been the best parents anyone could ask for. I'll never forget everything you've done for me."
They had seen her through childhood infections, learning difficulties, setbacks that would've crushed most kids. They stood by her every step. She remembered all of it.
"Alright," Adrian sighed, "we don't have much, but manage two billion." He grabbed his phone to initiate a transfer.
Cassie quickly stopped him. "No. Please don't. I made enough from my online businesses. I'll survive."
"No way I'm letting you go empty-handed. And I hope that foolish son of mine gives you a worthy alimony."
"I told him, jokingly, that I'd take five billion, and he nearly had a stroke," Cassie muttered. "Honestly, I don't want anything from him. He can keep it."
"But he's worth over twenty billion," Adrian protested. "Five is nothing."
Cassie shook her head firmly. "If I make it one day, I don't want him thinking it's because of something he gave me. I want him to know I can live without him."
Adrian fell silent, moved. "Then I'm investing this money in your business. I trust your abilities."
Cassie opened her mouth to argue, but her phone buzzed - the transfer had already gone through. And he'd added extra. Of course he had.
"Thanks, Dad. I'll make it up to you with shares later."
He didn't want shares, but he wouldn't argue, knowing she might refund him if he insisted. Cassie truly had no idea what she was worth. If she did, she'd realize she could live comfortably for the rest of her life without working another day.
At the right time, they cat would be let out of the bag and they were sure it would be too late for Frederick.
"I'm gonna miss your cooking," Adrian said suddenly. "I always ordered from your app and joined your fitness and healthy living programs."
Cassie blinked. "You do?"
"Beaver 5 - that's me," Julius added, smiling shyly.
Cassie's jaw dropped. Beaver 5 was the fan who asked endless questions and ordered half her menu every week. "No way."
"Now you know. We'll all miss your food," Julius said.
Cassie smiled sadly. "Don't worry. I might be closer than you think."
After hugging her repeatedly, Adrian, Corinne, and Julius finally left.
Alone, Cassie booked an appointment with a divorce lawyer for the next day, then made a call she never thought she would make.
He picked up on the second ring.
"Cass..." His voice cracked. "I never thought I'd hear from you again."
Cassie smiled faintly. "Seb, I need your help."
"Anything. Anything at all. I owe you so much."
"You owe me nothing," she replied.
But the deep, pained voice on the other end disagreed. "Yes, Cass. I do. But... I can't tell you over the phone."
"Well, if you're still in Tribeca, then prepare to host me. Unless you're married now."
"Wait, what's going on?" Sebastian sounded equal parts disturbed and excited.
"I'm getting a divorce."
"Oh hell. When's it over? I'll come get you."
Cassie chuckled softly. "Relax. We have a lot to catch up on. The divorce is still ongoing."
"And I have a lot of apologies to offer," he added quietly.
Cassie frowned. She couldn't remember anything he should be apologizing for. "Okay. See you soon."
Later that night, she began packing. The housekeeper, Sara, approached.
"Mrs. Jones... what's going on?"
Cassie smiled. "I'm leaving soon. It's been great working with you."
The older woman nodded, not surprised. She had seen the distance between Cassie and Frederick. "I wish you all the best, dear. But... what about your fans?"
"They're online. I can reach them from anywhere. Take care, Sara."
That night, Cassie didn't sleep. She worked tirelessly, assembling a massive business plan. This was why she needed Sebastian. His influence in Manhattan stretched far.
Finally, exhausted, she drifted off, only for her phone to ring.
"Miss Munroe," a voice snapped, "I've been at the café for thirty minutes. Are you coming?"
Cassie shot upright, checked the time, and cursed silently. "I'm so sorry. I'll be there in thirty minutes."
"Another thirty? You-"
"I'll compensate you," she cut in, already rushing to get ready.
Minutes later, she stepped into the garage and froze. She hadn't called the mechanic to repair her car after the accident. Frederick's cars were sleek, flashy, expensive, and she hated them.
Only one car fit her: the least expensive of the bunch - a Mazda CX-50 Hybrid.
She grabbed the keys and drove off.
But life never went as planned.
At a traffic light, a car slammed into her bumper, jolting her forward. The airbag stopped her from hitting the steering wheel.
Dazed, Cassie unbuckled, stepped out, and when she saw who climbed out of the other car, something in her chest sank like a stone.
"Oh no," she whispered.
"Not again."
