Franklin Roth should have been in Atherton, California by now, but something held him back. Yesterday, on his way to O'Hare International Airport, he received a phone call about a business proposal too enticing to ignore.
It was the real reason he had traveled to Chicago, aside from meeting his twin brother. He called his mother, apologizing for the sudden change of plans, his voice tight with guilt.
On his way to meet the client downtown, Franklin's car jolted forward as he accidentally bumped into the vehicle ahead.
The red taillights shattered under the impact. He cursed under his breath. Accidents, minor or major, were unusual for him, and quickly stepped out, prepared to compensate the driver.
But fate had a cruel sense of humor. The driver was none other than his soon-to-be ex-sister-in-law.
Franklin's frown deepened. Frederick had spoken endlessly about his ex-wife, Cassie, and now Franklin finally had the chance to meet her. Yet something about her finances didn't add up.
Worse, he had heard how ruthless she could be, pushing a pregnant woman to the brink of miscarriage. Franklin despised women like that.
"We should stop meeting like this, don't you think?" he said, his tone sharp as Cassie swayed unsteadily. She pressed a hand to her temple, dizziness clouding her features.
"Your ego is bigger than your worth. Forget it," Cassie muttered, retreating into her car to steady herself.
Had she known it was Franklin, she wouldn't have stepped out at all. Birds of a feather flock together, she thought bitterly. To her, Frederick and Franklin were cut from the same cloth.
Franklin, already biased by his brother's stories, disliked her instantly. Still, he couldn't walk away without taking responsibility. He blocked her door before she could slam it shut.
"I'll send my mechanic to fix the damages," he said firmly.
Cassie chuckled, the sound bitter. "Forget it. This car isn't expensive. I can handle it."
Her refusal stirred something unexpected inside him - shame, yes, but also curiosity.
She had paid for his damages without complaint, yet refused his offer to cover hers. Was she pretending? A woman like her could never be modest. After all, Frederick claimed she had demanded five billion in the divorce.
"Stop trying to be modest when you're far from it," Franklin's cold voice cut through the air, his gaze hard. "Frederick already told me how you tried to dupe him."
Cassie's patience frayed. She was late for her appointment. "Believe whatever you want. Just move."
She shoved him aside, but her dizziness worsened. Franklin's eyes widened as blood slid from her nostrils.
"Damn it, you might have internal bleeding. I'll get you to the hospital." He reacted instinctively, scooping her into his arms. His cologne, sharp cedar with a hint of spice, filled her senses before everything went black.
When Cassie woke, the first face she saw was his - handsome, familiar, and unwanted. For a fleeting moment, worry etched his features, and she caught the softness in his eyes before it vanished behind his usual steel.
Her eyes darted around. Hospital? "What am I doing here? And what do you want?"
Franklin's jaw tightened. His tailored navy suit and polished shoes set him apart from Frederick, as did his scent.
"You fainted. The doctor said it was low blood sugar. Not eating? I already paid the bills and had your car repaired. I'll leave now."
Cassie ignored him, checking her phone. Dozens of missed calls and texts from her divorce lawyer flashed across the screen. Panic surged. She quickly texted an apology before calling.
"I'm sorry. I had an accident, but I'm fine now. Can we rebook? I'll compensate you."
"Luckily, I had another meeting nearby," the lawyer replied. "I'll wait for you. Same café."
Relief washed over her. She signed her discharge papers and hurried out. Franklin was just entering his car.
"Where are you going? The doctor said you should rest," he called, his voice softer now, almost protective.
Cassie slid into her repaired vehicle without answering. Just as she started the engine, her phone buzzed.
'Five hundred thousand dollars received from Franklin Roth.' Another message followed: 'Compensation for the accident.'
Cassie considered refunding the money but thought better of it. Free, unbudgeted cash could fund a private investigator to shadow Frederick and Sienna.
With proof, she could fight for custody of Rose. A smile tugged at her lips. "Thank you," she whispered, driving away.
Franklin watched her leave, conflicted. Cassie was exactly what Frederick had described - a gold digger.
Cassie arrived at the café, a sleek spot near Michigan Avenue with tall windows overlooking the bustling street. She spotted the lawyer by the window.
"Hi, I'm Cassie Munroe."
He rose, extending his hand. "Carter Hayes."
Their handshake had barely ended when two figures entered. Cassie's stomach churned. Frederick and his mistress.
An idea sparked. She leaned toward Carter, her voice low but sharp.
"That's my husband and his mistress. The divorce should favor me, right?"
