I was nothing more than a sharp blade in his hand, a tool he wielded with precision and ease. Once, in our younger days, we had been like wounded cubs licking each other's wound, drawing strength from shared pain. But that was all.
When he proposed to me all those years ago, I hadn't expected it. I had been too overwhelmed by joy to think it through, too eager to believe in a promise that was likely made out of guilt rather than love. Looking back now, I see it for what it was—an illusion I should never have clung to.
The company cleaned up its image and he no longer needed me. To Cayden, I had lost my value.
I studied the now-mature and composed man sitting across from me. He seemed so untouchable, every movement measured, every expression controlled. Pulling out the small box I had prepared, I placed it on the coffee table between us, the sound of its gentle thud breaking the silence.
"I wasn't able to attend your wedding," I said, keeping my tone as steady as I could. "So, here's a belated gift. Don't worry, it's money I earned through honest work. It's mine."
Cayden's brow furrowed, his gaze shifting between me and the neatly wrapped gift. For a moment, I thought he might actually accept it. But then he let out a disbelieving laugh, the sound sharp and cutting.
"Are you joking with me, Aubrey? What's the meaning of this? Are you jealous?"
His incredulity, the sharpness in his tone, shattered the fragile self-respect I had clung to. He looked at me as if I were a fool.
I swallowed the dryness in my throat, willing my voice not to waver. "Since you won't take it, forget it." I reached for the box, intending to take it back.
But Cayden wasn't ready to let it go. He shot to his feet and gripped my shoulders. "What do you mean by this? Are you blaming me? Blaming me for not marrying you?"
The intensity in his voice was enough to send a surge of panic through me. I instinctively glanced toward the doorway, where a few of the boys stood, pretending not to listen but clearly eavesdropping.
I shook off his hands, taking a step back to put distance between us. Forcing calm into my voice, I replied, "How could I blame you, Mr. Cooper? It's not my place to judge your choices."
He studied me, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. Whenever Cayden was in a foul mood, his brows would arch and then knit together in a subtle frown—a tell he never managed to hide.
"Is that so?" he said, his voice cool and clipped. "If that's the case, report to the office tomorrow. You'll be my assistant."
I froze, the weight of his words sinking in. Assistant?
As he turned to leave, he paused at the doorway and added with a smirk that didn't reach his eyes, "Oh and your duties will include delivering documents and accompanying my wife on shopping trips."
The air left my lungs as if I had been punched. But I refused to let him see the pain he had caused. I stood there in silence as he walked away, each step echoing like a nail in the coffin of whatever we once had.
After he left, I rubbed my face vigorously with both hands, trying to shake off the stiffness that had settled over me from holding back my emotions. The ache in my chest was suffocating, but I wouldn't cry. Not for him.
***
The next day, I met Catherine.
It was by the lake, a picturesque spot with clear water that reflected the azure sky and lush green trees surrounding it. Cayden had brought her here for a leisurely outing, while I had been tasked with ensuring her safety as her bodyguard.
Catherine was everything I wasn't—elegant, poised and radiating the confidence of someone who had always lived a life of privilege. Her dress, an expensive designer piece, swayed gracefully in the breeze as she walked. Cayden stayed close to her, his gaze soft and attentive, the way it used to be when he looked at me.
I kept my distance, watching them from the shadows like an outsider. But then, out of nowhere, Catherine let out a startled cry and stumbled. Her arms flailed as she tumbled into the lake, the pristine water rippling violently around her.
"Help! Somebody, help me!" she shrieked, her voice laced with panic.
Instinct overrode my hesitation and I dove in without a second thought. The icy water soaked through my thin clothes instantly, chilling me to the bone. Fighting against the resistance of the water, I reached her in a few powerful strokes and pulled her to the surface.
Catherine clung to me, coughing and gasping, but the moment we reached the shore, her demeanor shifted. She pulled away from me and collapsed dramatically onto the grass, her sobs exaggerated as if she were performing for an audience.
Before I could process her act, Cayden arrived. His footsteps were rapid, his face a mix of panic and fury. He didn't even glance at me as he rushed to Catherine's side.
"What happened?" he asked, his voice soft and filled with concern as he knelt beside her.
"I-I slipped," Catherine stammered, tears streaming down her face. "Aubrey saved me, but—"
Cayden didn't let her finish. He stood and turned toward me, his expression darkening.
"What the hell were you thinking?" he snapped, his voice like a whip. Before I could respond, his hand came down hard against my cheek, the sting spreading across my skin like fire.
I staggered back, pressing a hand to my face as I stared at him in disbelief. He didn't care. His attention was already back on Catherine, his arms wrapping around her protectively as he carried her to the car.
"Take her to the hotel," he ordered one of the drivers before disappearing with Catherine.
I stood there, drenched and trembling, as the sound of the car engine faded into the distance. My phone's battery was dead. The area was so remote there were no taxis and I had no way to call for help.
An hour passed before Dennis arrived. He found me sitting on the grass, my arms wrapped around my knees in a futile attempt to keep warm. Without a word, he draped his leather jacket over my shoulders and crouched down beside me.
"Aubrey," he said softly, his voice tinged with worry. "Let's go."
I corrected him, telling him to call me "big sister." Dennis hesitated for a moment, then scowled and huffed as he escorted me to a nearby hotel.
