Chapter 5
“I’ll be right there. Just have your caretaker be with you for a little while, okay?” Despite the tension highlighted in his tightened jaw, Orlando’s voice remained soothing. A pool of unreadable emotions took over his gaze upon hearing Rebecca’s unsettling words.
Rebecca was delighted. “Okay, I’ll be waiting.”
With the call ended, Orlando glanced toward the stairs, his eyes darkening. After instructing the housekeeper to remind Cassandra about dinner, he made his way out.
The echo of the car engine filled the air. Standing by her bedroom window, Cassandra watched Orlando’s black car disappear into the distance.
A chilly expression set in her features, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. Orlando’s concerned gesture and his swift departure to see Rebecca were imprinted in her memory.
She thought to herself, “He is truly in love with Rebecca. What am I even expecting?”
Orlando didn’t return to Dustmeadow Mansion that night. Cassandra didn’t need to guess twice to know he spent the night at the hospital by Rebecca’s side.
This was a first. Throughout their marriage, Orlando hadn’t spent a night away unless he was on a business trip. Cassandra didn’t text or call, striving to uphold the image of a magnanimous and understanding wife.
Growing up, her mother, Evelyn Jackson, stressed the importance of being a “good wife,” especially after she learned about the impending marriage to Orlando.
Cassandra followed Evelyn’s advice perfectly, yet Orlando seemed untouched by her efforts. Gradually, Cassandra figured there could only be one reason–his hatred for her eclipsed all else. Facing this harsh reality, she reminded herself repeatedly that he would never love her.
That night, sleep was elusive until dawn broke. Just as she fell into a deep sleep, the shrill beep of her phone shattered the silence. Groggily picking up the phone, she noticed it was Orlando.
Answering in a croaky voice, she asked, “What’s up?”
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Emergency calls only
Chapter 5
“Are you up?” Orlando asked.
“Yeah,” Cassandra answered.
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“I need you to prepare two pairs of fresh clothes for Rebecca. She doesn’t want to be seen like this. Could your bring them over yourself?” Orlando’s request came off more like an instruction than a question.
Cassandra’s eyelashes fluttered, her face pallid due to lack of sleep. Momentarily stunned, she asked, “You want me to bring them to the hospital?”
“Yes, you,” Orlando confirmed.
“Since I barely know Ms. Spencer, wouldn’t she be uncomfortable with me seeing her like this?” Cassandra said.
“It won’t be an issue. Please bring them over quickly, okay?” Orlando requested.
Cassandra’s lips tightened into a thin line. Her heart ached. She promised herself that this was the last time she would bend over backward for him.
Her voice turned icy as she replied curtly, “I’ll be there in an hour.” She hung up before Orlando had a chance to respond.
As she wrestled to rein in her emotions, the suppressed ache within her amplified, gnawing away at her insides. ‘Is he doing this to get back at me for coming home with Michael last night?‘ she pondered. Regardless, she yearned more than ever to free herself from their fractured marriage.
With Rebecca coming back into consciousness, Cassandra knew it was the start of a new chapter. Orlando was bound to shower all his attention on her, and she could expect more of such uncomfortable situations in the future. A chilling dread filled her at the thought of the days ahead.
Digging into her walk–in closet, she picked out two outfits that Orlando’d bought for her quarterly but had never worn. She bundled them up and headed for the hospital.
As she approached Rebecca’s ward, hand poised to knock, she could hear the soft conversation seeping through the door. “Landy, I must look terrible now. Do you think Cassandra will mock me when she sees me?” Rebeccal mumbled.
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