Chapter 59
“You leaked it,” he said.
Not a question. A fact.
I set the wine glass on the table beside me, forced a shrug, and leaned back in the chair,
feigning nonchalance. “Honestly, it’s not like that secret was going to stay buried forever. So to speak.”
“You could’ve gotten her killed,” he growled. “You could’ve compromised everything
we’ve been working toward. The Alliance—”
“The Alliance is a house of cards,” I cut in, eyes narrowing. “You’re treating it like it’s
sacred when it’s being held together by half–truths and wishful thinking. Moonstone and
Silverclaw were never meant to play nice.”
His face twisted with disgust. “So your solution was to pour gasoline on an already burning
fire?”
“No,” I said, standing up now, my voice sharpening. “My solution was to force some transparency. And look–it worked. Elena’s been dragged into the spotlight, the truth’s out, and you and she still managed to look like a united front.”
“That wasn’t unity,” he snapped. “That was damage control. And the only reason we needed it was because of you.”
I laughed bitterly. “You’re acting like I staged the press ambush personally. All I did was tip off a friend. You think they weren’t already sniffing around? She’s not exactly forgettable.”
“Don’t insult both of our intelligence, Cassandra,” he said, voice dangerously low. “That photo at the wedding, the timing–this wasn’t a tip. It was a calculated move.”
“And what if it was?” I asked, stepping closer, chin lifted. “She’s been lying to everyone for
years. You mourned her. You buried her. And then she strolls back into our lives like nothing happened. And I’m supposed to smile and watch you fall for her all over again?”
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Chapter 59
His eyes darkened, lips tightening. “This isn’t about you and me.”
“The hell it isn’t,” I snapped. “You made promises, Derek. You vowed—”
“That was almost twenty years ago,” he said. “And we were kids.”
“You said you’d protect me.”
He said nothing.
+25 Bonus
The silence between us stretched, brittle and sharp. I hated that I could still read every flicker of emotion behind those eyes. That despite all of it, I still knew when he was on the edge of leaving. Of walking away from me for good.
So I did the only thing I could think of.
I softened. Dropped my shoulders. Let the tears well.
“Please,” I whispered. “I did this because I love you. I’ve always loved you. I thought… I thought if she were out of the way…”
He blinked, slow and heavy, like it physically pained him to look at me.
“I can’t do this,” he said, the words brittle.
“Derek,” I said, moving toward him, placing a hand on his chest. “You don’t have to-
He stepped back.
“No,” he said firmly. “Don’t.”
My hand fell uselessly to my side.
“I came here to ask why,” he said. “Now I know. You were scared. And petty. And reckless. And I don’t have time to clean up any more of your messes.”
“I’m not the one making the messes,” I snapped, tears instantly gone. “You are. Letting her back in. Falling all over her like she hasn’t been a ghost for the past six years.”
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Chapter 59
He turned without another word.
+25 Bonus
I stood there, trembling with rage and humiliation as the door slammed shut behind him.
Fine.
If that’s how he wanted to play it.
I crossed to the sideboard and poured myself another glass of wine. My reflection stared back at me in the dark glass of the TV screen. Eyes sharp. Shoulders squared. This wasn’t
over.
Not even close.
If Elena thought she’d won–if Derek thought he could humiliate me and walk away unscathed–they were both about to learn something very important.
I wasn’t done yet.
And I always played the long game.
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