Chapter 2

Ronan brushed his thumb lightly over Cassandra's swollen lips, his voice low and deep. Water slid down the line of his collarbone. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, exposing strong, defined forearms. He seemed casual and unbothered, but every inch of him pulsed with suppressed desire. Cassandra's gaze trembled, and she turned her head away. "Get lost!" A faint smile played on Ronan's lips, his eyes dark with amusement. "Want me to carry you to the shower?" Right then, his phone chimed. Even though he had turned off the screen quickly, Cassandra still saw the message. It was from Marissa. "Ronan, it's storming like crazy. I'm scared!" Ronan's brows drew together, and he looked back at Cassandra. "Something came up at the office. I have to go." Without waiting for her answer, he grabbed his jacket and strode out. The door had barely shut when a boom cracked through the air. A bolt of thunder exploded outside the window. Cassandra jerked in shock, her body tensing as her face went white. She was afraid of thunder, too. Back when she and Ronan were together, a thunderclap had startled her once, and she burrowed into his arms. She clung to him as if she couldn't let go. He had only laughed softly. "So, the fearless Ms. Hart is scared of thunder? That's a little dramatic." Now, Marissa was the scared one, and he left without a second thought, his face etched with worry. So, this was what it looked like when a man loved someone else and when he didn't. Mockery flickered in Cassandra's eyes. Another thunderclap split the sky. She curled up, hugging herself tightly. Not long after, a photo came through from Marissa. The photo showed Ronan, the same man who could stay cold and indifferent with Cassandra in bed, now holding Marissa in his arms. He was soothing her over and over, murmuring words of comfort, his face so gentle it looked unreal. Cassandra bit down on her lip and hurled the phone onto the floor. The night passed in a blur. As dawn approached, Cassandra got up, changed her clothes, and went back to Hart Estate. The moment she stepped inside, Howard glared at her with open disgust. "So, you've been out playing around again? Why can't you learn from Marissa and act more mature, so we don't have to keep worrying about you?" "She's more mature?" Cassandra let out a cold laugh. "Get your eyes checked. And your heart too. You're blind and completely heartless!" "Cassandra!" Howard slammed his palm on the table, his face dark with fury. "How dare you talk to me like that?" "Dad, don't be angry," Marissa chimed in sweetly. "It's bad for your health to start the day like this." Cassandra looked over and saw Marissa smiling brightly, with Ronan standing beside her. The man who claimed he had an urgent issue at the office was holding Marissa's coat and handbag, every inch the attentive, perfect boyfriend. Cassandra turned her head away. She didn't want to look at him. "Ronan, why are you here?" Elaine asked. "I'm here to update Mr. Hart on the project," Ronan said calmly, his expression unchanged. Marissa smiled and said softly, "Dad, I'm hungry." Howard's stern look vanished, replaced by warmth. "Come on. Sit down and have breakfast." Cassandra glanced at the breakfast spread. Every dish was Marissa's favorite. No one had ever spared a thought for what Cassandra liked. "Marissa, let me pour you some juice. It's good for your skin," Elaine said. "Marissa, try this." Howard set a plate down in front of her. "I made your eggs myself." Cassandra watched the three of them, a picture of a happy family, and laughed bitterly to herself. "Cassandra, why aren't you eating?" Marissa asked, putting on an innocent look. Before Cassandra could answer, Marissa picked up a cup of hot soy milk and offered it with a bright smile. "Have some soy milk." "No. Take it away." Cassandra frowned. Marissa still pushed it closer. "Just try it. It's really good." "I said no!" Cassandra lifted a hand to block it, and that was when Marissa's grip suddenly slipped. The scalding liquid splashed out, pouring over the back of Cassandra's hand. "Ah!" Cassandra sucked in a sharp breath, but she hadn't even gotten a word out before Marissa screamed first. The cup shattered on the floor. "Marissa!" Howard and Elaine shot to their feet at once, grabbing Marissa's hand and checking her over. Blisters were already rising on Cassandra's skin, but they acted like they couldn't see it. Instead, Howard rounded on her. "Marissa was being kind, and you couldn't even accept that. Now look what you did, you got her hurt!" Cassandra's fingers clenched into a fist. "I'm allergic to soy milk!"