Chapter 2

Sitting beside the divorce agreement was another document. She had hired a private investigator to look into Annabelle. At 23 years old, she was a community college graduate with a certificate in nursing. She was born and raised in a rural county outside the city. Her parents worked low-wage jobs in a small town near Hannover. Back home, she had a younger brother who was a deadbeat gambler. When Cassandra first discovered the affair, she spent days tormenting herself with the same question. Why Annabelle? How could a woman as average as her be the one to capture Cameron's heart? Was it because of her delicate hands? Or had he simply gotten bored of their 15-year-old relationship? When Cameron returned, Cassandra remained seated on the couch as though she hadn't set foot in the garage and uncovered more of his secrets. His lips curled in delight, his eyes still as gentle as before. He casually slid his phone into the side pocket of his suit jacket, then said apologetically, "Cassie, I need to head out." By then, Lisa had also returned with the freshly made hot apple cider. She quizzically asked, "You're going out now, Mr. Dorsey? Is it for work?" Cameron hummed in response, his voice light as he replied, "Someone really important is buying me dinner." Soon, Cameron sped away in his car. Lisa said, "Have some hot apple cider to warm yourself up, Mrs. Dorsey. Mr. Dorsey specifically had this made for you." Cassandra took the cup. "It's too hot. I'll drink it later when the temperature's right. It's late. You should call it a day." "Okay. But you have to drink it, Mrs. Dorsey." "Alright, alright." Lisa removed her apron and subsequently left the villa. When she did, Cassandra poured all the apple cider into the toilet, flushed it, and headed out in sunglasses and a mask. After hailing a cab, she told the driver, "Follow that car in front." About 30 minutes later, Cameron's black Land Rover halted beneath a run-down, old apartment block. A few minutes later, a slender figure emerged from the building and slipped effortlessly into the passenger seat. Her pale, delicate hands reached for his broad shoulder as she leaned in, offering him her lips in a familiar kiss. Despite having mentally prepared for this, seeing the kissing couple in the car still stunned Cassandra to her core. It wasn't until a while that the cab driver broke the silence. "Ma'am, they're gone. Are we still tailing them?" She quickly regained her composure. "Yes, please." … Ten minutes later, Cameron led Annabelle into a bar. From the moment they got out of the car, she clung sweetly to his arm, chattering away like a cheerful bird. Outside the private room, a few friends were already waiting for them. Seeing the couple, they promptly greeted them, "Cameron, Annabelle." The lavish setting of the bar made Annabelle somewhat uneasy. In a cutesy tone, she said, "I know I said I'm buying you dinner, but I can't afford this place." Cameron simply looked at her with indulgence. "And where was the place you had in mind? Food trucks by the road?" She pouted adorably. "They're delicacies, okay? If we had gone there, I could probably buy you at least one item from each food truck." "And then I'd have diarrhea for the entirety of the next day." She playfully stuck a tongue out. "I didn't know you had such a weak stomach. Look at me—I grew up just fine eating street food." One of Cameron's friends chimed in with a laugh, "Aw, Cameron's girl is so thrifty. You're lucky, dude." Exactly—Annabelle was the picture of frugality and responsibility, while Cassandra was just the reckless one blowing money on shopping every day. … By the time Cassandra came home, it was already midnight. She scheduled a courier pickup on her phone, took a shower, and drifted off into a heavy sleep. When she woke up the next morning, Cameron was standing with his back to her, buttoning up his shirt. "You came home last night?" she asked, unconvinced. He let out a chuckle. "What does that mean? I've never not come home." "Shouldn't you be…" She finished the thought in her mind, "...spending the night with your young lover?" Cameron suddenly leaned down, pressing her beneath him. "Or… were you waiting up last night to make a baby with me?" The last few words came out in a low, heated breath, his lips grazing hers. He kissed her hard, and it was clear this wasn't going to be just a gentle brush. Cassandra shoved him away in resistance. "Get off me." Cameron's eyes were still clouded with the haze of desire as he propped himself up slightly over her. "What's wrong?" "I—" A ringtone interrupted the moment again. This time, it was Cassandra who speedily answered the call. "Yes, it's me. Have you arrived? Okay, I'll be right there." She cast him aside and climbed out of bed. Naturally, Cameron was no longer in a good mood after being interrupted. "Who called you at this hour? It sounded like a guy." Her expression was grim as she put on her jacket and practically drove him out. "It's not early anymore. Why aren't you heading out for work?" "Did you forget? I had Harold inform the whole office that I won't be coming in for the next few days. I'm supposed to spend time with you." "I'm fine without you." Cameron stood up and wrapped his arms around Cassandra's waist from behind, pressing a trail of soft kisses along the nape of her neck. "How are you supposed to make a baby without me?" As he spoke, he tightened his grip around her waist, the action highly suggestive. However, it only sparked the anger within her. She pushed against him more forcefully this time as she warned, "Let go of me." He simply assumed it was a playful resistance between couples, so he cupped her chin and kissed her again, his voice low and teasing. "I'm not letting you go." "Gosh, I said let go!" Somehow, Cassandra found the strength to escape from his arms. Cameron was stunned, with his arms still hanging in midair, but his gaze was starting to show confusion and displeasure. "Cassie, what's wrong with you?" She turned around and smoothed out her clothes. "Nothing. I scheduled a courier pickup, and he's waiting for me downstairs. I don't want to keep him at our door." When Cassandra went downstairs, the guy had already been invited into the living room by Lisa. At the sight of her, he stood up awkwardly and asked, "Are you Ms. Blake, the one who scheduled a pickup?" Cassandra nodded. "Follow me upstairs." She led the way, with the courier following her into the bedroom. Cameron stood off to the side with his arms crossed, his eyes flashing with hostility as he looked at the stranger. "Who told you to come in? Get out!" The courier was flustered. "Well, Ms. Blake—" "I did." Cassandra opened the wardrobe and told the courier, "Just these few boxes. Can you weigh them for me?" Cameron stared at the empty wardrobe, his brows furrowing. "Where are your clothes, Cassie?" She simply pointed at the boxes. "Why did you pack up your clothes? Are you leaving?" he questioned, straightening up to grab her shoulders. "Where are you going, Cassie?"