Chapter 3

Cassandra looked up and laid her eyes on the man she had loved for 15 years. Then, a smile crept onto her face. She was set on leaving, but not just yet. She might've fooled Cameron into signing the divorce agreement, but there was still a 30-day cooling-off period before the divorce was finalized. She had practically read him like a book. It was clear to her now what kind of game Cameron was playing. He wanted to have the best of both worlds, planning a baby with her while having his share of fun with another woman. He thought as long as he kept it hidden, this double life could stretch on indefinitely. Unfortunately for him, he underestimated a woman's intuition. In truth, he had been careful—meticulous, even—but 15 years of shared time together couldn't be erased. One glance, one subtle shift in his behavior, was all it took. In the end, Cassandra followed that thread straight to the other woman, Annabelle. Cassandra didn't blame anyone. Falling for someone new and growing tired of the old were human nature. If Cameron wanted to have it both ways, that was his choice. She might be one of the boats he tried to anchor, but she refused to be docked in the same harbor forever. She could sail wherever she wanted or wherever the wind took her. She wasn't the kind of woman who needed a man to survive anyway. "Answer me! Why did you pack all your clothes into these boxes?" Cameron was furious, clutching her shoulders with an overwhelming strength to the point of hurting her. Cassandra let out a gasp, and it was only then that he let go of her. His gaze lingered fervently on her, demanding an answer. She chuckled. "These clothes are out of season, and I don't like them anymore. I'm planning to donate them all and get new ones. What's wrong? Backing out already? You told me yesterday I could buy whatever I wanted without needing to inform you." Cameron was slightly startled. "So… these are just for donations?" Cassandra nodded. "It'd be a waste to throw them away, don't you think? Donating them gives them a new purpose, at least." Immediately, he snorted softly, as though a weight had lifted off his shoulders. "You freaked me out. I thought you had packed your bags to leave me." "You didn't do anything wrong for me to leave you, did you?" "Right. We're way too close for you to be leaving me." The courier was thoroughly entertained by the drama unfolding beside him. It was like watching a live soap opera. He even got a taste of the couple's sweet moment, though nothing topped the joy of landing a big order like this. There were four full boxes, which ought to weigh at least 200 pounds. What a big shipment! He was in such a good mood that even his tone turned cheerful. "If you ask me, your husband really cares about you, Ms. Blake. You're one lucky lady. Men this loyal are rare these days." With a possessive stance, Cameron wrapped his arm around Cassandra's waist. "You hear that? Men like me are rare these days. You'd better cherish me." Cassandra pushed him away yet again. "Where's my phone? I need to pay this guy." … After breakfast, Cameron returned to his study. Wednesday mornings were reserved for the executive meeting. Even if he didn't go into the office, he still had to join via video conference. In the meantime, Cassandra made a phone call of her own. "Mr. Fawn, have you reviewed the divorce agreement? Once the cooling-off period ends, I plan to file. Any issues with that?" On the other end of the line, an attorney at law, Kevin Fawn, replied, "The agreement itself looks fine. There are no children involved, so custody isn't an issue. And since you're not asking for any assets, it should go through smoothly. But…" "But what?" "When you finalize the divorce at the courthouse, Mr. Dorsey will still need to sign in person. Are you sure he's willing to go through with it?" Cassandra frowned. "Is there any other way we can bypass him and file?" "It'll be a challenge." She let out a cold laugh, then transferred a sum of money to Kevin. "How about now? Do you have a way?" His tone shifted instantly, doing a complete 180. "But no challenges are impossible, right?" "Go on." "We can have Mr. Dorsey sign an authorization letter. His representative attorney can then handle the divorce paperwork with you on his behalf." Cassandra gave it a thought. It was just a signature on a document, which he had easily given before. Getting him to do it again shouldn't be too hard. "Alright. Get the authorization letter ready. I'll find a way to get his signature. After that, you'll come with me to the courthouse—" "Oh, no, no, can't do that…" Kevin was too greedy, and Cassandra was starting to get annoyed. "Don't worry. Once it's done, you'll be paid well. I don't short people who get things done." "It's not about the money. Sooner or later, Mr. Dorsey will find out the truth. You can disappear after the divorce, but I still have to make a living in Hannover. If he decides to come after me, my tiny firm won't stand a chance…" he said awkwardly. "What do you suggest?" "Well… I don't suppose you know another lawyer you trust? Preferably someone who can disappear right after the job's done?" Like a hitman, but it was a lawyer instead? Of course, Cassandra didn't know someone like that. She did, however, know one lawyer who would be thrilled to see her and Cameron divorced. … It was 3:00 pm at a cafe. Cassandra had been waiting for nearly two hours before the other party finally showed up. "Long time no see, Mr. Scott." The man who walked in was tall—nearly six feet and three inches—dressed in a sharply tailored suit, with a faint, mocking smirk tugging the corner of his lips. Ryan was Cameron's childhood best friend and the third son of the prominent Scott family in Easthaven. While his two older brothers tore each other apart over the family fortune, Ryan had always stood apart, aloof and disinterested. After graduating from a top law school, he left the family circle entirely and became a lawyer. For reasons she never quite understood, Ryan had taken an instant dislike to her the moment she and Cameron started dating. His hostility was obvious. Unlike the other guys in Cameron's circle, who had addressed her by her first name from day one, Ryan had only ever addressed her with a cool, distant "Ms. Blake". "I wonder what this meeting is about, Ms. Blake. I don't recall anything between us worth talking about." Cassandra stated, "I'm here to congratulate you, Attorney Scott." Ryan raised a brow. "What for?" "For having your wish come true." She pulled a stack of photos from her bag, which were all shots of Cameron and Annabelle in their intimate moments that the private investigator caught—hand-holding, hugging, and even kissing. Ryan burst into a laugh. "Not bad, Cameron. Looks like you finally figured it out. Life's too short to stick with the same woman." Over the years, Cassandra had grown used to Ryan's snide, sarcastic remarks. Regardless, he was the only one who could help her get a divorce right now. He pushed the photos back toward her, his eyes narrowed and calm. "So, are you hoping I'll convince Cameron to go home to you? I'm sorry, but you've got the wrong guy. It's actually my dream for you two to drift apart and live separate lives under the same roof." "I know. That's why we share a goal this time," she said. He raised a brow. "What does that mean?" "I'll find a way to get Cameron to sign an authorization letter, appointing you as his representative lawyer to handle the divorce with me."