Chapter 2
Cassian gave a half–hearted nod and muttered,[]
“Good to hear. You go be with the kid. I’ll stop by later once I’m done.“[]
I didn’t respond.
But as I turned around, the tears came anyway.
Cassian…
If you knew you’d never get the chance to keep that promise-
Would you have still broken it so easily?
The house was too quiet now.[]
No laughter. No footsteps. Nothing.
I don’t know how long I sat there before I heard the front door open.[]
The sudden brightness of the hallway light almost made me flinch.]
Cassian was back–chatting on the phone, reassuring Vesper and her daughter.
I clutched the small box in my hands, my voice low and hoarse.
“Done with them already?“]
Cassian didn’t expect me to be in the living room.]
He coughed awkwardly.
“Uh–yeah.“]]
*Briar doesn’t like hospitals, so I hired a private doctor to treat her at home.”
I had suggested the same thing when Lumi was at her worst.
Cassian had shut it down immediately.
He said, “Kids aren’t made of glass.”
“She’s sick, take her to the ER like everyone else.“[]
“Don’t waste money on nonsense.”
But for Briar?
He got her the best care without hesitation.
The old me would’ve called him out.
Said he was playing favorites.
But this time, I just let him talk]
When he was done, I nodded.
“Sure. Makes sense.”
Cassian gave me a confused look
He picked up the cup on the table, took off the lid–it was empty
Chapter 2
Lumi used to make him tea every night.
She didn’t even know how to take care of herself yet, but she’d already figured out how to love him.[]
He put the cup down slowly, glanced toward her bedroom, and spoke.[]
“Briar needs a calm place to recover… I’m thinking of moving them in.“[]
He paused, watching me for a reaction.]
“Just until she’s better.“]
“Then they’ll move somewhere else.”
I thought maybe he’d set them up in a condo downtown.]
I never imagined he meant here.
Lumi hasn’t even been gone a week.
And he’s already bringing them home.
Unbelievable.
I let out a quiet laugh and looked up at him.]
“You seriously want me to live under the same roof as her?“]
Cassian looked away. His voice softened as he slid a black card toward me.
“This is temporary… Just take Lumi and stay somewhere else for a while.”
“Once they’re gone, you can come back.“]
I laughed again.
Couldn’t believe those words actually came out of his mouth.
Kicking your wife out so your mistress can move in.]
Classy.
But the sting in my palms reminded me–he really said it.]]
When I didn’t reach for the card, Cassian’s expression changed.]
He looked… off.
Back then, anytime he gave me money, I took it.[]
Didn’t matter if it was a couple grand or a few million–never said no.]
He always thought I was someone who could be bought.[]
But he never saw the hospital bills.]
The imported meds that cost more than most people make in a month.
The way the expenses stacked up like a casino bet we were losing every day.[]
But now… it didn’t matter anymore.
I stood up with the box in my hands and gave him the answer he wanted.]
“Okay.”
Cassian looked at me like he didn’t recognize me.
Chapter 2
“You don’t want anything else?“]
I paused. Then asked the one thing Lumi would’ve wanted.
“You remember you said you’d make it up to her?”
“The birthday she missed?”
Cassian’s shoulders relaxed.]
“Of course. Pick a day, and I’ll be there.“[]
“This time, I’ll give her everything she asked for.“[]
I smiled.
“Three days from now.“[]
That’s the seventh day after Lumi passed.[]
Cassian… don’t break your promise this time.
