Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Ondo’s eyes narrowed at her words, his gaze icy.
For a moment, they just stared at each other. Then, he uttered, “Cassandra, that’s not even remotely
amusing.” Her hypothetical question regarding his feelings towards her was nothing more than a joke to
him.
Cassandra’s expression stiffened. “I apologize.”
There was an odd sensation in Ondo’s chest as he saw Cassandra, still meek, tender, and ever
reasonable.
Cassandra’s phone suddenly rang. Startled, she swiftly picked it up. Her eyes widened at the caller ID.
The fleeting hint of panic didn’t escape Ondo.
Seeing her hesitation, he prodded, “Aren’t you going to answer that?”
After a reluctant nod, she pressed the answer button. “Hello?”
“Cassandra, your results are ready. There’s absolutely nothing to worry about.” The caller paused
before continuing, “But, it appears you’re a bit more than two months pregnant, and the baby is
developing fine. Have you… decided to keep it?”
The caller’s words echoed in her mind. Cassandra froze. Her face lost color as her mind reeled, ‘I’m
pregnant!”
Instead of responding, she involuntarily nced at Ondo, scared he might have overheard the
conversation.
Observing her reaction, Ondo asked worriedly, “What happened?”
Upon hearing Ondo’s voice in the background, the caller quickly asked if she was with him. “Okay, I
understand. Goodbye,” was Cassandra’s hasty response before she hung up the call.
Ondo’s prating gaze was still focused on her. Seeing her perturbed expression, he asked,
“Cassandra,
what was that about?”
Cassandra shook her head, unable to discern her own feelings. She mused, ‘Why bother telling him?
We’re getting a divorce soon. Will he reconsider because of the baby? No, that’s not right. It’s pathetic
enough as is. I can’t trap him using this unborn child. That would strip away any dignity I have left.”
1/3
MetroOpinion
OPEN >
She suppressed her emotions and tried to soundposed. “It’s just some work stuff. I can handle it.”
Ondo didn’t question her further, but observed her closely.
Making an effort to feign a smile, Cassandra acted like a thought struck her. “I need to go to work. Let
me know when you’re ready for the divorce proceedings.”
Without waiting for his response, she hastily left Dustmeadow Mansion.
The bitterness in Cassandra’s heart surged like a tide, turning into tears that fell from her eyes.
Memories from the past made her heart ache so much that she could barely breathe. She painfully
thought, “If he didn’t intend to see this marriage through, why was he so kind to me? He gets to move
on like nothing happened, but what
about me?”
Cassandra absent–mindedly ced her hand on her belly, muttering, “Little one, this is hardly a good
time for you to arrive. I don’t know how to handle this.”
That fateful night was a whirlwind of confusion. Ondo hade to her, drunk, repeatedly whispering
the name “Ba.” She tried to resist him, but it was impossible against a drunken man. The following
hours were filled with guilt and self–reproach. In her haze, she’d forgotten all about taking any
contraceptive pills.
Cassandra made her way to the architectural firm that she co–founded with her friend, Michael Collins.
Recently, their design drawing had been gged for suspected giarism. She needed to stay on top
of the
situation–any misstep could result in dire consequences.
Michael was quick to notice Cassandra’s ashen face when she arrived. Concern lining his voice, he
asked, “Cassie, what’s wrong?”
Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.
Cassandra shook her head and said, “I’m okay.” She quickly redirected the conversation. “What about
Hawley Real Estate? Any update?” Hawley Real Estate was their partner on the design project that had
sparked the giarism concerns.
“They’re expecting a solid exnation. If we don’t deliver, they’ll p us with awsuit,” Michael
ryed..
“When’s the meeting? Should we head out?” Cassandra sprang to action.
2/3
Chapter 2
“Yeah, sure.” Michael nodded. As they prepared to leave, he handed her a plece of paper. “Hey, some
big shot wants you to design diamond jewelry. Offered good money.”
Cassandra took a split–second nce at the document before declining outright, “Not right now. Let’s
talk about this after i settle my divorce with Ondo.”
“Wait, you’re getting a divorce?” Michael was taken aback,
“Yes,” Cassandra answered.
“Was it his idea?” Michael probed further.
Cassandra held back the welling emotions in her eyes. A certain calmness to her voice, she said,
“Yeah. His beloved hase around. He wants to marry her.”
Seeing the mncholycing her eyes, Michael scowled. He felt a pang of concern for Cassandra and
a resentment towards Ondo. Keeping his voice low, he voiced his thoughts, “Cassie, why on earth
are you letting yourself get hurt like this? A year ago, you shouldn’t have-”