The Mistress’s Game

Chapter 4 – Ashes Don’t Lie

The smell of coffee filled the air but it didn't make her feel calm. she stood by the counter with her fingers holding the cold marble when his voice broke the silence.

"What are you hiding from me, Cassandra?"

She looked up and saw him in the doorway with his shirt sleeves rolled and his tie hanging loose like he had dressed in a hurry just to corner her.

"Why do you keep asking me that" she managed her voice low but not as steady as she wanted

Ethan stepped closer but each movement was slow and deliberate. "Because you don’t act like someone who just wants me. You act like someone who’s afraid I’ll find out why you are really here."

Her breath caught, sharp and shallow. He suspects more than I thought…

"You’re overthinking," she forced out, adding a laugh that sounded fake even to her own ears. "Not everything is a conspiracy, Ethan."

He tilted his head as eyes narrowed while studying her like she was a puzzle he already knew how to solve. "No," he murmured. "Not everything but you " He stepped even closer as his voice dropped low. "You’re something.”

Flashback:

The smell of burnt wood hit her like a punch

She was sixteen when it was a cold night and she was hiding under the staircase with her knees to her chest while heavy footsteps and shouts shook the walls. A Men in black suits ran through the house breaking doors and tearing her world apart.

"Mr. Raines, you are under arrest for fraud and political interference," one officer said with his voice cold and final.

Her father was on the floor with his face pressed to the carpet and his wrists were pulled back in metal cuffs. He looked up at her with his eyes wide and trembling mouth. “Don’t look at me like that, baby. This isn’t what you think”

But it was. She had seen the files hidden under his desk and she had seen the money. The betrayal sat heavy and sharp in her chest even then.

She remembered standing in the courtroom days later, her hands clenched so hard her nails dug into her skin.

Governor Hinnberg took the stand with his voice dripping fake sorrow, fake righteousness and behind him was….

Ethan Ashford.

He stood tall in a perfect suit with a perfect jawline, in the perfect picture of loyalty and power the golden protege.

When the verdict was read, her father’s eyes found hers one last time. “Don’t let them win, Cassandra,” he said with his voice breaking as they dragged him away.

And right there with her heart burning and her throat sore she promised she would burn them all.

Back in the Kitchen

Cassandra blinked away the memory and raised her chin. "Why are you even interested in me, Ethan? You could have anyone you want."

"Maybe I like dangerous women," he said, stepping into her space until his body heat wrapped around her like fire. "Or maybe…" his voice went lower and rougher, "I like puzzles."

His fingers touched her cheek slowly and carefully and it sent a shock right to her chest .no, I can't fall for him…. I can't.

But her body didn't listen, it leaned into his touch like it was the only thing keeping her standing.

"Stop looking at me like that," she said with her voice breaking more than she wanted.

"Like what?" stayed on hers without blinking nor searching.

"Like you… like you see everything."

A small smile touched his lips but there was no warmth, no joke, it was just something that felt dangerous. "Maybe I do."

Her stomach turned and her breath got stuck in her throat

Then her phone buzzed in her pocket breaking the moment so she stepped back making space between them then answered.

"Cass," Damian’s voice came through smooth but with something darker under it. "I have something you need to see in ten minutes and bring no one."

"I’m busy" she replied

"Trust me, It’s about Ethan."

Her eyes flicked to Ethan. He was watching her every move like he could read her thoughts.

She swallowed hard. “Fine.” Then she hung up before she could change her mind.

"Who was that?" Ethan’s voice was calm but there was an edge to it.

"Just a friend." she said while avoiding his eyes.

He raised a brow but didn’t press. "Be careful who you trust."

She said quietly “thanks for the warning and grabbed her coat feeling the weight pressing on her chest as she walked to the door”.

Damian’s Bombshell

Damian was leaning on the hood of his car when she got there, a lazy grin on his lips but his eyes were sharp and knowing.

"You look nervous," he said, flicking dust off his jacket.

"You said you had something," she replied, trying to keep her voice calm.

He gave her a folded document. "Read it."

She opened it and froze. it was a legal paper and annulment papers for Ethan Ashford and Olivia Cross.

Her lips trembled. "He… he was married."

"Was," Damian corrected smoothly. "Three months annulled and sealed so fast it smelled so bad, You know why? Because Ethan ruins everyone he touches. Ask Olivia what happened when she tried to love him."

Her fingers gripped the paper tight."Why are you showing me this?"

"Because you need to stop pretending you can handle him." His voice softened, almost gentle, which somehow made it worse. "Ethan isn’t your salvation, Cassandra, He is your executioner."

She looked up sharply. "Are you any better?"

Damian’s grin turned bitter and like he was having fun. "At least I’m honest about what I am." he said leaning close so she could smell the smoke on him. "Ethan will eat you alive. Let me help you burn him first."

Her lips moved like she wanted to say something sharp but a voice cut through the air like a knife.

"Step away from her, Damian."

They turned.

Ethan stood at the edge of the street with his hands in his pockets but his body was tight and ready, his eyes locked on Damian like a hunter and it made her blood run cold.

Damian’s smirk got bigger. "Cousin, I didn't expect you to show up."

"I told you once," Ethan said, his voice calm but deadly, "don’t touch what’s mine."

"Yours?" Damian let out a sharp laugh. "That’s funny, considering she doesn’t even"

Ethan moved one slow step forward, his face turning dark and deadly. "Say another word, Damian. I dare you."

The air got still heavy and hard to breathe even the traffic noise faded under the weight of Ethan’s threat

Damian’s grin slipped a little, his shoulders getting tight. "Or what?" he asked, but his voice had lost some of its bite.

Ethan smiled dark, slow and scary. "You know exactly what."

Cassandra’s heart beat hard caught between them as old fights came back and the air was thick and hard to breathe.