Her Revenge

Chapter 17

The airport was busy, filled with movement and chatter.

Cassie stepped out of the noisy hall slowly, her heels touching the ground with quiet confidence. Her sunglasses rested perfectly on her face, hiding the pain in her eyes. Everything about her screamed class, wealth, and power.

She had returned after many years.

Matteo walked beside her, his gaze sharp as he looked around cautiously.

“I’ll be back, Cassie,” he said. “I need to use the restroom.”

Cassie gave a small nod. “I’ll be right here.”

“Don’t wander around. Just stay here and wait for me, understand?” he added, his eyes filled with doubt.

Cassie laughed softly. “What? Do you think I’m a kid that can get lost? Remember, I lived in this city for most of my life,” she said, rolling her eyes.

He hesitated for a second, like he wanted to say more, but then he turned and walked away.

Cassie stood still for a moment.

Then slowly, she removed her sunglasses and placed them on her head.

Her eyes scanned the environment calmly… but deep inside, memories were already creeping in.

This city.

This place.

Everything she left behind.

She exhaled softly and began to walk.

On the other side—

Kaden walked briskly, his phone pressed against his ear, his expression cold and slightly irritated.

“I said I want the deal finalized before the end of today. I don’t tolerate delays—”

He stopped mid-sentence because someone had bumped into him.

A soft gasp escaped Cassie’s lips as her bag slipped from her hand.

“Hey—”

Kaden’s hand moved instantly, gripping her arm to steady her before she could fall.

Time paused.

Cassie froze.

The moment his hand touched her, her breath hitched slightly.

She knew that voice.

She would recognize it anywhere.

Slowly… she looked up.

And there he was.

Kaden.

For a split second, everything inside her shook.

Memories. Pain. Love. Betrayal.

But just as quickly as it came, it disappeared

Her face turned cold.

Kaden stared at her blankly.His eyes scanning her face.

“…I’m sorry,” he said slowly. “Are you okay?”

His hand was still on her arm.

Cassie’s eyes dropped briefly to his hand before she pulled away from his grip.

“You should watch where you’re going,” she said, her voice calm but very cold.

Kaden frowned slightly. “You bumped into me, young lady,” he said, frowning more deeply. What’s wrong with this lady?

“You should watch where you’re going too, because if you had, I wouldn’t have bumped into you,” she replied, clearly annoyed.

Kaden didn’t argue further.

Instead, his eyes searched her face again, trying to remember.

Her voice…

Why did it feel so familiar?

“…Have we met before?” he asked.

That question hit deeper than it should have.

For a moment, Cassie felt her chest tighten, but she didn’t show it.

Instead, a faint smile touched her lips—cool, almost mocking.

“I don’t think we have met before.”

Her tone was smooth.

But her eyes held something else entirely.

Something dangerous.

Kaden’s brows drew together slightly.

He took a small step closer, studying her more carefully.

Her voice sounded so familiar.

Too familiar.

“…Strange,” he murmured under his breath.

“Well, if you don’t have any—”

“Kaden!”

A female voice broke through the moment, cutting Cassie short.

Cassie’s body stiffened almost instantly.

She knew that voice.

Selene.

Selene rushed toward him, her face lighting up as she reached his side. Without hesitation, she hugged him affectionately.

“Kaden, I’ve been calling you! Why weren’t you picking up? I didn’t know you had arrived already. I missed you so much,” she said, her voice soft, almost whining.

Kaden’s expression didn’t change much.

Still calm—yet distant.

“I just arrived,” he replied briefly, before turning his face back to Cassie.

Selene didn’t seem to mind.

Not until she noticed Cassie.

Her eyes shifted.

And in that single moment—

Something ugly flashed through them.

Irritation.

Because of the way Kaden was looking at this stranger.

Cassie stood there, watching them.

For a brief second, something burned deep inside her.

Memories flooded in.

The two people she had loved…

Standing side by side.

She clenched her fingers slightly.

Anger rose in her chest like fire.

Selene straightened slightly, her gaze moving over Cassie again, this time more carefully.

There was something about her that makes her feel threatened.

“I don’t think we’ve met,” Selene said, her tone polite—but not warm.

Cassie’s lips curved faintly.

“You’re right,” she replied simply.

“And you are…?” Selene asked, her voice laced with arrogance.

“Selene, that’s enough. I just bumped into her,” Kaden said, stepping forward.

“Then why is she looking at you like that?” Selene snapped defensively. “Like she wants to eat you up.”

“Selene,” Kaden said sharply, his voice turning cold, “will you just stop? You can’t go around talking to strangers like that.”

“Well, I only said the truth,” Selene replied stubbornly.

Cassie only shook her head slightly and bent to pick up her bag from the floor.

She glanced at them briefly.

Seems like they aren’t really in love after all.

That would make things easier.

Much easier.

A faint smirk touched her lips.

She was just getting started.

Just then, Matteo walked in, his eyes scanning the area until they landed on her.

Relief flashed across his face.

Immediately Cassie saw him, she walked quickly toward him and wrapped her arms around him gently.

“Babe,” he called softly, hugging her back possessively.

His presence was immediate.

Protective. Steady.

Kaden and Selene both went quiet, watching them.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” Cassie said, holding him a little tighter.

Kaden’s brows furrowed slightly.