CHAPTER 14: PRIVATE ORDERS
1309 Words
DAPHNE’S POV
When I told Cassius that it was that time of the month, I couldn’t even look him in the face. I wished the ground would just open up and swallow me whole. The embarrassment burned through me, making my skin feel too exposed. I wanted to disappear, to vanish into the walls. To be anywhere but there.
It was too much.
When I said it, I expected him to react the way I imagined he always would—cold, dismissive, maybe even annoyed. I thought he would call me weak… or simply walk away like it didn’t concern him.
After all, I meant nothing to him. I was just a substitute bride, a replacement. Someone who had been forced into his life through lies and deception.
But instead…he carried me.
Not just that—he left everything behind. The business gala. The important speech.
For me? I still didn’t understand it.
The car ride home was quiet.
I sat beside him, my body curled slightly inward as the dull ache in my stomach twisted and tightened. I pressed my palm lightly against it, hoping it would ease the pain, but it didn’t.
I didn’t dare look at him. Not after what had happened. Not after what I told him.
The silence between us felt heavy. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
Was he irritated?
Regretting bringing me?
Or was he simply… indifferent?
I swallowed hard and leaned my head slightly against the seat, closing my eyes for a brief moment.
The pain came in waves.
By the time we arrived, I barely noticed the car stopping.
The door opened.
I blinked slowly and tried to move, but the moment I shifted, a sharp pain shot through my abdomen and I froze.
Before I could even attempt again, he moved.
One moment I was seated. The next, I was in his arms.
I gasped softly, my hands instinctively grabbing onto his shirt.
“Cassius—”
“Stay still.” He said shortly.
And just like that, I went quiet.
The front doors opened, and the moment we stepped inside, the servants froze.
Every single one of them.
Their eyes widened, their expressions filled with shock as they stared at us—at him… carrying me.
I buried my face into his chest immediately, my arms wrapping around his neck without thinking.
I didn’t want them to see me like this. I felt weak, helpless, and embarrassed.
I could feel his steady heartbeat beneath my cheek. It was steady—completely unlike mine.
“Call Nancy.” His voice echoed through the space, sharp and commanding.
Footsteps rushed in from the hallway.
“Aunt Nancy?” a maid called out quickly.
Within seconds, she appeared.
Her eyes landed on us—and for a moment, even she froze.
“Young master…?” she said, clearly caught off guard.
Cassius didn’t respond to her immediately. Instead, he walked past her, still holding me, heading straight for the stairs.
Aunt Nancy followed quickly behind.
By the time we got to my room, he pushed the door open and walked in without hesitation.
He moved toward the bed and gently lowered me onto it.
For a brief second, his hands lingered—just enough to make sure I was settled.
Then he straightened. “Take care of her,” he muttered.
Aunt Nancy stepped forward immediately.
“Oh dear…” she murmured, concern replacing her surprise.
“What happened?”
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t–not in front of Cassius. I pressed myself into the bed like I could vanish into the sheets.
Cassius didn’t speak either. Instead, he turned and walked out.
“Cramps.” I mumbled, as soon as he left. Aunt Nancy gave a knowing look.
She helped me sit on the bed before disappearing briefly into the bathroom.
“Let me get you something comfortable,” she said.
I nodded weakly. The pain hadn’t eased.
If anything, it felt worse.
She returned with a change of clothes and helped me into them, her movements calm and practiced, like she had done this a hundred times before.
“Lie down,” she said softly.
I did.
She placed a warm compress against my lower abdomen, and I let out a quiet breath as the heat slowly began to ease the tension.
“Thank you…” I whispered.
She smiled faintly.
“You’ll be alright,” she said. “It happens.”
There was a pause. My eyes fluttered close, relaxing.
“Young master has never carried a woman into this house before.”
My eyes flickered open. I looked at her.
“What?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
She adjusted the blanket over me, her expression thoughtful.
“I’ve been in this house for years,” she continued. “I’ve seen him grow…”
She shook her head slowly.
“He doesn’t care about things like that.”
My chest tightened slightly.
Aunt Nancy glanced at me, studying my reaction.
“That man…” she went on, “always puts business before everything.” Her voice softened. “But today?” She let out a small breath. “He left an important event. His own speech. Just to bring you home.”
I swallowed. My fingers tightened slightly around the sheets.
“I didn’t ask him to,” I said quietly. Though, I was grateful.
“I know,” she replied.
Silence settled between us again.
But this time, it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was heavy… with something I couldn’t name.
Aunt Nancy stood up after a moment.
“I’ll get you some tea,” she said. “It will help with the pain too.”
I nodded. She left the room, closing the door softly behind her.
I stared at the ceiling as my mind replayed everything.
The restroom. The way he looked when he saw that man. The rage. The way he punched him until he bled. The way he said—my wife. And then…the way he carried me.
My chest tightened again, but this time, it wasn’t from pain.
I turned slightly on the bed, wincing as I adjusted. Why did he do that? It didn’t make sense. None of it did.
Aunt Nancy returned shortly after with a cup of warm tea.
“Drink this,” she said gently, helping me sit up.
I didn’t argue. The warmth of the tea spread through me as I took slow sips, my body gradually relaxed.
“It will help,” she added. I nodded, too tired to say anything more.
She stayed with me for a while, making sure I was comfortable before leaving the room quietly.
Not long after, sleep took over.
I didn’t know how long I slept. But when I woke up, the pain had reduced. It was still there—but not as sharp.
I sat up slowly, testing my body. I felt better.
I let out a quiet breath and swung my legs off the bed.
I needed to drink water.
I stood up carefully and walked toward the door, opening it slowly before stepping out into the hallway.
The house was silent.
I walked slowly, my steps light as I made my way toward the staircase.
As I passed by one of the hallways, I heard a cold, familiar voice.
Cassius.
I didn’t mean to stop. But I did.
His study door wasn’t fully closed.
“…I don’t care what it takes.”
My breath hitched.
I moved closer—just a little.
“…make sure he pays for it.”
My heart skipped.
There was a pause.
Then he spoke again. His voice was colder this time.
“Touching her was his first mistake.”
My fingers curled slightly at my sides.
“…letting him live will be the last.”
I froze.
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