CHAPTER 3: Pain
1007 Words
CASSIAN’S POV
"Anything?" I demanded the second I stepped into Evan’s office.
He didn’t even look up—just tapped something on his tablet, calm as ever. Too calm for a man who had just witnessed the ghost of my past walk into a gala like she owned the world.
“Depends on what you want to hear,” he said. “Because if you're hoping she's been hiding out in a therapist's basement crying over you, I’ve got bad news.”
He tossed the tablet onto the table and leaned back.
“Her name is Seraphina Vale. Owner and CEO of Vale Jewelry Investments. Her company’s worth eight figures and climbing. She launched it two years ago and exploded onto the international scene six months later with a design featured at the Vale's Fashion Gala. The diamond necklace she wore last night.”
The necklace. I saw it as a drawing in her diary once, but thought it's just a stupid hobby she picked up
My fingers curled at my sides.
“She achieved all that in just two years?” I muttered. "wow."
Evan nodded slowly. “exactly. she's wildfire now..”
I looked away feeling ashamed because two years ago, I ruined her, And now she was rising from the ashes I left behind...flawless and untouchable.
I had to see her again.
*****
Later — Outside Vale Jewelry Investments
The silver and glass building towered over the sidewalk like a monument to revenge.
VALE JEWELRY INVESTMENTS, etched boldly across the entrance.
I stood in front of it, hands clenched in my coat pockets, heart pounding harder than it should’ve. It was ridiculous. I was Cassian Thorn. CEOs answered my calls. Investors flew across oceans to meet me.
But here I was—staring up at her empire like a boy with scraped knees.
I stepped into the lobby, everything was elegant.
I walked up to the receptionist, already bracing for resistance.
“I need to speak with Ms. Vale.”
She looked up, perfectly polite. “Do you have an appointment, sir?”
“No.” I said firmly.
“Then I’m afraid she’s unavailable.” The blonde receptionist answered. Her high pitched annoying voice echoing in the hall.
I leaned forward. “She’ll see me.”
The receptionist’s smile didn’t falter. “I’m sorry. Ms. Vale has a full schedule—”
“I’m not leaving.” I demanded.
“I suggest you do.” A familiar voice echoed behind me. “Is there a problem?”
That voice.
My pulse faltered and I turned.
Seraphina.
Dressed in a navy blue tailored suit, her hair pinned up in a sleek knot. Her shirt slightly showing her perfectly round breasts.
“Sera,” I breathed. I felt like I was falling for her all over again.
Her face didn’t flicker.
“Cassian,” she said coolly.
I took a hesitant step toward her. “I just want five minutes. To talk.”
“I’m not interested.” She answered, her voice firm and nonchalant..
“I’m here to talk to you, about us.” I said.
She laughed under her breath. “Of course you are. Because now that I’m worth something, suddenly I’m worth your time.”
“It’s not like that.” why wouldn't she give me a minute? The silly receptionist snickered behind and I wanted to smack her face off.
“It’s exactly like that.” She spat.
Her assistant appeared at her side, whispering something too quiet to hear. Sera nodded once, then turned back to me.
“I’m late for a meeting. Have a good day Mr Thorn.” She brushed past me like I was just another inconvenience.
Desperation clawed up my throat. “Sera, wait—”
She barely stopped.
But before I could say another word, someone else appeared behind her.
Nicholas.
My half-brother.
He walked up like he belonged, confident, protective and possessive.
He took her hand Intimately. His fingers slid between hers like they’d done it a hundred times.
I felt the floor tilt beneath me.
Nicho?
Are they dating?
Sera didn’t pull away. Didn’t even glance back.
Nicho looked at me...smug, unreadable. Then he leaned in and whispered something into her ear that made her smile. A real smile.
It gutted me.
They walked off, hand in hand, disappearing behind the frosted glass doors while I stood frozen in the lobby.
The receptionist gave me a pitying glance. “Would you like me to call security, Mr. Thorn?”
I didn’t answer. This b***h was getting on my nerves.
"I know the way out." I snapped.
****
That Evening
The whiskey didn’t burn my throat nearly enough.
I sat alone, blinds drawn, staring out into the glittering void of the city.
Nicho.
Of all people, him? He is not even worth her goodness.
The thought of his hands on her, his voice in her ear, it made something dark uncoil inside me.
I didn’t know when he came back into town. I didn’t care.
Because he wasn’t keeping her.
I felt like a fool, recalling the moment I believed edited lies over her.
Not this time.
I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I hadn’t used in weeks.
“Make a public statement,” I told my assistant “Effective immediately.”
“What kind of statement, sir?”
“End it.”
“Sir?”
“The engagement,” I said coldly. “It’s over. Effective now.”
A pause. “Would you like me to draft a—”
“No drafts. No filters. Make it loud and clear. Send it to Celeste as well."
News headlines flooded the internet almost immediately.
CASSIAN THORN CALLS OFF ENGAGEMENT WITH CELESTE.”
Celeste called and sent numerous calls to my phone.
I picked my phone and felt her trembling voice.
"It's over Celeste. Move on!" I hung up.
I did not want her nagging aura in my life anymore. She was already dead weight on me.
I needed Sera back!
- Writer
