Delusional

Zara was probably what you call a boss lady. She was the youngest lawyer in her firm and also a attorney director in Cassano Group Hotels company. Her job was the hardest thing that she had ever done, but it was also rewarding. If only her private life was the same as her professional one. Nobody could argue when it came her professional life. But her personal life was the rumor of the town. Of how Mr Jordan Cassano married her and ditched her the very next day. She has been alone ever since and it has been 3 years now, living her life as Mrs Cassano. That was where her best friend Christine came in. She was her pillar of strength as they would party all night every day. And spend time together in that lonely mansion. That was all she needed, until the night of 27 April 2023. Zara walked through the door way stumbling with Christine, both clearly intoxicated. A man stood in the dimly lit foyer, his eyes caught sight of his wife. Their eyes meet, her eyes widened in shock as she saw him, her drunkenness fading almost instantly as she straighten up. Christine sensed the tension in the room and whispered to her Zara's ear, " I'll be going now." "Aren't you gonna stay a little bit longer?" asked Jordan. " We don't have anything to discuss ,sir. See you at the office tomorrow." she replied and left . Jordan observed his wife closely, seeing a different woman before him than that innocent girl he had forced to get married to him. She seems beautiful, jaded, hardened by the passing time and pain he had caused her. But there was a flicker of defiance that he couldn't quite place She let out a sigh, "Welcome home, Mr Cassano." her voice was steady, her expression hide any trace of emotion as she stood before him. Jordan's lips curled into a cold smile as he took in her compose facade, " Is this the kind of life you've been living in my absence?" Zara smile was forced , her eyes betraying a hint of disgust as she spoke, " This is the only way for me to adapt to everyday fake life. Have a good night, sir." As she walked away, holding her heels and stumbling a bit and yawning all the way upstairs to her room. Jordan is left intrigued by her presence and scent. Even the house is different from the way he left it. --- The next morning, Jordan is having breakfast and Ms Peng is serving it. Zara walk past them, all ready for work. "You're leaving without having breakfast?" says Ms Peng in a low worried voice. " Send me the take away, I will have the lunch at the office. I will be having a breakfast with the family. I have so much work to do." says Zara. "Last night you came home drunk, again. Do you want me to report you to your doctor for neglecting your health? If you keep up this way, the symptoms might worsen." explained Ms Peng. "I wish I could say I understand your concern but right now I don't feel like having a conversation like this with you or anyone. Bye." says Zara as she took the bag with the food container for her breakfast and left. Jordan Cassano was listening to their conversation and pretended he doesn't hear a thing. Ms Peng collect the dishes from the table. " Is Mrs Cassano sick?"asked Mr Cassano. "That is not my place to say." "But you felt free saying it out loud when you were talking to her. Is she your friend?" "No sir." "She is your superior, your Madam, she is Mrs Cassano to you." says Jordan with a cold voice reminding Ms Peng of her place in the house. As she nodded. "I'm sorry but she goes by Ms Cassano now. Your mother gave her the right to use the Cassano last name but she doesn't have to be your wife." "You mean by this title, she is called Ms Cassano?" "Yes." "I need to leave for family meeting." "Oh I forgot, she's probably there now. She attends any family events. Be it morning breakfast, lunch and dinner. She has been a good girl to them and a daughter to all." "Ms Peng, has she ever cried?" he asked with sincerity in his voice. "Many times, sir. But it's not my place to say. You should resolve the problem before you lose a good wife and get to learn about her. --- The next two hours, the Cassano family gathered for breakfast in the opulent dining room of the mansion. The air was heavy with unspoken tension as they discussed the sales figures of their various businesses and the potential ventures they were considering. Linda Cassano, Mr. Cassano's ambitious sister and rival in the family business, sat at the table, her eyes focused and determined. Chris, the youngest son, fidgeted nervously in his seat, stealing glances at his father and grandfather, the Chairman, Mr. Rodriguez Cassano. Zara, the quiet and observant wife of Jordan Cassano (Mr Cassano), sat at the table, her presence almost ghostlike amidst the animated conversations of the family. She listened intently as they debated the future of their investments, offering her own insights and suggestions with a detached air. As the discussion turned to the hotel they owned in Italy, Zara spoke up, her voice calm and measured. "Perhaps we should consider expanding into the luxury boutique market. It could offer us a new demographic to target and diversify our portfolio." The Chairman nodded in approval, his sharp gaze fixed on Zara. "An excellent suggestion, my dear. We will look into it further." As the family continued to discuss business matters, Jordan walked into the room, his presence causing a brief pause in the conversation. The atmosphere shifted slightly, a mixture of relief and tension evident on the faces of his family members. Mrs. Cassano beamed at her eldest son, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Jordan, my boy, it's been too long. We're so glad you're back." Jordan's gaze flickered to Zara, a pang of guilt tightening in his chest. He knew he had a lot to make up for, a lot of bridges to mend. But as he took his seat at the table, he felt the weight of their broken relationship pressing down on him like a suffocating blanket. Zara's eyes met his briefly, a flicker of emotion passing between them before she composed herself once more. She forced a smile and turned her attention back to the discussion at hand. It was then that Zara spoke up once more, her voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of sorrow. "I believe it's time for a change, Mr. Cassano." The room fell silent, every eye turning to focus on Zara as she continued. "I would like to propose a divorce." The words hung heavy in the air, suffocating the room with their weight. Mrs. Cassano gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. "Zara, my dear, what have we done to you that you would resent us so?" Zara's gaze remained steady, her resolve unwavering. "I want to be free of this marriage, Mr. Cassano. It's time for me to move on and live my life on my own terms." The Chairman, ever the pillar of authority, spoke up then. "I understand your desire for independence, Zara. I will grant you another estate where you can live your life as you see fit. But a divorce is out of the question. You are a Cassano, and you will remain a part of this family." Zara's mask slipped for a moment, her eyes betraying a flicker of despair before she composed herself once more. She nodded silently, the weight of the decision settling heavily on her shoulders. Jordan, unable to hold back any longer, shook his head in disbelief. His heart ached at the thought of losing Zara, of watching her walk away from him. But he knew he had no right to stop her, not after what he had put her through. As his mother spoke up, berating him for his failures as a husband, Jordan felt a surge of anger and frustration rise within him. He stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor loudly, drawing the attention of the entire room. "I refuse to accept this decision," Jordan declared, his voice filled with a raw intensity. "Zara deserves more than just an estate and a title. She deserves her freedom, and I will not stand in her way." Linda, ever the sharp-tongued sister, spoke up with a cutting remark. "You're one lucky man to have a patient woman who waited for you for three years. If it was me, you would be dead." Jordan's jaw clenched, his hands balling into fists at his sides. He knew he had made grave mistakes, but he was determined to make things right, to show Zara that he was willing to fight for their marriage, for their future together. As Zara turned to leave the room, Jordan's heart constricted with a sense of urgency. Without a moment's hesitation, he followed her out into the hallway, his steps quick and purposeful as he reached out and gently grabbed her hand, turning her to face him. Their eyes locked, a storm of emotions raging between them. Jordan opened his mouth to speak, to pour out his regrets and apologies, but the words caught in his throat. He could see the pain in Zara's eyes, the walls she had built around her heart, and he knew that winning her back would be the greatest challenge he had ever faced. Zara pulled her hand away from his grasp, her gaze unwavering as she looked at him. Without a word, she turned and walked away, leaving Jordan standing alone in the hallway, his heart heavy with the weight of their broken love.