THE WOMEN HE LET IN

Chapter 2

The next morning, Seraphina woke up early to prepare breakfast so her guests could eat before she left for work. She called out to them to come and eat while she got ready. A few minutes later, the sound of clinking teacups filled the morning air in the mansion’s dining room. Ann and Evangeline sat, dressed in matching silk robes they found in the guest room closet.

Seraphina walked in, sharply dressed in a white jumpsuit and heels, ready for the day. She had a scheduled meeting with the board of Trevelyan Bank. With Cassian tied up in a media interview, she would be handling the investor review on her own.

“You ladies slept well?” she asked, her tone polite but clipped.

“Like babies,” Evangeline replied sweetly. “The beds are made of magic.”

Seraphina gave a faint smile, then turned to the maid standing behind her. “Chinaza, make sure they have everything they need before you follow me to the car.”

Ann looked up from her tea. “You’re heading to the office?”

“I have a meeting,” Seraphina answered simply.

“Oh wow,” Ann said with a faint smirk. “I always imagined you more as the housewife type. You know, with the nails and the hair—I didn’t think you handled the business too.”

Seraphina paused. Her gaze didn’t waver.

“I’ve been part of this business from the very beginning, Ann,” she said, her voice calm but firm. “From scratch.”

Ann gave a tight-lipped smile and sipped her tea. “Well then… good luck at the meeting.”

Seraphina turned and left. Seconds later, the front door clicked shut.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Ann set down her cup and leaned in closer to Evangeline.

“I’m telling you, that woman has a God complex,” she muttered. “The way she walks, the way she talks… she thinks this whole place is her little empire.”

“She’s earned it,” Evangeline replied with a shrug. “Even Cassian says so.”

Ann scoffed. “Don’t fool yourself. Cassian says what’s convenient. He’s a sweet talker.” She lowered her voice. “She was just married two years ago. What makes you think she’s really been around since the beginning of the business?”

“You talk like you know her deeply,” Evangeline said, raising her brows. “Any woman who marries into a man’s empire would naturally try to catch up, especially with a business like Cassian’s. I don’t see anything wrong with her saying she’s been part of it since the beginning. Besides, what if she truly was?”

Ann’s lips curled into a sly smirk. “Cassian is my ex. I was his first real girlfriend—aside from the one he used to call a ‘friend’ back in the neighborhood. That ended before university. So, if she says she’s been there with him since the beginning… what should I say?”

Evangeline blinked. “She said she’s been there since the business began, not since Cassian was born and raised.”

Ann smiled but said nothing. She leaned back and picked up her teacup again, a glint of mischief in her eyes.

Evangeline frowned. “Wait… I hope it’s not what I’m thinking. Girl, our purpose here was for him to help us find good jobs, maybe a decent place to stay—to change our lives. I hope you haven’t changed your mind overnight?”

Ann didn’t respond. She just kept smiling and stared off into the distance. Evangeline looked at her, even more confused.

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Later that day…

Cassian returned home, drained from back-to-back presentations. He trusted Sera to handle the rest and headed home straight from the venue. The sun was already setting, casting long shadows across the marble floor. He kicked off his shoes in the foyer and made his way to the lounge.

As he passed the staircase, his phone rang. He answered, unaware that Ann had heard his voice and was already peeking from the hallway. Seeing he was alone, she smiled to herself—perfect timing. She quickly dashed back into the guest room to change into something more seductive.

Evangeline noticed and asked what she was up to.

Ann said nothing, sprayed on a sweet fragrance, and walked out confidently. Evangeline tried to ignore it, but something didn’t sit right with her. She decided to check.

Ann entered Cassian’s master bedroom, hoping to find him there. But he was in the bathroom, taking a shower. Smiling to herself, she settled into the large bed, posing seductively.

When Cassian came out of the bathroom, he froze at the sight of her.

“Ann?” he said, shocked. “What are you doing?”

He rushed to the door and locked it—unaware he had just blocked Evangeline’s view, who stood just outside, listening.

“What if my wife comes home right now?” Cassian asked, panicked.

“Stop it, Cassian. You and I both know you still have feelings for me.”

“What? Why would you assume that?”

“I’m not assuming—it’s the truth.”

She got up and moved closer.

“Okay, please stop,” he said, backing away. “Whatever we had was in the past, Ann.”

“But you wish it wasn’t.”

“Listen, Ann,” he said, his voice urgent. “You need to go back to your room. If Sera walks in and sees you like this, it will ruin everything. I don’t want that.”

“I’ll leave,” she said slyly, “if you promise me something.”

“What?” Cassian asked.

“A dinner date,” she replied bluntly. “And we spend the night together.”

“What?” he gasped. “That’s not possible. I’m married—and I don’t joke with my wife.”

Ann’s face hardened.

“Very well, then. I’ll just tell her the truth. That you lied to her. I know you told her I was just an old friend and colleague who helped you during college… that I was like a distant relative. But if you really want the truth out—”

“Oh, really? Now you want to blackmail me?” Cassian said, getting angry. “I helped you because you said you just wanted to stay in a mansion for a few weeks—to know what it feels like. That’s why I let you come. Not because I couldn’t send you money to sort yourself elsewhere. Don’t make me regret it.”

Ann didn’t flinch. Instead, she began counting.

“30… 29… 28… 27…”

“Ann…” Cassian tried to reason, but she continued.

“20… 19… 18…”

He grew more confused and panicked. Just as she reached “8,” a car horn blared outside. Cassian rushed to the window—Seraphina was back.

“Ann, please go. I’m begging you.”

“3… 2…”

“Fine! Deal, deal. Please. Fix a date and let me know. Just go now!”

Ann smirked like she had won. She walked slowly out of the room. As soon as she left, Cassian locked the door, straightened himself, and got into bed, pretending to rest.

A few minutes later, Seraphina walked in.

“Hey, honey,” she greeted.

“You’re back late,” he said, getting up to kiss her and take her bag.

“Late?” she replied. “I thought today was one of the good days I got home early. It’s just 6:30.”

“Really? I didn’t check the time,” he said, walking over to where she sat, trying to play with her as usual.

But Seraphina noticed something was off. Even his smiles felt forced. It was like he was overdoing things—to cover something up.

What is he hiding? she wondered silently.