Married For The Property Claim

For five consecutive years, Cassian had to accompany me to my hometown and appear with me before the local court. And today was the final day. After consistently fulfilling the condition my parents had placed on their inheritance, I could finally claim the properties and fortune they had left behind for me. And yet, today that was the most important day, Cassian wasn't answering my calls. He had never missed any day before. Not even once throughout our marriage, and that was what worried me seriously. When I could no longer sit around waiting for him, I grabbed my car keys and headed to his office. It was the only place I could think of. Cassian had a terrible habit of overworking himself. Sometimes, he stayed in his office long after closing hours, so I wasn't entirely surprised when I drove into his office parking lot and spotted his car. At least I knew he was still there. Or so I thought. The car doors were locked, though, and the entire building seemed deserted as I made my way inside. The elevator took me to his floor, and the moment the doors opened, I collided with someone. A stack of books flew from her hands and scattered across the floor. “I'm really, really sorry.” I immediately bent down to help her gather them. “It's okay. It was a mistake.” Tara smiled as she collected the books. “How are you, Ophelia?” She asked so casually, as though we were meeting over lunch instead of in an almost empty office building after working hours. “I'm good. How are you, too?” “Tired. Work has been stressful as usual, especially when you have a boss who seems to enjoy working when everyone else has already gone home.” “Yeah, I understand that feeling.” I smiled faintly. “My husband works too much. It affects our day-to-day lives, too. I'll try to talk to him on your behalf.” “Thank you. And I'm not surprised.” She chuckled. “But he's infected me with his workaholic habits. Now I find myself working after closing hours. Lately, it's always me and the cleaner.” “Yeah.” I smiled politely before turning toward Cassian's office. “See you later.” I had barely taken a step when Tara spoke again. “I thought you knew he was gone. He went home earlier. I was wondering why you were here in the first place.” I stopped walking. “Oh, I didn't know that.” I turned back to her. “When did he leave? His car is still parked downstairs.” “Yeah, his car is faulty. They're getting it towed later.” I raised an eyebrow. “He's not picking up his calls either.” “I don't know.” She smiled, though something about her answer and expression felt strange. “Come on. Let's walk to the parking lot together.” Something inside me urged me not to listen to her. I couldn't explain it, but I was beginning to feel suspicious. “Is there something I should know, Tara?” She stopped smiling. “Yeah.” She suddenly became serious. “He's been very grumpy lately. I tried talking to him, and he said he's worried about you and…Tom. He said you've been distant lately.” I stared at her. “And also…” She paused as she pressed the elevator button. “Also what?” “He wishes he could find Tom again just for you, and he believes he's still alive somewhere.” My heart stopped. The moment she mentioned my missing son, everything around me seemed to disappear. For a moment, I couldn't breathe properly. The elevator doors opened, but I remained rooted to the spot. “Ophelia,” Tara said softly. “I wish you guys well. And I stand with you in hoping that you find him. Come on, let's go.” My eyes filled with tears. I couldn't say a word. Too many emotions crashed through me at once, leaving me completely lost for words. We stepped into the elevator together. Just as the doors began to close, a shout echoed from somewhere in the space we had just left. I immediately turned toward the direction of the sound, but the elevator doors closed before I could see where it had come from. “What was that?” I asked, my entire body tensing. “Nothing.” Tara smiled. “Probably a cleaner got hurt or something.” Something about her answer didn't sit right with me. The moment the elevator reached the lower floor, I rushed toward the stairs. “Ophelia, what are you doing?” Tara called after me. “I'm going back to check.” I didn't wait for her response. I hurried up the stairs, my heartbeat pounding faster from the sudden exertion. Behind me, I heard the elevator ding. I knew she was coming back up too, but I didn't care. By the time I reached the floor, Tara was already there. I was breathing heavily as I approached her. “I've checked. She's okay,” she said immediately. I stared at her. “Where is she? Does she need help? First aid?” “No, she's just fine.” She smiled. I looked at her again. “Okay. I'll just check on her since I'm already here.” Without waiting for another explanation, I walked straight toward Cassian's office and pushed the door open. It was completely empty. I stepped inside and looked around. “Where is she?” I turned toward Tara. “Gone, I guess.” She shrugged. “Probably moved to another floor.” I narrowed my eyes. Everything about this place felt wrong. From the moment I arrived, something had felt off. And Tara's strange behavior was only making the feeling worse. Then something caught my attention. A piece of paper lay on the floor. I pointed toward it. “Didn't you say there was a cleaner here? Why is it still dirty?” Before she could answer, I walked over and picked it up. At first, I only glanced at the contents absentmindedly. Then, I read the first few lines. And everything inside me went cold. Parents' names: Cassian McCall, Mabel Jolie. My brain kept reprocessing what I had just read. What? I looked at the paper again, wondering if I had somehow read it wrong. It was an antenatal form. My fingers tightened around the paper as I read the names again. Cassian McCall. Mabel Jolie.