Chapter 33
CASSANDRA
Four days later, Cassandra finally rolls out of bed late in the morning. After a quick shower, she pulls on a pair of skinny jeans and a purple top. She then starts rummaging through her purse for her backup birth control pills. She’d used the last of her regular pack just before her period.
Ten minutes later, she’s still empty-handed. She’d always kept a few extra just in case. She was certain she had enough to last until they got home. If not, she would’ve ordered more. She gnaws on her lower lip in worry. Where could they be?
She dumps the contents of her bag and purse onto the bed. Nothing. Not a single pill.
Panic starts to creep in. She runs her fingers through her hair, her mind racing. They hadn’t used protection last night or this morning…
Oh God, what should she do? Should she tell Emiliano or wait to see if her period comes next month? He won’t be happy about this, especially after he’d made it clear they didn’t need another surprise pregnancy.
No, she decides to keep quiet for now. In two weeks, she can take a test to confirm whether she’s pregnant or not.
She prays she isn’t. If she is, Emiliano might think she ran out of pills on purpose.
Just then, her husband walks into the bedroom, cradling Alex in his arm. “Why the worried look?” he asks, glancing at the mess on the bed. “What happened here?”
Cassandra quickly starts to clean up. “Oh, nothing. I was just looking for my lipstick.”
She’s grateful her back is to him. He’d see right through her lie otherwise. “Are we ready to leave?” she asks.
“No, I just came to see if you were awake. Breakfast is ready.”
“I’ll be there in a bit—just need to put all this away.”
She assumes Emiliano has left when she doesn’t hear a response. But then his arm wraps around her waist, pulling her against his firm body. The feel of his desire stirs her own.
He kisses her neck and shoulder, and she shivers, melting into his warmth.
“Oh, Cassie…,” he murmurs in her ear. “You’re like a drug to me. I can’t get enough of you, especially when you respond like this.”
His hand cups her breast, and she shivers again. It’s as if her body was made to respond to his touch. She can’t resist him.
But how will she tell him they need to use protection until she’s sure she isn’t pregnant? He’ll want to know why.
Alex starts to squirm in Emiliano’s other arm, so she steps away to take him.
“Did he have his morning bottle?” she asks as they head to the kitchen.
“Yes. I also gave him a bath.”
“What time did you wake up?”
“When he did.”
Cassandra notices the dark circles under Emiliano’s eyes. “Did you get any sleep last night?”
“Not really,” he admits, taking a sip of his coffee.
“Have you ever considered seeing a therapist?”
“I don’t need anyone to psychoanalyze me, Cassandra, and I don’t want to discuss this anymore. Is that clear?”
Seeing how upset he’s getting, she decides to drop the subject. “Yes.”
Emiliano finishes his coffee and leaves. A few minutes later, she hears him on the phone. Once she’s done with breakfast, they leave the glass house, taking Emiliano’s yacht since Alex is with them.
Cassandra will always remember their time on this quiet island. Despite the world seeing him as heartless, she’s come to know her husband as a good man: kind, gentle, and caring. He can love if he lets someone close enough, and she was bound to fall in love with him.
***
Instead of heading to Barcelona, they fly to New York. Emiliano said he had some business to attend to.
That night, after Alex is asleep, Cassandra calls her mother-in-law. As she waits for Emilia to answer, she walks to the window and looks out at Central Park. Emiliano still hasn’t returned to the penthouse.
Emilia answers on the fourth ring. “How are you, Cassandra? Where’s my grandson?”
“He’s asleep, and I’m okay. I just called to see how you’re doing.”
“I’m fine. Did you enjoy your surprise?”
“You knew?” Cassandra asks, surprised.
“Of course, I did. Why do you think I suggested we go shopping? It was all part of the plan. You needed some time away, especially after your honeymoon got cut short.”
“Whose idea was it?”
“Emiliano’s. He wanted to surprise you, and it sounds like he did.”
“Yes.” Cassandra pauses. “I had a great time, and Alex was the cherry on top.”
“I’m glad. Give Alex a kiss from me. I love you all.”
Cassandra feels tears prick at her eyes. “We love you too. Thank you for accepting me into your family and treating me like your own.”
“That’s because you are, dear. Never think less of yourself or believe that you don’t belong in our family because you do, no matter what anyone says. You’re my daughter, and I won’t accept any other. Have a good night.”
“You too.” Cassandra wipes her tears and heads upstairs to take a bath before bed. Emiliano had told her not to wait up for him tonight, so when the clock strikes ten, she finally goes to sleep.
EMILIANO
Emiliano shuts the file he’s been reading on Brad Armstrong. The man had been using Rodriguez International as a front for his fraudulent activities, siphoning off millions from his own charities.
The nerve of this guy, Emiliano thinks, repulsed. He’s poured his heart and soul into building this bank, and he’ll be damned if he lets anyone tarnish its reputation.
Now that Rodriguez International has put a freeze on Armstrong’s accounts and wrapped up its internal investigation, the case is in the hands of the authorities. Once they’ve done their part, Rodriguez International will close all accounts tied to Armstrong, making sure no one in the bank was complicit.
Emiliano rises from his chair and moves to the window. He could throttle Armstrong for using his bank as a cover for his shady dealings.
He’s grateful that the company’s accountant noticed the discrepancies and alerted management. And he’s relieved that the authorities will conduct their investigation under the radar.
For now, all Emiliano can do is wait. He returns to his desk and sits. It’s past midnight, so Cassie must be asleep. He yearns to be home, wrapped in her warmth, but after the events of last night, he doesn’t trust himself to be around her.
