Chapter 62: Cassius: Where Are You? I’ll Pick You Up
Gemma prepared pajamas and toiletries specifically for Noah, hoping to make him feel at home.
But clearly, she’d overthought it.
Noah was completely on board with staying at her place–so much so, he was practically buzzing with excitement.
He didn’t even care why Uncle Cassius had suddenly disappeared.
To him, Auntie Gemma was the best. Uncle Cassius? He could be shipped off. no problem
“Noah, I need to get up early to handle some stuff tomorrow. You’ll stay here and rest, okay?”
Noah instantly stopped bouncing around and sat quietly on the bed.
“Are you going to the hospital to save lives, Gemma?”
She shook her head. “No, I’m…” going to save myself.
Noah was too young to understand her messy marriage, so she kept it vague.
“Let’s just say it’s something that could change the rest of my life. Will you be okay here alone?”
Noah clenched his little fists. “Of course, I’ll be fine!”
Gemma couldn’t help but laugh. “I knew it. You’re a little man already.”
The compliment made him even more determined
“Absolutely! Don’t worry, Gemma I’ll protect you from now on!”
She ruffled his hair “Alright, I’ll count on you from now on
Noah’s sense of responsibility shot through the roof.
He decided he needed to grow up fast
To be strong, like Uncle Cassius.
But…
How could he be like Uncle Cassius?
Ugh. So frustrating.
With this big problem weighing on him, the little boy drifted off to sleep
His dreams were filled with scenes of becoming Superman and saving the world.
He slept like a rock.
Once she was sure he was out cold, Gemma turned off the lights and left the room.
Standing by the window, she gazed at the starry sky.
A tiny light of hope flickered in her heart.
Tomorrow marked her rebirth.
The next morning.
Gemma made breakfast and hired a part–time nanny to watch Noah before heading out. She hailed a cab to the courthouse.
When she arrived, she filled out some paperwork and sat in the waiting area for Marcus.
Nine o’clock. No sign of him.
Ten o’clock. Still nothing
Frustrated, she took him off her blocked list and called.
He picked up quickly..
The background noise on his end was loud and chaotic. Gemma frowned. “Why aren’t you at the courthouse?”
Chapter 2 Gassius: Where Are You? I’ll Pick You Up
“I’m busy.”
Her molars clenched. “Marcus, today’s the day we finalize the divorce. It won’t take long”
“Tim on a business trip. Took a flight last night. Got a meeting soon. Can’t make it.”
Gemma nearly lost it
She needed his cooperation, so she swallowed her anger.
“If we don’t file today, we’ll have to wait another 30 days. Can’t we just-
Oh, I don’t mind waiting. Your Mabel might, though. We’re adults, Marcus Time to take responsibility for our actions.”
“Mabel was just helping you out yesterday, but look at you–jealous as hell!”
His tone was dripping with sarcasm.
Gemma froze, staring at her phone.
It was definitely Marcus’s number. Her chest tightened with disgust.
He thought she was jealous?
Once, she had been
Marcus had lavished all his affection on Mabel.
She had fought, begged, and cried.
But eventually, her love for him ran dry.
Her earlier words had been genuine, even for Mabel’s sake.
But Marcus, blind as ever, couldn’t see it.
Taking a deep breath, she tried again.
“It doesn’t matter what you think. If you don’t come today. I’ll post our marriage certificate on social media. If you don’t want your true love labeled as a homewrecker, show up now and sign the papers!”
She thought this was her trump card.
Instead, Marcus laughed coldly.
“Gemma, with that emotional intelligence, you think you can be a gold digger?”
“What?” Gemma was totally confused.
“Enough. I’ve got a meeting to attend. Post the certificate if you want. I was planning to make our relationship public
anyway.
But-
His voice turned mocking
“Do you have any idea how that’ll hurt your chances of moving up? Think carefully, Gemma.”
Her patience snapped. “Stop with the nonsense. Are you divorcing me or not? Don’t you care about Mabel’s reputation?”
Marcus chuckled like she was being ridiculous.
“Post it if you want. It won’t affect Mabel.
We’ve always been innocent.”
Then he hung up, leaving her seething
She called again.
But Marcus dismissed her tantrum, sending only one text:
“If you settle down as Mrs. Wilson, I’ll ensure you enjoy the title’s perks.”
Gemma’s hands shook as she clutched her phone.
She wanted to respond but couldn’t muster the strength
The phone slipped from her grasp, clattering to the floor.
Chapter 12 Cass Where Are You? I’ll Pick You Up
This bastard never intended to divorce her!
The whole process had been a game to him!
During this time, Marcus must have laughed at her countless times in his heart.
She covered her mouth and ran to a corner, dry–heaving
This was what extreme anger and despair felt like–it made you sick to your stomach.
The thought of loving this man for so many years only made it worse.
The person who was once blind was not Marcus, but her!
She punched the wall until her hand bled.
The backs of her hands were whacked with blood, and the pain stimulated the heart. The pain brought a sliver of clarity.
Six years buried in this marriage. A whole month toyed with. She couldn’t let it end like this!
If Marcus loved playing games-
He’d better be ready to lose!
After mentally bracing herself, she called Cassius.
Cassius seemed like he’s just finishing up. His voice was hoarse, tired.
“You
Her nails dug into her palms to steady her thoughts
“Can you do me a favor?”
“Of course.” Cassius didn’t even ask what it was.
Her tears spilled over.
“I need a good divorce lawyer. A very good one. And I need YOU to help me pull off a little act.” Cassius agreed without hesitation. “Alright. But first, where are you? I’ll pick you up.”
Gemma’s tears kept falling.
“The courthouse.”
Ten minutes.”
“Okay.”
She hung up and quickly wiped her tears. She didn’t want Cassius to see her looking so defeated.
As she stepped our to wait, she noticed a familiar van across the street.
It looked like Mabel’s.
