Chapter 4
After a simple treatment, they dragged me into the living room,
The iris garden in the estate had been ripped out completely–replaced with roses,
Aaron stood there, cold as ever. “Nancy’s too kind. She’s willing to let go of what you did, if you hand over the pearl necklace,”
He paused, then added, as if it was nothing, “She heard pearls bring good luck. She just wants to borrow it until the baby’s born. Consider this your chance to make things right.”
I felt a shiver crawl down my spine. I nearly laughed,
Make things right? As if I’m the one in the wrong.
That pearl necklace… Aaron had dived into the ocean and found each pearl by hand just for
- me.
He said it was worth risking his life as long as they could protect mine.
When I got pregnant, he told me he’d start collecting another string for our child. He swore he’d risk his life a thousand times over just to keep me safe.
But now? The man who swore to protect me had become the one who kept wounding me.
My fists clenched tight, nails digging into my palms. My heart felt like it was bleeding.
I didn’t say a word.
Growing impatient, Aaron reached forward and yanked the necklace from my neck without hesitation. He turned away with satisfaction, not even glancing at the red mark he’d left behind. The man who once couldn’t bear to see me shed a single tear didn’t care if he left
me with scars now.
I shut my eyes tight and told myself the Aaron who once loved me must’ve died the last time he went diving. And with that thought, whatever was left of my love for him dissolved completely.
That same night, Nancy moved out of the estate. I knew Aaron had arranged a separate place for her, a grand estate of her own. But even with her gone, this house was no longer felt the same. Every corner had been touched and tainted by her presence.
Over the next few days, Aaron split his time between me and Nancy like a man living two lives. Starting the very next morning, it was like he had turned into his old self again- gentle, doting.
Every time I opened my eyes, another diamond bracelet or gold necklace appeared in front of me. Jewelry, luxury cars, beach houses… He even gifted me a private piece of ocean. Drowning me in opulence, Aaron reached out with a hand full of tenderness.
For a second, I almost saw the man I used to love.
“Cassidy,” he said softly, “I know I went too far. You went too far, yes, but I was wrong too. I’m sorry. I’ll never treat you like that again. You’re still the lady of the Mackey Family. Always will be”
1/2 12.5
Tue,
The third symbolic gift he’d given me the emblem of the Mackey Family matriarch,
The gemstone at the top was the key to their vault. With it, I could access half the family’s wealth and power,
Aaron looked at me hopefully after setting the crown. Like he expected me to smile. Like he thought I’d melt, just like all the times before.
Back then, whenever he admitted fault, I always forgave him. Always gave in.
But not this time.
Not as I stood staring out the massive floor–to–ceiling window at the sea of red roses thes replaced my irises. I quietly took out my allergy meds and swallowed one dry. Ther’s how I’d survived these past few days–doped up and numb.
Aaron’s brows furrowed, ready to say something, when his phone suddenly rang
“Mr. Mackey,” came the voice on the other end. “Ms. Cross says she’s taking the baby and marrying someone else!”
Aaron’s face drained of color. Without another word, he grabbed me and dragged me to the estate he’d prepared for Nancy.
Nancy stood there in a wedding dress, her baby bump slightly visible. She looked heartbreakingly delicate. Tears welled in her eyes as she turned to Aaron,
“My dad’s sick. His last wish is to see me get married. I know I’m not fit to be Mrs. Mackey -I was just a nightclub dancer–but I want him to go in peace.” She gently caressed her belly and sighed dramatically. “I can’t bear to end this baby’s life. I’ll marry someone kind. We’ll raise this child together.”
Then she turned to leave, walking away slowly like a tragic heroine straight out of a soap
opera.
And Aaron–of course–rushed after her and grabbed her by the wrist.
“You want my child to call someone else Dad? That’s not gonna happen!” He pulled her into his arms, possessive and kissed her.
They stood there kissing like some cheesy rom–com finale. I watched in silence, feeling absolutely nothing. When Nancy was finally gasping for air, Aaron let go and turned to me. “Cassidy,” he said, voice quiet but firm. “Let’s get a divorce.”
I stared at him. He didn’t say anything else.
Only after he had Nancy taken to another room did he finally sigh and look back at me.
“I know this is all too sudden, but you saw it. Her dad’s dying. His last wish is to see her get married and I can’t let my kid call another man ‘Dad‘.”
He studied my blank expression and kept going.
“It’s just a fake divorce. Just paperwork. We’ll hold a ceremony, make the old man happy. Then I’ll explain everything to Nancy.”
