Chapter 12: After Dinner
Jordyn’s POV
I was shocked. Shocked and embarrassed.
What had she just said?
I couldn’t believe it. Cassandra had just told everyone that we were getting a divorce! (1
How dare she?
I was caught between my anger and utter humiliation.
I felt like I’d been punched in the stomach. My parents were staring at me, a scrupulous look on their faces. And my grandfather? His jaw was hanging wide open.
Not cool, Cassandra, I thought to myself. Not cool at all.
I had to say something. I had to regain my composure. Everyone was gawking. This was awful.
I put down my fork and cleared my throat. My cheeks were flushed from humiliation.
“Is this true?” my mother asked.
“Not entirely. I haven’t agreed to the divorce,” I said, my eyes focused on my plate.
I felt Cassandra’s eyes boring into me. She was clearly very, very angry at my mother. But this? This was crossing the line.
I looked up and locked eyes with Cassandra. “This is a personal matter, Cassandra,” I said, each word slow and enunciated. ” Please refrain from discussing our marital affairs in front of everyone.” My voice was low but firm. “This is a family celebration. It’s hardly the time for this…this type of conversation.”
I wasn’t sure how Cassandra would respond. I could understand her retaliation towards my mother for her slanderous ‘barren womb’ comment. But my family didn’t know I’d been served with divorce papers, and this was hardly the time to bring it up.
Thankfully, Cassandra realized that this wasn’t the time nor place.
“I apologize,” she said politely, a curt smile on her face. “You’re right, Jordyn. It’s currently a private matter.” Everyone was silent for a moment. I could imagine what they were thinking! “Velma, I must say, this beef Wellington is delicious. You’ll have to give me the recipe.”
I let out a sigh of relief. Cassandra was trying to change the topic. Thank god.
“The chef cooked the dinner, dear,” my mother said, sarcastically. “But I suppose I could ask him for the recipe.”
It was a slight, but Cassandra smiled brightly. My grandfather spoke up about how much he loved beef, and the conversation
took a turn from there.
The rest of the dinner went by in a blur. The conversation remained light and easy, which I was grateful for. I was still shocked that Cassandra had spilled our dirty laundry out onto the table in front of my whole family, but the topic of our divorce wasn’t brought up again.
After dinner, Ellie pulled me aside.
“That was quite the scene she caused,” Ellie said. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.” No.
“Good then.” Then she leaned in close. I glanced around to make sure no one was looking. After the dinner fiasco, the last thing
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I wanted was more drama. And seeing me and Ellie together would definitely cause heads to turn. Luckily, no one was around though. “Well, I’m ready to go home for some ‘dessert’,” she whispered into my ear, emphasizing the last word. “If you know what I mean.” She stepped back and looked at me lustfully.
Oh, I knew what she meant, all right. But I couldn’t go yet.
I rubbed the back of my neck. “I’m not ready to leave,” I told her.
“Then I’ll wait,” she said coyly.
“No, you go on ahead. I’ll arrange for the driver to take you home. I have…there’s someone I need to talk to.” I avoided saying Cassandra’s name because I knew it would upset Ellie. But she saw right through me.
“Cassandra, right?” She put her hands on her hips.
“Yes,” I confessed.
“Why?” Ellie asked, clearly frustrated. “Just divorce her already and get on with it. Unless…” she searched my face… “unless there’s something stopping you from signing the papers.
“Like what?” I snapped. I wasn’t in the mood for Ellie’s jealousy right now.
“Are you falling in love with her? Cassandra? Just tell me the truth.” She looked hurt. Vulnerable. Concerned.
“Of course not,” I said earnestly. “I love you and only you. My heart has always been yours. You know that. But she’s my wife, Ellie. And as such, I have responsibilities. It’s complicated.”
She sighed. Then she smiled. “I understand,” she told me, fixing the collar on my shirt. “Go do what you have to do. Just know that when you’re done…I’ll be waiting for you. At my place.” She batted her eyelashes at me. “In bed,” she finished seductively. Then she put on her coat and walked away.
I watched her go, admiring her ass as she went. She glanced over her shoulder before she shut the door, tossing me a knowing
look.
I had seen Cassandra and my grandfather go into his private study after dinner. When I got to the door, though, I heard Cassandra mention my name. The door was open a slit so I stood with my back against the wall, eavesdropping. I was secretly hoping that I’d overhear something that explained where Cassandra’s head was at. She was angry that I’d cheated on her. I got that. But she was being so cold. So distant. 2
Maybe she’d confide in my grandfather. Maybe this conversation would shed some light onto what was REALLY going on in
Cassandra’s head.
“Was it something he did, Cass? You can tell me, dear,” my grandfather said.
“No, it was nothing he did,” Cassandra replied. 19
Really? That surprised me. I was sure she would blame all this on me and Ellie and our affair. Unless she really was having an affair of her own…
“Then what is it?” my grandfather prodded.
“It doesn’t really have anything to do with Jordyn,” Cassandra sighed. “Honestly, I just don’t love him anymore.”
Oh. So that’s it?
She doesn’t love me anymore?
I winced. Suddenly, I felt an inexplicable tightening sensation in my chest. What the hell? I stepped away from the door. Clearly, those words had an effect on me. They stung.
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But why?
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