Chapter 13: Confrontation With Ellie
Cassandra’s POV
I said good-bye to Stanley and thanked him for our talk. But when I left the study, I was surprised to see Jordyn standing up against the wall, right outside the study door!
Our eyes met and I looked at him suspiciously.
“Were you eavesdropping?” I asked.
Had he been standing outside the door the entire time? And if so, how much had he heard? It was supposed to be a private conversation between me and Stanley!
Jordyn stared at me, his gaze intense.
“Did you just tell Grandpa about the divorce? Why? It’s our personal business,” he said, ignoring my question.
I was flummoxed. Jordyn continued to stare at me. He had a strange look on his face. Surprise? Concern? Hurt? And I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I heard a touch of desperation in his voice.
“What do you care? I asked. “It’s not a secret, Jordyn.” I kept my voice calm and controlled. “At least, it shouldn’t be. Your family has a right to know. The divorce is already decided. All you have to do is sign the papers and then it’s done.”
Jordyn looked like he was searching for something to say. Whatever it was, though, I didn’t want to hear it.
“Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going back to my office. I have some work to take care of.” I turned to leave but he grabbed my
arm.
“Wait,” he said. There was an intensity in his eyes I’d never seen.
I shrugged off his grip. “I have to go, Jordyn. Besides, your grandfather would like to see you. He asked me to send you in if I saw you.”
Jordyn furrowed his brows.
“Cassandra,” he stared. But he was interrupted.
“Jordyn? Is that you? Come in here, please,” Stanley called from inside the study.
“I wouldn’t keep him waiting if I were you,” I said.
Jordyn gave me one last look, then begrudgingly went into his grandfather’s study.
I had no idea where Jordyn’s head was at. His attitude and actions were completely perplexing to me. What could he possibly have to say to me? It was done. All of it. There was nothing left to say as far as I was concerned. And I didn’t have the time or energy to deal with Jordyn and his drama right now. I wanted to get back to my studio so I could get to work on the new dress order. It was going to be challenging, and I wanted to get started right away.
But just as I was about to go down the stairs, Ellie appeared. She had a scowl on her face.
“Finally ready to give up on your pathetic marriage?” she sneered. “Honestly, it’s about time. Stop drawing out the divorce. You’re making a fool of yourself. Just sign the papers already.”
I sighed deeply. Clearly, Ellie wanted to go at it. But I had no desire to argue with this woman. The last thing I wanted right now was a confrontation with Ellie. So I tried to step around her.
She quickly stepped in front of me though, blocking my path.
“I’m serious, Cassandra. Sign the papers. Jordyn can’t wait to propose to me!” she said haughtily. “He’s already picked out the
1/2
ring. I’m sure of it. And I’ve already sent off my dress order. I’ve commissioned a fabulous, one of a kind creation from Hot House Flower. I’m going to look TEN TIMES better than you did on your wedding day,” she boasted.
I rolled my eyes. Whatever.
“Congratulations,” I said in a tired tone. I had no idea why Ellie felt the need to brag like this. Did she honestly think I cared? That I was jealous? “Sounds great. Now if you’ll please move out of the way I…”
“You know what?” she rudely interrupted. “I just had a thought. I’m going to add a note to my order, requesting that YOU, the measly little assistant, PERSONALLY deliver my dress to me when it’s finished. What fun! Don’t you think? That is your job, after all, isn’t it? Menial tasks? Grunt work? That sort of thing?” She smiled sarcastically at me.
“Wait a minute,” I said, realization dawning on me. “Did you say that you JUST submitted your dress order? As in, today?”
“I did,” she said smugly. “Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Like I said, we’re practically already engaged. And you probably don’t know this, but designer dresses take a while to get made.”
She thought I was surprised because they weren’t technically engaged yet. But that wasn’t why I was asking though.
That tricky dress order that no one in my studio would touch? That was hers. It was Ellie’s dress.
Of course it is, I chuckled to myself, rolling my eyes. Ellie looked at me confused.
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
“Nothing. I just think you better get Jordyn to sign those divorce papers before you start doling out wedding invites,” I smiled.
“What do you mean?” she scoffed.
“I mean, Ellie. It’s not ME who won’t sign the papers. Guess what? I am the one who filed for divorce, but Jordyn didn’t want it.”
That shut her up! Ellie’s face changed. Her expression darkened and a look of malice shadowed her eyes.
I’d had enough, so I brushed past her to go down the long, spiral staircase. But just as I went to take my first step, Ellie leaned in behind me and whispered:
“Go to hell.”
I turned around just in time to feel someone shove me. I lost my footing, but I instinctively reached out and grabbed onto Ellie. We both tumbled down the staircase together. We landed on the foyer floor in a tangled heap.
At first, I couldn’t move. I was stunned. Stunned and sore.
Did that bitch just push me down the stairs?
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jordyn standing at the top of the staircase.
What the hell?” he asked.
Then Jordyn came bounding down the staircase, two stairs at a time.
