Chapter 2: The Stoneworth Estate

Cassandra’s POV

Jordyn wanted to cheat on me? Fine. He could have sex with whomever he wanted.  I was done! I’d call Cameron to come and pick me up, and I’d go home. Back to the estate. Back where I belonged.

I waited for my brother in the foyer. He pulled up in a hot, red Lamborghini. He got out and rushed towards me, scooping me up into a crushing bear hug.

“I can’t breathe,” I mumbled into his shirt.

He released me and laughed. “Is this it?” he asked, grabbing my suitcases.

I took one last look at the house, and nodded. “Yup. This is it.”

“So, Cassandra,” Cameron said as we ripped through the street. “Are you finally ready to take over Stoneworth Enterprises?”

“Nah,” I chuckled. “I know the family business is very successful, but I’d like to focus on my own business, Hot House Flower, for a while.”

“I don’t blame you.” He flashed me a smile. “Your company has done really well. Mom and Dad are proud of you, you know.”

“They are?” I wasn’t sure. The expectations were high in our family as far as business went. Our family company was one of the most successful and popular companies on the East Coast. I’d been nervous to start my own company, since it was assumed I’d take over the family business. Fashion had always been my passion though. And I wanted to follow my heart. So I’d etched out a small fashion company. Before long, though, it was highly successful.

In fact, Hot House Flower was now a widely worn brand. Celebrities, influencers, and socialites all wore my designs. I’d been neglecting my business for a while though, to focus on my marriage. It was time to get back to work. I was happy to hear that my parents were proud of me. I had big plans for my company, and their support meant the world to me.

“And speaking of the parents,” Cameron said. “They’re off sailing the Mediterranean on their annual holiday. So we have the whole estate to ourselves.”

“Wonderful,” I smiled. I hadn’t been home in awhile. I was looking forward to being home again. We rode in silence for a bit. I watched the scenery fly by.

“Okay, I have to ask,” Cameron said, interrupting my thoughts. “What made you finally decide to take the plunge?” He side-eyed me as he drove.

“You mean to leave Jordyn?”

He nodded.

“I don’t love him anymore,” I lied. I still loved Jordyn because love doesn’t just disappear overnight. But it was complicated. I was heartbroken. He was cheating on me and I simply couldn’t tolerate that. I didn’t want to get into it though with Cameron. So I kept my answers short and simple.

Cameron could sense that I didn’t want to talk about it. He reached over and squeezed my hand.

“Well, I’m happy you FINALLY came to your senses.”

My family hadn’t approved of Jordyn, and they made it very clear. But I’d been head over heels for him, so I’d dismissed their concerns. I was young. And stubborn. And I thought I knew better than them.

Oh, how wrong I’d been.

We pulled up to the gate then. Jordyn clicked the opener and the gates swung open.

“Welcome home, Cassandra,” he said.

It was just as I remembered it. A gorgeous mansion on a sprawling ten acre estate. Tennis courts, horse stables, rose gardens, a swimming pool – you name, the Stoneworth Estate had it.

Our butler, Mr. Toth, met us in the driveway. “Miss Cassandra,” he said, bowing his head. “What a pleasure to have you home.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” I replied.

He took our things and Cameron linked his arm to mine.

“What should we do first?” he asked. “Martinis and charcuterie by the pool? Or a stroll through the garden? We just renovated the theater room. We could chill and watch N*****x?”

“That all sounds great,” I said before we walked into the foyer. “But I want to contact a divorce lawyer as soon as possible to draft up the divorce papers. It’s pretty late, though. Is it too late to call someone?”

I opened the door and bumped right into someone. I lost my footing and almost fell, but the person caught me. His warm, strong arms held me. I blushed and immediately apologized but then I looked up and froze.

His emerald green eyes stared down at me, a charming grin on his face.

“Cassandra!” he smiled.

Wait. Dillon?

“What am I, chopped liver?” Cameron scoffed in good humor.

“I see you all the time. I haven’t seen Cassandra in ages,”

Dillon smirked.

Dillon was my brother’s lifelong best friend, but I hadn’t seen him in a very long time. As a child, I’d harbored a pretty intense crush on Dillon. So much so, that I vaguely remembered vowing to myself that I’d marry Dillon one day.

But once I graduated from high school, I barely saw Dillon anymore. The vow had long since been forgotten.

Dillon set me back on my feet. He flashed me a smile.

“Yeah, it’s, uh, been awhile,” I replied awkwardly, tucking my hair behind my ear.

“Well,” Cameron said. “The day we’ve all been waiting for is finally here.

“The day?” I asked, still a bit dazed from seeing Dillon after all this time.

“Yup,” Cameron said happily. “The day you finally decide to ditch Jordyn. We all hoped it was coming. In fact, Dillon drew up the divorce papers a long time ago, just in case.” Cameron winked at me.

I cocked my head to the side and looked at Dillon.

“You did?” I asked. I suddenly remembered that Dillon was Cameron’s exclusive lawyer. I half-joked. “That’s a bit of an overreaction, isn’t it?”

He locked eyes with mine. His tone was serious.

“You deserve nothing but the best, Cass,” he said. “That’s actually why I’m here. Cameron called me as soon as you called him and told me to bring over the papers.” Dillon reached down to his briefcase on the floor and produced a file folder. He handed it to me. “Here you go. Divorce papers.”

I took the folder, feeling strangely shy. I was surprised that my brother and Dillon had already planned my divorce to Jordyn. I was both stunned and touched. I hadn’t seen Dillon in such a long time, and yet, here he was, helping me without hesitation. I didn’t know what to say.

“Let’s rest for a bit, there’s no rush,” Cameron said. I wasn’t sure if he had noticed my embarrassment.

It was dusk, so we chose a lovely cabernet and sat on the deck overlooking the grounds. I could smell the sweet scent of roses in the air. God, it felt good to be home. To have maids and private chefs again. To be waited on hand and foot. Don’t get me wrong, I worked my ass off when I came to my company. But here, at the estate, I didn’t have to do laundry or wash dishes. There were a lot of benefits to being filthy rich.

Just then, my phone rang.

I fumbled in my purse to find it.

It was Jordyn.

“What do you want,” I snapped into the phone.

Where are you?” Jordyn demanded, his voice low. “Why haven’t you come home?”

“What do you care?” I quipped back sarcastically. “You have Ellie now, remember?”

“Don’t make a scene,” Jordyn told me. “If you’re upset, book yourself a luxury vacation. Take some time to cool off. I’ll pay for it, of course.”

Was he for real? A luxury vacation? I’d just caught him sleeping with his ex. Did he really think a vacation was somehow going to smooth things over?

“I don’t want a vacation,” I said dryly.

“Yes, you do. Money’s all you care about. It’s all you’ve ever cared about it,” he snapped back.

“That’s not true, Jordyn,” I stared, but he cut me off.

“Enough of this,” he growled. “You know, if I were you, I would remember your place, Cassandra.” His voice was stern, threatening. “YOU were the one who insisted on marrying ME. You saw dollar signs right from the start. My mother was right about you. She’s always been right. You’re a trophy wife. Nothing more. You want my money? Go ahead! Spend my money. Go to Greece, or France, or Bora Bora. Clear your head. Just stop being so dramatic.”

I trembled with rage. Trophy wife? The sheer audacity! I’d married Jordyn out of love, not for his money. How dare he? I was just about to tell him this when a hand reached over and took my phone.

“Do NOT call her again,” Dillon said in a steady, firm voice. Then he disconnected the call and blocked Jordyn’s number.

“He’s not worth it,” Dillon told me, locking his eyes onto mine again. “This is a happy day. You’re finally breaking free from him. Don’t let that asshole ruin your mood.”

I nodded.

I was divorcing Jordyn. I didn’t have to put up with his insults anymore. I would never let him doubt my own self-worth again.

I looked over the papers. “Everything looks great,” I said. “Except for one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“I’d like to add a clause in the agreement. I will pay Jordyn $10. That’s his entire compensation from this marriage.”

Cameron and Dillon raised their eyebrows. “Ten dollars?” Dillon asked.

“Yup,” I confirmed. “That’s all he is worth. Ten. Measly. Dollars.”