“Desmond,” Terrence’s voice cut in low and sharp like a drawn blade. “Why are you harassing my wife?”
Desmond just stood there, stunned.§
His mouth opened like he wanted to speak, but no words came out. “You… your legs…”
Terrence didn’t bother answering. He walked over, calm and composed, and slid his arm around my waist like it belonged there.}
He smelled faintly of whiskey–dark, smooth, and cool–and carried that quiet, commanding chill that always seemed to follow him. Somehow, it was comforting.
Desmond still looked like he had something else to say.
But I was already moving. I slipped my arm through Terrence’s and didn’t look back.
“Let’s go.”
…
Once we were in the car, Terrence leaned in close and buried his face in the curve of my neck. His breath warmed my skin.
“Next time,” he murmured, his voice tinged with possessiveness, “don’t waste your words on him.”
I laughed without holding back. “Well, would you look at that? Terrence D’Angelo gets jealous.“>
Terrence groaned under his breath. “I just can’t stand him breathing the same air as you. It’s offensive.“}
I reached up and gently ruffled his hair, slow and affectionate, like I was smoothing down the hackles of an overgrown, sulking puppy. He looked up, eyes glowing warm like golden honey in the sun, focused only on me.
Pleaned in and dropped a light kiss on his lips.
…E
The next morning, I’d just finished getting dressed when I heard shouting coming from the garden.
I pushed open the floor–to–ceiling window, and the morning breeze, carrying the fragrance of roses, brushed against my face.
A small group of our bodyguards had formed a barrier by the fountain. Just outside that barrier stood Desmond, holding a golden retriever by the leash.
His expression was frantic, with wide, pleading eyes.
“Cassie!” he shouted the second he saw me. “Look, I found a dog that looks just like Shadow!“}
The retriever sat obediently beside him, tongue out, tail wagging. And for a second, I blinked. It really did look like Shadow, the dog I’d grown up with.@
walked slowly down the steps, measured and composed:
Desmond’s face lit up with something that almost looked like hope.
He lowered his voice as I got closer. “We can start over. Whatever you want… I’ll give it to you.“)
“Desmond,” I said, my voice calm and flat, “Shadow died ten years ago. Just like whatever was between us. There’s nothing left.”
“No…” he whispered, like he couldn’t quite accept it. “I’ll prove it to you.”
His whole expression unraveled. Nothing sane was left in his eyes; just desperation clung to threads.
….
Three days later, Terrence and I were in the garden sipping tea beneath a vine–covered pergola. The morning was quiet, and the sun was
warm on our faces.
Until shouting erupted near the front gate.
Desmond came storming in, dragging someone behind him.
It was Gwen.?
She didn’t look like Gwen anymore. Her hair was matted and tangled, her face bruised and swollen, her clothes torn and stained with dirt Desmond shoved her forward.
“Kneel!” he snarled.%
10:20 AM ·
“Desmond,” I said, my voice calm and flat, “Shadow died ten years ago. Just like whatever was between us. There’s nothing left.“>
“No…” he whispered, like he couldn’t quite accept it. “I’ll prove it to you…”
His whole expression unraveled. Nothing sane was left in his eyes; just desperation clung to threads.”
…N
Three days later, Terrence and I were in the garden sipping tea beneath a vine–covered pergola. The morning was quiet, and the sun was warm on our faces.
Until shouting erupted near the front gate.
Desmond came storming in, dragging someone behind him.
It was Gwen.§
She didn’t look like Gwen anymore. Her hair was matted and tangled, her face bruised and swollen, her clothes torn and stained with dirt. Desmond shoved her forward.
“Kneel!” he snarled.
Then, Desmond yanked her down so hard she hit the stone path with a thud, then crumpled forward at my feet.
“I’m sorry, Cassie!” she sobbed, voice raw. “It’s my fault! I’m disgusting!“}
Desmond kicked her in the shoulder like she was trash. “Louder! Didn’t you love stealing from her? Playing with people like they were toys?”
I stood up so fast that the teacup toppled and shattered against the stone table.
“That’s enough!” My voice came out louder than I expected. “Do you honestly think this fixes anything?“>
Memories from my past flooded my mind, and a sharp pain pierced my chest.
Terrence’s hand found my shoulder, steady and warm. Even through the fabric, I could feel his strength, grounding me.”
Desmond’s voice cracked. “Cassie, even my father’s given up on me. Are you going to leave me, too?“>
I stared at him, unflinching.
“We never even started,” I said. “Now leave.”
But Gwen lunged forward, clinging to my leg in a panic.
She begged in desperation), “Cassie, please send me to the police, anywhere! Don’t let him send me back to that drunk. He’ll kill me. I know he will!”
Gwen was shaking so hard it made her whole body rattle, like a leaf stuck in a storm.
In the end, I didn’t say much. I just gave the order to have her sent far away to Willowdale, a quiet southern town where no one would look for her.
No noise, no trouble. Just distance.
As the car rolled away, disappearing down the winding drive, Terrence reached over and took my hand.
He laced our fingers together.
“Feeling pity?” he asked, voice low, just a touch playful.
