Chapter 20
The Billionaire’s Ex-Wife (Her Ex-Husband’s Regret) Chapter 20
Cassie.
Kayden’s question stuns me. I am not sure what he meant, but knowing now that he’s the boy I saved, I just want to forget the past, especially my illusions that the boy I saved in this shed was meant to be my hero.
I shake my head. “No,” I say as firmly as I could. “I told you, I got lost.”
Kayden shakes his head, “What are you doing here with Sullivan Is he your boyfriend?”
I stare back at him, anger starting to simmer within me. I cannot believe the audacity of this man!
1 pull my arm back and give him a slight push in the chest. “You fire way out of line, Kayden! You have no right to ask me that question. Be careful there! Just now, you sound like a jealous husband. You never gave a damn about me when we were married. So don’t start pretending now that we’re nothing more than strangers.”
Kayden heaves a frustrated sigh. “You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s… none of my business now whoever you date.”
“Like I said, I just got lost. I didn’t mean to inrude in your playhouse, I mean…. treehouse.” I turn to leave but I feel Kayden tug at my arm again. “What now?”
He leans forward and stares deep into my eyes; “Your e notice that when we were married?”
w come I didn’t
eyes.. he whispers. “One is hazel and one is green. How
have heterochromia,” I explain. “When I was growing up, I’ve been teased frequently about it. Even Megan and my stepmother made me feel I had some sort of a defect because of it. When we were married, I was.. making an effort to be… likable to you. I thought maybe you’d find me weird because of my condition. So, I often wore contact lenses to mask my true eye colors.” I sigh. “Well, not that you would care. You were completely oblivious of me when we were married. I doubt you’d notice whether I wore contacts or not.”
He doesn’t say anything for a long moment. He just keeps staring at my eyes, making me feel self-conscious.
“Don’t cover it again,” he finally says.
“Huh?” I blink back in surprise.
“I said… don’t wear contacts to hide your eye colors ever again.” He reaches forward and pushes a lock of stray hair away from my eyes. “You have the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen.
We stand there, looking into each other’s eyes. For a second, I thought Kayden’s eyes look confused and remorseful, and it makes me wonder what he is thinking. Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.
Suddenly, my phone rings, breaking whatever trance Kayden and I are in. I look at the screen and see Ethan’s name.
“I got to go. Ethan’s looking for me.”
Without waiting for him to answer, I head for the door and quickly leave.
“I’m heading back now,” I say to Ethan. “Are you still at the lobby”
“Can you come to the East Pavilion?”
“East Pavilion? I have no idea where that is.”
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“You can ask the reception, they
guide you
+you on
how to go her. I’ll see you in a bit.”
“Wait, where..” but he has already hung up. “Where the hell is the East Pavilion?”
Just then, I feel somebody take my hand and pull me towards the path leading out of the garden. I look up and find Kayden looking down at me. “Come with me. I’ll take you to the East Pavilion.”
“Kayden, there’s really no need. I know you’re busy. I can find it on my own.”
But he doesn’t listen. He simply walks ahead, gently pulling me with him. “Then just humor me.”
His tone tells me not to argue anymore. I pull my hand back. “Fine! I’ll follow you.”
We walk in silence at first. Then Kayden turns to me and ask, “Sullivan made some special requests to the staff. Why is he making a huge fuss? Is it his birthday? Because it’s obviously not yours.”
“And how do you know it’s not my birthday today?” I reply dryly
“You think I don’t even know when my wife’s birthday is?”
“Ex-wife,” I correct him. He turns to me, raisg a brow. “And yes I really think
He looks ahead, and then with a snort, he says, “August 3rd.”
you don’t know.”
Hmmm… I’m surprised he knows that. Back when we were the dinner I had prepared for him.
were married, he never greeted me on my birthdays,
even after eating
We walk all the way in silence. Kayden leads me to a building adjacent to the lobby.
“Thanks,” I mumble, dismissing him as I turn to open the door.
As I step inside the small ballroom, I see that the walls are adorned with elaborate floral arrangements, their colors dancing under the soft glow of the chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling.
I look around and I see some of my friends and colleagues, their faces alight with excitement. Even Lyn and Attorney. Magnus are present. They are dressed more formally and I suddenly feel out of place.
What the hell is Ethan up to?
It seems that everybody is in on the secret except for me. No wonder Lyn asked me about it.
In the center of the room stands Ethan, a proud smile is pasted on his face as he watches me walk towards him.
“Wh-what’s going on?” I ask him nervously.
But instead of responding, he takes the microphone on one hand and my hand on the other.
“Cassandra “he starts. “T’d like to take this moment to celebrate our special bond. Thank you for coming back into my life four years ago. I have been living a fast life but you taught me to stop, take a break, and celebrate the little moments in life. You are a wonderful human being. Even when we were in high school, I had the biggest crush on you. You were the president of the art club, and the captain of the swim team. Your intelligence and talent inspired me to be a better person, and now I stand here as your equal, knowing that I am worthy of your love for eternity.”
I listen to him, feeling flattered with his words, but confused as to why he’s saying them to me now right in front of these people
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Just then, he kneels on one knee and everything becomes clear to me.
Oli
my
He’s going to propose!
Damn it! Why does he have to do this now?
I watch as Ethan fishes a box from his pocket. He opens it and a gleaming diamond ring flashes before my eyes. “Cassandra… I have loved you since we were in high school. I am probably your biggest fan. I lost you once before, and now that I have you back in my life, I swear, I’m never going to let you go anymore. Ethan’s eyes are teary as he says those words. “Cassandra, I will take care of you. I will protect you, and cherish you. I will never make you cry, except maybe tears of joy. I will be your rock, your best friend, your confidante, your ally. I will love you for the rest of my life. Will you please give me the honor of calling you my wife?”
The room falls into a hushed silence as Ethan awaits my answer. The diamond ring catches the light and casting prisms of color across the room. I feel the weight of his words pressing down on me, suffocating me with their intensity.
What am I going to do?
I know that there’s no one else in the world that I trust more than Ethan. I love him with all my heart. But..
Am I in love with him?
The way that I was so in love with Kayden when I was married to him?
I steal a glance at the faces surrounding us, all turned towards me with eager anticipation, their eyes shining with excitement and expectation.
Fuck!
How do I reject Ethan without embarrassing him in front of all our friends?
But will it be right to say yes even if I know I’m not ready for this yet?
I stare back at Ethan, tears rolling down my cheeks. He raises a brow, as a shadow casts over
“I’m… so… sorry…” I whisper.
Then not knowing what else to say, I run for the exit.
face.
I don’t know what I’m going to do. I remember Ethan’s hurt expression when I told him I was sorry, and I know I cannot bear to be here right now.
Then out of nowhere, I feel a strong grip on my hand, pulling me away from the ballroom. I glance up and see Kayden’s face looming over me, his expression unreadable as he takes me away from all the chaos.
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