Chapter 109
Because if what Mirriam was saying was true–Then Ashton’s relationship with her had never been what it appeared
And that realization settled quietly, heavily, in Cassie’s chest.
“Do you think I didn’t notice?” Mirriam’s voice shook, sharp with years of restrained resentment.
“The way you quietly favored her. I’m not blind; Ashton!”
Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her emotions spilling past the point of control.
“Every time you came to the house… the way your eyes would linger on Cassidy when you thought no one was looking.” Her laugh was brittle, almost hysterical.
“The more you secretly watched her, the more I hated her.”
Her gaze snapped toward Cassie, filled with raw bitterness.
“What does she have that I don’t?” she demanded.
The question hung in the air–heavy, wounded, and desperate.
“I am a Knowles,” Mirriam went on, her voice rising again. “And she’s nothing but a maid’s daughter! Living under our roof, eating our leftovers, surviving on whatever scraps we chose to give her.” Her restraint finally shattered.
“She’s a pathetic, ungrateful bitch!”
The outburst echoed across the hallway, drawing stunned silence from everyone within earshot.
“Mirriam…” Rima quickly grasped her daughter’s arm, attempting to steady her before she said something even more damaging.
But while her grip was meant to restrain, her own gaze turned toward Cassidy–cold, sharp, and far from apologetic.
And quiet hostility.
Cassidy stood where she was, suddenly at the center of a storm she had never created.
The words struck harder than she expected. Not because they were new–but because they were spoken out loud.
Even more unsettling was the revelation buried within Mirriam’s outburst.
And what unsettled her most… was not the hatred. It was the implication behind it.
“I endured everything,” Mirriam said, her voice breaking as the last of her restraint gave way.
“Everything–just so you would finally see that I am better than Cassidy!”
Tears blurred her vision, but her anger burned brighter than her humiliation.
“Why can’t you see it, Ashton Pierce?!”
Her voice echoed through the hallway, raw and desperate.
Then, as if something inside her snapped completely, her expression twisted into a bitter, mocking smile.
“Or is this what this is about?” she scoffed.
“Are you doing all this to avenge her?” A low, derisive chuckle left her lips.
“You’re such a fool, Ashton She’s already married. And yet here you are—still following her around like a loyal dog.”
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Her eyes flicked toward Cassidy before returning to Ashton, sharp with cruel satisfaction.
“No matter what you do, Cassidy belongs to someone else now.”
She tilted her head, studying his unreadable face.
“All your efforts… wasted.” A soft, taunting laugh escaped her.
“And even what you did six years ago-” her smile widened, almost delighted by the memory“-only pushed her further away from you.”
The words fell like a stone into still water. But Ashton did not react.
His expression remained calm. Controlled. Unmoved. As if her accusations meant nothing.
The only one visibly affected was Cassidy. Her brows slowly drew together, confusion tightening in her chest.
Six years ago?
“What do you mean, Mirriam?” Cassidy asked, her voice steady but edged with uncertainty.
“What did CEO Ashton Pierce do six years ago?”
Mirriam’s head turned toward her immediately. A slow, snickering smile spread across her face.
“You want to know, Cassidy?”
Then she glanced at Ashton–watching him, almost daring him to stop her.
He didn’t move. Didn’t speak.
He only stood there, silent, his dark eyes fixed on her as she unraveled herself.
Encouraged by his lack of reaction, Mirriam’s smile grew sharper.
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