Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 67

Chapter 67

“What are you doing here?”

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The dread on Cassie’s face was unmistakable the moment she opened the door and found Ashton standing there. Her grip tightened on the handle, a thousand thoughts racing through her mind at once. 1

Yet, after a brief hesitation, she stepped aside and gestured for him to come in.

Ashton didn’t miss the invitation. He entered without a word. They walked toward the receiving area in silence before he finally spoke.

“Grandma knows you’ve returned,” he said, his tone measured.

“She’s been asking if you could visit her.”

Cassie paused for half a second but continued walking.

“Her health is still frail,” he added once he settled on the couch.

“She can’t really go out or meet people.”

“I understand,” Cassie replied softly as she took a seat across from him.

“I was planning to visit Madame Pierce one of these days. I’ve just been… occupied.”

Mentioning the Pierce matriarch loosened something inside her chest.

No matter what had happened in the past–no matter how tangled things had become–Carina Pierce had always been fair to her. Strict, yes. Unyielding at times. But never unjust.

Cassie had learned a great deal from her. Discipline. Composure. Quiet strength.

She was respectable and firm, yet gentle in a way that never demanded attention. A kind of grace Cassie had always admired.

More than that, Carina Pierce had been a grandmother Cassie never had.

“She’s been bombarding me with calls, insisting I bring you to her,” Ashton said with a faint, almost sheepish smile.

“I really hope you’re free today. And… I’m sorry if this is abrupt. I didn’t have your contact information, so I decided to drop by instead.”

As he spoke, his eyes wandered–only briefly, discreetly–but the observation was impossible to miss.

Just like the day before, the suite was unnervingly quiet.

No extra shoes by the door. No jacket draped over a chair. No trace of anyone else having been there.

“Your husband hasn’t returned yet?” he asked before he could stop himself.

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The moment the words left his mouth, his jaw tightened. His voice had hardened, just slightly–but enough to betray the emotion behind the question.

Cassie stiffened.

“I don’t want to talk about him,” she said flatly, her gaze fixed somewhere past his shoulder.

“Or about our situation.”

The finality in her tone shut the room down, drawing a clear line neither of them could pretend not to see.

“I’m sorry for bringing it up,” Ashton said at once, regret softening his features.

Cassie exhaled slowly, as if releasing something she’d been holding onto for too long.

“Today,” she said quietly, “I don’t want to think about anything except visiting Madame Carina Pierce.”

She forced a small smile, one edged with bitterness.

“You’re right. Maybe I do need a break–from all of this.” She gestured vaguely, as if the mess of her life were hanging in the air between them.

“Just for today, I want a worry–free mind.” A soft, almost self–mocking chuckle escaped her lips.

“I’ll deal with the scandal tomorrow.” But the humor never reached her eyes.

Ashton watched her closely, saying nothing, and Cassie was grateful for the silence. Because the truth was, her thoughts were far from peaceful.

Zandrie.

Despite every attempt to reach him, he had chosen not to respond. Calls unanswered. Messages left on read–if they were read at all. And now, nothing. His phone unreachable. Even Lemuel, usually precise and dependable, could no longer give her the one thing she needed most: clarity.

They might not be married in the truest sense of the word. Their union was built on terms, convenience, strategy.

But they were friends. She had trusted him.

She didn’t need grand declarations or elaborate excuses–just reassurance. Just one conversation to confirm that, whatever storm they were facing, they were still standing on the same side.

Cassie clenched her fingers together, steadying herself.

As much as she tried, she couldn’t stop the ache of doubt creeping in. She didn’t want to feel betrayed- not yet. Not without hearing the truth from him herself.

“I’ll just prepare,” Cassie said, rising from the couch.

She gestured casually toward the kitchenette. “Help yourself. The fridge is full, or I can get you something while you wait.”

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Chapter 67

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“I’ll see what I can have,” Ashton replied with a nod.

But Cassie barely took two steps before the door to the suite opened.

All three of them froze.

Zandrie stood at the threshold, one hand still on the door, his forward stride cut short as if he’d walked straight into an invisible wall. His gaze flicked from Ashton to Cassie–and then lingered there, sharp and unreadable.

Cassie turned fully toward him.

Ashton’s attention, however, stayed fixed on her. He watched her closely, bracing for the reaction he expected–shock, anger, hurt.

None came.

Cassie was unnervingly calm as she met Zandrie’s eyes, her expression composed, her posture steady. Too steady for a woman supposedly blindsided by betrayal.

“CEO Pierce.”

Zandrie was the first to recover. He inclined his head slightly toward Ashton, professionalism snapping back into place.

“CEO Wallace,” Ashton replied coolly, mirroring the gesture. The clenched line of his jaw betrayed the civility of his tone.

“I’ve been calling you,” Cassie said at last.

Her voice was even. Controlled.

“I got busy,” Zandrie answered with a shrug, distant and detached.

“And

you aren’t now?” she asked.

“I still am.” He lifted the folder he’d been holding and extended it toward her.

“I just came to pick up a few things–and to give you the details for the formal announcement of the acquisition. Three days from now.”

Cassie’s gaze dropped to the folder. She didn’t take it.

“Why, Drie?” she asked softly.

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