Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96

She just needed a moment alone.

And she found it on a secluded rooftop, the entire city stretched out before her, glittering like a field of scattered stars.

Cassie inhaled slowly, letting the cold night air fill her lungs, letting the stillness seep into her bones. The noise from below faded into nothing, replaced by solitude–exactly how she liked it.

“Just a few more nights,” she murmured to the sky, her voice barely more than a whisper, “and I’ll be with you again, Kai.”

Above her, the stars blinked softly, as if listening. Her heart tightened as her son’s face filled her mind- his laughter, his tiny arms wrapped around her neck, the way he smelled faintly of soap and warmth. Calling him every day wasn’t enough. It never was. She ached to hold him, to smother him with kisses the way she always did. She missed everything–his smile, his voice, his presence.

Then, uninvited, another image slipped in.

Not her son.

Him.

“Cassidy…” she scolded herself under her breath, shaking her head as if the motion alone could chase the thought away. As if it could erase the man who had given her Kai.

“Just as I thought–you’d be here.”

The familiar voice made her spin around. As if the heavens had answered her thoughts, he stood before her, unmistakably real. Her heart thundered painfully in her chest as her eyes met his–calm, steady, and

far too soulful for her own good.

“You never liked crowded places,” he continued, stepping closer until he stood beside her, the city lights reflecting faintly in his gaze.

“And you never liked events like this. Looks like the Cassidy I knew back then hasn’t changed at all.”

She exhaled softly, composing herself before turning to face him fully.

“And what is CEO Ashton Pierce doing here?” she asked lightly, a hint of playful mockery curling her lips. “There’s no glamour around this empty spot.”

Yet even as she said it, her heart knew–he hadn’t come for the view.

“I was looking for you,” Ashton said quietly, sincerity threading through his voice.

“I knew you’d be overwhelmed by all the pretense tonight.”

Cassie let out a soft, humorless breath.

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“And how are you so sure, CEO Pierce?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

“Since marrying Zandrie Wallace, I’ve grown accustomed to events like these.”

“As accustomed as you claim to be,” Ashton countered, glancing at her from the corner of his eye, “your husband doesn’t even seem to care where you are. He’s far too busy enjoying the wine–and the moment.”

“Well,” she shrugged, her tone deliberately light, “tonight is a celebration. Shouldn’t we all enjoy it?”

“Cassidy…” His jaw clenched, the muscle ticking as he struggled to rein in his frustration.

“I was glad when I saw the woman you became after leaving the Knowles,” he continued, turning fully toward her, his gaze sharp and intent.

“Stronger. More composed. But when it comes to your husband-” He shook his head.

“You become someone I don’t recognize. You diminish yourself.”

She stiffened, but he pressed on.

“How can you bear being neglected and betrayed like this?” he demanded.

“A husband should cherish his wife, no matter how much he enjoys a celebration. Yet here you are- alone–while he’s down there, entertained by whoever has managed to catch his attention.”

“Why can’t you just divorce him?” His voice tightened with evident irritation.

Cassie held his gaze steadily, her expression calm, unreadable.

“Don’t concern yourself with my affairs, CEO Pierce,” she said evenly.

“As I’ve told you countless times–I will never divorce my husband.”

Her words fell between them like a door quietly, firmly shut.

He stared at her for a long moment while she kept her eyes trained on the city below, its lights flickering like distant stars. She could feel the weight of his gaze–heavy, intent–but she chose to ignore it, pretending she was alone.

“Hmph…”

The sound barely left his lips before she realized what happened.

Without warning, his hand caught her at the nape, firm and unyielding, and she was pulled into him. His mouth crashed against hers, stealing her breath, stealing the protest forming on her lips.

****tbc****