The Tycoon's Secret Wife's Escape novel Chapter 130

Tycon Secret 130

CASSIE 20: Flashing Chaos

CASSIE 20: Flashing Chaos

[Cassie]

I could feel Asher watching me as I woke up on the couch. Even before I opened my eyes, I knew it was him–his gaze, that familiar scent of his cologne lingering in the air. When I finally looked up, our eyes met across the dim room.

“You found me,” he murmured.

His words didn’t register; I was still half–asleep. I glanced at the wall clock and was surprised it was almost morning.

Is the party over?‘

“I need to go home,” I said softly, pushing myself to a sitting position.

“Are you tired?” Asher asked. I couldn’t blame his question; I’d been asleep for hours.

“A lot is going on with the company… and I’m stressing over some contracts” I replied, keeping it brief.

Changing the subject, I asked, “How’s the party going? I should apologize to your mom.”

“It’s fine…” Asher told me about the gathering and how Vanessa had accused me of having an affair with Mr. Berry.

“Geez! Did she seriously think I would go anywhere with that stinky man?” I scoffed.

Asher kept going, “Vanessa backtracked when we asked her about it. She said she must’ve mixed you up with Rebecca and then blamed her ‘illness‘ for making her vision blurry.”

The audacity. I shook my head slightly, wondering if Asher had finally seen through her manipulations.

“My mom didn’t believe any of it. She fired her on the spot,” he added.

“I see…” I muttered. My eyes drifted to a plate of mini cupcakes on the table. I grabbed one–I rarely had much appetite but needed something.

“Are you hungry? I can make something more filling if you want,” Asher said, watching me with concern.

“I’m fine,” I assured quickly. “Anyway… how’s Rebecca? And the baby?”

His shoulders tensed, and something dark passed across his expression.

“Mr. Berry hurt her. He’s currently in police custody for assault. The baby… didn’t survive.”

I exhaled deeply, taking in what he’d shared.

Asher went on. “After that, everything fell apart. My parents no longer trusted Rebecca. Mr. Berry said both Rebecca and Vanessa were involved. He claimed Rebecca knew what was going on and that Vanessa had pushed him to go into that

room.”

He ran a hand through his messy hair. “My parents insisted on a paternity test; and in the end, Rebecca admitted it; the baby wasn’t mine.”

I listened quietly as I chewed, physically present but emotionally miles away. My heart had long since detached from his story.

I’m only interested because I was completely unaware of what had been going on. I’m grateful to the Reid family’s butler, who told me he saw Rebecca and Vanessa talking before the gathering. They were plotting to set me up.

As for Rebecca’s situation, her injury, and the loss of her child, I wish I could feel sorry for her, but these tragic consequences were her own doing.

After a long silence, Asher cleared his throat. “Cassie, could we please return to our apartment? Is there any possibility that we might… find our way back to each other?”

“No,” I replied, my voice firm.

“Babe, please…” He knelt in front of me, his eyes pleading. “I’m begging you…”

“Asher, you have to respect my decision about when I will forgive you. It can’t be forced. My heart says ‘no‘.”

I watched as his eyes reddened, the first signs of tears forming, and all I felt was a distant understanding of his pain.

“I… I understand,” he managed.

I stood up and moved toward the door. As I walked into the hallway, I saw Asher’s mother giving instructions to the staff.

“Cassie, you’re here!” she exclaimed, her gaze darting meaningfully toward the room I had just exited. She must have thought Asher and I had reconciled.

“I heard what happened, Aunt. I’m truly sorry your family had to go through all that.”

“Exactly!” she replied, going on about the gathering and what happened afterward, more upset about her embarrassment than the tragedy.

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CASSIE 20 Flashing Chaos

After several polite exchanges, I made my excuse to leave, and Asher offered to drive me home. With no real reason to say no, I agreed.

When the car finally came to a stop before my family’s residence, Asher turned toward me, his expression raw with regret.

“If only I could turn back time to when we first started, when I gave you my complete attention when there were no arguments between us… no other women…”