The Tycoon's Secret Wife's Escape novel Chapter 133

CASSIE 23: Unsaid Things

“I told you just in case, but I want you to understand that it’s not the reason why I have been watching you,” Ronan explained. “What I felt was different. It was real from the very beginning.”

I nodded slowly. He was being honest, more honest than I am, considering I’m hiding my illness from him. Guilt twists inside me whenever he looks at me with such openness. I hope he doesn’t notice the subtle signs my body betrays.

For two days, I spent time with him at his apartment, slowly peeling back the layer of who he was. With each revelation, I fell harder for him.

During those days, I experienced several medical episodes. While he was busy with virtual meetings or putting out fires in his business, I’d quietly slip into his bedroom, doing my best to manage the symptoms and hold myself together.

Ronan was sweet in ways I hadn’t known a person could be. He deserved far better than the betrayal I was planning. The closer we became, the more my emotional pain grew, matching the constant physical discomfort that seemed to follow me everywhere.

I never imagined that telling him what I was going through would become my greatest struggle.

Needing someone to confide in, I reached out to Roxie–the only one who’d been helping me prepare.

“I need to take care of something at the office,” Ronan said as we sat on the couch. He kissed me softly, the kind of kiss that always made my heart ache in the best and worst ways.

“I’ll be busy for the next two weeks too, love,” I replied, “Roxie and I have a project we’re working on. I’ll send you messages

when I can.”

He didn’t suspect anything. He knew I had a job outside the fashion industry. And with fashion week still in full swing, he had every reason to believe I’d be unavailable.

I smiled at him, swallowing the pain I didn’t want him to see.

“Cassie…” he began, his voice uncertain. “I know this might seem sudden, but…”

He reached for a box I’d already noticed on the center table. The exquisite ring box inside confirmed my worst fears.

My breath caught in my throat. I knew what was coming, and it only made things even more complicated.

“I want to take responsibility for you,” he said, his eyes filled with a vulnerability that broke my heart. “I want to give you everything. Support whatever makes you happy. I’ll talk to your parents…”

He opened it, revealing a beautiful diamond set on a sleek white band, then cleared his throat softly.

“I know this might seem rushed, especially given that it’s only been a few months since you and Asher ended things. But I really want to marry you, Cassie. I want to wake up every day with my dream right beside me…”

I swallowed hard, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill.

“C–can I think about it first? You know how complicated things are with my family. I wanted to meet yours first to understand better.”

“Of course,” he answered softly, his smile faint and his fingers brushing over my cheek. I could see how serious Ronan was

about this.

I rested my head on his chest, seeking comfort, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. The way he cradled me in his lap always made me feel safe.

In the quiet, the darkness crept in, stealing what little strength I had left, all without him ever knowing.

***

My driver was the blonde woman who served as Ronan’s assistant and always greeted me with a sour expression. Today was no different, as she had been assigned to take me to Roxie’s apartment.

Her professional demeanor had cracked, starkly contrasting what she had first shown me at Ronan’s office.

Before I got into the car, she noticed the ring on my finger. It was a promise ring for now, as I’d told Ronan, and I could tell the assistant kept stealing glances at it.

The car pulled to a smooth stop in front of Roxie’s apartment building just minutes later.

“Ronan’s not serious about you,” the assistant suddenly spoke un her words breaking the silence as I was about to get out of the car.

Successfully unlocked!

“Ronan?” I raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the comer o ym. Miss Assistant, I didn’t realize you and Mr. Carter

were that close…”

Her lips pressed into a tight line, and her face darkened even more. “He’s only after you because you’re Asher Reid’s ex- fiancée.”

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CASSIE 23 Unsaid Things

‘Tell me something I don’t know, I wanted to say.

If Ronan hadn’t already confided in me about that, maybe the assistant’s words would’ve made me second–guess things and overthink. But I knew exactly how my heart felt.

I had seen Ronan’s canvases; those weren’t created by someone driven merely by anger or pettiness, by someone seeking shallow revenge against a nemesis. Those paintings revealed something deeper about him.

“I’d advise you to focus more on your work. I don’t know your motives, Miss Assistant, but if Ronan finds out you provoked me, you might find yourself out of a job.”

With that, I stepped out of the car, leaving her to grit her teeth in frustration.

Roxie was already waiting, the door flying open before I even had a chance to knock. She pulled me into a tight hug and ushered me inside with a warm smile.

“I’ve already prepared everything you need for the hospital,” Roxie said, her eyes betraying the sadness she was trying to

conceal

The small luggage by the door caught my eye. Only Roxie knew what would happen, and gratitude for her filled me.

She handed me a glass of water, her eyes softening as she noticed my tears forming.

“Babe…” she murmured.

The tenderness and understanding broke the dam I had been carefully maintaining. I collapsed into sobs.