I settle on my bed, staring at the locket on my bedside table. The delicate gold chain gleams under the soft glow of my lamp, daring me to pick it up again. I shouldn't have taken it. I should have refused. But Ray was watching, his eyes full of excitement, and I couldn't bring myself to dim his happiness.
I run my fingers over the smooth surface of the locket, hesitant. It holds our wedding picture, the one taken at the altar. The kiss. I had barely registered it that day, my mind too wrapped up in resentment and confusion. But now, looking at the frozen moment, it seems... real. Too real.
I shake my head and push the locket away. Cassian is a problem, a very complicated one. He's charming when he wants to be, persistent when he sets his mind to something. But is that enough?
The Cassian I knew was reckless, surrounded by women, controlled by his mother. He never cared about me, never looked at me the way a husband should look at his wife. And now, suddenly, he does? After everything?
I pull my knees to my chest, trying to push away the emotions threatening to surface. My mother thinks I should give him a chance. That maybe, just maybe, he's changed. But men like Cassian don't change overnight.
Still, today was different. He wasn't just putting on a show—he was genuinely happy, playing with Ray, laughing without restraint. I saw a glimpse of something else in him, something... sincere. And that terrifies me more than anything.
Because if I let myself believe in him, in this, and he shatters it all over again, I won't recover.
***
Cassian continues to show a different side of him that I don't believe. Is this really who he is, or is he up to something? He wants to lure me back to the palace because the council sees divorce in the Matica palace as an anomaly. He tests me every day, acting concerned about Ray and my parents. I don't know what to believe.
Just now, as my lecture ends, I step out of the hall and find him leaning casually against his sleek black car. His presence alone turns heads, but his eyes are locked on me.
"I want to take you out for dinner," he says.
I blink, caught off guard. "Now?"
"Yes, now," he replies smoothly.
I shake my head. "I can't."
"Why not?" He doesn't move, doesn't blink, just watches me like he's searching for something in my face.
I falter for a second, then straighten. Why not? Because I don't trust you. Because I don't want to fall into whatever trap you're setting. But instead, I say, "It's late, Cassian. I have to go home and make dinner for everyone. They're waiting."
He exhales, as if considering his next move. Then, after a brief pause, he nods. "Fine. Let's make it by the weekend, then. What do you say?"
I hesitate. Dinner with him? Alone?
"I'll think about it and give you an answer," I finally say.
He studies me, his lips pressing into a thin line, then gives a slow nod. "Alright."
He doesn't leave right away. Instead, he watches as I walk to my car, his gaze heavy on me. I slip inside, grip the steering wheel, and take a deep breath before driving off, feeling his eyes on me until I disappear from sight.
***
I get all dressed up for dinner with Cassian, my emotions in a storm. It feels like a date, something we never truly had the chance to do except for that night at the Queen's birthday party. I should be excited, but deep down, I'm boiling. Furious. Esther's words on the phone keep replaying in my mind.
I almost canceled. Almost. But no, I need to see him face-to-face, look him in the eyes, and confront him directly.
The restaurant is elegant, dimly lit with soft classical music humming in the background. Cassian is already seated when I step inside. The moment he sees me, he stands, his eyes sweeping over me, admiration flashing across his face.
"You look breathtaking, Celeste," he says, his voice deep, almost reverent.
I force a smile. "Thank you," I reply smoothly. "You look good too. This place is amazing."
He smirks, as if pleased with my approval, and ushers me to my seat. I settle in, my heart pounding, not from excitement, but from restrained anger.
The waiter arrives, and I let Cassian order for me. As we wait, he studies me, his gaze unwavering, as if he's trying to memorize every detail.
I swirl my wine glass, tilting my head slightly. "How's your little girlfriend doing?" I ask casually. "Nancy, right?"
Cassian freezes. His fingers tighten around his own glass. "Nancy?" His brows furrow in confusion.
"Yes, the one you're so attached to. The one who fought Liliana because of you." I lift my wine to my lips, taking a slow sip, pretending not to notice the tension in his shoulders.
"What's your plan for her? Are you going to marry her?"
His frown deepens. "What are you talking about, Celeste?"
"Don't play dumb with me," I say, still keeping my voice cool. "I know she spent the night with you at the palace. She's in love with you, isn't she?"
His jaw tenses. "I wasn't even in the palace that night," he says slowly, his voice edged with irritation. "I was out of the city on a business trip. I was furious when I found out she was let in and I've made sure it won't happen again."
I don't say anything. My grip tightens around my glass. Embarrassment creeps in, but I push it down. I've just exposed my jealousy, something I had no intention of doing.
"Celeste, I'm determined to do better," he continues, leaning forward slightly. "To give us…"
I cut him off. "Same thing you said to me in the library after you kissed me. And the next second, you turned around and accused me of infidelity."
Silence. Heavy and suffocating. His fingers twitch, as if he wants to reach for me but holds back.
"If there were a way to turn things around, Celeste, I would," he finally says, his voice lower and rougher. "I have my regrets, and I'm determined to make amends. You just have to give me the benefit of the doubt."
I let out a soft, bitter laugh. "I just don't want to see you flaunting your women in front of me again. I'm sick of it."
"You won't see anyone," he says firmly. His eyes lock onto mine, unflinching. "There is no one anymore."
I don't know what to believe.