Chapter 35: The new Lady Keller.
Chapter 35: The new Lady Keller.
Chapter 35: The new Lady Keller.
Ian sat in disbelief….Cassandra Davis was folding….did that mean she really WAS seeing Ayden behind his back? The thought of it angered Ian off in ways he couldn’t explain! How dare she cheat on him!
‘You think you’re something special Cassandra! You couldn’t even give me an heir! I’ll show you! I’m going to throw a wedding ten times grander than the one we had!’
Ian’s thoughts became dark as he thought about gloating his “love” for Dara in Cassandra’s face for the world to see!
‘All this time I’ve been thinking about her! Feeling bad! Wanting her back! And she’s been playing me for a fucking fool!’
Ian made sure to keep his rage to himself, he didn’t want Cassandra to change her mind.
“Okay Cassandra….Thank you. However….as a precautionary, I’m going to have a contract sent to you….it’ll state that you can no longer go to the press about this matter…..and you forfeit pressing charges against Isabelle or Dara. Deal?”
At that moment, both Ayden and Suzanne walked into the room. Ayden’s eyes were filled with fire! Cassandra had Ian on speakerphone, so he’d caught the end tail of that conversation. Before either he or Suzanne could say anything, Cassandra placed a finger on her lip indicating for them to remain quiet.
“Deal. I won’t go to the press, and I won’t press charges. I’ll text you my fax number for the contract.”
Ian smiled smugly with triumph! Part of him felt he’d bested Cassandra’s guilt while the other part felt there was a part of her that still loved him and would protect him no matter what.
“It’s been a pleasure doing business with you ‘Ms. Davis’.”
Ian sneered her name as if to take a jab. Knowing that she was willing to throw their relationship away for Ayden Crawford and he hadn’t even married her!
“You as well Mr. Keller.”
Right before Cassandra could hang up, Ian called out.
“Oh Cassandra….if you don’t mind, I’d like to send you as well as Crawford an invitation to my and Dara's special day.”
Cassandra nearly laughed aloud. Ian’s arrogance was going to be the death of him. Her voice was calm and seductive.
“That would be lovely Ian. Thank you for the thought. Have it sent to my office.”
Ian paused for a moment. Irritated she was still keeping her address a secret.
“Very well. See you soon Cassandra.”
Ian hung up before she could respond. A smile curling on her lips.
“Enjoy it while you can Ian.”
The morning Ian formally proposed to Dara, she felt like she was the queen of the universe. Her day had started out so irritable after Ian got that article recanted. She remembered wanting to punch a wall!
“Why! Why does he care so much about protecting that bitch!!!!”
As Dara fumed, her phone suddenly began to vibrate. Isabelle was calling her. Dara stared at her phone for a brief moment annoyed before answering.
“You stupid bitch! You lied to me! You set me up!!”
Dara began to laugh inwardly. It was true, she’d set Isabelle up to be the fall person; but running to the media was her idea entirely. Dara never told her to run to the press. Though she had to admit, it worked out better than she could have imagined. The internet hated Cassandra, and Cassandra hated Ian, it was a win/win situation for her! Putting on her best meek voice, Dara responded.
“Isabelle….I have no idea what you’re talking about. I really thought Ms. Cassandra was unfaithful to Ian! I’m so sorry for being misinformed!”
But Isabelle wouldn’t let up, she didn’t bend to Dara’s “shy” act any more than Cassandra had.
“Bullshit!”
“It’s not! Ms. Isabelle….I swear….I thought Ms. Cassandra betrayed Ian first!.....But I never told you to go to the press!”
“What! How fucking dare you! Don’t think your little ‘cute’ routine can work on me! I’m not my fucking brother! I-”
“And just what is that supposed to mean?”
Ian snatched the phone right out of Dara’s hands causing her to slightly shriek. She didn’t even know he’d come back.
‘When the hell did he get here! I didn’t even hear him!’
Dara’s eyes widen with shock as she watched Ian wait for Isabelle’s response; his face was dark and his tone cynical.
“Don’t get quiet now Isabelle. Please….continue.”
Isabelle responded nervously, her voice much quieter than it was when she yelled at Dara.
“B-Big brother…..I didn’t know-”
“Continue what you were saying. I think you were at the part where you wanted Dara to know you weren’t me. By all means Isabelle….elaborate.”
Isabelle could feel sweats of beads slide down the side of her forehead. She had no idea Ian was there! She never would have called!
‘That bitch set me up again!’
Isabelle fumed inwardly as she scrambled to answer Ian.
“Ian….I didn’t mean anything by it. I only meant….well I know you’re easy on her because she’s carrying my nephew.”
Ian walked over to the sofa and sat down; motioning for Dara to sit next to him. She quickly obliged.
“I see….Isabelle….did I miss something? Are you the new head of the Keller household?”
Silence.
“W-What…..No! Big Brother I-”
“Yet you felt you had the authority to chastise the new Lady of the Keller House?”
Isabelle’s throat felt as if it was frozen with ice. “The new lady of the Keller house!” So Ian really was going to marry that bitch!! Isabelle could hardly believe it!
“New lady?! Ian….you’re not seriously considering marrying her! She’s not even worth HALF of what Cassandra was-”
“Are you fucking serious!”
Ian was now furious! He immediately stood; his veins nearly popping out of his neck.
“Ian…I-”
“You’ve got a lot of fucking nerve telling me about Cassandra! Cassandra…..the person mother AND you deemed unworthy! The same Cassandra that didn’t know her place! The same fucking Cassandra that was about to have your dumbass arrested for SLANDER!”
The phone was now on speaker. Dara could hear Isabelle gasps; inwardly, she smiled with smugness that sent a euphoric feeling throughout her body!
‘See! That’s exactly what you get you bitch!’
Dara laughed inwardly as she listened to Isabelle try and scramble up an excuse.
“A-Arrested? Ian I-”
“Since you feel like you’re such an authoritarian….perhaps I should let you handle your own affairs with Cassandra. Maybe you'll even welcome going to jail-”
“No wait!! Please!”
Dara decided now would be a great moment to be the meek and caring sister-in-law.
“Ian don’t. If anybody should be punished it should be me! I was the one that mistook Ms. Cassandra’s behavior for infidelity.”
Ian looked at Dara with compassionate eyes. This was what he loved the most about her….always willing to sacrifice. Unlike Cassandra who couldn’t even handle raising his son and running off to Crawford at the first chance!
As he slowly caressed her face, Ian spoke.
“See how graceful and understanding my Dara is. Luckily for you Isabelle….I have no intentions on upsetting my son’s mother. Apologize…..now.”
Isabelle nearly blew a gasket! There was no way she was going to apologize to that bitch!
“Apolo…..Ian! There’s no fucking way-”
“Either you apologize to her now….or you apologize to her from behind prison bars when I tell Cassandra she’s good to go for pressing charges.”
Isabelle could feel the blood draining from her face. Would Ian really send her to prison for Dara!! That thought was like burning acid to her brain. Still, she couldn’t afford to test him. In a low voice, she began to apologize.
“I’m sorr-”
“LOUDER! Scream your apology like you were screaming at my fiancé!”
“I’m sorry Dara! It’ll never happen again!.....I swear.”
Isabelle quickly hung up after that, her humiliation went passed its limit. Any longer and she would have began crying. There was no way she would give Dara that satisfaction.
Ian turned to face Dara whose face was now filled with shock! Ian had just called her his fiancé! The elated feeling she had right now was beyond words! As the tears slid down her cheek, she walked slowly towards him. Her voice just above a whisper as she spoke.
“Ian…..d-did you just call me your…..I mean I’m your….”
The words were caught in her throat. She knew Ian was coming that morning to talk about the plans of a wedding, still, hearing him refer to her as fiancé was beyond surreal. Smiling, Ian pulled out a small purple velvet box from his breast pocket. Dara nearly held her breath, her heart was beating like a drum as Ian took her hand and guided her back the sofa. His voice was soft and soothing.
“Dara…..I never thought I would ever be able to repay you for saving my life. I mean….what would be a great enough payment. And now….now you’re giving me something that even Cassandra could never give….a child. I wasn’t sure back then, but I am now….I see that our lives keep intertwining….perhaps it’s meant to be.”
Suddenly, Ian got down on one knee and opened the box. Inside was a beautiful platinum six karat diamond ring with crusted diamonds around it. Dara’s eyes widened in shock as her ego relished!
‘My ring is bigger than that bitch’s was! I just know it!!! My stupid brother was wrong! I AM better than her!!’
Tears streamed out her eyes as she nodded and yelled yes! Wrapping her arms around Ian’s neck as they kissed passionately. There had been so much stress these past several months; Ian hadn’t even touched her. Smiling coquettishly, Dara pulled back slightly.
“Ian my love….not that I’m in my second trimester…..the doctor said I can…..we can….you know….”
A dark grin appeared on Ian’s lips. He knew exactly what she was implying. Not wasting any time, he scooped her up in his arms. He needed to release this tension anyway. Taking her in the room, he would find an outlet through her for now.