Francesca lost her baby at the hospital and Cassandra was accused of being the culprit. There were abortion drugs in the chicken soup. Ariel would never do such a thing, so the only suspect was Cassandra.
Ariel wanted to call the police because she was convinced that Cassandra had murdered her grandchild.
Amidst the chaos, Samuel finally spoke, “Enough. Airing this dirty laundry will only bring shame to the Nolans.”
Cassandra’s eyes were bloodshot. She uttered each word with force, “I already said, I didn’t do it.”
“Cassandra, if it wasn’t you, was it Francesca herself? Do you think that’s even possible?” Samuel coldly retorted.
A hint of glee flashed across Francesca’s eyes, but she quickly masked it, feigning weakness. “Sam, it’s alright. I don’t blame Cassandra. It’s just… I’m heartbroken about my baby. Cassandra, I know you misunderstood my relationship with Sam, but we’re truly just friends. Even if you resent me, you shouldn’t have harmed my child. Forget it. You’re still young and you’re with Sam. I don’t want to make a big deal out of it.”
Cassandra’s chest burned with rage. She pointed at Francesca and shouted, “Francesca! You know exactly how you lost that baby!”
Francesca evaded her gaze and turned to Samuel. “Sam, I can let this go, but my poor baby. I heard that babies who die like this need to be properly mourned at a church. I heard there is a sacred church on West Hill, to atone for her sins, she must confess her misdeeds, apologize, and pray for the departed while prostrating herself along the way. I know this might be a bit difficult for Cassandra, but.
Samuel cut her off, his eyes turning menacingly towards Cassandra. “Difficult? This is the least she can do to atone for her sins.”
Cassandra stared out the window at the raging storm. Going out in this weather to perform that grueling thing would surely lead to a miscarriage. She had a gut feeling that Francesca knew something. This was deliberate!
Fearful of losing her own kid, Cassandra clutched Samuel’s sleeve and pleaded for the first time. “Sammy, you promised you wouldn’t let me suffer.”
She didn’t call him by his name but by his lovely nickname, hoping he’d remember the affection they shared as children and not be so cruel.
Samuel looked at Cassandra with a complicated expression. Still, he pulled her hand away eventually. “I also promised to protect Francesca and her child.”
“Cassandra, you made a mistake. If you did something wrong, you have to pay the price.” His voice was indifferent. After that, he ruthlessly let go of her hand.
Cassandra felt her heart shatter. She screamed, “Samuel! You can’t do this to me!! Before she could finish, the bodyguards dragged her away.
2/2 72.613
1, 24 May
Cassandra felt her heart shatter. She screamed, Samuell You can’t do this to mell Before she could finish, the bodyguards dragged her Oway.
At the West Hill.
Cassandra stared up at the endless steps, fear creeping into her heart for
first time.
Rain pounded against her skin, mixing with the tears on her face. She turned to the bodyguards and begged, “Call Samuel. Tell him, I’m pregnant.”
The bodyguard remained unmoved, replying like a robot, “Madam, Mr. Nolan said you must kneel and repent as you climb. If you refuse, he will cut off funding to the orphanage.”
Cassandra froze. Samuel knew precisely where to hit her soft spot. The orphanage she once lived in relied heavily on the Nolans‘ funding, as government subsidies were meager, The children there often went hungry and cold. It was only after the Nolans‘ investment that their lives improved. If Samuel withdrew his support, their lives would become even more miserable.
She wanted to help the children because she had been through similar difficulties. Cassandra managed a smile amidst the rain, a mix of bitterness and regret. She knew she was trapped. Fur
if she refused, Samuel would find other ways to blackmail her.
“Madam, we will livestream your atonement to Mr. Nolan. Please begin.”
Cassandra turned and stepped onto the first stair.
She did what Samuel asked with mechanical precision. Lightning flashed across the sky, thunder mingling with the relentless rain. She had always been terrified of thunder.
Samuel used to cover her ears and tell her not to be afraid, but now he had another woman
in his arms.
“Cassandra, you were wrong. You were wrong to love Samuel Nolan.” With that thought, she knelt with a thud against the stone step.
Then, she forced herself to stand and continue forward. Her body trembled from the cold, but her back remained straight. “I was wrong. I was wrong to beg him three times to marry me. In the end, I deserved this.”
Back at the hospital, Samuel felt a sudden pang in his chest as he watched the live–stream. It was as if he was losing something precious. Nevertheless, he quickly dismissed the thought and told himself Cassandra had brought this upon herself. That punishment was already light. Otherwise, she would have gone to jail. He was doing her a favor.
“I’m sorry. I was wrong. If I could have another chance, I would never fall in love with you.” Cassandra knelt again, her knee now bleeding profusely. The coldness of her body was nothing compared to the chill in her heart.
At the hospital, Samuel couldn’t bear it any longer. He turned to leave, but Francesca suddenly grabbed his arm. “Sam, my stomach hurts! Can you call the doctor for me?” In the end, Samuel chose Francesca.
At the foot of the hill, Cassandra had no idea how long she had been kneeling. The steps stretched endlessly before her. Then, just as she lost her balance and was about to fall, a pair of hands caught her from behind.
74 14
At the foot of the hill. Cassandra had no idea how long she had been kneeling, NOSA
stretched endlessly before her. Then, just as she lost her balance and was about to fall a
pair of hands caught her from behind.
A deep voice whispered in her ear, “Do you really love Samuel that much? Enough to destroy yourself for him?”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.