Chapter 115 Chapter 115
Cassandra sat alone in the big living room, her eyes staring at the glass table in front of her. The television was on, but she wasn’t watching it. Her mind was far away, lost in a storm of thoughts.
It had been weeks since Marcus disappeared with her money. Forty million naira gone just like that. Every time she remembered, her stomach turned. She had tried calling him, but the number never went through. Even his social media accounts were gone.
Cassandra felt used and foolish. She had trusted him. She had believed all his sweet words and empty promises.
“Idiot,” she muttered under her breath, gripping the edge of the sofa. “How could you do this to me?”
Her eyes burned with tears, but she quickly wiped them off. She didn’t want to cry anymore. She had cried enough.
Just then, the sound of footsteps came from upstairs. Nathaniel was coming down, already dressed for work.
“Morning,” he said softly.
Cassandra forced a smile. “Morning.”
He looked at her for a moment. She looked tired, her eyes red and her hair scattered. “Did you sleep at all?” he asked.
“Yes,” she lied. “I’m fine.”
Nathaniel nodded slowly. “Alright. I’ll be back before evening. Take care of yourself, okay?”
“Okay,” she said flatly.
When he left, she let out a long sigh and leaned back. The house felt too quiet. Even the ticking clock on the wall sounded louder than usual.
She stood up and went to the mirror. The woman staring back at her looked older, worn out. She touched her face gently. “You look terrible,” she whispered.
A maid walked in quietly. “Ma’am, would you like breakfast now?”
Cassandra turned sharply. “Do I look hungry to you?” she snapped.
The maid flinched. “No ma… I just—”
“Get out!” Cassandra shouted, throwing a pillow in her direction.
The maid ran out, trembling. Cassandra sank back into the chair, her heart pounding.
She didn’t mean to shout. She was just angry — angry at Marcus, angry at herself, angry at everything.
After a few minutes, her phone rang. She jumped, thinking maybe it was Marcus. But when she looked at the screen, it was Vanessa.
She took a deep breath and answered. “What is it?”
Vanessa’s voice came through the line. “You sound like someone who didn’t sleep.”
“I didn’t,” Cassandra replied coldly.
“Still thinking about Marcus?”
Cassandra’s jaw tightened. “Don’t start, Vanessa.”
Vanessa sighed. “I’m not here to fight you, Cassie. I just called to check on you.”
Cassandra rubbed her forehead. “I’m fine. I’ll be fine.”
There was silence for a few seconds, then Vanessa said, “You know, it’s not too late to fix things with Nathaniel. You’ve been distant lately.”
Cassandra laughed bitterly. “Fix what? A boring marriage? You don’t understand, Vanessa. I don’t even feel anything for him anymore.”
“You used to,” Vanessa said quietly. “You just lost focus.”
Cassandra’s tone turned sharp. “Don’t act like you’re better. We both know how fake we are sometimes.”
Vanessa stayed quiet for a moment. “Maybe. But at least I didn’t throw away millions for a man who didn’t love me.”
“Shut up, Vanessa!” Cassandra shouted.
“Fine. But you needed to hear it,” Vanessa said calmly. “Stop pretending you’re okay. If you keep this up, you’ll break completely.”
The call ended.
Cassandra threw her phone on the sofa, breathing hard. Vanessa’s words hit deep, but she refused to admit it.
She stood up and went to the bar corner, poured herself a glass of wine, and drank it quickly. Then another.
The wine burned down her throat, but she didn’t stop. It was the only thing that made her forget.
An hour later, she went upstairs and changed into a silk dress. She looked at herself again in the mirror — trying to look confident, rich, untouchable.
But deep inside, she felt empty.
Later that afternoon, Nathaniel returned earlier than usual. When he entered the living room, he saw the half-empty wine bottles on the table and Cassandra sitting with a blank expression.
“Cassandra,” he said softly. “Are you drinking again?”
She looked at him and rolled her eyes. “Why do you care?”
Nathaniel frowned. “Because I’m your husband. You’ve been acting strange lately.”
She laughed mockingly. “Oh really? Now you care?”
He sat down beside her. “Cassie, talk to me. What’s going on?”
She looked at him for a long moment. Her lips trembled, but she quickly looked away. “Nothing.”
“Come on, I know something’s wrong. You’ve been angry, distant—”
“Stop pretending like you care!” she shouted suddenly. “You only talk to me when something goes wrong. You don’t even notice me anymore!”
Nathaniel stared at her in shock. “What are you talking about? I’ve always cared about you.”
“No, you don’t!” she yelled. “You’re always busy with your stupid work while I sit here alone! I hate this life!”
Nathaniel stood up slowly, his voice calm but firm. “You’re drunk, Cassandra. Let’s talk when you’re sober.”
She stood up too, eyes blazing. “Don’t tell me what to do!”
She tried to walk past him, but he caught her wrist gently. “Cassie, please—”
“Leave me alone!” she screamed, pulling her hand away and pushing him.
Nathaniel sighed heavily, his face full of sadness. He didn’t want to fight. “Alright. I’ll leave you alone,” he said quietly, then walked out.
When the door closed, Cassandra’s shoulders dropped. She felt weak, drained, and miserable.
Tears filled her eyes as she sank back onto the sofa. “What’s happening to me?” she whispered.
She picked up her phone again and scrolled through old messages from Marcus. She stopped at one that said, “I’ll always love you, Cassie.”
Her tears fell harder. “Liar.”
Evening came, and she was still sitting there when Vanessa’s car pulled up outside. Vanessa came in wearing a short gown and big sunglasses.
“Cassie,” she said softly, walking over. “You look terrible.”
Cassandra laughed bitterly. “You already said that this morning.”
Vanessa sat beside her. “I know you’re in pain. But drinking yourself to death won’t bring your money back.”
Cassandra looked away. “You don’t understand. I trusted him. I gave him everything.”
Vanessa sighed. “I understand more than you think. But you have to stop. If Nathaniel finds out about the money, you’ll be in serious trouble.”
Cassandra’s eyes widened. “He won’t. I’ll make sure of it.”
Vanessa nodded slowly. “Good. Then pull yourself together. Because right now, you’re falling apart.”
Cassandra was quiet.
“Listen,” Vanessa continued, “I heard something about Marcus. Someone saw him in California Maybe he’s still there.”
Cassandra’s eyes shot up. “What? Are you sure?”
“That’s what I heard. But you can’t chase him now. You’ll only draw attention. Let me handle it quietly,” Vanessa said.
Cassandra nodded slowly, hope flashing in her eyes for the first time. “If you help me find him, I’ll do anything.”
Vanessa smiled faintly. “Just relax. I’ll find out more.”
After Vanessa left, Cassandra walked upstairs slowly. For the first time in weeks, she had a little spark of hope. Maybe Marcus was still out there. Maybe she could still get her money back.
But what she didn’t know was that Marcus was long gone — and her search for him would only lead her into deeper trouble.