Chapter 45 Chapter 45
The morning sun slipped through the glass window, spreading soft light over the room. The air smelled of expensive perfume and wine. Nathaniel opened his eyes slowly. His head felt heavy, his body weak.
Beside him, Cassandra was still asleep, her long hair scattered across the pillow. She looked peaceful — too peaceful. Nathaniel stared at her for a while, unsure of what he really felt.
Last night had been wild — full of kisses, laughter, and promises. But now, the room felt cold and empty.
Cassandra turned lazily and smiled when she noticed his eyes on her. “Good morning, my love,” she whispered, her voice soft and sweet.
Nathaniel sat up, his face calm. “Morning.”
She leaned on his shoulder, tracing her finger on his chest. “You’re always up early. Don’t you ever get tired of work?”
He gave a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Work doesn’t stop.”
Cassandra pouted playfully. “You should rest once in a while. You have everything a man could want — a mansion, a beautiful woman by your side, and more money than anyone can count. Isn’t that enough?”
Nathaniel gave a short laugh. “You make it sound so easy.”
She sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Because it is, darling. You just have to let go of everything that makes you sad. Savannah is gone now. Stop letting her live in your head.”
His body stiffened at the sound of that name. He didn’t reply.
Cassandra noticed but acted as if she didn’t. She ran her fingers through his hair and whispered, “Forget about her. She chose her path. You deserve better.”
Nathaniel looked at her, his face unreadable. “Better?”
“Yes, me,” Cassandra said with a smirk. “I’m here. I’m not running away. I know what you need, and I’m ready to give it to you.”
Nathaniel stood up from the bed and walked toward the window. “You talk like you know me.”
Cassandra laughed softly. “I do. You like control, power, respect. You like when things go your way. And I’m ready to give you that peace again.”
He turned back to look at her. She was beautiful — bold, confident, everything Savannah wasn’t. But somehow, her beauty didn’t move him the same way. There was something missing. Something real.
“Get ready,” he said after a moment. “We’re going out for lunch later.”
Cassandra’s eyes brightened. “Lunch? With you?”
He nodded. “Yes. I’ll send the driver to pick you up. I need to check on some work first.”
She smiled and walked up to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I love it when you talk like that. So strong and sure.”
Nathaniel didn’t reply. He gently removed her hands from his waist and reached for his shirt.
Cassandra stood there watching him dress. She tilted her head slightly. “You’re too serious this morning. Did something happen?”
“Nothing,” he said quietly. “Just a lot on my mind.”
She stepped closer, pressing her chest against his back. “You think too much, Nathaniel. You should let me take your mind off work more often.”
He buttoned his shirt slowly. “That’s not necessary.”
Cassandra frowned. “You didn’t seem to think that last night.”
He paused but didn’t turn around. “Last night was last night.”
Her eyes darkened for a moment, but she quickly covered it with a smile. “Fine. But don’t forget — we have a meeting with your lawyer later today about the property transfer.”
“I remember,” Nathaniel said simply.
Cassandra walked toward the dressing mirror and started fixing her hair. “Good. Because I want everything done fast. I don’t like delays.”
Nathaniel looked at her reflection in the mirror. “You sound like you’re in a hurry to own everything.”
Cassandra’s lips curved. “Maybe I am. You never know what tomorrow brings.”
Nathaniel didn’t answer. He picked up his wristwatch, checked the time, and said, “I’ll be downstairs. Don’t take too long.”
When he left the room, Cassandra dropped her smile. Her expression turned cold. She stared at her reflection and whispered, “He’s starting to change. I can feel it.”
She turned to the bed and sat down slowly. “Savannah, wherever you are, I hope you stay gone. Because if you ever come back…” she trailed off, her eyes burning with quiet anger. “I’ll make sure you disappear for good.”
Meanwhile, downstairs, Nathaniel sat on the sofa, his thoughts drifting far away. He looked around the mansion — the tall walls, the quiet halls, the golden frames. Everything looked perfect, but something inside him felt broken.
He picked up a picture frame from the table. It was a family photo from two years ago — his late mother, himself, and Savannah. He stared at Savannah’s smile for a long time. It was soft, real, nothing like Cassandra’s practiced charm.
A knock came at the door, pulling him back to reality. His personal assistant, Louis, walked in.
“Sir, your morning coffee,” Louis said politely, placing it on the table.
Nathaniel nodded. “Thank you. Any updates from the board?”
“Yes, sir. The meeting is set for noon. And your lawyer also called to confirm today’s appointment regarding the signature papers.”
Nathaniel’s expression hardened. “Tell him I’ll be there.”
Louis nodded, then hesitated. “Sir… if I may ask, are you sure you want to finalize the divorce this week?”
Nathaniel looked up sharply. “What do you mean?”
Louis shifted nervously. “It’s just that—well, it’s been weeks since Mrs. Savannah left. There’s still no trace of her. Maybe she doesn’t want to be found.”
Nathaniel clenched his jaw. “Then that’s her choice. She left, not me.”
“Yes, sir,” Louis replied quickly, bowing slightly before leaving.
Nathaniel leaned back on the sofa, gripping his coffee cup tightly. His heart felt heavy, though he refused to admit it.
Upstairs, Cassandra was already dressed in a white silk gown. She looked flawless as she came down the stairs, her heels clicking on the marble floor.
“Ready?” Nathaniel asked without looking at her.
“Always,” she replied sweetly, walking close enough for him to smell her perfume.
He stood up, took his car keys, and walked toward the door. “Let’s go.”
The drive to the restaurant was quiet at first. Cassandra played with her phone while Nathaniel stared straight ahead.
After a few minutes, Cassandra said softly, “You haven’t said a word since we left the house. Are you thinking about work or her again?”
Nathaniel’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “Don’t start.”
“I’m not starting anything,” she said quickly. “I just hate how she still takes up space in your mind. She left you, Nathaniel. You owe her nothing.”
He didn’t respond.
Cassandra leaned closer and placed a hand on his arm. “I’m here now. I’m real. Stop holding on to someone who didn’t want to stay.”
Nathaniel’s eyes stayed on the road. His voice was calm but cold. “You talk too much sometimes, Cassandra.”
Her hand froze on his arm, then she slowly pulled it away.
They arrived at the restaurant shortly after. Cameras flashed as they walked in — Nathaniel Steele, one of the richest businessmen in town, and the woman rumored to be his new lover.
Cassandra smiled brightly for the cameras, gripping his arm tightly. Nathaniel forced a smile, the kind that didn’t reach his heart.
Inside, the waiter led them to a private table. Cassandra started talking immediately — about new designers, house decorations, and expensive jewelry.
Nathaniel listened silently, his mind elsewhere.
Cassandra noticed his distraction but didn’t let it show. Instead, she laughed louder, spoke sweeter, and leaned closer, determined to hold his attention.
But deep down, she knew the truth — no matter how hard she tried, she could never be Savannah.
As they left the restaurant hours later, the sun had started to set. Nathaniel opened the car door for her but said nothing.
Cassandra smiled and slipped inside. As the car pulled away, she turned to him and said softly, “One day, you’ll forget her completely, and you’ll only see me.”
Nathaniel’s face remained blank. “We’ll see,” he said quietly.
Cassandra looked out the window and smirked. You will, Nathaniel. You’ll see me, and only me, she thought.
She didn’t know that far away, Savannah was still alive — carrying the one thing that could change everything.