Chapter 89 Chapter 89
The evening breeze was warm, and soft music filled the quiet bar where Cassandra and Vanessa sat. The lights were dim, the place classy — just the kind of spot Cassandra loved.
She sipped slowly from her glass of red wine, her diamond earrings glittering under the soft light.
Vanessa sat across from her, flipping through her phone, looking bored. “You’ve been too quiet lately,” she said finally. “What’s going on with you? You look like someone carrying the whole world on her head.”
Cassandra sighed deeply and glanced around to be sure no one was listening. “You won’t understand, Vanessa.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes. “Try me. I’m your best friend, remember?”
Cassandra hesitated, then took another sip of wine. “I did something stupid.”
Vanessa’s brows went up. “What did you do this time?”
Cassandra leaned closer. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I gave Marcus forty million naira.”
Vanessa’s phone slipped from her hand and hit the table with a loud clack. “You did what?” she almost screamed, her eyes wide.
Cassandra looked down, feeling embarrassed. “I gave him forty million. He said he wanted to expand his business, and he needed the money urgently.”
Vanessa’s mouth opened in shock. “Cassandra, are you insane?”
“Keep your voice down,” Cassandra warned quickly, looking around. “Do you want people to hear us?”
Vanessa didn’t care. “You gave forty million naira to a man that isn’t even your husband? What kind of nonsense is that?”
Cassandra frowned. “Marcus isn’t just some random man, Vanessa. He’s my—” she stopped herself, searching for the right word, “—he’s my friend. He needed help.”
“Friend?” Vanessa laughed bitterly. “Oh, so that’s what we’re calling lovers now? Cassandra, are you listening to yourself? Forty million naira! That’s not small money!”
Cassandra looked uncomfortable. “He promised to pay it back. He said it’s just a loan. He has a big business plan—”
“Loan?” Vanessa interrupted sharply. “That man is using you, Cassandra! He saw a rich woman who’s too blinded by emotions to think straight.”
“Don’t talk about him like that!” Cassandra snapped.
Vanessa threw her hands up. “Fine! Defend him. But when Nathaniel finds out, don’t come running to me. You’ll be finished!”
Cassandra’s heart skipped at the sound of Nathaniel’s name. She turned away, her voice trembling. “He won’t find out.”
Vanessa leaned forward, lowering her voice. “Cassandra, listen to me. Men like Marcus don’t love women like you. They love money. You’re risking everything for a man who doesn’t even deserve your time.”
Cassandra stayed quiet, staring at her wine glass. “He loves me, Vanessa. You don’t know him the way I do. He said I make him feel alive again.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. That’s the same line all broke men use when they want something.”
Cassandra’s eyes watered. “He’s not broke. He’s trying to build something big, and I believe in him. You don’t understand how much he means to me.”
Vanessa sighed, shaking her head. “I understand, Cassandra. I really do. But you’re playing a dangerous game. You have a husband who trusts you, and you’re giving millions to another man behind his back.”
Cassandra bit her lip hard, her voice weak. “I didn’t plan for things to go this far.”
Vanessa took a deep breath, calming herself. “Tell me the truth. What if Nathaniel finds out about this Marcus? What will you do?”
Cassandra looked away, her fingers trembling. “He won’t find out,” she repeated softly.
“You keep saying that,” Vanessa said. “But secrets don’t stay buried forever. You’ve already slipped once. Nathaniel almost found out about the money. What if he starts digging?”
Cassandra wiped her tears fast, trying to sound confident. “He won’t. I told him I used the money for shopping, and he believed me. He has too much work to even think about checking again.”
Vanessa leaned back, folding her arms. “You’re joking with fire, Cassandra. When that man finds out, he won’t just throw you out. He’ll destroy you.”
Cassandra stayed silent for a long time, staring into her glass. Then she whispered, “I can’t stop now, Vanessa. Marcus needs me.”
Vanessa shook her head slowly. “No, Cassandra. You need him. You’ve lost control. You’re risking your whole marriage for a man who’s probably spending your money on another woman.”
“Stop it!” Cassandra shouted suddenly, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Don’t talk about him like that! Marcus loves me!”
People at nearby tables turned to look at them. Vanessa quickly pulled Cassandra back down to her seat. “Keep your voice down,” she hissed.
Cassandra sniffed, picking up a tissue to wipe her face. “You’re just jealous,” she said quietly. “You don’t want to see me happy.”
Vanessa looked shocked. “Jealous? Cassandra, I’m the only person still trying to save you from destroying your own life!”
Cassandra looked away, her voice shaky. “You won’t understand, Vanessa. I love Marcus.”
Vanessa sighed again, running a hand through her hair. “You’re lost. Completely lost. You’ve fallen for a man who’s going to drag you down.”
Cassandra stood up slowly, grabbing her purse. “You can believe whatever you want. But Marcus is the only one who truly cares about me.”
Vanessa shook her head sadly. “No, Cassandra. He’s the one who will ruin you.”
Cassandra didn’t reply. She dropped a few notes on the table and walked out of the bar, her eyes red from crying.
Vanessa sat there, watching her leave, her heart heavy. She muttered to herself, “God help her. She’s digging her own grave.”
Outside, Cassandra entered her car, still shaking from the conversation. She gripped the steering wheel tightly, tears running down her cheeks.
But even with all the warnings, one thought kept echoing in her heart — Marcus needs me.
She turned on the engine and drove off into the night, completely unaware of the storm waiting ahead.