Chapter 90 Chapter 90
The next morning, Cassandra woke up early. Her head was pounding from all the wine and arguments with Vanessa the night before. But as soon as she remembered Marcus, her lips curved into a small smile. She picked up her phone and called him immediately.
“Hello, baby,” Marcus said from the other end, his voice smooth and calm. “I was about to call you.”
Cassandra smiled. “You miss me already?”
“Of course,” Marcus replied quickly. “I couldn’t sleep without hearing your voice.”
Her heart melted instantly. “You’re sweet,” she whispered. “I hope the money helped you.”
“It did,” Marcus said quickly. “I already started the business move. I’m planning to travel soon to handle things.”
“Travel?” Cassandra asked, sounding worried. “Where to?”
“Just a short trip, baby. Nothing serious,” Marcus replied. “You trust me, right?”
“Of course,” Cassandra said softly, though her heart felt uneasy.
After the call ended, she sat there smiling, convincing herself that Marcus truly loved her. But far away, Marcus sat in his car with another woman — a slim, bold lady named Lila.
Lila laughed as she looked at him. “You really got that woman wrapped around your finger.”
Marcus smirked. “Cassandra? She’s too easy. One fake promise and a few sweet words, and she opens her wallet.”
Lila chuckled. “So she really gave you forty million?”
Marcus leaned back proudly. “Every last naira. Women like her always think they can buy love.”
Lila laughed louder. “So what’s next? You’ll run away?”
“Not yet,” Marcus said, lighting a cigarette. “I’ll wait until she gives me more. Cassandra’s still useful. Once I’m done, then I disappear.”
Back in Nathaniel’s mansion, Cassandra was busy preparing breakfast. She looked cheerful, humming a song as she stirred the pot. When Vanessa walked in, she frowned.
“You’re cooking? That’s new,” Vanessa said, crossing her arms.
Cassandra smiled. “I just wanted to do something different today. I feel happy.”
Vanessa sighed. “Let me guess. You talked to Marcus.”
Cassandra’s smile faded slightly. “Yes. He called me this morning. He’s doing fine.”
Vanessa sat down. “And you believe that?”
Cassandra turned sharply. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” Vanessa said slowly, “I did a little digging last night. That man doesn’t have any business registered in his name. Not one.”
Cassandra froze. “That’s impossible. He told me—”
“He told you what you wanted to hear,” Vanessa said flatly. “You gave him your husband’s money, Cassandra. And now you’re pretending everything is fine.”
Cassandra’s lips trembled. “You’re lying.”
Vanessa shook her head. “I’m not. Marcus is using you. You’ll see soon enough.”
Cassandra’s eyes filled with tears. “Stop it, Vanessa. Please. Just stop. I can’t handle this right now.”
Vanessa stood up slowly. “Fine. But when the truth comes out, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Cassandra turned back to the food, blinking fast to stop her tears. Her chest ached, but her pride wouldn’t let her admit it.
That night, Marcus didn’t call her. She waited for hours, staring at her phone. She sent him a message. No reply. She tried calling, but it went straight to voicemail.
Her heart started beating fast. “Maybe his phone died,” she whispered to herself.
But deep down, fear was growing.
The next morning, she tried again — still nothing.
She dressed up quickly and drove straight to Marcus’s apartment. When she got there, the gate was locked. She honked several times, but no one came out.
Finally, an old man from the compound next door walked up to her car. “Madam, who are you looking for?” he asked.
“I’m looking for Marcus,” she said. “He lives here.”
The old man frowned. “Marcus? That man packed his things and left two nights ago.”
Cassandra’s eyes widened. “Left? To where?”
The man shrugged. “I don’t know. He said he was traveling. He didn’t tell anyone where.”
Her hands started shaking on the steering wheel. “No… no, he can’t just leave.”
The old man looked at her with pity. “He didn’t even pay his last rent, madam.”
Cassandra’s mouth fell open. “What?”
The man nodded. “He owes the landlord. He ran away at night.”
Cassandra’s face turned pale. Her breath came in short gasps. She quickly thanked the man and drove off, her mind spinning.
Back in the car, tears flowed freely down her face. “No, Marcus wouldn’t do this to me,” she whispered again and again. “He loves me.”
But the truth was right in front of her — Marcus had taken her money and disappeared.
By the time she reached home, Vanessa was waiting in the living room.
Cassandra’s eyes were red, her makeup smudged. She didn’t say a word. She just dropped her bag and sat on the floor, covering her face.
Vanessa came close, her voice soft this time. “You went to see him, didn’t you?”
Cassandra nodded weakly.
Vanessa sighed. “He’s gone, right?”
Cassandra broke down completely. “He took everything, Vanessa. All of it! The money… everything! He’s gone!”
Vanessa hugged her gently. “I told you, Cassandra. I warned you.”
Cassandra sobbed loudly, her whole body shaking. “What am I going to do now? Nathaniel will find out! I’m finished!”
Vanessa held her tight. “You have to calm down. We’ll think of something.”
Cassandra cried harder, her tears soaking Vanessa’s shoulder.
Vanessa looked toward the window, her expression dark. “This Marcus man has no idea what he’s started,” she muttered. “If I ever see him, I’ll make him regret it.”
But deep inside, both women knew — the damage had already been done.