Chapter 95 Chapter 95
Cassandra sat in her room, staring blankly at the glass of water on her dressing table. The room was filled with silence, except for the ticking clock on the wall. Her hair was scattered, her face pale, and her hands trembled slightly as she held her phone.
It had been two days since Vanessa showed her that Instagram post — the one that broke her heart completely. Marcus had betrayed her. The man she trusted, the man she gave everything to, had been enjoying himself with another woman while she was losing her mind over him.
She had cried until there were no more tears left to cry.
The money — forty million naira — was gone. But even worse, her dignity was gone too.
A soft knock came at her door. “Cassie, can I come in?” Vanessa’s voice was calm, gentle.
Cassandra didn’t move. “It’s open,” she said quietly.
Vanessa walked in, wearing a cream jumpsuit and a serious look. She closed the door behind her and came closer, stopping beside Cassandra.
“You haven’t eaten anything all day,” she said softly. “The maids told me you refused lunch again.”
Cassandra gave a faint, bitter smile. “What’s the point of eating when everything tastes like pain?”
Vanessa sighed and sat beside her. “You can’t do this to yourself, Cassie. I know it hurts — I really do — but you have to move on. You can’t sit here forever.”
Cassandra laughed weakly, a sound filled with pain. “Move on? After losing forty million naira to a man who promised to love me? Vanessa, do you even know how stupid I feel right now?”
Vanessa placed her hand over Cassandra’s. “You’re not stupid. You’re just human. You loved him, and he took advantage of that.”
Cassandra shook her head slowly, her eyes filling again. “I thought I was smart, Vanessa. I thought I could control everything. Nathaniel trusted me with that money… and now it’s gone. If he ever finds out, he’ll never forgive me.”
Vanessa looked thoughtful. “Has he said anything about it again?”
Cassandra wiped her eyes. “Not yet. But I can tell he’s suspicious. He’s been watching me differently.”
“Then you have to act carefully now,” Vanessa said firmly. “He must never find out what really happened. If he does, you’ll lose not just him — but your place in this family.”
Cassandra took a deep, shaky breath. “So what do I do, Vanessa? How do I pretend like everything’s fine when my world is falling apart?”
Vanessa’s tone softened. “You start by looking the part. Get out of this room. Take a shower. Dress up. Smile. If you let your pain show, Nathaniel will notice. You need to convince him that you’re happy — that nothing’s wrong.”
Cassandra turned to look at her, uncertain. “And what if he asks about the money again?”
“Then tell him you already settled what you used it for,” Vanessa replied quickly. “Make up something small and believable — say you invested part of it, or used it to support a charity. He doesn’t need to know details.”
Cassandra stared at her for a long moment, then nodded slowly. “You’re right. I can’t afford another mistake.”
Vanessa squeezed her hand gently. “That’s my girl. You’re strong, Cassie. Don’t let Marcus ruin everything you’ve built.”
Cassandra exhaled deeply. “It’s just… I can’t stop thinking about him. I keep asking myself why he did it. Was it all fake? Did he ever love me?”
Vanessa’s eyes softened. “Men like him don’t know what love means. He saw an opportunity and took it. But believe me — one day, he’ll regret what he did to you.”
Cassandra’s voice hardened slightly. “I don’t want him to regret. I want him to pay. If I ever see him again, Vanessa, I swear I’ll make him suffer.”
Vanessa gave a sad smile. “I believe you. But for now, just keep calm. You need to survive this before you start planning revenge.”
Cassandra nodded quietly.
They sat together in silence for a while. Then Vanessa stood up and walked to the window. “The sky looks so peaceful,” she said softly. “It’s funny how the world keeps moving even when ours feels like it’s ending.”
Cassandra let out a slow sigh. “It’s cruel.”
Vanessa turned to her with a small smile. “Maybe. But it’s also a reminder that you’ll heal. This pain won’t last forever.”
Cassandra finally stood up, brushing her hair away from her face. “Maybe you’re right. I can’t stay like this forever. I need to face Nathaniel, act normal, and fix my mess before it gets worse.”
“That’s the spirit,” Vanessa said encouragingly. “Go take a shower, Cassie. Put on something nice. Let’s have dinner together tonight — just us girls. You need a bit of normal again.”
Cassandra hesitated, then smiled faintly. “Dinner sounds good.”
Vanessa nodded and headed for the door. “Good. I’ll tell the cook to prepare something special. Maybe a little pepper soup to wake your appetite.”
As she reached the door, Cassandra called her name.
“Vanessa.”
Vanessa turned. “Yes?”
“Thank you… for standing by me. I know I made a terrible mistake, but you didn’t judge me.”
Vanessa’s smile was warm but tired. “That’s what sisters do, Cassie. We correct in private and protect in public. You’ll be fine, trust me.”
When Vanessa left, Cassandra walked slowly into her bathroom. The warm water from the shower ran over her body as she closed her eyes and let the tears mix with it.
She whispered to herself, “Marcus, you played me. But this isn’t over.”
Later that night, Cassandra came downstairs, dressed elegantly in a soft blue gown. Her hair was tied neatly, and a light fragrance followed her as she moved. Vanessa was already sitting in the dining room, smiling as Cassandra approached.
“Wow,” Vanessa said, clapping softly. “That’s my Cassie. You look beautiful again.”
Cassandra forced a smile. “I’m trying.”
They sat together and ate quietly. Vanessa kept the conversation light — gossip, family, small jokes. Cassandra laughed a few times, though her laughter didn’t quite reach her eyes.
When dinner was over, she leaned back in her chair and sighed. “It feels strange pretending to be fine.”
Vanessa nodded. “It’s not pretending, Cassie. It’s surviving. And right now, that’s what you need most.”
Cassandra smiled faintly and whispered, “Surviving…”
After dinner, they both walked to the balcony, looking out at the stars. The night breeze was cool, and for the first time in days, Cassandra felt a small sense of peace.
She looked at Vanessa and said softly, “You know, I’ve learned something.”
“What’s that?” Vanessa asked.
Cassandra turned her gaze to the sky. “Never trust a man completely — not even the one who says he loves you.”
Vanessa nodded slowly. “Now you sound like me.”
They both laughed quietly, the sound blending with the night air.
Inside, Cassandra’s heart was still broken, but beneath the pain, a new strength was growing — the kind that comes only after deep betrayal.
And somewhere far away, Marcus had no idea what storm was about to come his way.