CHAPTER 5

Cassandra’s POV

I opened my mouth to say more to the nurse, but then I saw Royce Harrington.

He stood near the nurse’s station, flipping through a patient file, his posture straight but relaxed, just as I remembered. 

Royce had been my classmate, and we became friends after working together on a competition. Back in school, he was like a brother to me—always supportive and willing to help.

“Cassandra?” His voice carried the same warmth I remembered, tinged with surprise. “Wow. It’s been a long time.”

I forced a smile, trying to push down the whirlwind of emotions threatening to surface.

“It has,” I agreed. “I didn’t know you were back.” He studied medicine abroad.

“Just recently. What about you? What brings you here?”

I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the edges of the report.

“I, uh, brought my daughter Ava in for a checkup earlier,” I fibbed. “They told me she has mild anemia, so I wanted to follow up.”

Royce frowned slightly. “Anemia? That can be managed, but it’s good that you’re being thorough.”

Then, with a small chuckle, he shook his head. “Didn’t expect to see you here. Feels like college was a whole other life.”

“It does.” I gave a faint smile, though my thoughts were elsewhere.

“Remember those all-nighters before exams?”

“You mean me, spiraling, while you recited facts like a machine?” I said lightly, but there was a tension in my voice I didn’t bother to hide.

He smiled. “You always made it through. Smarter than you gave yourself credit for.”

I looked away. If only being smart helped make sense of everything now.

Before I responded, a nurse appeared nearby, holding a clipboard. She leaned in slightly, speaking in a low, urgent tone.

“Dr. Harrington, you’re needed in the ER.”

Royce sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Duty calls.” He turned to me, his expression apologetic. “Sorry, Cassie. Let’s catch up soon, yeah?”

I smiled, waving a hand. “Go ahead and take care of that first, Dr. Harrington.”

Royce smirked at my teasing but nodded. Then, in a gesture so familiar, he reached out and ruffled my hair—just like he used to back in school.

“See you soon,” he said playfully before striding off.

I smiled at the familiar tone, feeling so much better than earlier as I watched him disappear down the hall.

But then, the warmth in my chest quickly faded when I turned around—only to meet a pair of cold, unblinking eyes.

Marcus.

He stood a few feet away, his hands in his pockets, his gaze locked onto mine with an unreadable expression. 

I didn't want to give him any attention, but he came over to me.

“I took Ava to the amusement park,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion as he came closer. “But she got diarrhea in the middle of a ride, so I brought her here.”

I blinked. “What? Ava’s sick? How is she?”

Instead of answering my questions, he narrowed his eyes at me and spoke sharply. “Ava said she got sick because she’s allergic to milk, She told me you’ve been making her drink a lot of it.”

“Allergic?” I repeated. “Marcus, she’s not allergic to milk. She just has a mild dairy intolerance.”

His expression didn’t change, so I continued. “The doctor told us that the best way to manage it is not to eliminate dairy completely, but to gradually introduce small amounts so her body can adjust. That’s what I’ve been doing.”

Marcus gazed at me for a moment, filled with distrust. “Well, clearly, that didn’t work. She got sick.”

I clenched my fists, inhaling deeply to keep my temper in check. “Where is she?”

Without another word, Marcus turned and walked down the hallway. I hurried after him, my heart pounding as we approached the hospital room.

Ava lay curled up on the hospital bed, her small frame buried beneath a white blanket. Her face was pale, her lips pressed together in discomfort.

“Ava, sweetheart,” I murmured, brushing her damp hair back. “How are you feeling?”

Her small voice hoarse. “Tired.”

I stroked her forehead, my heart breaking. “Maybe… you just ate too much today? Can you tell me what you’ve eaten?” 

“Uh, popcorn and hotdog… And ice cream…” she whispered, pausing several times as she tried to recall everything.

“Oh! Who gave you ice cream?”

“Violet did,” Ava answered. “But the milk, Mom... You made me drink it. It’s all your fault that I feel sick now.”

Her words hurt me so hard. My heart dropped, and for a moment, I couldn’t respond.

“No, Ava…” I said finally, my voice tight, but trying to stay steady. I turned to Marcus, searching for support. “It wasn’t me. It was Violet.”

His gaze darkened. “Don’t turn this into something else, Cassandra. You’re supposed to be her mother. This happened because of you.”

A bitter laugh bubbled in my throat. Oh, god. I’m done explaining myself.

Then to my shock, Violet came in. “I was so worried about Ava,” she said. “Poor thing had such a rough time earlier.”

“Violet and I need to step out,” Before I could respond, Marcus spoke up, glancing at his watch. “We have a client to meet.”

I ignored his words and turned away, refusing to pay them any more attention.

The door clicked shut behind them. I stood still for a long moment, then exhaled, my hands trembling as they hovered over the call button.

A nurse entered quietly after a few minutes. “Mrs. Cole? Are you availing the test?”

I hesitated—just for a second—but then stood straighter, my resolve hardening. “Yes.” I glanced at Ava. She had fallen asleep already.

“Can we do it now? Quickly?”

She nodded, working efficiently. A small swab from inside Ava’s cheek—gentle, precise, finished within seconds.

Then it was my turn. I opened my mouth as the nurse swabbed my cheek just as quickly.

And just like that, it was done.

“Results should be ready in a few days,” the nurse said, scribbling down the details.

Days and nights passed. Then finally, the results came out.

I couldn’t open the envelope at first. I sat in the dim living room, heart pounding, hands cold. But I forced myself to look.

And in that instant, something inside me broke quietly.

I sat there for a long time, the paper slipping from my fingers, the words blurring before my eyes.

All the half-truths, the secrecy, the way Marcus looked at Violet, the bond between her and Ava—it all made sense now.

I stood slowly, numb but clear.

I had spent years hoping love would grow where there was only duty.

But I was done.

Without thinking further, I grabbed my phone and dialed the number of the only lawyer I trusted.

“Attorney Morales? I want a divorce.”