Seventy Five

CHAPTER 75

The sky turned orange as Cassandra stepped out of Jessica's apartment. Thin snow adorned the city streets, and the cold air pierced her skin. With a mix of emotions, she hailed a cab and gave the driver the address—a grand mansion owned by Antonio.

The journey felt slow, not only because of the heavy traffic but also due to the endless turmoil in her mind. The decision she made the night before still lingered, though she was confident it was the right one. Now, she had to face another reality—Antonio and the secret she had been keeping from him all this time.

When the cab stopped in front of the mansion, Cassandra gazed at the building with mixed feelings. The warm light from inside contrasted with the coldness outside. However, something else caught her attention—a man standing at the gate, talking to two bodyguards stationed there. It was Ben.

They exchanged glances, and Cassandra felt Ben’s cold, piercing stare. He said nothing, but his expression was enough to make Cassandra uneasy. She took a deep breath and tried to ignore it. This was not the time to think about Ben.

One of the bodyguards approached and opened the gate for her. “Miss Cassandra, Mr. Antonio is waiting inside,” he said politely.

Cassandra nodded slightly and stepped into the mansion grounds. The snow-covered garden presented a beautiful view, but her mind was too preoccupied to appreciate it. When she reached the main door, Antonio was already there, waiting for her with a warm smile.

“Cass,” he said gently, stepping closer. Without hesitation, he embraced Cassandra tightly, providing much-needed warmth on this cold evening. Before Cassandra could say anything, Antonio kissed her softly on the lips. “I missed you.”

Cassandra felt her heart race, a mixture of warmth and nervousness. “I... I missed you too,” she replied softly.

Antonio looked at her attentively. “How was your stay at Jessica’s? Was everything okay?” he asked.

Cassandra nodded, trying to smile. “Everything was fine. Jess was very helpful.”

Antonio gave a small smile, but his eyes showed a deep concern that didn’t escape Cassandra’s notice. Before she could add anything, Antonio suddenly bent down slightly and lifted her into his arms.

“Antonio! What are you doing?” Cassandra exclaimed, surprised.

“I need to make sure you and our baby are okay,” Antonio replied without hesitation, his smile turning even warmer. “You mustn’t overexert yourself, Cass. From now on, I’ll take care of you completely.”

Cassandra’s face turned red, but she didn’t protest. Antonio carried her through the luxurious hallways of the mansion to the master bedroom prepared for them. Once they arrived, Antonio carefully placed Cassandra on the plush bed.

“I want you to rest, Cass,” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed. His hand gently caressed Cassandra’s cheek. “You mean everything to me now, and I won’t let anything harm you.”

Cassandra looked at him, her emotions a mix of being touched and anxious. There was so much she wanted to say, but the words felt too heavy to come out. She could only nod slightly, accepting Antonio’s genuine care.

“Thank you, Antonio,” she finally whispered. “I really appreciate it.”

Antonio smiled softly. “You don’t need to thank me, Cass. It’s my duty to make sure you’re happy and safe.”

That night, however, wasn’t spent solely on rest. After lying in bed for some time, Cassandra felt restless. Antonio, who had just finished talking to his staff, returned to the room to find Cassandra still awake. He approached her with gentle steps, sitting beside her.

“Cass, what’s bothering you?” he asked, his voice full of concern.

Cassandra shook her head, but her eyes told a different story. Antonio pulled her into an embrace, letting his warmth envelop Cassandra. He felt the tension in her body, and without saying anything, he began gently rubbing her back.

“I’m here, Cass. You don’t have to face everything alone,” Antonio whispered, his voice soothing.

Cassandra felt her emotional walls crumble. She looked at Antonio, and without realizing it, tears began streaming down her cheeks. Antonio wiped her tears away with his thumb, then leaned in to plant a soft kiss on her forehead.

“You know I love you, don’t you?” Antonio asked, his eyes gazing deeply into Cassandra’s.

Cassandra nodded slowly. “I know,” she replied in a trembling voice. “And I love you too, Antonio.”

Hearing this, Antonio smiled and kissed Cassandra’s lips gently. The kiss was filled with warmth and affection but soon turned deeper, more intense. Cassandra felt herself being swept away in the moment, forgetting all the worries that had previously haunted her.

Antonio held Cassandra’s face with both hands, as if ensuring that this moment belonged solely to the two of them. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, Cass,” he whispered between kisses.

Cassandra didn’t reply with words. Instead, she returned the kiss with equal passion, letting herself be immersed in the warmth and security only Antonio could provide. That night, they allowed their love to overcome all fears and doubts, creating a moment filled with intimacy and closeness.

The following morning, Antonio woke up earlier but didn’t want to disturb Cassandra, who was still peacefully asleep beside him. He decided to prepare breakfast with the kitchen staff, ensuring everything was perfect to greet Cassandra’s morning.

When Cassandra finally opened her eyes, the aroma of coffee and toast had already filled the room. Antonio entered with a tray in his hands, smiling as he saw Cassandra looking refreshed despite her restless night.

“Good morning, my love,” Antonio greeted warmly. “I prepared something for you.”

Cassandra smiled, feeling lighter than the day before. She felt cherished and loved, something she hadn’t always experienced before. “Thank you, Antonio. You’re too good to me.”

Antonio sat beside her, feeding her slowly. “I just want to make sure you have the best, Cass. You and our baby are the most important things in my life now.”

Hearing this, Cassandra felt her eyes well up with tears again, but this time not from sadness but from genuine happiness. She knew her journey was still long, but with Antonio by her side, she felt more prepared to face whatever lay ahead.