Sixty Nine

CHAPTER 69

That night was silent, too quiet, as if every second struck Cassandra's ears like a hammer. Her eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the darkness of the room. Antonio's body lay beside her, his breathing steady, a sign that the man was still fast asleep. Cassandra let out a soft sigh, turning her face to glance at Antonio's peaceful figure. Her heart was filled with overwhelming confusion.

Slowly, she pulled back the blanket and got out of bed, making sure her movements didn’t wake Antonio. Her feet touched the cold floor, sending a chill through her body. She walked towards the bathroom, closing the door carefully so as not to make a sound. Cassandra sat on the closed toilet seat, both hands massaging her temples, which throbbed slightly.

“What should I do now?” she murmured, her voice sounding like a whisper in the silence. Her hand reflexively went to her still-flat stomach. Yet in her mind, she knew that a tiny life was growing inside her.

“I can’t lose him,” Cassandra continued, staring at her reflection in the small mirror above the sink. Her eyes looked tired, but they were filled with a mix of conflicting emotions. “But… how can I forgive him? The man who… killed my parents.”

Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, but Cassandra quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand. She didn’t want to appear weak, not even to herself. The monumental decision she had to make felt like an unbearable weight crushing her chest. Revenge or starting something new with a man she despised yet needed?

Taking a long breath, Cassandra reached into the pocket of her pants. Earlier, she had grabbed her phone from the nightstand just to make sure she retained control over something. Her fingers typed a message quickly.

Cassandra: Jess, I need to talk. Can we meet at your apartment tomorrow?

The message was sent. She stared at the screen for a few seconds, waiting for a reply that might come even though it was late. It didn’t take long before her phone vibrated softly.

Jessica: Of course. What time?

Cassandra gave a faint smile, though her heart still felt heavy. She typed a brief response.

Cassandra: Afternoon, around two. Thank you, Jess.

Ending the conversation, Cassandra gripped her phone tightly. Jessica was the only person she could trust right now. She knew Jessica would always be by her side, no matter how complicated things got.

Cassandra put her phone back in her pocket and stood slowly. She faced the mirror again, staring at herself one more time. “You have to be strong, Cassandra. For this baby,” she whispered to herself before opening the bathroom door and returning to the bedroom.

As she approached the bed, Antonio stirred slightly but remained asleep. Cassandra observed his face in silence. There was something that made him look more human while asleep — far from the cold demeanor he usually wore. Her heart churned once more, but she tried to ignore it. She lay down quietly beside Antonio, ensuring she didn’t make any noise.

Her thoughts continued to swirl until she finally drifted off, accompanied by lingering anxiety.

Morning came slowly, the sunlight seeping through the gap in the curtains. Cassandra opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was Antonio standing near the window. The man was wearing a white shirt, not fully buttoned, staring out as if lost in important thoughts.

“You’re up early today,” Cassandra remarked, her voice hoarse from sleep. Antonio turned, his expression neutral as he looked at her.

“There’s a lot to think about,” he replied shortly, then walked towards the small table near the bed. “Do you want coffee?” he asked, his tone slightly warmer.

Cassandra shook her head. “No, thank you.” She rose from the bed, sitting on the edge as she tidied her hair. “I’ll be going out this afternoon. There’s something I need to do.”

Antonio paused his movements, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Cassandra. “Is it important?” he asked, his voice shifting to a more cautious tone.

“Very important,” Cassandra replied without giving further details. She knew Antonio wouldn’t be pleased if he found out she was meeting Jessica to discuss their future. But for now, she decided to keep that secret to herself.

Antonio approached, standing in front of her with his hands in his pockets. “Then I’ll take you,” he stated firmly.

“There’s no need,” Cassandra quickly responded. “I can go by myself. You don’t need to worry.”

Antonio’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t argue further. “Alright,” he said shortly. “But if anything happens, you know who to call.”

Cassandra simply nodded, avoiding Antonio’s intense gaze. She knew he wouldn’t give up easily if he suspected something. However, she hoped Antonio would trust her this time.

That afternoon, Cassandra arrived at Jessica’s apartment right on time. Jessica opened the door with a wide smile, but that smile quickly faded when she saw Cassandra’s burdened expression.

“You look like you’ve been through hell,” Jessica said as she ushered Cassandra inside. “What’s going on?”

Cassandra sat on the couch, taking a long breath before starting to speak. “I need your help, Jess. I don’t know what to do. Antonio… he’s the father of this baby, but he’s also the man who killed my parents.”

Jessica was stunned, her eyes widening. “What? Cassandra, are you serious?”

Cassandra nodded, her eyes starting to glisten. “I’m confused, Jess. I want revenge, but I also can’t lose him. I… I need your advice.”

Jessica stared at Cassandra seriously, then her eyes shifted to Cassandra’s stomach. “Wait a minute,” she said suddenly. “You’re really pregnant?”

Cassandra nodded again, more slowly this time. “Yes, I’ve already been checked at the hospital. The doctor said I’m pregnant.”

Jessica covered her mouth with her hand, clearly shocked. “Oh my God, Cassandra. I can’t believe it. I… I need to see for myself,” she said, trying to suppress a small laugh. “You know I’m always skeptical about everything.”

Cassandra just sighed, leaning back into the couch. “I’m not joking, Jess. This is real.”

Jessica finally sat back, her eyes sparkling. “Oh my. So, you really got to feel Antonio Franches’ famously hot body?” she teased, raising an eyebrow.

Cassandra’s face turned bright red. Without thinking, she grabbed a pillow nearby and threw it at Jessica. “Jess, you’re so annoying!” she exclaimed, though the corners of her lips began to curl into a small smile.

Jessica burst out laughing, hugging the pillow Cassandra had thrown. “I’m just joking, Cass! But seriously, you need to take care of your pregnancy. This isn’t something to take lightly.”

Cassandra exhaled again, her sense of heaviness returning. “I know, Jess. But I’m confused. At the police station, I haven’t even told anyone that I’m married to Antonio. And now… with all of this, I really don’t know what to do.”

Jessica gently held Cassandra’s hand. “You need to take small steps first, Cass. Focus on your health and this baby. The other problems can be dealt with later.”

Cassandra nodded slowly, feeling a bit calmer with Jessica’s presence. However, she knew that the journey ahead was still long and full of challenges.