Chandeliers shone throughout the ballroom, illuminating an ocean of immaculately attired guests with golden light. The aroma of champagne and roses filled the air, and the murmur of courteous conversation was broken up by sporadic laughter. The entire room exuded luxury, and I felt like an unexpected guest at the wrong party.
My satin gown's magnificence didn't conceal the pain that was scuttling beneath my skin as I adjusted the strap. A few feet away, encircled by a group of admirers, stood my new spouse. Since our arrival, I have hardly heard from
Nicholas Scott, the man whom everyone in this room appeared to respect.
One of the voices by my side purred, "You look stunning, darling,"
An older woman with a smile that stopped short of her eyes caught my attention. She evaluated me with carefully veiled contempt while her diamond necklace glistened.
"Thank you," I said, maintaining a calm tone.
She went on, "You must be thrilled." Nicholas is really attractive. However, I have to admit that his tastes are a little surprising.
The barb was effective. I feigned a courteous grin. "Unexpected can be refreshing, don’t you think?"
She blinked, taken aback by my answer, and then excused herself to socialize elsewhere.
People like her, flawlessly poised, finely groomed, and wonderfully false, were all around the room. I could sense that they were watching me closely, analyzing every aspect of my look and every motion I made. The fact that I had spent hours getting ready for this event and that my outfit was designer didn't matter. I was seen by them as an outsider who had no place in their refined society.
Searching the crowd for Nicholas, I discovered him engaged in a conversation with a man who appeared equally strong and cunning. Their facial expressions were unreadable as they spoke in hushed tones.
"Mrs. Scott."
I turned to see a waiter carrying champagne flutes. Thankful for the distraction, I took a sip, but the bubbles didn't help me feel less nervous.
"Quite an attraction, isn’t it?"
I recognized the voice, and Sophie was there when I looked up. As she moved through the crowd, her eyes full of mischief, I felt a wave of relief wash over me.
"You came," I muttered as a sincere smile pierced my mask.
Saying, "Of course, I came," she put her arm around mine. "Did you think I’d let you face these wolves alone?"
Her presence grounded me in the sea of superficiality and was like a balm.
She nodded to Nicholas and teased, "How’s the husband?"
I followed her eyes. "A long way off. As usual.
Sophie scowled. "Don't you think he's perfect at being a gloomy billionaire? You're married now, though. He might surprise you.
I had my doubts, but I kept them to myself. Rather, I held on to her company as we made our way through the room.
Later that night, Nicholas took center stage and gave a succinct address in which he thanked everyone for their support. He sounded confident, slick, and completely detached as if he were giving a quarterly financial report.
And of course, he said, looking at me, "I want to thank my wife, Cassandra, for supporting me tonight."
Although there was courteous applause throughout the room, his remarks sounded vacuous. I nodded as though I were complicit in the act, managing a feeble smile.
I was cornered by a young woman whose cheesy smile felt more menacing than benevolent as Nicholas went back to his group of influential colleagues.
She said, "So," in a tone that was brimming with fake kindness. How did the two of you meet? Nicholas's personal life has always been quite discreet.
I paused, my practiced response slipping from my grasp. I hope my statement,
"We... met through mutual friends," sounded credible.
She continued to smile. "How sentimental. You are now Mrs. Scott. What a tornado.
Her voice was insinuating something. It wasn't just her who didn't think the story was true.
A moment later, I was holding an empty champagne glass while standing on the balcony. The cool night air was a welcome diversion from the steamy indoors.The city below glistened, unconcerned with the spectacle taking on overhead.
"You’re not enjoying yourself."
Nicholas was leaning against the doorway with his hands in his pockets as I turned around.
"Is it that obvious?" With a hint of resentment in my voice, I questioned.
As always his presence was imposing, he took a step closer. "Cassie, this is the life you chose. You'll need to adjust to it.”
I shot back, looking him in the eye. "I didn’t sign up for this," I said. "I signed up to save my art center, not to be paraded around like a trophy."
Nicholas’s face grew serious. "Careful," he said in a quiet voice. "Both parties benefit from this arrangement. You were aware of what you were getting into.”
His remarks hurt, but before I could reply, a waiter walked out onto the balcony and the door opened.
He said, "Mr. Scott," in a low voice. "There’s a situation in the study."
Nicholas's mouth clenched. He brushed past me and murmured, "Excuse me," in a harsh manner.
Curiosity and frustration mixed in my chest as I watched him leave. At a party like this, what could be so urgent?
I couldn't help but follow from a distance, slinking through the throng and down a side corridor. I stayed outside and peered through the gap in the door of the dimly illuminated study.
Nicholas was inside, standing in front of a man I didn't know. Their words were muffled, and their voices were low but powerful.
"She doesn’t know," Nicholas stated in a scathing tone.
"She will," said the other man. "And when she does, this whole thing will blow up in your face."
For the first time, Nicholas's serenity broke as his hands clenched at his sides.
"Not if I can help it."
The stranger's laugh was ominous and sinister. Nicholas, you have no control over everything. Secrets eventually find a way to surface.
As their words set in, my heart began to race and my breath caught. Secrets?
What did Nicholas have to conceal?
As I moved, the door creaked, and Nicholas's head jerked in its direction.
His voice broke the stillness as he demanded, "Who’s there?"
I froze, torn between running away and facing him. The door opened before I could make up my mind, and Nicholas's sharp eyes met mine.
"Cassie," he murmured, his voice a mixture of rage and an unidentified emotion.
"What are you doing here?"
I was standing at the doorway at the end of it all, frozen in a moment that would forever alter my life.
"I don't require assistance unpacking." The maid hovered close to the boxes stacked just inside the penthouse door, and I could scarcely maintain a pleasant tone."Mrs. Scott," she replied in a submissive tone, "Mr. Scott demanded that I help—" "I'm capable of handling it," I smirked tightly as I turned away from her and moved farther into the expansive area that seemed to be mine now.The penthouse was incredible. A limitless city skyline, glistening in the late afternoon sun, was framed by floor-to-ceiling windows. Everything was immaculate to sterility, with smooth surfaces and modern furnishings shining. I couldn't eliminate the feeling that I was an invader, and it felt more like an exclusive hotel than a house.I turned as a quiet cough came from behind me. Nicholas Scott stood in the doorway, his gaze impassive, his dark suit as crisp as ever. As if nothing could touch him, he studied the situation with the same air of detachment he always carried.With a clipped voice, he inq
"Is this what married life is supposed to feel like?" I whispered, my voice drowned out by the penthouse's eerie quiet. It was morning, and sunshine poured like liquid gold across the marble flooring from the enormous glass windows. I sat on one of the kitchen chairs and put my hands around a steaming mug of coffee. The mansion-sized penthouse was so large, immaculate, and completely dead that it could have passed for a museum.Nicholas Scott curated this void. Even when he wasn't around, his presence persisted. In this huge, soulless room, the gentle tap of my fingertips against the porcelain mug seemed like a scream. He's most likely going to some Scheming global dominance in a boardroom.Though it was close to the truth, the notion should have been sardonic. Nicholas has been a ghost for the last week. Always immaculately dressed, his visage an unreadable mask, his suit wrinkle-free, he arrived home late.If he did recognize me, it was to say something like, "Good morning," or "
Oil paints, turpentine, and the art center's subtle earthy fragrance of clay were constantly present. No matter how chaotic life got, I could always find serenity in that scent. I let familiarity overwhelm me as soon as I entered that morning. The space was unpretentious; paint-splattered tables, worn easels, and cracked tiles revealed years of arduous labor. "Cassie!" One of my art teachers, Nina, came out of the rear studio with her wavy hair clumsily tied up with a red scarf. "The furnace is misbehaving once more. It has a consciousness of its own, I promise. I let out a sigh. "We'll get by. Tell the students to dress in layers for the time being. Later, I'll call the repairman.”My phone buzzed in my pocket as Nina made her way back. I looked at Nicholas Scott on the television. Now, what does he want? Something forced me to pick up even though my thumb was hovering over the ignore button."Yes?" I asked, attempting to sound polite."Where are you?" He spoke in a cool, clippe
Following Nicholas' abrupt "investment" in the art center, the days went by in a tense cadence. I should have been ecstatic to see my haven turning into a building site for upgrades. However, I couldn't get rid of the anxiety that coiled inside me every time I heard Nicholas's voice booming through the building or saw the sleek black town car pull up outside.The strain was higher at home, or what I was meant to call "home."In that vast penthouse, Nicholas had always kept his distance. Though occasionally, I questioned whether he did it on purpose, keeping us apart as though the less time we spent together, the less genuine this whole arrangement would seem; we were like ships passing in the night. But despite his efforts to maintain his distance and coldness, something was changing.His eyes lingered when he believed I was not looking, and I could tell.I was alone in the kitchen one evening, gazing at the microwave's blinking clock. Even though it was late, the penthouse's silence
Something felt different tonight. I stumbled into the dark living room and came to a halt. Nicholas was sitting by the fireplace, shirt sleeves rolled up, tie undone, and a tumbler of whiskey in his hand.He appeared to be a man with too many ideas and nowhere to put them rather than the calculating billionaire I had grown to know. It was rather soothing to hear the rain hitting the penthouse windows. I was unable to fall asleep because it was late—past midnight—again.He glanced at me as his head turned slightly. "You are, too." His expression had an unguarded quality that I don't often see. For a moment, I considered leaving him to his thoughts. But instead, I moved over and slipped into the armchair across from him. The silence was filled with the crackle of the fire between us."Had trouble sleeping?" I took a chance. “No.” He twirled his glass of golden liquid. "I'm thinking about too much."I paused, not knowing if I should continue. Although Nicholas wasn't the kind to open u
The hush that pervaded the art center accentuated every creak of the wooden floorboards and the rustle of the wind outside. Staring at the strewn-about papers and paints I hadn't had the energy to put away, I stood in the main gallery.It had been a cruel day. Our already precarious budget was in ruins due to a last-minute cancelation from a significant source. I had been pleading, arguing, and attempting to keep everything afloat over the phone for hours. I was emotionally spent by the time the day's doors had closed.But my thoughts weren't focused on the task, even as I stood surrounded by the ruins of a dream I wanted to preserve. It kept going back to the previous night's note.Industries Blackthorn.I had been plagued by the words all day. I hadn't dared to ask Nicholas about it. I wasn't certain if I would like to know or not. The front door opening jolted me out of my trance. My heart jumped, and I spun around as my palm instinctively went to my chest."Calm down. It's me.”N
The rain drummed softly against the windows in the penthouse, filling the quiet between us. I absently traced designs on the soft fabric of the throw pillow in my lap while snuggling up on the couch's edge. Nicholas sat rigidly in his chair across from me, holding a tumbler of amber liquid.Tension had grown between us since the mysterious phone call the previous evening. We hadn't discussed it much, but Nicholas was preoccupied. His normally composed manner was unraveling like a thread tugged too tight.I was the first to break the stillness. "Will you tell me what's happening, Nicholas?"He took a moment to glance at me. Rather, he continued to stare out the window at the dusky skyline. With a last sigh, he placed the drink on the table. "There's a lot people don't understand about me," he said in a low voice that had a hint of edge that I couldn't quite place. I raised an eyebrow. "That alone is clear." His lips suddenly created a smile, but it never got to his eyes. He moved fo
The large windows of the penthouse let in a lot of morning light, giving the space a subdued gold hue. Staring at the harmless white stick on the marble surface, I sat at the edge of the bathroom counter. Every beat of my heart reverberated in the quiet surrounding me as it pounded in my chest.Good.The word looked up from the test like an unwanted visitor, mocking me. I blinked, hoping the letters might reorganize into something less drastic. However, they didn't.This cannot be taking place.I grabbed the counter's edge for support since the air felt too thin. My thoughts were racing, going over the potential outcomes, the ramifications, and the sheer magnitude of what this meant.How?I knew how, anyway. I wasn't naïve. My mind returned to that one night of unexpected intimacy with Nicholas. It was a night that none of us wanted to talk about, acting as if it had never occurred. And now...My stomach rumbled.I wanted to cry, scream, or do something to let go of the enormous wave
On the balcony of their family estate, Nicholas and Cassie stood gazing out over the vast countryside they had created together, the evening air heavy with the aroma of roses in blossom. Inside, the celebration was illuminated by lights that twinkled like stars underneath them. Love and tradition were woven into every note of the music and laughter that floated up to where they stood.After breathing, Nicholas relaxed his arm around Cassie's waist and absorbed everything. Years of commitment, tenacity, and everlasting love had resulted in the magnificent palace that had once only been in a dream.Every stone and meticulously maintained garden had the mark of their voyage, which had been everything but simple but well worth every obstacle they encountered.With her head resting on his shoulder, Cassie leaned into him. "Remember the first time we stood here?” She whispered, a soft smile pulling at her lips. "All we had were ambitions and an awful lot of fear."Nicholas laughed, his tone
Anticipation filled the conference room. The foundation and the company's top executives were waiting for their decision while Emma and Ethan stood near the head of the long, polished conference table with their parents seated beside them. This was not just another board meeting but the start of a new era in their family's history.Leaning back in his chair, Nicholas proudly observed his kids. Emma listened carefully, her poised confidence radiating across the room, while Ethan was immersed in conversation with one of their important advisors, his keen mind already planning the next moves. They were prepared—more than prepared.Under the table, Cassie, sitting beside him, gave his hand a light squeeze. He looked at her and saw the knowing smile in her eyes, the wordless recognition that they had done their duty.This resulted from the sacrifices, the late hours, and the difficult choices.They had invested years in creating this legacy grounded in purpose as much as an empire of influ
The golden glow of lanterns illuminated the large yard where the family had gathered, and the estate laughed. A big table with fresh flowers and flickering candles was arranged beneath the starry canopy. The family was celebrated tonight, far more significant than accolades or public recognition.As Emma and Ethan entered the brightly illuminated room, there was a chuckle and the sound of glasses breaking. Nicholas and Cassie, their parents, were sitting behind the opulent fireplace, their hands joined together in a silent moment of satisfaction. Their love remained steady even though they knew the marks time had left on their faces.This commemorated the pursuit they had all taken together, not simply a party. It was about the victories, defeats, risks, and constant belief that they were making something bigger than themselves.The outside world could wait for once. The warmth of shared memories and the promise of a future they had all built together replaced the burden of responsibi
The meeting room was filled with activity, and the air was thick with expectation. Journalists, donors, and global leaders filled the enormous room, all gazing at the excellent platform where Emma and Ethan stood.Strong words were projected onto a massive screen behind them: The Future of Change: Expanding Our Legacy to New Horizons.Emma inhaled steadily before moving forward. She said in a determined, duty-driven voice, "Today is beyond just a declaration.” “It's a statement of our dedication to the planet and those neglected for far too long. Our endeavor is based on the principle that opportunity should not be limited, which we are bringing to reality.”She looked across the room, meeting the eyes of the advocates, leaders, and visionaries who had come to see this historic event. "We have spent years providing resources, creativity, and education to underprivileged communities.”However, the task is far from finished. Today, we are taking a daring step forward that will permanent
Ethan and Emma, Cassie's twins, were ready to continue the mentorship program that Cassie and Nicholas had always wanted to establish. The project started with a few chosen youths from underprivileged backgrounds. Still, it quickly gained momentum and caught the attention of forward-thinking entrepreneurs prepared to change the world.Emma's speech weighed significantly on her shoulders. Standing before a large assembly, she inhaled deeply as she spoke. The mentees were young individuals with ambitions that would change the course of history, and her sharp yet empathetic eyes ran across their anxious faces."Leadership isn't about control," she said with a stern yet determined tone. “It's about accountability—the type that demands integrity rather than fame. It's about making decisions that will impact others who turn to you for direction, change, and hope, as well as on your journey for a long time.”“And that journey—your journey—starts here, with all of you. The question is, what k
Each item in Cassie's last collection was reverently presented in the vast gallery filled with gentle golden light. As people wandered around, taking in the essence of a lifetime of talent, the room hummed with silent adoration, and the air was heavy with expectancy. Every brushstroke conveyed a tale of hope, suffering, and love. The series, appropriately named Eternal Threads, captured moments too profound for words by weaving her family's trip into rich colors and textured textures.Standing in the show's center, Cassie traced the margins of a significant canvas—a painting of entwined hands that was an abstract yet clear symbol of her family's strong tie. Nicholas stood next to her, acting like a silent anchor, as she prepared to address the crowd.Cassie took a deep breath before stepping onto a small platform at the bottom of the hall to speak when it was finally time. As she gazed out at the faces before her—critics, dealers, associates, and most importantly, family—the audience
The sleek lines of the contemporary furnishings and the glittering skyline beyond were illuminated by the golden streaks that the early sun poured over the tall windows of Nicholas Scott's rooftop office. With his mind racing thoughts, Nicholas sat at his desk, tapping absently with his fingers on the gleaming wood. He had never gotten an email like the one that was open on his computer.An invitation.This was not merely an invitation but an opportunity to become a member and leader of a global alliance aimed at incorporating sustainable business practices into all sectors of the economy. The United Nations and several world business leaders supported the project looking for someone with expertise, influence, and creative thinking. Nicholas has been creating legacies and influencing industries for the previous few years, but this? This presented a chance to reshape the future globally.He felt his heart thumping more than it had in a long time.He had spent years trying to balance hi
Under an arrangement of golden chandeliers, the enormous auditorium of the global gala glistened with warm, dazzling waves of light radiating off its marble-polished floor and crystal-clad decor. A beautiful orchestra of hope was in the air as philanthropists, creators, and entrepreneurs worldwide came for the annual Global Philanthropy and Arts Award. The Scott-Hart Foundation eventually received this award, which is granted to institutions that have improved artistic innovation and social effect after years of tenacious efforts.A dining area decorated with luxurious turquoise satin shining in the chandeliers' gold light in the center of the award hall. The expressions on the faces of Cassie, Nicholas, Emma, and Ethan were a combination of pride, excitement, and the unshakable faith that had carried them this far. They sat quietly but firmly. What had begun as a daring notion—a daring wager on the power of art and altruism—had grown into a project that significantly impacted several
There was tension in the Scott Foundation's headquarters boardroom. The twins Emma and Ethan sat at the table with stiff expressions and implied contempt. Consultants, department supervisors, and other significant stakeholders were crammed into the conference room, looking at one another as they discussed the subsequent phase of the work they had put so much effort into.Emma stated, "This expansion is necessary," calmly yet assertively. "We possess the means to expand our sustainability initiatives globally. Beyond our existing reach, we can truly make an effect. Why are we hesitating at all?""Emma, it's no hesitation. It's a tactic. We may become susceptible if we grow too quickly without strengthening the basis. Before going too far, we must ensure our current programs are stable."As the advisors exchanged cautious looks, a murmur echoed around the room. There was tension between the twins, who had never argued so openly.Emma bent over. Ethan, “We aren't weak. We've established