Cassandra’s POVSeven years have passed, and I couldn't be happier with how my life has turned out. I have a loving husband, Jasper, and we are blessed with adorable twins. Alex and Kenny, have relocated to Florida, and Jane, my best friend, has also found her happily ever after with her husband and their lovely toddler daughter. Her fashion business has become a roaring success, and I couldn't be more proud of her.Although being a mother of two has been challenging, Jasper has been an absolute rock, offering unwavering support and love every step of the way. However, one fateful day, everything changed. As I drove home after a long day at work, excited to spend time with my family, my world came crashing down. The devil had knocked on my door, bringing back memories of when my ex-boyfriend Brian had cheated on me years ago before Jasper came into my life. It was like a cruel déjà vu, with everything playing out in the same heart-wrenching way.As soon as I arrived home, my heart was
Cassandra’s POV2 years Later :"Here's to a fresh start!" Jane Austin exclaims, her voice filled with excitement, as she cheerfully clinks her wine glass against mine. I join in with a wide grin, though deep down, a sense of unease lingers. The end of my 9-year marriage, which had recently turned into a nightmare, grants me the freedom I longed for. Being single again feels liberating, yet an undercurrent of uncertainty tightens my stomach, reminding me that I am now a single mother to 8-year-old twins who struggle to comprehend why their father is no longer part of our lives.Surrounded by my four closest friends, we sit in an elegant restaurant, indulging in drinks and commemorating my newfound "freedom" following the official finalization of my divorce from Jasper Benson, my ex-husband.Ever since we first became friends in university more than ten years ago, these women have been my closest companions. Jane, with a cheerful giggle, jokingly welcomes us to the "singles corner." H
As I entered the empty ladies' room, I realized there was no rush for me to return to the table where my fruends are seated. Taking advantage of the moment, I decided to touch up my makeup. Glancing at my reflection in the mirror, I saw my round face looking back at me. Throughout my life, people had always described me as "cute" because of my full cheeks, Barbie-like eyes, small nose, and pouty lips, all complementing my petite 5ft 4inches frame.Suddenly, someone enters the restroom. Glancing up at the mirror, I flash a friendly smile at the woman who caught my attention. Returning the gesture, she utters a simple "Hi" before disappearing into one of the vacant toilet stalls behind me. Taking a moment to touch up my appearance, I lightly powder my face and delicately apply a thin layer of lip-gloss. Finally satisfied, I step out of the restroom and proceed towards the lobby that leads to the restaurant area.As I navigate my way through the room, my eyes catch sight of a man approac
Upon arriving home, I was greeted by the heartwarming sight of Mrs. Peterson , our nanny, preparing my two 8-year-old daughters for bedtime. As I walked in, I was immediately enveloped in enthusiastic hugs from the girls, their resemblance to me strikingly apparent. Clad in matching pajamas, they resembled adorable little pink pandas."Mummy!" they exclaimed in unison, their small hands wrapped tightly around my waist."Hello, my darlings," I responded, beaming with joy. "How are my lovely girls doing?""Great," declared Anna, the older of the twins."Super," chimed in Bella, flashing a toothy grin."Where have you been?" they both questioned, curious about my whereabouts."I've been out with my friends," I replied vaguely, gently disentangling myself from their firm embrace. "How was school today?""Boring," complained Bella."School is always boring to you," Anna playfully teased her sister."Alright, girls. It's time to go brush your teeth," Mrs. Peterson interjected, guiding them
This week has been rather slow for my business, but today appears to be turning things around as I unexpectedly received an order that will make up for all the lost revenue since the beginning of the month. Celene , one of my workers, entered my office a few moments ago to inform me that I am required to attend to a customer who just placed an order for more than half of our entire stock.As soon as Tina left my office, I couldn't contain my excitement and swiftly jumped out of my chair, heading straight into the small bathroom attached to my office. I wanted to ensure that my hair and makeup were in perfect order so that I would look presentable when meeting our incredibly generous customer.Celene’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as she shared the news about what was happening in the store, but that was to be expected. It's not every day that someone walks into our store and practically clears our shelves of everything.My business initially began as a personal hobby. After i dropp
Jane burst into my office with an intense energy, as if pursued by unseen forces. Yet, her radiant expression reveals a joy that could rival a lottery victory."Give me all the juicy details, right this instant!" she commands with authority, gracefully seating herself in one of the chairs across from my desk. "Spill it!"I chuckle. "Calm down, Jane. It's not as dramatic as you think. Besides, I already shared everything with you.""No, you haven't. Start from the very beginning—when you unexpectedly ran into him at the restaurant, and then... the kiss. How did it happen? Who initiated it? Why would you even kiss someone you've never met before? Am I missing something important here? Tell me, Sandy, what haven't you revealed yet?"Her enthusiasm for the revitalization of my love life brings a smile to my face. Jane and I share many similarities, which is why I find myself drawn to her more than anyone else. I believe she'll be the one to truly understand my current predicament.I clear
Since it's Friday night, I decided to extend the girls' bedtime and have them join me for a late-night comedy movie. It has become a cherished tradition for our family, except for when their dad has prior engagements.As we settled in to watch the movie, my focus shifted when I heard the familiar sound of a message notification on my phone. Although the number was unfamiliar, the content instantly revealed the sender's identity."Hello, Cassandra . Would you like me to pick you up around noon tomorrow for lunch at Circa? Or is there another restaurant you'd prefer? -EN."A smile formed on my face as I swiftly composed a reply. "I won't inquire about how you obtained my contact details or my home address, but I must admit it's giving off a rather unsettling vibe. Circa works for me. I'll be at my store."I send the text, desperately trying to divert my attention to the source of my girls' uproarious laughter. Despite my efforts, I find myself unable to fully engage with the movie playi
When I'm filled with excitement, having some sleep becomes quite challenging. It comes as no surprise that I had a restless night and found myself alert and wide awake even before the break of dawn. To ensure I don't disturb the twins, I tread softly past their bedroom on my way downstairs. With the intention of soothing my restless nerves, I leisurely make my way to the kitchen to prepare a steaming cup of mint tea.By 9 a.m., Mrs. P arrives to resume her duties while I prepare a delightful breakfast of scrambled eggs, fried sausages, and toast for my awakened daughters who joined me in the kitchen. Mrs. P had already entered our apartment earlier using the spare key she possesses, as she has practically become a cherished member of our family."Good morning, Mrs.P," I greeted her with a cheerful tone."You arrived just in time. Breakfast is prepared!""Good morning, Cassandra . Hello, girls," she warmly greeted us with her characteristic smile."Good morning, Nanny P!" The girls res
As soon as news of our engagement spread through the media, it quickly became the talk of the town across various news platforms in Seattle. True to form, there were a handful of envious individuals who seized the opportunity to launch a barrage of insults at me, resorting to all kinds of derogatory names. Some even went as far as suggesting that I must have employed supernatural means to captivate Noah's affections, questioning how a prosperous and youthful man could possibly be enamored by someone like me. Fortunately, my loyal friends emerged as my staunch defenders, taking on the trolls and even granting interviews on Instagram live streams to clear my tarnished reputation.Both Noah and I have consistently turned down interview requests, including those from reputable media outlets. His stance was that our relationship is not open for public scrutiny, a sentiment I wholeheartedly share. In accordance with our mutual decision, we have chosen to have a destination wedding at a ser
After precisely two months of reconciling with Noah , I made the decision to organize a surprise birthday celebration for him. With his 33rd birthday approaching, my aim was to create an intimate and elegant party to honor him. To bring this event to life, I sought the assistance of his closest friends, Fredrick and Jamiu, as well as his parents. They were all eager to contribute and help organize the occasion. Today, his family will be traveling from Spain to Seattle to attend the party, which will take place at the lavish residence of their family friend, Mr. Matthew Dawnson, a billionaire tycoon.Marilyn, who suggested the venue, assured me that Matthew's house in Seattle was the ideal location for the type of party I have envisioned. As it turns out, she was absolutely correct. The mansion occupied a vast expanse of land that seemed to extend infinitely, bordered by the tranquil waterfront of Kirkland lagoon.It felt as though we've stepped into a breathtaking Caribbean paradise r
Acting on a tip from Marilyn, I decided to visit one of Noah's clubs where an artist signed to his record label was performing tonight. Noah was unaware of my surprise visit, although he knew his mother had come to see me earlier. She had asked if she should inform him about my desire to meet up, but I declined, as I was the one who had cut ties with him and explicitly forbade him from contacting me again.As I approached the entrance, the bouncers inquired if my name was on the guest list. For the first time, doubts crept into my mind, questioning the wisdom of my impromptu visit. A sense of déjà vu washed over me, reminiscent of the day months ago when I went to Noah's residence for an unexpected meet up. That particular evening marked the beginning of our relationship and held the significance of our first intimate encounter. The memory brought a smile to my face, instilling in me the confidence to proceed with my purpose for the night.Approaching one of the colossal bouncers, I
The children and I didn't make it downstairs until slightly past 10 a.m. It had been an incredible night, courtesy of my unexpected visit from my cousin, Samuel , who asked if he could spend the weekend with us. I was delighted to have his company, and thanks to him, we stayed up later than usual, engaging in enjoyable games, a family karaoke session, and indulging in the junk food he had brought along.Luckily, today was Saturday, so there was no need to wake up at the crack of dawn to prepare for school and work. Samuel was still asleep on the couch in the living room where we had left him the previous night. I signaled to the girls to be quiet as we stealthily made our way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast."What are we having for breakfast?" Anna inquired eagerly. "I'm famished!""Shh! Let's not wake up Uncle Samuel ," Bella admonished her sister in a hushed tone."I agree," I responded softly. "After entertaining us so well last night, he deserves to rest.""Can we have eggs
As the new school year approached, my enthusiasm surpassed even that of my children. They often wondered what made me so cheerful. I was genuinely delighted to embrace the return of a structured routine. Each day held a sense of purpose: escorting my daughters to school, proceeding to work after bidding them farewell, accomplishing our weekly grocery shopping, enjoying quality time with my girlfriends every other weekend, and sporadically receiving visits from my siblings. These engagements filled my days with various activities, diverting my attention from ruminating about Noah and whether he and Reina managed to establish a connection after that dreadful morning four and a half months ago. It's astonishing how swiftly time has flown by!Interrupting my thoughts, Joe jovially exclaimed, "Knock, knock! Who's there?"I found myself seated in my office, experiencing a rather uneventful day in terms of business. Impatience consumed me as I eagerly anticipated the moment when I must pick
This morning's breakfast was a delightful and uncomplicated affair. I indulged in fried bean cakes, accompanied by corn pudding generously adorned with milk and sugar, and a serving of freshly baked bread. As I savored each bite, a rush of nostalgia envelopped me, transporting me back to my cherished childhood. It was during those Saturday mornings that my mother would skillfully prepare this delightful combination, her dedication evident after hours of meticulously cleaning the house and its surroundings. Ah, the fond memories of those days gone by.Noah, observing me intently with an inquisitive smile, playfully remarked, "Seems like our chef deserves a raise, considering the immense joy on your face. I never knew you were such an ardent fan of bean cakes. Or perhaps it's the velvety-smooth pudding that has brought about such happiness?"A gentle chuckle escaped my lips as I responded, "Not exactly. Although this food has undeniably transported me back to my childhood, it was my mot
The atmosphere in the car was heavy with silence as Noah and I made our way back to his house. The palpable tension reflected Noah's evident annoyance and embarrassment over the deplorable treatment I received from his parents during my inaugural visit to their home. While my family may not be affluent, I am certain that they would never exhibit such overt rudeness towards someone they were meeting for the first time. Age should not be a point of contention, and there is certainly nothing inherently terrible about having children. Yet, they made me feel as if I were afflicted with a contagious disease. Why did Marilyn, in particular, direct such venomous hostility towards me from the moment she laid eyes on me? And as for Reina , what is her ulterior motive? As we pulled up to Noah's house, his sour mood still hung in the air. I am torn about whether I should offer an apology to him, even though it was I who should feel offended, not him. With determined strides, he ascended the sta
As we reached the backyard, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Noah's father didn't match the image I had in my mind. Unlike what I expected, the elderly Taylor was tall, slender, and attractive, with hair that's gracefully greying. On the other hand, I couldn't help but feel annoyed when I saw Reina , who looked like she was part of the family. She was wearing tiny shorts that barely covered her buttocks, paired with a cropped knit top that showcased her extremely flat stomach. Her short hair was styled into shiny finger curls, complemented by sleek baby hairs at the front. She was also sporting a pair of Gucci slides, partially concealing her feet. As soon as she spotted me, she casted a deliberate, slow glance from my head to my toes, making it abundantly clear that she didn't welcome my presence. "Hello, Father!" Noah enthusiastically greeted his dad, extricating himself from his mother and approaching his father. "Hey, son!" Exclaimed the older Taylor , stepping forward t
Over the next three days, Noah and I immersed ourselves in exploring Spain to its fullest extent. We made it a point to visit various tourist attractions and indulge in sightseeing activities. To ensure my daughters were part of the experience, I diligently recorded each outing and shared the videos with them via my cousin's WhatsApp. Alternatively, I would connect with them through Skype during our trips, allowing them to witness our joyous outdoor adventures in real-time.On the fourth day of our stay in Spain, we were abruptly awakened at 7 a.m. by the persistent ringing of Noah's phone. Our sleep schedule had been adjusted since arriving in Spain, causing this unexpected phone call to catch us off guard."Darn it, I should have turned off my phone last night," Noah grumbled into his pillow. "Who in the world could be calling at this hour?""Please answer the darn phone so I can get some more sleep!" I replied drowsily, feeling increasingly annoyed by the incessant ringing that w