Cassius waited in the car while Hudson went into the store to buy him cookies. It was frustrating not having them in his office; maybe he should just buy the whole company to ensure a steady supply.
Hudson returned after a while and handed him the box.
“What took you so long?” Cassius asked as he began unwrapping it.
“I was only gone for five minutes, man,” Hudson replied, rolling his eyes as he removed his face mask. “And also, you should-”
“Tell me to stop eating these cookies, and I’ll cut you,” Cassius warned.
Hudson was about to respond when he spotted a familiar young figure. “Ah! There he is!”
“What?” Cassius raised an eyebrow.
“The boy I gave your cookies to the other day,” Hudson replied, catching Cassius’s attention. Cassius was curious about the child who shared his taste in cookies.
Following Hudson’s gaze, a shadow crossed Cassius’s face as his eyes settled on a boy in a school uniform, about five years old, with jet-black hair, walking hand in hand with a woman he recognized-Catelyn.
His chewing abruptly stopped as his eyes narrowed and darkened.
“How does he look so much like you? It’s pretty weird,” Hudson mumbled as they watched Catelyn and the boy get into their car.
“Follow them,” Cassius ordered, and Hudson complied.
Their car stopped in front of Melbourne Grammar School, and Cassius watched as Catelyn and the boy approached the iconic gates. The boy’s features were a younger version of his own, and the resemblance left him speechless.
It can’t be what he thinks, can it?
He suppressed the urge to approach Catelyn and demand answers. Instead, he ordered Hudson, “Find out the boy’s name and everything about him.”
Later, Cassius stood in his office with an unreadable expression. A subtle tension hung in the air, and his mind was in chaos.
DYLAN WALLINGTON.
‘Very interesting, little rebel,’ he thought, his jaw clenching as he recalled his research.
At first, he assumed Dylan was Catelyn’s son, but Catelyn was married. She couldn’t have given her child the Wallington name. So, he had his men investigate Tatiana’s stay in Europe.
The answer he received was entirely unexpected.
Tatiana had a son nine months after that night!
—
Night fell swiftly, and Tatiana hesitated, unsure about her intentions. Tonight, she would reveal everything to him.
She wore a simple gown adorned with beautiful embroidery, complemented by hairpins that styled her hair. Sneaking into the hall from the back entrance, away from the reporters, she entered.
As she stepped inside, she saw numerous noblemen and women dressed in various exquisite attires. The event was about to commence, and she had arrived early to discuss matters with Cassius.
“Tatiana?” a calm voice called from behind. She turned to find Indigo, looking as beautiful as ever. Her aura and smile were on another level. “Do you need something?”
“Oh, I’m just here to see Mr. King,” Tatiana replied politely.
“Walk with me,” Indigo demanded, stepping away. Tatiana hesitated for a moment but then followed.
“I’m a secret fan of your movies, and we haven’t officially met,” Indigo was the first to speak.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“May I ask why you want to meet my husband? I mean no harm, but I’ve seen you around him quite a bit lately,” Indigo inquired.
Tatiana felt a slight sting at the word ‘husband.’ “I just came to discuss a few things with him.”
“Cassius is such a fine and kind man, isn’t he? I saw what he did for you that night you were attacked,” Indigo remarked.
“Hm,” Tatiana felt uncomfortable discussing Cassius with the woman he was engaged to. She had no ill intentions toward Indigo but felt guilty and, perhaps, hurt.
“I’ve loved him since I was twelve. He was my childhood friend, and I spent most of my holidays with him. His mother loves me very much, and he’s always treated me like a sister. I rarely saw him with other girls. I was the only one he opened up to, but only during high school and college.
Every day, I wished to express my feelings, but he never seemed to notice. His mother always referred to me as her future daughter-in-law. Then, one day, Cassius locked his gaze with mine and uttered the words I’d always longed to hear: ‘Let’s get married,'” Indigo narrated.
A subtle frown settled upon Tatiana’s face as she wondered why Indigo was sharing this with her.
“He’s everything I’ve ever wanted. Our marriage will blossom like a rose in spring, and our love will flourish like a garden in bloom,” Indigo chuckled, happiness evident in her voice. “What do you think, Tatiana?”
Tatiana responded, “I think you both are perfect for each other.”
“Perfect?” Indigo’s brow creased lightly. “I don’t believe in perfection. We can only make it that way. Once one person fails, the other betrays. And betrayal feels like the world has come crashing down.”
Each of Indigo’s words struck Tatiana deeply. She had loved Nathan with all her heart, thinking they were perfect, and yet he betrayed her on their wedding day.
She knew what betrayal felt like. It was like a dagger to the heart, a wound that never fully heals, a constant reminder of how her trust had been shattered in a gruesome manner.
And that alone burdened her with so much guilt. She bore a child for Cassius. How would Indigo feel when she found out? Was there any difference between her and Paisley?
“Sorry for sharing all of this,” Indigo let out an awkward chuckle. “I just thought you would be a good listener.”
Tatiana forced a smile. She really did.
“Friends?” Indigo halted and extended her hand for a handshake. Tatiana glanced at it and slowly accepted.
“Friends,” she agreed, watching Indigo depart. Tatiana let out a deep breath and scanned the hall. A frown appeared on her face when she spotted Jolene. She was not alone; she was holding Dylan.
“What the…” Tatiana hurried toward them.
“Tatie, you finally did it! I’m so proud of you,” Jolene squealed.
“Did what? Why did you bring Dylan?” Tatiana whispered, her voice barely audible. Jolene frowned.
“Huh? You texted me to bring him here because Mr. King wanted to meet Dylan-” Jolene paused. “Where’s your phone?”
Tatiana reached for her purse and pulled out her phone. She saw the messages and realized her phone had been hacked.
~I’ve told Mr. King about Dylan, and he wants to meet him. Bring him over, Jojo.~
The message read.
A wave of confusion washed over her, but Dylan’s voice snapped her back to reality.
“Mummy, who is that man that looks so much like me?” Dylan asked, tugging at Tatiana’s dress.
Tatiana followed her son’s gaze and froze. Approaching them was Cassius King.
It was him. He found out before she could tell him.
The world seemed to slow down as Tatiana’s gaze locked with those piercing blue eyes of Cassius, her heart racing with fear and anxiety. She didn’t know what to think or do; she just stood frozen in place until he reached her.
The intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down her spine, her heart threatening to burst.
And just before she could find the words, the man shifted his gaze to the boy clutching her dress.
Dylan’s round eyes were filled with curiosity about the man before him. His eyes followed Cassius’s movements as he crouched before him. The man’s eyes were a bit cold, but Dylan found it amusing.
Slowly, a wide grin crept onto Dylan’s adorable face as he tilted his head and greeted the man in a tiny voice.
“Hello.”