"It is amazing how someone can break your heart, and yet you still love them with all the broken pieces."
She read the quote again and again on her phone screen, as if trying to hold herself together with those words. Sometimes, even when we are shattered inside, we still find the strength to stand up… to keep fighting for the person we love. Letting go of someone who means everything to you, it is never easy.
What she was going through was no small thing. Cassian was not just her husband. He was her world. And despite the pain, she still loved him deeply. She had not lost hope. Deep in her heart, she believed this was just a rough patch. A test. Something they would survive. One day, she told herself, Cassian would remember that he truly belonged with her.
It was a Sunday, and she was at home. She no longer handled house chores, Cassian had hired help so she could rest. She was packing her things for the seminar in Cebu that would begin Monday. The idea of being away from him for a week made her anxious. But somehow, she also knew Cassian was secretly happy that she would be gone.
"Seraphina, do you want to have dinner tonight?"
She looked up from the book in her hands and saw him leaning on the doorframe, his usual calm expression on his face. He gave her a small smile and raised his thick brows.
"Sure… hubby. I will just get ready," she replied.
She went into the bathroom to shower. No matter how casual the occasion, she could never leave the house without bathing. She wanted to look fresh and put-together, not just for others, but for herself. She wore a red off-shoulder jumpsuit. Elegant, simple, and bold. When she walked downstairs, she caught Cassian staring at her from head to toe. She ignored it, even though she noticed. Of course, she looked stunning. She always did. She smirked inwardly.
'Let me guess,'' she thought. 'He wants to celebrate because I will be gone for a week.'
She shrugged the thought off. Besides, she also planned to enjoy her time in Cebu. The university had booked her a hotel, but she could easily stay at one of her cousin's resorts, or even at her other cousin's second mansion. Both were her first cousins from her mother's side, the powerful Delacroix family. It had been a while since she saw them, and they had always been her kind of people, fun, fearless, and loyal.
Cassian took her to a newly opened restaurant. The place had charm, and the lighting was soft and warm. He even ordered all her favorite dishes.
"Thank you, Cassian… for inviting me out. It has been so long since we had dinner together, just the two of us."
"I remember what you said before, Seraphina," he said, glancing at her across the table. "You said you wanted to feel loved. That you wanted us to make more memories together."
That sentence hit her harder than she expected.
Ouch!
So he was not doing this because he felt it too. He was only doing what she wanted. It was not genuine. Not from his heart. Still, she smiled and went along with it. What more could he break in her? She had already fallen apart a long time ago. She reached across the table and held his hand.
"I am still hoping, Cassian," she said softly, her eyes full of silent pain. "I still believe… in us."
Maybe even her tears had finally given up on her. Because no matter how heavy her heart felt, not a single tear threatened to fall. It was like her tears had joined her in being a martyr. She was broken, deeply. The strength she showed on the outside was just a mask. In truth, she was still the one left behind. Still the one never chosen.
"Let's just eat, hubby," she said with a half-hearted smile. "I am tired of drama."
'Poor self,'' she thought. 'Now I even have to be my own comfort.'
"Good evening, Mr. Valenciaga!"
They both turned toward the voice. Mr. Well-endowed. Rafael Knightley Carrington. Of all people. She pretended to focus on her food, acting like she had not noticed him at all.
"Mr. Rafael! Hey, come join us," Cassian said, standing slightly to welcome him. "By the way, this is my wife, Arielle Seraphina. I believe you two have already met?"
Arielle looked up just in time to catch a certain look Rafael gave Cassian. It was not casual. It was a look that questioned. As if asking, is she really your wife? Or just the other woman?
He had told her before, last time he brought Tessa somewhere and introduced her as his wife.
Her jaw tensed. Then she raised an eyebrow at Rafael, silently daring him to say something stupid. What do you see me as, huh? Just another one of his flings?
"Ah, yes… she's also a professor at the University," Rafael said, his eyes settling back on her. "And ma'am, I guess I will see you on Monday."
"Where?" she asked.
"In Cebu," he replied smoothly.
"Oh, right. I forgot. You are going too?" she said. Stupid question, she scolded herself silently. Of course he is. He owns the school.
"Yes," Rafael answered, flashing a grin. "There will be lots of beautiful people there."
It almost sounded like he was teasing her again, like he forgot Cassian was sitting just across the table.
"You really are a playboy, Mr. Well-endowed," she said aloud. "Of course, you are handsome, rich, you smell good, and you work out, what woman would say no to all that?"
Rafael laughed. "And you really described me like you mean it. Because you are being kind, I will treat you to tequila in Cebu."
"You better keep your word," she said, leaning in a bit. "Do not just say that and vanish."
"You are the one who pulled a prank at the bar, remember? You scammed me first."
"Hey, sorry. I just got pissed off that day, because of what you did back on campus…"
Their playful exchange was interrupted by the sudden clatter of silverware on the table. They both looked at Cassian, who stood up from his seat, jaw tight.
"Excuse me for a moment," he said coldly. He grabbed his phone and stepped outside the restaurant.
The silence between them grew awkward for a beat. Then Rafael looked at her and asked, "Seriously… are you really his wife?"
"I know what you are thinking, Mr. Rafael. Want me to shove our marriage certificate down your throat?" she said with a laugh, biting back the sting in her chest.
"So… you are the abandoned, unwanted wife?" he teased.
"No," she replied, her smile fading. "I am the unchosen wife."
Rafael's grin disappeared. For a moment, his voice dropped low. "Then your husband is a fool."
"What did you just say?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
"N-nothing! I said… you are ugly!" he quickly joked, scratching the back of his neck.
She laughed, catching on to his attempt to lighten the mood. "Really? That is funny, Mr. Well-endowed. Because from what I heard, you think the opposite."
Apparently, she had spoken a little too loudly, Cassian looked up from his phone, frowning. His eyes narrowed at the two of them. Rafael turned to her and playfully nudged her side. "You are ruining my moment, Mr. Well-endowed. This is a date with my husband. Go find your own girl."
Rafael smirked and stood up. "Alright, alright. Do not forget that tequila I owe you in Cebu!" He winked, then walked off, tossing a casual nod at Cassian, who was still glued to his phone.
'Why does he not annoy me the way Cassian does?' Arielle wondered. 'Rafael may be full of himself, but at least he is fun. Chill. Honest.' He was insanely rich, yet down-to-earth. Maybe they got along because neither of them liked pretending.
When Cassian finally sat back down, his brow was creased. "Are you done with your amazing conversation with Mr. Well-endowed?" he asked, his tone flat.
"Huh?" she said, caught off guard. "He is just a friend, Cassian. He is easy to talk to. Unlike someone I know…" Her voice trailed off as she looked at him. "By the way, who were you calling outside?"
"My niece," he replied, meeting her eyes. "I asked her what 'Mr. Well-endowed' meant."
Her heart stopped. No way… he really looked it up?
"So?" she said, trying to play dumb. Please let his source be wrong.
He leaned forward, voice low but cutting. "Really, Arielle? Well-endowed? Big. Long. Thick. Have you seen it? Have you touched it?"
Oh no. Dead. I am officially dead. She had no words. None. Without waiting for an answer, Cassian pulled out his wallet, dropped some cash on the table, and stood up. He did not even bother asking for change. Then, without warning, he grabbed her by the arm and started walking out so fast that she nearly stumbled.
"Cassian, slow down…"
"Shut up, Arielle Seraphina," he growled. "We are going home. And tonight, you are going to feel, hold, and take in what the real Well-endowed is."
She had no time to respond. No room to breathe.
From the moment they entered the house, Cassian was like a man possessed. He did not wait to reach the bedroom. No words. No questions. Just raw emotion and frustration.
"Cassian, the maid might see.."
He did not care. He carried her to the couch, to the stairs, and finally to their bedroom. There was nothing gentle in the way he claimed her. Every step, every touch, every kiss screamed of anger, jealousy… and something else she could not name. And she, despite everything, despite being the unchosen, let him. Because for one night, at least, she felt like his again.