Cassandra bought a new phone, and it hadn’t stopped ringing since she bought it. And, she knew who was the caller—since, she did have Caller ID.
It was her boss.
She had been on maternity leave since nearly ten months ago, and she had promised to go back to work since last month. She was a no show.
And, she knew what he was calling about: he was going to fire her. She was going to not have money—to support herself and her family.
So, she let it ring; even if it woke the baby; even if it distracted her kids; even if it was bothering her to no end.
Her message machine was full everyday, and she knew that all of the messages were his.
What she wished to do was throw the phone against the wall again—but, if she did, then that was another twenty dollars spent on disaster. And, where she had thrown the last phone had made a nasty dent against the wall. When the landlord saw that, she was bound to charge her extra and even more for the already large sum of a thousand and three that she owed.
Soon, she knew that the landlord was going to kick her out—she was only being lenient now since Cassandra was on maternity leave for Lucas.
But, Cassandra used up every single cent—now, she had nothing. And, the landlord knew that—the landlord knew very well. She had seen the amount of bills in Cassandra’s mail. She had seen the credit card declines.
Desperation had pressed her now. She had nowhere to go. Darren hadn’t called since that time nearly a week ago.
Officially, she could only think of two other places to go.
The door opened up to her and Don invited her in, though his face showed otherwise.
Luckily, Cassandra brought Sabrina as a reason to come over. “I came to drop her off,” she stated. “I have to go somewhere for about a few hours.”
“…And, the others?”
“I know you wouldn’t want to see them…so, I dropped them off at the daycare.”
Don hugged his daughter. “Go upstairs; Alyssa’s up there.”
Sabrina nodded and said bye to her mother.
“…Is that it?” Don already knew that it wasn’t it.
“…Don…I’m broke.” Desperation was well suppressed in her voice, but nonetheless, it sounded just like desperation.
Don snorted. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“I really am…I really am…”
“And, how did such an heiress become such a pauper?” His tone was so full of hatred and sarcasm. Even he didn’t know where this hatred was coming from—it was just in him and piercing her with every thought that formed in his mind.
Instantly, she wanted to slap him and walk away. But, she came to him—came begging. “Don…I need help.” And, it was rare that she would beg to him of all people.
“So, now you admit it. And, you want me to help? Don’t you think it’s too late? Haven’t you ever thought that it was too late from the very beginning?”
“Please--.”
“Hey, how about you go to Dreamer? I’m sure he has the money to help you—didn’t you tell me that he was head over heels in love with you? Yeah, then, wouldn’t he be willing to give you every cent if you just told him those three words that he’s been vying to hear for almost twenty years?” His words stabbed like broken glass. “Wouldn’t he be willing to destroy his family—his everything—with just those words he’s been waiting for?”
She gulped down a sneer. “H-his family--.”
“Oh, and you never thought of that. You never thought of that when you took him away? Did it ever occur to you that you were hurting others? Did it ever occur to you that you were the bad person? The wrong person?”
“I-I--.”
“And, that’s not all. Don’t you ever think about the little girls he has? The baby he’s about to have?”
“And, what about my kids? His kids?”
“But, are you his wife? Does that give you any right to claim him like some prize because you also have his children?” Don shook his head, a sarcastic grin well lined on his face. “You should’ve married him when you had the chance…You shouldn’t have been stupid and got engaged to me.”
Cassandra blinked back the tears. “Is that all?”
Don gave a faint, sarcastic chuckle. “Oh, it isn’t. I can go on and on forever about how many wrongs you’ve done and how that makes you think that you’re actually right. But, that’s all I want to say today, because my daughter is up there, and she is too young to know what her mother really is.
“Is it money you want? Well, just do your job—sleep around with married men—and, I’m sure that you’ll get a few hundred.”
With that, Don slammed the door in her face, not waiting to hear her plea or feel her slap.
It was the last resort she had. If she didn’t get it here, then, she wouldn’t be able to have it at all…she wouldn’t be able to live tomorrow.
How long had it been since she last saw this house?
Cassandra stared at the immense dark mansion that was in front of her—the Goth mansion. She noticed that the sunflowers were starting to die and rot.
She licked her lips, and Lucas groaned. She shushed him and held him closer. Summing up whatever courage she thought she had, she opened the gate door and trekked the pathway to the front door.
She rang the doorbell, listening to its deep chimes that tolled like the gothic cathedrals of France. Her dad always liked the sound of the sadly majestic bells that rang for its patrons.
She heard the sound of the dog—Ruby—barking. Last time she was here, there was no dog. It must’ve been Lawrence’s—since, her dad wasn’t that great when it came to dogs, and if she remembered correctly, Alex always thought dogs were terrible beasts.
The butler came to open the door. The look on his face was enough to prove what a rare opportunity it was to see her. “M-Miss Cassandra!”
“H-hello, Sebastian.”
“What brings you here?”
“I-I…I came to talk to Papa.”
Sebastian’s face dimmed. “I-I’m sorry, Miss Cassandra. You know I can’t let you do that.”
“Oh, please, Sebastian! I really need him, now! I-I just got fired and-and, Lucas--.”
Sebastian looked at the child at her breast. “…Oh, he looks just like Mr. Mortimer.” He turned his gaze back to Cassandra, his face showing pity. “But, I’m sorry.”
“Sebastian…”
“Mr. Mortimer said that he would have my head—literally—if I allowed you in…nonetheless, if I took you to him.”
“He’s my father-!”
“I understand…and, he also understands. Miss Cassandra, please, go home…for his benefit. I don’t think he’d be able to face you know.”
Desperation cried on her face. “Sebastian—please…for my baby…”
“I-I’m terribly sorry, Miss.” He slowly backed away, almost closing the door. But, she grabbed the door handle.
“Please-!”
“Get out.” The voice was harsh, cold, and oh so cruel. But, it was so familiar. “Get off of my property—get out of my house.”
“Papa--!”
“Go away. You aren’t needed here.”
“Papa, please—my-my baby--!”
“Get that bastard-born child out of my face. It means nothing to me.”
“He’s your grandson! I’m your daughter! You can’t do this!”
“Sebastian, go call the police.”
“Sir!”
“Papa!”
“Sebastian, the police. Now.”
Sebastian didn’t move, but tried to close the door. “Please, Miss. Please.”
“No, Sebastian. You bastard! How can you let your seed and your grandchildren starve?!”
“To my knowledge, I only have one son, and I only have one grandson. Sebastian.”
“Papa! How heartless can you be?”
“And, how dirty can you get?”
Suddenly, Cassandra stopped trying to get in. Lucas had already awoken and was crying like hell had just broke loose—but, what rang in Cassandra’s ears were the undermined meaning of his words.
“You are dirtier than dirt…I can’t imagine anything more dirty. Just your very existence makes me feel dirty.” His cold eyes had no warmth—his human features were so inhumane. “Shut that menace up.”
“…You aren’t the man I called father.”
“And, you’ve become someone who isn’t worthy of my name.” Mortimer turned. “Now, if you don’t leave, I shall call the police.”
Cassandra slowly let go of the door handle and turned her back onto the house. Her shoulders shook—she was crying, but she continued to walk the path to the street.
Sebastian closed the door when she was out of sight. “…Sir, did you mean all of that?” he whispered.
Mortimer didn’t turn around, but continued to stare at the grandfather clock. “…Yes. Every single word.”
