Chapter 155
""I..."" Walter faltered.
""Who told you to bring me half a story?"" Joseph was determined not to take the fall, especially thinking about his own irrational behavior towards Cassie today—actions he couldn't even believe himself capable of.
No doubt she felt deeply humiliated, her grandmother just dead, her heartbreak palpable. No wonder the staff noticed she was off-kilter.
Hang on... she's been facing so many setbacks recently—surely she wasn't...?
He rushed upstairs, burst through the door, and strode to the bed. She lay under the covers, eyes closed, her face pale as porcelain, seemingly breathless.
A wave of fear gripped his heart. He reached out to check her breath.
Cassie opened her eyes weakly, saw him, and tried to sit up, her voice laden with fatigue and resentment, ""Isn't locking me up enough? What else do you want to punish me for? Just say it.""
Joseph's anxiety eased, like a breath of fresh air to his constricted heart.
Her vulnerable state made him uneasy, and though pride battled with regret, he couldn't bring himself to apologize. ""Did your grandmother pass away last night?""
Cassie's lashes trembled slightly.
""Why didn't you tell me? I called you repeatedly, and when you didn't answer, I thought something happened..."" Joseph began awkwardly.
""You're not worried about my safety; you're worried about me cheating on you,"" Cassie retorted coldly. ""Have you ever lost someone you deeply care about? When you're drowning in sorrow, do you even have the mind to answer a call?!""
That struck a chord. Joseph knew that feeling all too well.
You hadn't once asked me, nor did you ever trust me. Right from the start, you were convinced that Arthur Lewis and I had spent the night together at a hotel,"" Cassie said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ""You made me sound like some kind of streetwalker, especially in front of Arthur Lewis himself.""
As she spoke, tears finally broke free and streamed down her cheeks.
Joseph Hernandez was at a loss, his mind reeling with wild thoughts. ""Why do you care so much about what Arthur Lewis thinks? Do you still have feelings for him?""
""I do not care!"" Cassie exploded in anger. ""After being betrayed and dumped by him, I'd already lost my dignity. Who wouldn't want to salvage some pride and at least show that jerk they can do better without him? But what about you? You went and made me out to be some kind of object, suggesting I could be won with money and power. Where's my self-respect in that?""
Joseph Hernandez glared at her, and after what seemed like an eternity, managed to choke out, ""Are you criticizing me?""
""Yes, am I not allowed to?"" Cassie laughed bitterly. She patted her chest, ""You saved my life; I owe you. Even if you slapped me, I should take it with gratitude, grovel at your feet like a dog, and not resist, right? I'm sorry, is that better?!""
Joseph was left speechless, his usual eloquence as a lawyer failing him completely.
""Am I supposed to start cooking now?"" Cassie said, struggling to her feet.
""Stay right there!"" Joseph commanded, forcibly pushing her back down. ""Lie down and don't move.""
""Ah, I forgot, you're still keeping me captive,"" Cassie remarked sarcastically.
""Cassie, enough already! I admit I was wrong to accuse you. Can't we leave it at that?"" Joseph said, his voice showing his growing frustration.
She looked at him with a blank expression, her eyes hollow. ""You don't need to apologize. Right now, you're the master; whatever you do is justified.""
Joseph felt a headache coming on; he really didn't like this submissive side of her.
""Just rest, okay? Don't go anywhere.""
Bringing food up to her with his own hands, he said simply, ""Eat something.""
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