Chapter 458
Before her lay Joseph, slumbering peacefully on the expansive bed. Joyce Ray was half-reclined next to him, their hands entwined in a tight embrace.
Startled by the sudden noise, Joyce Ray sat upright, a flicker of unease crossing her features as she caught sight of Cassie. "Rosalind, please, don't misunderstand..." she implored.
Without uttering a word, Cassie swiftly closed the distance between them, her hand landing a harsh slap across Joyce Ray's face. "I knew there was something amiss about you. I invited you here to care for him, not to share our bed," she spat out bitterly.
"I didn't..." Joyce Ray began, her voice breaking into a pitiful sob.
"You didn't what?" Cassie's fury was palpable. "I ordered you to leave yesterday, yet here you are, acting as if you're the mistress of this house. How did your parents raise you? Have you no shame?"
"Enough!" The man on the bed stirred, jolting awake. Joseph sat up, his face etched with weariness. Joyce Ray's pale face was streaked with tears, a vivid handprint marking her cheek — a clear testament to Cassie's wrath.
"Cassie, what in God's name are you doing?"
Joseph's gaze, filled with anger, bore into her. "You return only to create a scene? Have I spoiled you excessively?"
Cassie's pupils constricted, a visceral reaction to his words.
So, was she expected to turn a blind eye to another woman sharing her husband's bed?
He was oblivious to the courage it took for her to return after uncovering the painful truth.
She had thought, he's ill.
Despite the pain, she had resolved to support him through this ordeal. Tomorrow's troubles could wait.
But now, she felt utterly redundant.
"Why is she here?" Clinging to the last vestiges of hope, Cassie gestured towards Joyce Ray. "Didn't you claim yesterday that you had sent her away?"
"I'll decide who comes and goes in this house. That's my prerogative," he retorted, his eyes blazing with fury. He had indeed ordered Joyce Ray to leave, but what about Cassie? Sneaking off for ice cream with David, even indulging in a little public display of affection — had she ever considered his feelings?
"I understand. Perfectly clear."
Cassie's heart ached, raw and bleeding.
She turned away, heading towards the closet to gather her belongings. Her possessions were few, mostly items he had purchased. She hastily stuffed a handful of her own clothes into a suitcase and strode out.
"What are you doing?" Joseph's incredulous gaze followed her.
Cassie lifted her chin, fighting back the tears. "There's no reason for me to stay anymore. I wish you both well. I won't intrude."
As she reached for the door, she was halted when Joseph forcefully knocked her suitcase to the ground. His roar echoed through the room, "You want to leave me for David, don't you? What did he tell you, Cassie? You've forgotten your promise; I'm ill, and you vowed to nurse me back. If I'm ill forever, you're here forever."
Cassie's tears finally broke through her defenses.
His words nearly swayed her, but then Joyce Ray choked out, "Yes, Rosalind, Joseph truly needs you. Don't hurt him anymore."
"Hurt him?" Cassie scoffed. "Who's hurting whom here? You desire the best of both worlds? I'm done playing this game. I take back my words. You're ill, Joyce Ray? You can nurse him. I'm no physician."
She wrenched her hand free from Joseph's grasp, leaving everything behind, she strode out of the bedroom.
"You don't get to leave," he bellowed.
Joseph caught up to her and seized her hand once more, his eyes flashing with a feral, animalistic rage. “Cassie, you liar, do you look down on me because I'm ill? I'll tell you, the only way you're leaving here is in a body bag.”
“What are you going to do?” Cassie, seeing Joseph in this state, was filled with terror.
“What do you think?”
Without another word, Joseph hoisted her over his shoulder and flung her into the basement cellar.
“You can't do this, Joseph!” Cassie knew what he had in mind. She attempted to escape, but he didn't give her a chance, slamming the cellar door shut and locking it.
“Joseph, I hate you! What have I ever done to owe you anything? The Hernandez family has kept me locked in a cellar, and now you too? You're a devil!” Cassie pounded on the door in desperation.
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