Chapter 467
"Let's end this, Cassie. Let's go back," Joseph implored, his anxiety escalating in contrast to her eerie tranquility.
Yet, Cassie remained still, a scornful smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Because of your past, I can't befriend Nina. If you're so fond of your ex, why not just marry Joyce Ray? I'd be more than willing to grant you a divorce."
"Have you had your fill of accusations? I love you, Cassie, here and now. That's the only truth," Joseph countered, his headache throbbing with each word. He was at a loss, unsure of how much more he needed to say to convince her.
"Sure, you 'love' me, but never as deeply as you loved Megan Ray."
With a bitter sigh, Cassie continued, "Today, it's Joyce Ray who reminds you of Megan. Tomorrow, who knows? It feels as though I'm easily replaceable. I can't continue like this. I'm sorry, but I won't be there to help you with your illness anymore. You'll have to take care of yourself."
"No, Cassie, you're irreplaceable. Please, don't leave," Joseph pleaded, clutching her tightly, his desperation akin to a child on the verge of losing his most cherished possession.
He was no stranger to loneliness and the cold touch of human relations, but she had been his constant companion through it all. Without her, what would he have left to hold onto?
"Don't make this more difficult. I'm not as important to you as you claim. Your brother can shout at me, you can confine me at will, and even my friendships require your approval... Forget it," Cassie retorted, struggling to free herself from his grip. Yet, Joseph stubbornly refused to let go.
"Don't leave. I can't bear to be without you. I'll send Joyce Ray away, and we can return to how things were," Joseph begged, fear seeping into his voice. He had never envisioned his relationship with Cassie reaching such a dire point.
It was merely a minor disagreement; why should it lead to their separation?
"Joseph, let go of me," Nina demanded, forcibly pulling Cassie away.
"Nina, you're behind this, aren't you?" Joseph accused, his eyes flashing with resentment. "You despise me for what I did to Ning, and you're using this situation to exact your revenge."
"Joseph, you're overthinking. Cassie is my friend now, and from a friend's perspective, I see the injustice she's endured," Nina retorted, leading Cassie away.
Laura Miller quickly followed them. The trio got into a car and sped off, leaving Joseph standing alone, watching as the vehicle disappeared from sight. He felt as though a piece of his heart had been carved out. He yearned to chase after them, but a sudden, excruciating pain in his head caused him to faint.
...
Later that night, at a local diner.
Laura Miller ordered another round of drinks, and the trio called for some snacks. Despite the harsh words and the finality of their parting, Cassie couldn't help but feel a twinge of pain at Joseph's relentless pursuit. She drowned her sorrows in drink after drink. "Nina, can I ask you something? Why do they despise you so much? We haven't known each other for long, but you seem like a decent person."
"Yeah, it's rare to find someone who isn't pretentious these days," Laura Miller chimed in, nodding in agreement.
Nina looked somewhat lost and bitter. "It probably has something to do with Megan Ray. When my mom took me back to the Zenith Family, everyone labeled her a home-wrecker, which led to them despising me by association. In high school, I dated Lucas, but he dumped me with such disdain. They always thought I bullied Megan Ray, even accused me of stealing their company and their father's affection, which should have been their inheritance. But everything I have today, I earned through my own efforts and abilities."
Laura clicked her tongue, "Holy smokes, so this Megan Ray is a real viper, and Joseph fell for someone like her?"
Cassie listened in surprise as well. She had imagined the woman who had captured Joseph's heart to be pure and wonderful. Her thoughts drifted to Arthur Lewis and Olivia Brooks. The women men fall deeply for are never simple.
Nina fell silent for a moment before speaking again, "If Megan Ray were still alive, Cassie, you wouldn't stand a chance against her."
Cassie silently took a sip of her beer.
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