Chapter 10 - Cassandra’s MistakeWhen we returned to the apartment, Cassandra was waiting outside the building.
She wore sunglasses though the sky was gray. Her red coat looked expensive. Her lipstick was perfect. She stood beside a black town car with Derek’s driver at the wheel.
For one insane second, I almost laughed.
Of all the people hunting me, Cassandra had chosen to come in person.
Luka’s guards moved first.
She lifted both hands.
“I’m not armed.”
Luka said, “You’re not welcome.”
Cassandra ignored him and looked at me.
“You need to talk to me.”
“No, I don’t.”
“I can help you.”
The words were so outrageous I stopped walking.
“You helped my husband fake a psychiatric evaluation.”
She flinched.
Not enough.
But enough.
Luka noticed too.
“I didn’t know about that part,” she said.
“That part?”
Her mouth tightened.
“Derek told me you were unstable before. He said pregnancy made it worse. He said the baby wasn’t safe with you.”
I laughed bitterly.
“And you believed him?”
“I believed what was convenient.”
That honesty surprised me more than any lie would have.
Cassandra removed her sunglasses.
Her eyes were red.
“I was supposed to be his exit plan.”
“Congratulations.”
“No. Listen to me.” Her voice cracked. “Derek told me after the baby was transferred, he would divorce you quietly and marry me. He said the Ashfords would handle custody. He said you’d be treated well.”
“Treated well?”
“I know how it sounds.”
“No, you don’t.”
I stepped closer.
“You walked out of the hospital with him while I held my newborn daughter alone. You smiled.”
Her face crumpled.
“I thought you had trapped him.”
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then she whispered, “That’s what he told me.”
Luka’s phone buzzed.
He checked it, then looked at Cassandra.
“You have thirty seconds to explain why you’re here.”
Cassandra reached into her purse.
Every guard moved.
She froze.
“USB drive,” she said quickly. “That’s all.”
Luka nodded once.
A guard removed it.
Cassandra looked at me.
“I found files on Derek’s laptop. He left it open because he thinks I’m too stupid to understand anything beyond jewelry and wine.”
She smiled sadly.
“He always underestimated women.”
I did not forgive her.
But I took the drive.
“What’s on it?”
“Messages between Derek and his father. Payment records. Something about a woman named Amanda Ruiz. And a scan of a sealed envelope.”
My breath caught.
“Which envelope?”
Cassandra’s gaze shifted to Luka.
“The last one.”
Luka became very still.
Cassandra continued.
“I don’t know what it means. But Derek was panicking. He said if Claire opens it, everything collapses.”
I held the drive like it might burn me.
“Why give this to me?”
Cassandra’s voice dropped.
“Because Derek hit me this morning.”
The air changed.
Even Luka’s expression shifted.
Cassandra touched the side of her face beneath her sunglasses.
“He said I talked too much at the hospital. He said Arthur thinks I’m a liability.”
She swallowed hard.
“I know I hurt you. I know I helped him hurt you. I am not asking forgiveness.”
“What are you asking?”
“Protection.”
The word hung between us.
Luka looked at me.
He would decide if I let him.
So I decided first.
“Put her somewhere safe,” I said.
Cassandra’s eyes widened.
“But not here,” I added. “She doesn’t come near my daughter.”
Luka nodded.
Cassandra began to cry, silently this time.
As guards led her away, she turned back.
“Claire.”
I looked at her.
“There’s a video on the drive.”
“What video?”
May you like
Her lips trembled.
“Your father’s last hour alive.”
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