Ambergris Locakboxes Traveled Salt Routes by Hugh Calder 10

Chapter Ten: A Time To Shine

The silence on Dreston’s side of the phone grew longer and longer.

He could barely breathe. He still could not believe what he had just heard. Why was Cassienne suddenly pushing things this far? Why was she behaving like a different person? How did he live with her for five whole years and never see this side of her?

Cassienne had always been calm, peaceful and soft–spoken. Even when she was hurting, she would smile and pretend everything was fine. So what changed? Why was she acting like a stranger now?

“Mr. Dreston?” his lawyer called, trying to check if the line was still connected.

“I’m still here,” Dreston replied quietly. His voice was too heavy. “Just ignore it.”

Tina could not hear the exact words, but she knew the conversation was about Cassienne. Her heart beat with excitement and impatience. She could not wait for the divorce to be completed. She had waited too long already.

But at the same time, something confused her. She didn’t understand Dreston anymore. Why was he acting so strange? Why was he finding it so hard to let Cassienne go? Was he suddenly developing feelings for his

wife?

She swallowed hard.

No. That could not happen. She had worked too hard for this.

She had planned everything perfectly.

She had sent Janet to lie to Cassienne–to tell her that Dreston wanted her to serve him coffee. Tina knew very well that seeing her in his office would upset Cassienne. She wanted that reaction. She needed it.

And to her luck, Cassienne reacted just the way she wanted..When Cassienne pushed her, Tina let her body drop to the floor on purpose, risking her pregnancy just to make the scene more dramatic. She wanted Dreston to hate Cassienne. She wanted him to feel disgusted and angry.

She thought that incident would be enough to break the marriage.

And even though Dreston did not initiate the divorce himself, Cassienne had done it exactly how Tina wanted.

So why was Dreston now refusing the divorce? Why was he stubbornly holding onto Cassienne?

The questions filled Tina’s mind while Dreston was still listening to his lawyer’s words on the phone.

The lawyer kept advising him, giving him legal details and explaining the next steps, but Dreston barely heard anything. He was too distracted by the chaos inside his heart. He believed he understood his wife well, and that belief made him push the thoughts away.

“Just ignore her,” he repeated to the lawyer. “She’s only doing this because she’s upset.”

“All right. We’ll talk more on Monday,” the lawyer said.

“Okay. Bye for now.” Dreston finally ended the call and dropped his phone. A heavy sigh escaped his lips.

Chapter Ten A Time To Shine

His thoughts were no clearer than before.

Meanwhile, Cassienne was at her condo. She unpacked everything she had bought from the mall and placed the groceries neatly inside her small pantry. The condo was modest but peaceful–three bedrooms, warm lighting, and a simple layout. It felt nothing like the cold mansion she had left behind.

When she finished organizing, she walked into her bedroom. She was tired–so tired. All she had been doing since yesterday was packing and unpacking, cleaning, and shopping. Her body ached, and her mind felt drained.

She climbed into bed, pulled the blanket over her legs, and closed her eyes.

Just then, her phone chimed softly beside her. She glanced at the screen, and the name made her blink twice.

Merrick.

She wasn’t expecting his call at all.

A small smile touched her lips as she answered.

“Merrick?” she whispered.

His warm voice filled her ear. “Happy birthday, Cassienne. I wish you the best. And may this Christmas bring you happiness.‘

Cassienne froze.

>>

She could not even respond because she had completely forgotten her own birthday.

That was how miserable her life had become. She had been so busy thinking about Dreston–trying to please him, trying to win his love–that she never remembered her own special days. She never celebrated herself. She never took care of herself.

Everything had always been about him. A man who didn’t even care if she was hurting or not. A man who never looked at her twice.

“Happy birthday, girl! Can you come out and open the door?” another voice said suddenly.

Cassienne gasped. That voice belonged to Daisy.

She sat up quickly. Daisy was with Merrick? Here? Right now?

And before she could process it, she heard another voice in the background complaining, “Why is she taking forever?”

Aurora.

Her other best friend.

Her heart swelled. Tears filled her eyes until she could barely see. A small sob escaped her lips as she climbed out of bed. She slipped her feet into her flip–flops and hurried out of her room.

By the time she reached the front door, she could barely hold back her tears. Her hands shook as she

Chapter Ten A Time To Shine

unlocked it.

The moment the door opened, she saw them-

Merrick, tall and handsome.

Daisy, smiling wide with excitement, and Aurora, cheerful as always.

“Happy birthday, Cassienne!” They sang together.

Cassienne covered her trembling mouth with her hand as tears spilled down her cheeks. Her heart felt full for the first time in so long.

Aurora was holding a beautifully decorated chocolate cake.

Daisy carried several colorful gift bags. And Merrick held two bottles of red wine.

Cassienne stepped back so they could come inside. They entered happily, bringing warmth and life into her quiet condo.

She stood there silently, overwhelmed with emotion. She had so much to say, so many feelings trapped inside her, but the words refused to come out. She simply watched them as they set the table and prepared a small celebration for her.

Merrick, who had been her mentor back in college–her senior and the brilliant tech expert she admired- turned to her. He set the wine bottles down and walked toward her with gentle concern.

He took her hands softly.

“Why are you crying on such a beautiful day, Angel?”

Cassienne let out a laugh–a real, big, warm laugh–the kind she had not felt in years. He still remembered her nickname. Back in college, he called her Angel because she always helped him with his projects and solved his problems.

Merrick smiled proudly. “That’s my girl. Give me a hug.‘

”

She didn’t hesitate. She ran into his arms, and he wrapped her tightly in a protective embrace.

“Don’t worry,” he whispered softly into her ear. “This is your time to shine.”

It was an assurance. Something she needed right now.

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.