Ambergris Locakboxes Traveled Salt Routes by Hugh Calder 126

r One Hundred And Twenty–Six We Must Look Convincing In Love

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Chapter One Hundred And Twenty–Six: We Must Look Convincing In Love.

The early morning sunlight poured into the master bedroom. For a brief second, everything felt normal. Not staged. Not temporary. Just… peaceful.

Cassienne stood before the full–length mirror, adjusting the sleeve of her ivory silk blouse. The fabric flowed softly against her skin, tucked neatly into high–waisted charcoal trousers that hugged her frame with effortless elegance. She had chosen something professional–refined, confident, controlled. A CTO stepping back into her territory.

Behind her, Dreston stepped out of the walk–in closet.

He wore a tailored navy three–piece suit, crisp white shirt beneath, the top button fastened without a tie yet. His black curls had been combed back, though a few stubborn strands rested against his forehead. He adjusted his cufflinks with the calm precision of a man used to command.

For a moment, their eyes met through the mirror.

There was something about seeing each other dressed for work again.

It felt too intimate. And for a similar reason. They both liked it. It felt like they were a real couple.

Cassienne reached for her jewelry box on the dresser. She opened it and froze.

The wedding ring.

She blinked.

Almost at the same time, Dreston reached into the drawer of his nightstand and pulled out his own ring.

Their movements paused in sync. They both looked at each other.

Then at the rings. Then back at each other.

And suddenly, they both slipped the rings onto their fingers almost simultaneously.

And there was silence. Cassienne gasped dramatically and clutched her chest.

“Wow! I almost forgot!” she exclaimed, widening her eyes theatrically. “Imagine me walking into the office without this. Mother would have disowned me.”

Dreston let out a low laugh. A real one. “You’re overacting.‘

“I am not,” she defended with mock offense. “This is serious. We must look convincingly in love.”

He stepped closer and studied her ring finger.

“It suits you,” he said quietly.

She rolled her eyes, though her cheeks warmed. “It always did.”

They held each other’s gaze a second longer than necessary before breaking it.

Downstairs, the dining table had been set beautifully.

Emily was already seated, reading something on her tablet while sipping tea. She looked radiant–healthier than Cassienne remembered in years. Her posture was upright, her eyes sharp, alert. The illness that had once contined her seemed like a distant chapter.

When she saw them descend the stairs together, she smiled widely.

“My favorite people.”

Chapter One Hundred And Twenty–Six We Must Look Convincing In Love

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Cassienne leaned down to kiss her mother’s cheek.

“Good morning.”

Dreston followed with equal respect. “Morning, Emily.”

They sat together for breakfast–freshly baked croissants, scrambled eggs with grilled tomatoes, and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Emily observed them in that quiet, motherly way.

“So,” she said casually, stirring her tea. “Back to ruling the tech world today?”

Cassienne laughed. “Something like that.”

Emily nodded. “Abigail is picking me up later. She insists on showing me the new lab expansion at Auralink. Apparently, Joseph thinks I’ll criticize their architecture.”

“You will,” Cassienne said immediately.

Emily smiled knowingly. “Of course I will.”

Dreston watched the two women exchange that familiar genius energy. And he felt proud. And strangely… included.

When breakfast ended, Steve was already outside coordinating security.

The moment Dreston stepped out first, Steve straightened.

“Good morning, sir.”

Then his gaze shifted. Cassienne was following right behind him. They are going in the same car.

For a split second, Steve’s brows lifted almost imperceptibly. But he recovered quickly.

“Good morning, ma’am.”

Dreston walked ahead and opened the SUV door himself.

Cassienne paused, surprised.

“You don’t have to-”

“I know,” he said softly. He offered his hand anyway. And she took it.

The bodyguards exchanged brief glances but said nothing. Inside the vehicle, they sat closer than usual.

As the car rolled forward, Cassienne turned slightly toward the window. A loose strand of hair fell across her cheek.

Without thinking, Dreston reached over and tucked it gently behind her ear. The gesture was so natural it startled them both.

She looked at him. His fingers lingered a second too long. “You’re staring,” he murmured.

“You need a haircut,” she added quickly, reaching up to push one of his curls off his forehead.

He blinked. “Excuse me?”

“These curls are rebelling.” She replied and continued.

“They’re strategic.” And then.

“They’re messy.” And again.

“They’re charming.” Then she laughed. And the driver alinost smiled at the sound of it.

Chapter One Hundred And Twenty–Six We Must Look Convincing In Love

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For the first time in years, the ride felt… light. They didn’t speak about business. They didn’t speak about the arrangement. They just existed beside each other.

And something unspoken pulsed quietly between them.

As the SUV approached Auralink headquarters, the noise became audible even before the building came into view.

There were chanting and shouting.

They saw cameras flashing.

Steve muttered into his communicator. “Clear the front entrance. Now.”

When the car stopped. The outside was chaotic. Fans pressed against barricades.

Young programmers, gamers, students holding signs.

“NULLWRAITH!”

“OBSIDIAN!”

“Autograph please!”

Reporters stood behind them, microphones ready in hand. The moment Cassienne stepped out, the crowd erupted.

She blinked. It still felt unreal. Dreston stepped out beside her instantly.

Steve and the security team moved in perfect coordination, forming a barrier.

“Please remain calm!” Steve shouted firmly. “One line! One line only!”

Cassienne surprised everyone by stepping closer to the barricade.

“Just a few,” she told Steve gently.

He hesitated. Then nodded once.

She shook hands. Took selfies. Signed two notebooks. One fan almost cried when she wrote her signature.

Dreston stayed close—subtle but protective. When unofficial reporters pushed forward.

“Mrs. Tremont, can we have a statement-”

“Is NULLWRAITH signing with a team-”

“Are you joining professional circuits-”

Steve immediately stepped forward.

“No interviews. An official statement will be released later.”

Dreston placed his hand at Cassienne’s lower back, guiding her toward the entrance.

It wasn’t possessive. It was protective. And cameras caught it.

Inside the lobby, employees had gathered discreetly.

Whispers filled the air. “That’s her…”

“She looks different in person…”

Chapter One Hundred And Twenty–Six We Must Look Convincing In Love

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“She’s stunning…”

Cassienne smiled politely, nodding to staff as she walked in. Dreston walked beside her like a king escorting his queen.

Tina stood near the reception desk. She watched everything.

The laughter.

The ring on Cassienne’s finger. The way Dreston’s hand never strayed far from her. And jealousy burned quietly behind her eyes.

But she couldn’t approach them. Not with everyone watching.

Cassienne turned slightly toward Dreston, whispering something that made him smile.

And the sight of them together–smiling, united–felt dangerously real.

As the elevator doors closed behind them, the lobby remained buzzing.

And Tina stood frozen.

Because for the first time–Cassienne didn’t look like a temporary wife. She looked like she belonged with Dreston, and that was a problem. 1

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