Ambergris Locakboxes Traveled Salt Routes by Hugh Calder 13

Thirteen A Jecious Husband

Chapter Thirteen: A Jealous Husband.

The night grew darker, and the bright lights inside the club kept moving, but Dreston’s mood had changed completely. He was no longer the cheerful man who arrived with his friends. His face was stiff, his jaw tight, and his eyes were cold. Tina also felt different. She felt irritated, confused, and embarrassed. The whole reason they came to the club was to have fun–now gone.

Dreston felt something he hadn’t felt in a long time. He felt little and powerless.

He missed being in control of everything, especially when it came to Cassienne. He missed the woman who used to tremble just by seeing him.

He missed the way she would look at him with fear and respect. He missed the effect his voice had on her, and how she would always react whenever he spoke.

But tonight… she acted like he didn’t even exist.

He finally understood what had changed her. The problem wasn’t her alone. It was her friends–those old friends she had been spending time with. Especially Merrick. That man irritated him more than anything. Dreston believed he was the one poisoning Cassienne’s mind against him, filling her head with nonsense and courage she shouldn’t have.

That thought made his anger boil.

While Dreston’s mood grew darker, Tina’s frustration grew too. She had dressed beautifully tonight, hoping to catch Dreston’s attention. She hoped they would dance, maybe even get closer. But now, Dreston ignored her the same way he ignored everyone else at the table.

She felt invisible.

Garry and Ray noticed Tina’s frown and tried to cheer her up. They joked and teased her. They tried to distract her, but Tina’s eyes kept drifting back to Dreston. She didn’t like how he stared at Cassienne the whole night. She didn’t like how affected he looked. It annoyed her that even when Cassienne ignored him, Dreston still couldn’t look away. (1)

Not far from them, Cassienne sat with her own friends. To her, the night felt almost magical, with the music, the lights, the freedom–it all pushed her sorrow somewhere far away. She drank more than she usually did, not only because it was her birthday, but because it made her feel lighter. It made her forget the pain sitting in her heart like a heavy stone.

She laughed loudly, her eyes shining, her cheeks red. She wasn’t thinking about anything serious. She wasn’t thinking about her problems, her marriage, or her worries. She was simply trying to enjoy herself.

All three women–Cassienne, Daisy, and Aurora–had drunk too much. Their words were slow and their laughter came too easily. Merrick watched them with growing frustration.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake…” he muttered, rubbing his forehead. “Three drunk women… How am I supposed to manage this?”

But even with his irritation, there was a protective look in his eyes. He cared for them—especially Cassienne. He wasn’t going to let anything bad happen to her.

On the other side of the VIP section, Dreston watched everything. His eyes never left Cassienne. From the

Chapter Thirteen. A Jealous Husband

moment he recognised her, his focus had stayed locked on her every move. He watched the way she laughed, the way she leaned on her friends. And the way Merrick kept a hand near her, guiding her.

And it annoyed him deeply.

He didn’t try to approach her, even though part of him wanted to. After all… she had seen him. She looked right at him earlier, but she chose to ignore him as if he was nobody.

That hurt his pride.

Not only that, but she ignored his friends too, friends she had known since they were teenagers. That wasn’t the Cassienne he remembered. Something inside her had changed.

He let out a long sigh and rubbed his temples. For the first time tonight, he wished his mother was around. Even though he didn’t like her much–because she dislikes Tina and supported Cassienne instead -she still knew how to control Cassienne. She always knew what to say, what pressure to use, or threats to make.

If anyone could bring Cassienne back to her old self, it was his mother.

But she wasn’t here. She was far away, and she wasn’t returning anytime soon.

His thoughts went on and on until suddenly he realised something was wrong.

The table where Cassienne and her friends sat was empty now.

His heart dropped.

He hadn’t seen them leave.

Without thinking, he stood up abruptly, drawing Tina’s attention.

“Dreston?” she asked.

“I’ll be back,” he said sharply, not even looking at her.

Then he walked away fast.

“Wait-“Tina stood up too, her heels clicking loudly as she followed him.

Garry and Ray exchanged confused looks. They didn’t understand what was happening, but they could both feel the tension.

“Let’s go after them,” Ray said.

They stood to follow, though they stayed a little behind.

Dreston’s two bodyguards, who had been waiting nearby, noticed him rushing outside. They had never seen him look so unsettled. Concern filled their faces as they followed their boss out of the club.

When Dreston stepped outside, the cool night air hit his face. He looked around quickly, eyes scanning the parking lot.

And then… he saw them across the road.

Merrick was struggling with Cassienne, who was clearly too drunk to walk on her own. She kept mumbling

Chapter Thirteen A Jealous Husband

something, her head resting weakly on his chest. Her legs wobbled, almost giving out. Merrick held her tightly, trying to guide her toward a waiting SUV.

Dreston’s body stiffened instantly.

His eyes darkened. His chest rose and fell faster. His nose flared in pure irritation.

How dare Merrick touch his wife like that?

How dare he hold her so closely?

And how dare Cassienne allow it?

Without thinking, Dreston stepped into the road and crossed quickly, ignoring the cars rushing past. He moved with purpose, each step loud with anger.

Merrick didn’t notice him approaching until Dreston was almost there.

“Get your filthy hands away from my wife, Merrick,” Dreston said in a deep, commanding voice.

Merrick flinched, startled, even though he still had Cassienne’s arm around his shoulder. She was barely standing.

Dreston’s bodyguards arrived behind him. Tina and the others appeared a few seconds later.

The night was suddenly filled with tension, jealousy, and anger–thick enough to choke on.

And Dreston’s eyes never left Cassienne.

Not even for one second.

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.