Ambergris Locakboxes Traveled Salt Routes by Hugh Calder 19

Chapter Nineteen: Fucking Is Living?

It took Merrick less than two minutes to get to Auralink.

The moment he stepped into the glass building, his sharp eyes caught sight of Cassienne. She was just coming out of the elevator, but something was wrong.

She was walking on unsteady legs, swaying slightly as if the ground beneath her could no longer hold her weight. Her face was soaked with tears, her eyes red and swollen. Her lips trembled, and her hands were clenched tightly by her sides, as though she was barely holding herself together.

Merrick’s heart dropped.

He didn’t think, he didn’t hesitate.

In long, fast strides, he crossed the space between them. Just as Cassienne’s knees threatened to give way, he reached her.

“Cass,” he called softly.

Her eyes lifted to him for just a second, filled with pain and shame–and then she broke.

Her body sagged forward.

Merrick bent instantly and swept her off the floor, lifting her into his arms with so much tenderness and care. He didn’t care who was watching. He didn’t care where they were.

This was his friend. And she was falling apart.

Cassienne buried her face against his chest and sobbed, her shoulders shaking violently. Her tears soaked through his shirt, but Merrick held her tighter, his jaw clenched.

The lobby exploded into whispers.

Phones came out immediately. Cameras flashed. Some people recorded openly, capturing every second–the powerful man carrying their CEO wife in his arms.

Gossip would spread like wildfire.

But Merrick did not look back.

He carried Cassienne straight out of Auralink and into his car. The ride to his office building was quiet except for Cassienne’s broken sobs.

When they arrived, the same thing happened again.

People stared.

Only this time, no one recorded anything. No one dared.

They watched in silence, stunned. It was the first time anyone had ever seen Merrick Ashbourne carry a woman like that–so carefully, so protectively.

Who was she?

Chapter Nineteen Fucking Is Living?

Why did she matter so much?

As Merrick reached his department floor, every head turned.

Daisy jumped up from her desk immediately.

“Oh my God–what happened to Cassienne?” she asked, rushing toward them.

“Get her something warm,” Merrick said quickly. “Coffee, tea–anything.”

Daisy didn’t ask another question. She turned and hurried away.

The rest of the staff stayed frozen, confused and curious. They had never seen their boss like this. Never seen fear written so clearly on his face.

Inside Merrick’s office, he gently placed Cassienne on the black sofa. The moment her body touched it, she curled up instinctively, pulling her knees to her chest like a child seeking safety.

Her crying did not stop.

Her whole body trembled as if she was cold inside her bones.

Merrick stood there, watching her, his chest tight with anger and sadness.

Five years.

She wasted five years of her life trying to earn love from a man who never truly wanted her. She gave up her career growth, her confidence, her dreams–all for a marriage that gave her nothing but pain.

How could she do that to herself?

How could she make herself so small for someone who treated her as disposable?

He didn’t even need details to know who caused this. The moment he saw her walking out of Auralink, he

knew it was Dreston.

Only him has this much effect on Cassienne. And it hurts him as to why would she allow it to happen?

Daisy pushed the door open and entered with a mug in her hands. She placed it carefully on the glass table and stood beside Merrick, folding her arms tightly across her chest.

“What happened?” she asked softly.

“I don’t know the details,” Merrick replied, his voice low. “But I know it has something to do with her husband.”

Daisy frowned deeply. “I thought she was done with him. What changed?”

Merrick sighed. “Love,” he said simply. “This is what happens when you love someone more than you love yourself.”

He paused, then added quietly, “I hope she gets over him soon. If not… I will make sure she does.”

Daisy let out a dry chuckle. “This is exactly why I don’t do love. I don’t have a big heart. I would die if someone broke me like this.”

Chapter Nineteen: Fucking Is Living?

Merrick turned his head and looked at her. “Everyone knows that,” he said flatly. “But do me a favor–stop sleeping with people you work with. It’s not healthy.”

Daisy rolled her eyes. “It’s fun.”

“You wouldn’t understand,” she added. “You’re boring.”

Merrick scoffed. “So sleeping with multiple men in your workplace is fun to you?”

Daisy straightened. “I’ll live my life how I want,” she shot back. “I won’t waste years with one man who’s probably cheating anyway.”

Before Merrick could respond, a weak voice interrupted them.

“Can you two stop?” Cassienne lifted her head slightly and wiped her tears with the back of her hands. “My head hurts.”

Daisy and Merrick both turned toward her.

Cassienne sniffled, forcing a shaky smile. “I actually envy you, Daisy,” she said quietly. “I wish I could live like that too.”

Daisy pointed at her, looking at Merrick. “See? She gets it.”

Merrick ignored her and stepped closer to the sofa, crouching down in front of Cassienne.

“Are you okay?” he asked gently.

Cassienne nodded weakly. “I think so.”

Then she turned to Daisy, her eyes suddenly curious despite the tears. “Wait… you’re really sleeping with two men in this building?”

Daisy grinned. “Darling, it’s called living.”

Cassienne stared at her for a moment, then asked softly, “so, fucking is living?” She asked and added. “Can you teach me how?”

The room went silent.

Daisy froze.

Merrick froze.

For the first time since he arrived, Merrick looked truly stunned.

Cassienne leaned back against the sofa, her eyes tired but strangely determined.

And for the first time in a very long time, something inside her had shifted. Now she wants a life full of fun.

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.