Ambergris Locakboxes Traveled Salt Routes by Hugh Calder 25

Chapter Twenty–Five: He Defended Her

The news of Dreston Tremont’s divorce was already spreading fast. It was everywhere–on blogs, on gossip pages, and across social media. Some people believed it was only a rumour, while others were sure it was true. After all, the Tremont family was powerful, and nothing about them ever stayed hidden for long.

As Cassienne walked out of the courthouse, she felt like the whole world was watching her. Her chest felt heavy, and her steps were slow, even though she tried to walk with strength. Her phone began to buzz inside her bag again and again, but she didn’t stop to check it. She did not want to read any message. She just didn’t want to see any names. At least, not yet.

She walked straight to the car.

Merrick was already there. Without saying a word, he opened the passenger door for her. Cassienne climbed in quietly and sat down, her hands resting on her lap. Moments later, Merrick got into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

As the car moved, he glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. Her face looked calm, but her eyes told a different story. They were dull, sad, and tired.

“Are you okay?” Merrick asked gently, his voice low and careful.

Cassienne nodded. “Sure. I’m fine,” she replied, forcing confidence into her tone.

Merrick nodded slowly. He knew she was lying. He had known her for years. He could read her silence better than her words. But he chose not to push her. Sometimes, silence was all someone needed.

As they drove away from the courthouse, her phone kept buzzing again. The sound felt loud in the quiet car.

It refused to stop. Finally, annoyed and restless, Cassienne opened her bag and brought out her phone. She was about to turn it off when she saw the name on the screen.

Mrs Tremont.

Her heart skipped.

Dreston’s mother.

Her fingers trembled as she stared at the screen. The phone kept ringing. Slowly, then she answered.

“Hello,” she said softly.

“What was that I just heard?” Mrs Tremont’s voice came sharp and loud through the phone. “You divorced Dreston? How? When?”

The voice was so loud that Cassienne had to pull the phone away from her ear.

“Things just happened and-” Cassienne tried to explain, but she was cut off.

“Come to the house immediately,” Mrs Tremont ordered. “We need to resolve this.”

The call ended before Cassienne could say another word.

She lowered the phone and let out a long, shaky breath. Her shoulders dropped as the weight of everything pressed down on her again.

SO TRY Ive Fie Derended Her

Merrick looked at her. “Do you want me to come with you?”

She shook her head. “No. I’ll be fine.”

But even she did not believe that.

When Cassienne arrived at the old Tremont mansion, Dreston’s car was already parked in front of the house. His two bodyguards stood beside it, dressed in black suits, their faces serious. 2

They nodded politely when they saw her. Cassienne returned the greeting and walked toward the entrance.

A middle–aged woman greeted her at the door.

“Welcome, Mrs Tremont Junior,” the woman said respectfully. “Mr and Mrs Tremont are waiting for you.”

“Thank you, Christiana,” Cassienne replied softly.

Christiana led her down the long hallway toward the family drawing room. But before they reached the door, loud voices came through the walls. Cassienne stopped walking.

“You didn’t even think to inform us before making such a decision!” Mrs Tremont’s voice echoed angrily. ” Do you know what you’ve done?”

Cassienne closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She had expected this. She only did not expect it to come

so soon.

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She knocked gently on the door and stepped inside.

The room fell silent immediately.

Mr and Mrs Tremont sat close together on the sofa. Dreston sat across from them, his posture stiff. At a distance stood the family’s secretary, a tall man in a deep blue suit. His eyes were fixed on the screen of his tablet, but he heard everything.

Cassienne bowed her head slightly. “Good afternoon,” she greeted politely.

No one answered.

She swallowed hard and walked toward the sofa beside Dreston. She sat down quietly, her hands folded tightly together.

Mrs Tremont was the first to speak.

“What have you done?” she said weakly, as though the strength had been drained from her body. “Why have you brought shame to this family?”

Cassienne raised her eyes and looked at Mr Tremont. His face was calm, but his eyes showed deep disappointment. Then she glanced at Dreston. His expression was unreadable.

“First, it was news about you cheating on your husband,” Mrs Tremont continued. “Now, you divorced him without even informing us?”

Her voice rose higher, filled with anger.

WIRE Twenty five. He Defended Her

“Answer me!” she demanded.

Cassienne lowered her head again. She said nothing. She returned to her old self–the woman who endured pain quietly, the woman who stayed silent even when her heart screamed.

She closed her eyes, trying to steady herself.

Mr and Mrs Tremont had always treated her like their own daughter. They had cared for her mother’s medical bills from the beginning. They had shown her love when she had none. Because of that, Cassienne could not scream or shout at them. She respected them too much.

But respect did not erase her pain.

She had stayed in a loveless marriage for five years. Five years of waiting, hoping, and trying. And now, she is done.

“Your silence tells me everything,” Mrs Tremont said coldly. “You were truly cheating on your husband.”

Cassienne gasped. Tears filled her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.

“Enough, Mother,” Dreston suddenly said.

Everyone turned to him.

“She wasn’t cheating,” he said firmly. “Cassienne would never do something like that.”

Cassienne looked at him in shock. Why was he defending her now? He had accused her himself before. Why now?

“Stop defending her!” Mrs Tremont snapped. “I saw the video of that man carrying her in his arms. How shameless can you be?”

“Mother, stop,” Dreston said sharply. “This was my fault. Cassienne divorced me because of Tina. That video was just a misunderstanding.”

Mrs Tremont fell silent.

Cassienne took a deep breath. She could not stay silent anymore.

“My marriage to Dreston was a contract,” she said softly. “And it expired yesterday.”

Everyone stared at her.

“I am sorry if I disappointed you. I am sorry if I couldn’t give you a grandchild. But I tried,” she said, crying openly now. “I tried everything I could. But Dreston loves someone else.”

Her voice broke.

“I found out his mistress was pregnant. After that, there was nothing left to save.

The room went completely silent.

All eyes turned slowly toward Dreston.

Even the secretary lifted his head.

”

Chapter Twenty–five. He Defended Her

The truth finally stood bare.

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.