Adrian has no idea at all – about how much this entire predicament makes Cassidy feel so heavy and burdened.

She may look like she’s coping up with the traumatizing experience somehow, but deep inside, she’s being tyrannized by her own fears and worries. After all, even though she’s been in front of death’s door for a number times now, the fact that she’s already used to this kind of situations doesn’t make her numb to the terrors they bring. 

​​

Like every other normal human, Cassidy feels genuinely petrified and disconcerted. The reason why she often appears to be the opposite of that is because she’s better in handling these emotions than most others. 

Instead of bawling like there’s no tommorow, she’d rather face ahead and aim to rise on her feet again. 

“Though that’s the case, he’s probably still right about me causing problems to everyone around me…” Cassidy brooded silently, stooping her head low and averting her gaze.

“I used to be quite the infamous troublemaker, after all. Whether I like it or not, problems are sure to follow me no matter where I go or what I become – even now that I’m a billionaire’s wife.”

Indeed, dangers are always looming all around her.

Ever since she was a child, she’s a walking disaster. People would steer clear of her because of her thuggish behavior while some would come after her head.

She would get into fights most of the time, and she’s often riddled with wounds as well as bruises. Her safety was always on the line, especially since she kept making enemies back then.

“But that doesn’t mean I want the same thing to happen to everybody around me. I don’t intend to involve anyone, and to be honest, I’d rather have my offenders come after my head only instead of roping other people in…” Cassidy started before facing her husband again, a heart-wrenching expression splattered across her frame.

“I understand that you’re frustrated, bossman. Perhaps, you’re even regretting everything. I know what you’re thinking now, and I agree to that too – you really should’ve just stayed with your family back at the resort and left me behind.”

With that, she forcibly pulls her wrist out of his grip and turns to walk away. She doesn’t hesitate to head towards the dark and soulless road nor spare her companion one last glance.

Adrian, on the other hand, is left frozen still on his spot. 

He’s struck speechless and unmoving by her uncalled-for confession. For quite some time, he doesn’t know how exactly to respond. He’s being bombarded with different kinds of rioting emotions that mess up his thoughts and turn them into one huge clutter.

It’s not that he wants to make her say all of that, though. He doesn’t mean to make her admit what he just called her. In fact, he doesn’t see her that way at all.

His temper has only gotten the best of him, and he’s really starting to regret it.

“Why the hell did you have to look so sorry, burdened and hurt – all at the same time…?” Adrian gravelly muttered underneath his breath, feeling as if breaking at that very moment.

“When you’re the one who’s truly the victim here.”

Since he used to shove Cassidy away in the past, he never got to see her truest feelings. She did look hurt at times, but never as hurt as she looks now. Her pained expression earlier told him of a thousand words – a story full of sufferings, loneliness and sorrows. 

And Adrian couldn’t help but feel extremely hurt himself.

It was this small ache in his heart that got worse and worse as soon as he noticed it. Then, before he knew it, he suddenly felt like being stabbed in his chest – an excruciating kind of emotion that he couldn’t quite reckon nor control.

Unlike back then, this is no mere pity nor sympathy anymore. He’s too emotionally stirred that it’s becoming somewhat unbearable. He can’t take it at all.

Despite all the uncertainties and confusions that are weighing down on him at that minute, though, Adrian is completely sure of one thing –

And that is the feeling that he never wants to see such a painful expression on Cassidy anymore.