Ex-Husband’s Love Dilemma

Chapter 8

As soon as Evelyn caught wind of Suzanne’s words, her face hardened. “Cassandra, how many times do I need to remind you? You are not in the boonies anymore. You’re a lady of society, the second Jackson daughter and Orlando Quinn’s wile.

Cassandra’s eyes flickered down, her face unreadable. “I get it, Mom,” she replied quietly

Hearing this, Evelyn’s harsh demeanor softened just a smidge. “Come, take a seat,” she offered.

With a posture embodying elegance and grace, Cassandra navigated her way and took a seat. It didn’t matter what she wore. Her striking beauty always shone through–the only quality Evelyn admired in her.

Casting her a faint warm glance, Evelyn asked, “What brings you home so early?”

Cassandra met her gaze, her voice steady. “Mom, I’m leaving Orlando.”

Evelyn and Suzanne were both flabbergasted by this news.

After collecting herself, Evelyn asked in disbelief, “What did you just say? You’re divorcing Orlando?”

“Yes, the paperwork will be finalized by Monday,” Cassandra confirmed.

“Cassandra, do you have any clue what you’re talking about? This marriage was given to you by your grandpa, a promise he made by risking his life! You can’t ditch it on a whim.” Evelyn contended.

The marriage between Cassandra and Orlando wasn’t just some simple union between two high– profile families. Their grandfathers were once tight–knit friends. Once, Damian Jackson risked his life to save Peter Quinn in a catastrophe, costing him a leg in the process.

Peter initially pitched the marital agreement, but it wasn’t until Cassandra and Orlando’s generation that the right pair came along. Initially, Orlando was set to wed Suzanne, the golden child of the Jackson family.

At death’s de owever, Damian insisted on calling Cassandra back from her rural life to join the Quinn family through mati….ony, even manipulating Cassandra’s dad, Austin Jackson, with his dying wish unfulfilled threat.

Even though Cassandra was Evelyn’s biological child, Evelyn had always yearned for a son. Sad to say, following Cassandra’s birth, Evelyn’s ability to bear more children was lost. Blaming Cassandra for her fate, Evelyn had

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INSTALL

sent her off to the countryside when she was just ten, drawing her back only for the arranged marriage with Orlando

Evelyn’s fury surged as she strode up to Cassandra, locking eyes with her. “Tell me this is just some exaggeration, some heat–of–the moment thing!”

Cassandra held Evelyn’s gaze. “Orlando’s gonna marry Rebecca. I’ve inked the paperwork already. This ain’t just hot air-

Smack!

A sharp slap echoed as Evelyn struck Cassandra’s cheek.

Cassandra’s eyelashes quivered, her ears ringing. For a moment, she felt deafened.

Evelyn, slightly shocked at her own action, felt no twang of guilt and stood in her anger. She pointed at the door, her tone brusque. “Get outta here! No room for you in this house.”

Cassandra rose and left without uttering a word.

Soon after, Evelyn talked it over with Austin. The marriage between Orlando and Cassandra was more than just a shared bond; it involved family affairs and business dealings. Splitting up wouldn’t be a cakewalk.

Outside the Jackson residence, Cassandra paused by her car, wrestling with her emotions. Her main concern was the unborn child within her, relieved that the slap was on her face, rather than elsewhere. The physical pain?

barely blipped on her radar as she bore it with silent detachment.

Evelyn’s attack, though a first time, didn’t shock Cassandra. She was accustomed to being emotional

ackground noise to Evelyn.

a slap could seal her divorce, she was more than willing to bear it.

ust as she

bout to slide into her car, her gloomy exterior unshaken, Suzanne’s voice jarred her.

Cassandra, are you seriously pushing ahead with the divorce?”

assandra didn’t respond verbally, only offering a brief, nonchalant glance.

4

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Legend of the Phoenix

INSTALL

Suzanne reprimanded with a frown, “You commit to someone, you stick with them! You’ve seen our family’s resources dwindling, right? Dad’s been counting on the Quinn family to pull the Jackson Group out of the mud. You’re thinking only of yourself!”

Cassandra’s response was blunt. “So what?” Cassandra held her ground, not backing down an inch for her older sister. Her tolerance for Orlando came from love, and she endured Evelyn out of deference. But she didn’t see why she should explain herself to others.

Suzanne seemed taken aback. “What do you mean?”

Cassandra’s voice carried a harsh undertone. “Should I stoop to begging Orlando not to leave me, even knowing his heart’s already with Rebecca? Should I grovel just to latch onto him?”

Suzanne retorted disdainfully, “If Orlando’s itching for a divorce, you must’ve dropped the ball as a wife.”

“Whether we split or not ain’t your business, so you don’t need to worry yourself over it,” Cassandra fired back.

Suzanne sniffed. “You think I want to give a damn? If not for you, I’d be the one married to Orlando. This is all on wou! Why’d you have to come back in the first place?” Bitter feelings boiled over in Suzanne, her eyes glossing over with frustration at Orlando being torn away by Cassandra, who was never supposed to be his wife.

Cassandra looked calm and cold. She narrowed her eyes slightly and said indifferently, “You’ve got some nerve oveting your brother–in–law that openly, Suzanne.”

You…” Suzanne started.

assandra went on, “If you’re that hung up on him, argue it with Mom and Dad. Fighting me won’t do you any bod.”

unned into silence, Suzanne could only watch as Cassandra shot her one last icy look, climbed into her car, id vamoosed.

ft by herself, Suzanne clenched her jaw, stamping her foot in vexation, her gaze frosty and hard. A silent enmity wards Cassandra dug its claws deeper into her heart.

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Legend of the Phoenix