Cassi managed to delay the wedding preparations by using her recovery as an excuse.
And honestly? It wasn't even a lie. She'd been in a coma for six damn months. If anything, she needed time to breathe, much less walk down an aisle.
Rehabilitation. Therapy. Space to think. All perfectly valid reasons. And thankfully, no one questioned it.
For two days, no one disturbed her peace just as she wanted. Well, except for her father and grandfather, of course. Miraculously, neither of them brought up anything about the arranged marriage, and for that, Cassi was genuinely grateful.
On the third day, her therapy resumed.
Sunlight poured in through the tall windows of the private rehab room, casting warm light across the polished floor. Cassi gritted her teeth as she lifted her leg on the resistance band, feeling the burn pulse through her muscles.
"Good," the therapist said, watching her form. "We'll take a short break after ten more reps."
Cassi nodded, sweat clinging to her brow. Her body still felt foreign, like it belonged to someone else. Six months in a coma would do that.
The door creaked open.
She didn't have to look to know who it was. She could smell the fake vanilla perfume before Anne even spoke.
"Wow, look at you," Anne's sugary voice chimed. "Up and moving already. That's amazing, Cassi."
Cassi kept her expression flat. She adjusted the band, avoiding direct eye contact.
Anne stepped closer. "So… have you started remembering anything yet?"
Cassi paused, then slowly shook her head. "Bits and pieces. Mostly fuzzy."
Anne tilted her head and gave a sympathetic smile. Too sympathetic. Fake. Just like her.
She knew better now than to trust the woman. If she were still the old Cassi, Anne's act would've worked just like it always did. But not anymore. Cassi wasn't that naive girl anymore.
"That's so strange. I mean… how do you forget Rick of all people?" she said, pretending to laugh lightly. "You two were like… obsessed with each other."
Cassi remained quiet, letting her speak. Anne took that as permission.
"You met him during that art charity event, remember? He was so smitten with you. Followed you around like a puppy." She let out a wistful sigh, like it was her own love story. "You used to say no to him for fun, and we'd tease you for being such a tease. And then after a month, you finally gave in and said yes."
Cassi clenched her jaw, biting back the acid behind her tongue. Oh, she remembered. She remembered exactly when Anne started slithering into her life with that same too-sweet smile. Always nearby. Always helpful. Pretending to care. Pretending to support her.
Rick would say, "Anne helped me pick this," or "Anne said I should surprise you like this."
Always Anne. She was everywhere.
Now that Cassi thought about it… she had been everywhere on purpose. The snake had been studying her, stealing from her, one laugh and soft touch at a time.
Anne leaned on the edge of the parallel bars, her eyes too curious. "So… nothing? Not even how much you and Rick loved each other?"
Cassi offered a faint smile and lifted her leg again in silence.
But in her mind, she whispered, 'Oh, I remember, Anne. I remember everything. Including how you betrayed me.'
"So… are you really going to marry the scary uncle?" Anne asked, lowering her voice like she was sharing some dark secret. "Honestly, I'm worried. He's nine years older than you. Have you even seen him? The way Rick described him… it's horrifying."
Cassi almost laughed. Oh, right. Anne used to joke about Ezekiel Hastings being some ancient, grumpy recluse, thanks to Rick's exaggerated stories.
Ezekiel Hastings was the mysterious billionaire who refused interviews, declined photo ops, and kept out of the spotlight like his life depended on it. No magazine had ever published his face. No video clip. Not even a leaked blurry shot.
So when she finally met him yesterday… Let's just say, Rick's "scary uncle" turned out to be terrifying for entirely different reasons. Because Rick's face? Dirt - compared to his uncle.
Cassi wiped the sweat from her face with a towel, keeping her tone calm and casual.
"So what if there's a nine-year age gap? It's just a number." Then she added with a small smile, "Besides, it's better to be with someone mature."
Anne stayed quiet for a beat, then gave a small laugh. "Well… I just hope you're really happy, Cassi. I mean, if you're truly over Rick."
Her voice softened. "You really loved him, you know? It's kind of surprising how fast things changed."
Cassi offered a weak smile, lowering her gaze. "I guess I just… don't remember enough to feel anything," she murmured. She looked up, wide-eyed, as if genuinely lost. "You know what I mean?"
Anne nodded slowly, her smile returning, more confident now. Maybe because Cassi's softness now was familiar. Predictable. Just the way she liked it.
"I understand. It's okay if it's confusing right now," Anne said kindly, stepping closer. "But don't forget I'm always here for you… anything at all, you can always talk to me."
Cassi blinked and nodded. "Thank you, Anne. I really mean it. I know I've been distant, but… It's just hard right now when everything feels blurry."
Just then, a nurse entered the therapy room, pushing a wheelchair.
"I'll help her back to her room," Anne quickly offered, already reaching for the handles. Cassi didn't comment. But just as Anne moved closer to help, the door swung open again.
Rick.
He strode in, slightly out of breath, eyes locked on Cassi.
"I'll help her," he said, not even glancing at Anne.
Cassi allowed him to take over without resistance. She could feel Anne's stare, burning holes into her from across the room. Rick gently lifted her into the wheelchair, like she was something fragile, something still his.
Then, without warning, he bent down on one knee in front of her. His hands closed around hers, warm and desperate.
"Cassi," he said softly, "I know you're confused right now, but please… let me help you remember what we had."