The love within

Chapter 1

Ruthless Awakening

Cassandra never imagined that the man she'd been dating for five years was actually married.

The bright red marriage certificate in her hands felt like a thousand needles piercing her heart, shattering what had once been overflowing sweetness.

Her clear, tear-swollen eyes were nearly unrecognizable. Her clothes were torn and disheveled, her once-sleek black hair tangled in messy strands over her shoulders. The thick-framed glasses on her face were cracked on one side-smashed by the furious woman now towering over her. At this moment, she looked worse than a beggar.

While Cassandra stood frozen, clutching the damning document, the woman viciously yanked her hair and spat, "You shameless homewrecker! Sneaking around with my husband while I'm pregnant-I'll kill you!"

Cassandra struggled desperately. She should have been able to defend herself, but those glaring words-marriage certificate-stripped her of any righteousness. The truth was undeniable: she was the other woman, the one who had torn a family apart.

She couldn't accept it.

Just this morning, she had planned to register their marriage. Tonight, she was going to give him her virginity. Their wedding was supposed to be in a week. But now...

This can't be real.

With a sudden burst of strength, she shoved the woman away and lunged at Seth, clawing at his clothes. "Tell me this isn't true!" she screamed.

Seth coldly shook her off, then kicked her to the ground. Wrapping an arm around his heavily pregnant wife, he sneered, "Of course it's true. Did you really think I'd marry you, Cassandra?"

His lip curled in disgust. "Look at yourself-dull, frumpy, downright embarrassing. Bigamy's a crime. I'm not that stupid."

It felt like a lightning strike. She had been caught, exposed as the mistress, completely fooled by this man.

Lying on the cold floor, she stared up at his merciless face, the irony bitter in her mouth. The chill of the ground was nothing compared to the ice spreading through her chest.

Gritting her teeth against the pain, she forced herself up, wiping blood from her lips. Her voice was eerily calm. "Fine. I've been your dirty little secret all these years. I'll cancel the wedding tomorrow. Now get out."

Every inch of her body ached, but all she wanted was for them to disappear.

Seth let out a mocking laugh as if he'd heard the most ridiculous joke. "Did I hear that right? You're telling me to leave?"

A sinking feeling settled in Cassandra's chest. "So what, you're kicking me out instead? I'm the one who paid for this apartment!"

"Who said this place belongs to you?"

Her heart lurched violently as she stared at him in shock. "What do you mean?"

"You homewrecking mistress!" the woman beside Seth spat with venom. "You think you deserve this place after destroying my marriage? Dream on! This apartment is ours now!"

What? Cassandra barked out a bitter laugh, fury rising. "Over my dead body! Get out now!"

No sooner had the words left her mouth than Seth's foot connected with her abdomen-this time with brutal force. The impact sent her crashing against the door, the world spinning as nausea churned in her gut.

Before she could regain her bearings, Lydia-her heavily pregnant belly protruding-charged forward and yanked Cassandra's hair. Scalding pain shot across her scalp as strands tore free.

Crack! The slap came too fast to dodge. Cassandra's cheek burned, but she clenched her fists, resisting the urge to retaliate. With that woman's condition, any mishap would give these snakes the perfect excuse to destroy her.

The horrifying truth finally dawned: Seth was a gold-digging fraud who'd played her for years, scheming to steal everything she owned.

Five years together. Five years of killing herself with overtime shifts, sacrificing even basic self-care, all to build a future with him. At his urging, she'd taken out loan shark debts-three million in total-for their apartment and car. And now he wanted to claim it all.

The last thing she remembered before darkness swallowed her was Seth's fist smashing into her face.

A bone-deep chill jolted Cassandra awake. Blinking through the downpour, she realized she'd been dumped in the torrential rain.

Beside her sat three suitcases and a handbag-pathetic remnants of a life where she'd never dared spend on herself.

Her head throbbed as Cassandra struggled to keep her heavy eyelids open. She never imagined Seth could be so cruel-packing up all her belongings and throwing her out into the pouring rain.

I can't collapse now, she thought, gritting her teeth. I won't let that bastard take my house. I need to rest, gather my strength, and fight for what's mine.

Glancing at her watch, she saw it was already midnight. Going back to her parents' place wasn't an option-they'd only worry. Reporting to the police crossed her mind, but... if they found out she'd been someone's mistress and taken out a three-million loan with sky-high interest...

She had just repaid part of the debt a couple of days ago, leaving her nearly broke. A hotel was out of the question.

After racking her brain, only one place came to mind-the office.

"Get lost!" Tony snarled before slamming the phone down.

Staggering into his office, he froze. A flash of white caught his eye-a slender, alluring figure sprawled across the sofa, teasing his senses with every unconscious shift.

He shook his head. Must be the alcohol. No way there's a woman like that here in the dead of night.

Grabbing some documents, he turned to leave-only for the "vision" to roll over. Jet-black hair spilled across her forehead, her half-unbuttoned white blouse slipping open to reveal milky curves. Damn it. His body reacted instantly, heat surging south.

Cursing under his breath, he moved closer, drawn like a moth to flame.

His long fingers brushed her cheek-smooth as silk. Then his gaze locked onto those plush, petal-pink lips. Resistance crumbled. He crushed his mouth to hers, drinking her in with feverish hunger.

She's definitely seducing me.

Cassandra's skull pounded as invasive touches roused her. Her eyelids felt like lead weights. Weakly, she pushed at the shadow looming over her. "S-stop... Get off! L-let me go-mmph!"

Her muffled protest only fueled Tony's frenzy. Undoing his belt, he ignored her struggles, gripping her narrow waist as he sheathed himself inside in one ruthless thrust.

The tightness-that fleeting resistance-drove him wild.

Pinning her wrists above her head with one hand, he moved like a beast unleashed, branding her body again and again until she fell limp beneath him. Only as dawn crept in did exhaustion claim them both, tangled together on the cramped sofa.

Chapter 2

The mistress Revenge

The golden light of dawn streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow on Cassandra's delicate, porcelain-like face. She slowly opened her eyes, only to immediately furrow her willow-leaf brows in discomfort.

Pain-a sharp, searing agony radiated from her lower body, as if she had just run a marathon. Every muscle ached, her limbs felt leaden, and her head throbbed dully. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to roll over-and then froze, her eyes widening in shock at the sight of a completely naked stranger lying beside her.

Reality crashed down on her in an instant. A quick glance at herself confirmed her worst fear: her clothes were in disarray, barely covering her. One horrifying thought consumed her-she had been violated.

First, she had been thrown out by that scumbag ex yesterday, and now this? Rage surged through her veins. Without hesitation, she kicked the man beside her off the bed, scrambled to grab her clothes, and hastily dressed. Snatching the nearest object at hand, she swung it wildly at him, her voice trembling with fury.

"You disgusting pig! How dare you take advantage of me while I was asleep? I'll kill you!"

Tony had been deep in slumber when he was abruptly jolted awake-first by a brutal kick, then by a flurry of blows. His temper erupted like a volcano. In one swift motion, he seized Cassandra by the collar, his voice a low, dangerous growl.

"Woman. Do you have a death wish?"

Cassandra froze mid-swing at the sound of that chillingly familiar voice. Her breath hitched as her eyes locked onto the devastatingly handsome face before her-one that could make both gods and mortals weep. Her arms stiffened mid-air, her teeth chattering as she stammered, "C-CEO?"

Disbelief crashed over her like a tidal wave. The man who had assaulted her last night... was her boss? This was worse than being struck by lightning!

Tony radiated an icy aura as he coldly shoved her away, his voice dripping with frost.

"Trying to seduce me, hm?"

What?!

Cassandra gaped at him, stunned. How could he twist this around and accuse her of seducing him? A wave of bitter injustice rose in her chest, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"How can you say that? Last night, you were the one who-" who forced yourself on me, despite my resistance!

"Then what should I say?" Tony replied coolly, buttoning his shirt with infuriating calm before rising to his full height, looking down at her with disdain. "Sneaking into my office in the middle of the night, stripping naked-wasn't that your way of throwing yourself at me? Cassandra, you've been my secretary for five years. I never knew you had such ambitions."

She had always been so proper, so professional. Who would've guessed she'd pull a stunt like this? He had to admit, she was clever-she must have known he'd return for documents tonight.

Cassandra's heart plummeted as she frantically scanned her surroundings. Mortification burned through her. Last night had been pitch-black; to avoid alerting security, she hadn't turned on the lights. Her office was right next to the CEO's-she must have stumbled into the wrong room.

Just moved to the new company, and she hadn't even familiarized herself with the layout yet. Good grief, might as well strike her dead with a bolt of lightning right now!

Seeing her stunned silence, Tony said expressionlessly, "Name your price."

"Price?" Cassandra looked at him blankly.

"Hmph." He sneered. "You went through all that trouble to sleep with me-wasn't it just for money? Or did you actually expect me to take responsibility? Go buy emergency contraception later." Last night had been the first time in over twenty years he'd lost control-not only had he failed to restrain himself, but he'd even...

Cassandra had always known Tony was cold and ruthless. Still, the words stung. Had five years as his secretary taught him nothing about who she really was?

She was the one who'd been wronged, yet now she was being painted as some scheming seductress. How laughable.

Slowly rising to her feet, she forced back her tears, her clear eyes meeting his defiantly. "Keep your money. I'll clean up and go buy the pill myself."

She wanted to explain, but where would she even begin? Let him think what he wanted. As long as she could keep this job, that would be a small mercy.

That apartment the Phoebe couple had snatched from her-she'd bought it with a loan shark breathing down her neck. If she lost her job now, she might as well dig her own grave.

Silence stretched between them. Gritting her teeth against the soreness in her body, Cassandra painstakingly gathered her clothes.

Tony lounged lazily in the plush chair, his sharp gaze trailing her. The pale skin still bore marks from his frenzy the night before. The memory of her softness, her intoxicating responsiveness-damn it, he was hard again.

His eyes darkened. Her body fascinated him in ways he couldn't explain. Watching the delicate sway of her slender frame, he fought the urge to take her once more.

He scowled inwardly. What the hell was he thinking? Suppressing the restless heat, his chiseled face remained impassive.

Stained by Love

Dazed for a few seconds, Cassy hurriedly put on her clothes and followed him out.

At this point, there was no time to worry about appearances. From his tone, it seemed he would help cover the surgery fees. Once they left the storage room, Tony instructed her to wait outside the operating room while he walked off alone.

She had barely been standing outside the OR for two minutes when a group of people in white coats approached. The man leading them was someone she recognized-the hospital director.

Five hours later, the surgeon emerged, removing his mask. "The operation was successful. A nurse will brief you on post-op care shortly. However, the patient must avoid any further stress for now."

"Understood. Thank you," she replied, moving forward to see Phoebe Andy-only to be shoved aside by Phoebe Wendy. "What are you doing here? Trying to finish what you started?"

"Brother," Cassy pleaded urgently, "I just want to see Dad."

Her heavily pregnant sister-in-law, Da Silva, gently pulled her aside and whispered, "Linda, go home for now. Your brother's too upset. Come back later."

Seeing no other choice, she relented. "Then please take care of Dad for me." With one last worried glance at Phoebe Andy, she turned and left.

Lost in thought, she kept her head down as she walked-until she collided with someone at the corner. She opened her mouth to apologize, then froze when she looked up. He was still here?

"Not satisfied earlier? Looking for a second round?" Tony narrowed his eyes, his words crude yet delivered with an unsettling elegance.

Cassy wanted to snap back, but she knew arguing with this cold, ruthless man would only humiliate her further. Remembering his earlier help, she forced out a polite response. "Thank you for assisting me. I'll repay the money as soon as possible."

"Assisting you? Don't flatter yourself." His gaze was mocking. "Consider it compensation for one night."

She sucked in a sharp breath. She had always known he had a talent for cutting people down without remorse, but this level of cruelty still stung.

"I'll return the money tomorrow," she said stiffly, stepping around him-only for him to block her path. "Did I say you could leave? Since when do you ignore your superiors?"

Cassy lifted her chin, her clear eyes meeting his without submission. "If I recall correctly, you're no longer my superior. I've already submitted my resignation."

Tony let out a cold snort, looking at her as if she were a fool. "Did I agree to this? Disappearing for a whole day without reason counts as absenteeism. HR will deduct triple your pay for today."

What? Cassandra looked up at him in disbelief. "I embarrassed the company, and you still want me to stay?"

She was more confused than ever. Despite his obvious disdain for her, he refused to let her go.

"I don't mix personal feelings with business," he said coolly. "Your private life disgusts me, but your professional skills justify your salary. I only keep people who can create value for me."

With that, he turned to leave but paused at the door. "If there's no coffee on my desk by eight tomorrow, don't bother coming in." He hesitated, then added, "And don't bother returning that suit either. I don't wear hand-me-downs."

Cassandra had been on the verge of gratitude, but his last remark nearly choked her with rage.

Leaving the hospital, she had nowhere to go. All her belongings were still at home, forcing her to return. As she approached her doorstep, neighbors whispered and pointed. Her fists clenched at her sides, knuckles white with fury. She swore to herself that Seth and that wretched woman would pay for what they'd done.

But before she could even begin her revenge, the despicable pair struck again.

When her older brother and sister-in-law returned from the hospital and showed her the video circulating online, Cassandra felt like vomiting blood. Lydia had gone beyond the public humiliation-she'd fabricated nude photos and even edited a fake video, all just to seize the apartment and car?

Gritting her teeth, Cassandra spat out their names like curses. "Seth! Lydia!"

Phoebe Wendy glared at her, his voice thick with reproach. "What would Dad say if he saw this? How could you stoop so low?"

"Brother, they framed me!" she protested. "Those photos and videos are fake! I dated him for five years, but I've always been careful with my reputation. Don't you know what kind of person I am?"

Her explanation cooled his anger somewhat, though his expression remained stern. "Then what's this about the apartment?"

Chapter 3

Storm After storm

Thanks to Tony, she was once again thrust into the eye of the storm.

She was Cassandra, the woman who had served as the personal secretary to the CEO of Tomzy Corporation for five years-breaking the record of the boss cycling through secretaries every three months.

She would never allow herself to be exploited by that scumbag Seth, nor would she let them take her property. Smoothing out her disheveled clothes, she lifted her chin and fixed Lydia with a piercing glare. "I've met shameless people before, but never anyone as despicable as the two of you. Your ability to twist the truth is truly impressive."

"Seth cheated on me with you while we were dating, then secretly married you behind my back. He tricked me into buying a house and a car, and now you two want to take them for yourselves? You think storming into my workplace and causing a scene will make me back down just because I might lose my job? Well, let me tell you-dream on!"

"I'd rather donate that house and car to charity than let you have them. And if you don't back off now, I won't hesitate to call the police."

Lydia stiffened, rooted to the spot, unsure how to respond. But when she saw Cassandra actually reaching for her phone, panic set in. She lunged forward, smacking the phone out of her hand, and spat, "Listen here-this isn't over! If your company doesn't fire you, I'll be back every single day to make a scene!"

She knew the property was still under Cassandra's name. If the police got involved, they'd be the ones in trouble. With no other choice, she stormed off.

Once she was gone, Cassandra turned and bowed deeply to Tony. "My apologies, sir, for the disturbance. I'll handle this matter myself." Without another word to anyone, she strode upstairs, head held high. She had nothing to hide-let them talk.

Tony watched her retreating figure, an odd flicker of emotion passing through him. Then his gaze swept over the lingering onlookers, his voice icy. "Don't you all have work to do?"

The moment the CEO spoke, the crowd scattered faster than startled rabbits.

Upstairs, Cassandra returned to her office and collapsed to the floor, drained.

In just one night, she had been betrayed, robbed of her property, slept with by her boss-only to be accused of seducing him. The sheer devastation of it all was something she never wanted to relive.

When Tony arrived at her office door later, he found her still crouched on the ground. A mocking smirk curled his lips. Pathetic. She deserves it.

As night fell, layers of darkness draped the sky. Cassandra stood by the window, staring at the stars, her heart heavy with sorrow.

She had no idea how she managed to get through the entire day. The office had long since emptied out, leaving her utterly lost about where to go next.

At this point, she had no choice but to return to her parents' home.

After packing her belongings, she drafted a resignation letter and left it on Tony's desk.

Better to leave on her own terms than to be forced out-clean and simple.

Short on cash, she had no option but to call her best friend, to borrow some money before finally hailing a cab back to her parents' house.

That night, Cassandra slept more soundly than she had in ages. Just being near her parents seemed to dissolve all her sorrows, lifting the dark clouds from her heart.

At dawn, the dazzling sun slowly rose in the east.

Standing in the yard, Cassandra stretched lazily, breathing in the crisp morning air, her spirits lifted. But that fleeting peace was soon shattered.

After breakfast, just as the family was about to head out for a stroll, an unwelcome visitor arrived.

Lydia stormed in, brandishing scandalous photos. Right in front of Cassandra, she flung the pictures-along with a marriage certificate-straight into her father's face, sneering, "Let's see what kind of father raises a homewrecker for a daughter!"

Cassandra stared at the photos now in her hands, her entire body turning ice-cold. In the five years she had been with Seth, they had never been intimate. Where on earth had these photos come from?

The Price of His Name

In less than ten minutes, the Phoebe family's courtyard was swarmed with onlookers from all sides. In this close-knit rural community, relatives and neighbors all lived within shouting distance, and Lydia's outcry had drawn them like moths to a flame.

Cassandra's face flushed with panic and anger. "Shut your mouth!" she snapped, her voice trembling. The crowd was growing by the second, and if she didn't act fast, the situation would spiral out of control.

Lydia smirked, her eyes dripping with disdain. "Oh, so you dare do it but can't own up to it? Let's see how your scumbag father handles this mess today!"

Phoebe Cassy's hands shook violently as he picked up the object she had thrown at him. His weathered face turned a mottled shade of red and gray, veins bulging at his temples. He glared at his daughter, his voice hoarse with fury. "Is this true? Did Seth really get married? Have you been his mistress?"

Cassandra hung her head, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes."

No explanation could undo the damning evidence-the marriage certificate was as solid as steel. "Shut up!" she wanted to scream. She had unwittingly become the other woman, only to be betrayed and slandered by that despicable pair.

Crack!

A sharp slap echoed through the air, leaving Cassandra's cheek swollen and throbbing. Tears streamed down her face as she choked out, "Dad, please listen-it's not what you think!"

"You-you-" Phoebe Andy clutched his chest, his breath hitching. Before he could finish, his legs gave way, and he collapsed.

"Dad!"

Lydia's venomous taunts faded into the background. Cassandra's mind was a blur-only one thought mattered now: He can't die. Not like this.

"The patient is having a heart attack. Emergency surgery-now!" The doctor's urgent words sent a violent shudder through her body.

Desperate, she grabbed the doctor's arm, her voice breaking. "Please... save him. I'm begging you!"

"This is my duty. The surgery will cost around fifty thousand. You need to pay the fee immediately."

Fifty thousand?

The entire Phoebe family froze. A few years ago, they had spent a hefty sum on her brother Phoebe Wendy's wedding, and in recent years, Cassandra's earnings had all gone to supporting Seth. At most, the family could only scrape together twenty thousand now!

Tears welled up in Mrs. Phoebe's eyes. "What are we going to do? Where can we possibly find fifty thousand?"

"This is all your fault!" Phoebe Wendy jabbed a finger at her face, his voice dripping with venom. "If it weren't for your shameless, filthy actions, Dad wouldn't have had a heart attack!"

"Brother, I-" She bit her lip so hard it nearly bled, struggling to speak. "I won't let anything happen to Dad. I'll figure something out. I'll borrow the money."

With that, she turned and bolted.

In her haste, she collided with a solid figure. Muttering a quick apology, she tried to dart past, but a firm grip yanked her back.

"Think you can just run off after bumping into me?" a familiar voice rumbled above her.

Cassandra looked up in confusion, meeting the cold, chiseled face of the man before her. "P-President?"

What was he doing at the hospital? There was no time to dwell on it-she needed to find the money, fast. To save her father, she was even prepared to seek out loan sharks. No matter what, she couldn't let anything happen to Dad.

"I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to."

Tony's deep, misty eyes bore into her before flickering downward. Her white blouse had shifted slightly, revealing a glimpse of red lace beneath. The rapid rise and fall of her chest from her frantic breaths sent a dry heat clawing up his throat.

In one swift motion, he dragged her against him, pinning her to the wall. His voice was rough, laced with something dark and intoxicating. "Trying to seduce me again, are you? Hmm?"

"I didn't!" Cassandra tried to push him away, but his grip was unbreakable.

"Didn't?" Tony's gaze lingered on her tear-filled eyes and soft pink lips, stirring a restless heat within him. His eyes flicked to a nearby storage room, and with one forceful tug, he dragged her inside.

Caught off guard, Cassandra stumbled forward, crashing into him. Before she could steady herself, their lips accidentally met.

The moment their mouths touched, she wished the ground would swallow her whole.

Tony had barely shut the door when she collided into him, her sweet lips pressing against his. The fire in his body roared to life-untamed and urgent. Unable to resist, he flipped her beneath him, tearing at her clothes with rough urgency while stripping off his own pants in haste. Then, without hesitation, he took her.

A searing pain ripped through Cassandra's body. She writhed beneath him, pleading through choked sobs, "Stop... please, don't do this."

"Don't?" Tony growled, his voice rough with desire as he moved relentlessly. "You're the one who kissed me first. Now you're saying no?"

"Please... my father-he needs surgery. I have to get money for him..." Her tears fell freely, her breath hitching between sobs as she lay trapped beneath him.

Abruptly, Tony stilled. Something about her tears struck him, an unfamiliar pang of sympathy tightening in his chest. He pulled away, yanking his pants back on before looking down at her with an unreadable expression. "What happened to your father?"

"H-he had a heart attack... I-"

"How much do you need?" His voice was low, edged with something she couldn't place.

He didn't know why he suddenly wanted to help her, but seeing her so broken made him want to pull her into his arms.

"F-five thousand..." she stammered between shaky breaths.

"Get up." His tone remained icy.

Cassandra scrambled to her feet, hastily adjusting her clothes. Her blouse was missing buttons, leaving her chest exposed no matter how she tried to cover herself.

Without a word, Tony shrugged off his jacket and tossed it at her. "Let's go."

"Where?" She stared at him, bewildered.

"To get your father that surgery," he said flatly, already striding out the door.