Nick walks into the kitchen while we’re placing the leftovers in the fridge, asking, “Have you seen Cassandra?” Everyone shakes their heads. “The pilot just called. He wants to fly out before the storm arrives. Says he doesn’t want to wait until morning, so if we’re going with him, we have to leave tonight.”
My heart plummets. “Tonight?” I confirm, knowing Kaden is meant to go with them.
Nick looks at me apologetically and nods. I leave the kitchen and go out into the yard in search of Kaden. There’s no one out here, so I continue down toward his cottage, noticing a window on the first floor emitting a glow of light.
That’s when it occurs to me that I haven’t seen Maggie in a while either. I chase away the suspicious thoughts before they can form. They would never …
I quietly enter the cottage and pause, hoping to hear only silence. But I don’t. There’s a squeak of springs and the low murmur of a voice. Closing my eyes, I release a shaky breath before walking toward the bedroom.
I hear a soft moan and freeze. My heart seizes.
“Yes,” the indistinguishable female voice utters in pleasure.
Please no, I beg silently.
My feet involuntarily find their way to the door. It’s open a crack, just enough to see the movement inside. I squeeze my eyes shut, knowing I will never be able to take this moment back. But I choose to know.
I peer in through the slit. The oval mirror reflects the female’s arched back, her spine curving over the top of the man beneath. I cover my mouth to keep the cry from escaping.
When she rises up, she flips her long golden locks over her back. My eyes widen.
Cassandra.
Leaning in closer, I realize the guy is staring into the mirror … his penetrating dark eyes connecting directly with mine.
“Oh, yes,” she exclaims louder. “Oh, Damon … I love you.” Her voice is breathy, and her words are filled with emotion.
Damon’s eyes haven’t wavered, not letting me go. My face heats with embarrassment. His mouth curves into an arrogant smirk, like he’s proving a point, just as he winks at me.
Everything I ever believed to be true was slipping through my fingers like sand. Love had been desecrated before my eyes. My friend had thrown herself into the arms of an unfaithful man without conscience. The weight of obligation was forcing a man to remain with a poisonous woman. And what I was so confident in—my love for Kaden—was being threatened by barbed words and a forked tongue. I was emotionally decimated—scared that love was a farce. That I’d been trapped in an illusion of my own making, and when Kaden stepped off that island, it would be the end of our story.
I rush out of the cottage and race across the lawn, determined to put distance between me and what I just witnessed. My heart is beating so fast, I feel light-headed. I’m forced to sit on a chair on the patio, for fear of passing out.
What if Cassandra isn’t carrying Nick’s baby? Maybe it’s Damon’s. And Nick is planning to marry that woman and raise some other man’s baby, thinking it’s his. I shake my head, my stomach churning.
“Faye, are you alright?”
I turn my head to find Julia standing by the slider, watching me curiously. Her eyes narrow when she takes in my frazzled state. She glances toward the dark pool house.
I scramble for an explanation. “Uh, I’m just upset Kaden has to leave tonight. Have you seen him?”
“Yes, he and Maggie are looking for you. They said they had something important to tell you,” she says. “I’ll let them know you’re out here.”
My breaths come out in short bursts. Each inhale harder to take in. I grip the edge of the table, my lungs closing. It feels like I’m drowning.
“Faye?” Olivia calls out in alarm.
Black spots flood my vision. Cool hands rest on mine.
“Try to relax, love. Nice, easy breaths,” Olivia’s soothing voice sings. “Focus on my words. Breathe in through your nose. Out through your mouth. Nice and slow.”
I find my way back to her. My surroundings coming into focus. Everyone is gathered around me, their faces mirrors of concern.
Kaden is crouched by my side, his face distraught. Maggie is behind Olivia, just as worried. Nick and Niall hover by the door, giving me space, while Julia … has disappeared.
I search Kaden’s eyes, seeking the slightest reassurance that he’s not about to break my heart.
He sets a warm hand on my cheek, caressing it gently with his thumb. “How are you feeling?”
“Okay,” I whisper, suddenly very aware of all the eyes on me.
“Can you tell us what happened?” Olivia asks calmly.
“I don’t know.” I try to explain, “It felt like I couldn’t breathe. I thought I was suffocating or something.”
“I think you were having a panic attack,” Olivia says. “Were you upset?”
I burst into tears and throw my arms around Kaden’s neck. He stumbles, catching me in his arms.
“It’s okay. I’m here,” he coos reassurances, rocking me against him. “I’m here.”
Everyone retreats into the house, giving us time alone.
“I’m so afraid of losing you,” I stutter in my hysteria. “I can’t lose you, Kaden. I will die.”
“You’re not losing me,” he vows passionately. “Not ever. I promise. You’re my entire world, Faye. From the blades of grass to the stars in the sky. They all belong to you.”
I slowly raise my head to take him in. His face is crumpled with unease.
“Please don’t cry,” he begs. “My heart can’t handle it. Not when I know I have to leave you tonight.” He pauses. “Maybe I can leave tomorrow. I’ll figure out another way.”
I swallow back the tightness in my throat and wipe away the tears. “No, your mother will never forgive you if you miss lunch with her. You’re flying back to London tomorrow night. I don’t want her hating me.”
“She is difficult to win over.” He offers a small, teasing smile. “But you’re more important.”
“I’m sorry,” I say weakly. “I’m being so emotional. I feel ridiculous, causing a scene like that.”
“You’re passionate. It’s one of the many things I love about you.” Kaden brushes his lips gently against mine. “Are you feeling any better?”
I nod. Kaden looks toward the slider where Maggie waits inside, holding a package wrapped in colorful paper. She opens the door and steps out.
“You totally freaked me out,” she says, sitting in the chair across from where Kaden is cradling me in his lap. “Please tell me you’re not dying or anything.”
I let out a broken laugh. “Not dying.”
“Good. Because we got you something … to remember us by. Well, mostly me since you’ll be seeing this guy soon enough.” She sets the gift in front of me. I look between them, questioning. “Hurry up and open it!”
I tear the paper and find an intricately carved box with a scene reminiscent of a fairytale etched on the lid. A girl is placing flowers into her basket while a fox hides in waiting within the branches of an apple tree.