Chapter 165
Chapter 165
Third Person’s POV
0:0
Samantha spat out a single word through gritted teeth, “Bitch p>
She had played the long game, calculated every move. In terms of looks, education, or connections, she didn’t think she lacked a single thing compared to Trista.
She honestly couldn’t wrap her head around what Cassian was so hung up on.
41
Finished
That evening, Trista had barely stepped through the door when Cassian pulled up right behind her.
The second the door swung open, his aura flooded the room–a scent of fire and iron that claimed the entire living room. It was a silent declaration of ownership, the kind of heavy quiet that usually precedes a brutal interrogation.
Cassian marched up to Trista, cutting straight to the point. “What happened at the hospital today? Why is Algernon hurt p>
The question wasn’t a concern; it was an indictment. It was the same clinical, accusatory tone he used when they were grilling a suspect.
Trista set her phone down and stood up straight.
Her movements were steady, even restrained.
But the moment she looked up, her eyes were as cold as a scalpel.
For a few beats, they just stared each other down in the middle of the living room.
Trista gave him the facts, start to finish, without blinking. “Attwater did grab him by the collar.. And yes, he did say he’d kill Algernon p>
She paused, locking eyes with Cassian, her voice turning to ice. “I know your heart bleeds for those two. If you want to get even for them, don’t mind me. Go ahead–hit me. Take it out on me if that’ll make them feel better p>
Cassian’s face contorted, the mask of “decency” finally slipping. She had just dragged his ugly truth out into the light. “Trista, I’m just asking a simple question. What the hell is with this attitude p>
Trista’s voice rose, her bottled–up rage finally showing its teeth. “And what the hell is with yours? You walk in and start interrogating me like I’m a criminal p>
1/3
15:59 Sat, Jan 3
Chapter 165
The air in the room solidified.
9:
41
Finished.
Their pheromones began to clash like physical waves, grinding against each other.
A few seconds passed before Cassian spoke again, his voice dropping a notch. “Trista, we’re mates. We’ve grown up together. Have I ever laid a hand on you? Ever p>
Trista let out a sharp, hollow laugh that held zero warmth. “Don’t act like you’ve got amnesia, Cassian. For the sake of the woman you actually love, you snapped Attwater’s wrist. Remember that p>
Cassian’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He looked like he was literally swallowing his own rage.
He didn’t deny it; he just offered a strained, hushed defense. “That… that was an accident p>
Trista’s hands were balled into white–knuckled fists at her sides.
Her scent was suppressed, but a lethal chill still seeped out. “Funny how every ‘accident‘ ends with me and my family being the ones bleeding p>
Cassian’s eyes were a mess of conflicting emotions.
He stared at her. “So that’s it? You’re never going to let this go p>
Trista didn’t flinch. Her voice was flat, final. “I’ll remember it until the day I die p>
They stood there, locked in a silent war for several more seconds.
The lights were dim, but the tension was stretched so thin it felt like a wire about to snap.
Finally, Cassian was the one to break. He looked away and walked out.
When the heavy thud of the door echoed through the house, the strength left Trista’s legs. She collapsed onto the sofa, staring at the ceiling.
Her chest was tight, but she didn’t cry.
She knew exactly why he left in such a hurry.
He was going to play the “good father” and soothe the two who actually mattered to him.
Cassian might be a garbage mate, but he was a damn dedicated father.
He treated Algernon’s every whim like a command from a general. If Samantha’s background were just a little cleaner, they’d be the “perfect family” everyone envied–the bright future of Ironthorn.
213
15:59 Sat, Jan 3
Chapter 165
Trista got up to shower.
She turned off every light in the house and crawled into bed.
He didn’t deserve her insomnia, and he sure as hell didn’t deserve a porch light.
A few minutes later, Cassian was pounding on Fred’s door upstairs.
41
Finished
Fred opened the door, saw Cassian’s storm–cloud expression, and smirked. “What? Did your conscience finally kick in? Come up here to beg for forgiveness p>
Cassian ignored the jab and brushed past him into the apartment.
Fred watched him for a beat, then followed him in, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Alright, spill. What kind of low–life move did you make this time p>
Cassian looked up at him, his voice low and raspy. “Last night… what did she say to you p>
Fred’s expression went cold instantly.
“What, now you’re policing her right to talk to a friend? She’s not allowed to vent anymore p>
Cassian felt a dull ache in his chest. He pinched the bridge of his nose, looking genuinely frazzled. “That’s not what I meant p>
He just wanted to know what was going on in her head.
She was back, but she had built a fortress around herself.
He could hold her body, but he couldn’t find a way into her soul.
Fred stared him down. “Then what did you mean p>
Cassian didn’t answer right away. He grabbed Fred’s glass and downed a massive gulp p>
The burn of the alcohol hit his throat, momentarily masking the suffocating pressure in his chest, but it didn’t solve a thing.
He set the glass down and sat in silence for a long time before finally whispering, “I can’t talk to her. Not anymore. The communication is just… gone p>
He could feel it. The Trista who came back this time wasn’t the Trista he knew.
合
120
3/3
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.