Chapter 230
Chapter 230
D
(79)
+5 Pearls
Trista’s POV
I looked at the box Cassian was holding out, but I couldn’t even be bothered to lift a finger.
I just let him set it on the hallway console, not even glancing at the fancy gift wrapping.
Cassian’s eyes lingered on the ignored box for a second, and his brow furrowed into a tight knot.
“Not gonna open it?” he asked, his voice dropping an octave in a clear sign of annoyance.
I looked up and flashed him my best professional fake smile. “No need,” I said airily. “It’s a gift from you. How could I possibly not love it p>
I watched his face go dark instantly. A flash of something cold and predatory flickered in his eyes, but I didn’t give him the satisfaction of a reaction.
I just went back to straightening my uniform, getting ready to head out.
Out of old habit–a carryover from those restrictive clauses in our old contract–I walked up to him, intending to tip up onto my toes and leave a “dutiful” kiss on his cheek.
But the second my heels left the floor, reality hit me. That mountain of paperwork had been fed to the shredder last night. I didn’t have to play the part of the devoted mate anymore just to keep his temper in check.
I pulled back right in front of him, turned on my heel, and walked out the door without looking back.
I could feel his gaze burning a hole in my back.
He probably wasn’t used to it yet–the fact that the mate he used to keep under his thumb through rank and threats wasn’t even willing to put on a show anymore.
Noon, at the healing center, I was just walking out of the clinic with a few colleagues when I spotted Samantha standing at the end of the hall.
She looked a little fidgety, and as soon as she saw me, she picked up her pace to intercept me.
I waved my coworkers toward the cafeteria and stopped.
Samantha handed me a manila envelope. It was the deed to the upstairs apartment.
“Luna Trista, I can’t accept this place,” she said, her eyes downcast.
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Chapter 230
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She was doing that whole “wounded–but–noble” routine again. “Whenever you have time, I’ll go with you to get the name changed back p>
I didn’t reach for it. I just gave her a long, clinical look. “Samantha, being practical would do you and your kid a lot more good than being proud p>
Her
eyes shifted for a split second, but she stubbornly shoved the envelope into my hands, her voice rising. “I want a stable home for my son, but I’m going to pay rent. Every month, I’ll transfer the market rate to your account p>
Since she was so insistent, I didn’t push back.
If she wanted to play the “independent woman” card so badly, I wasn’t going to stop her.
“You’re perfectly fine living in a house Cassian bought, but now you want to talk independence with me?” I gave a self–deprecating laugh. “Let’s be real–you just don’t trust me p>
That clearly hit a nerve. Her whole demeanor shifted, and she became suddenly animated. “It’s not the same! In this relationship, all you see are assets and pack interests. But Cassian and I? We have soul–resonance. We have a child. You can’t put a price tag on that p>
She took a deep breath, doubling down on her martyr act. “I know our being here hurts your pride, but you have to realize that a forced bond is meaningless. Since you two haven’t officially split yet, I consider this joint property–and I’m not touching another dime of your money p>
Watching her grandstand like that was almost surreal.
When it came to playing games and craftily building a “persona,” I was definitely outclassed.
But when it came to real–world survival? She was being an idiot.
She–wolves with her looks are a dime a dozen in LA. If she really thought she could secure the Luna seat with just a little “purity,” she was dreaming.
Even if Cassian was temporarily blinded by her “softness,” burning her safety net for the sake of appearances was a rookie move.
I weighed the heavy envelope in my hand. “Fine. Since it’s burning a hole in your pocket, let’s do this. I haven’t eaten yet–let’s go grab a seat somewhere p>
Samantha blinked, surprised, then quickly agreed.
Just as we were about to leave, a black Bentley let out a low, guttural roar as it pulled up right in front of the Center.
We both stopped dead.
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Chapter 230
79
+5 Pearls
Cassian’s tall, imposing frame stepped out of the car, radiating that aggressive Alpha energy that made the very air feel thin and hard to breathe.
Samantha and I shared a quick, panicked look. My palms started to sweat.
He was supposed to be across town at headquarters–why the hell was he here?
Samantha instinctively shrank back a half–step, rushing to explain herself before he could even open his mouth. “Cassian, don’t get the wrong idea… I’m just here to give the apartment back to
Trista p>
Cassian’s gaze was unreadable. He gave the envelope a cold, dismissive glance and offered a
curt nod.
He walked straight past Samantha, his voice dropping to a low rumble. “Are you two done p>
I fought through the suffocating pressure of his presence and looked at Samantha. “I was just about to take Samantha out for a quick lunch p>
Cassian’s face was a thundercloud, his wolf–like eyes flashing with irritation. “Get in the car. We have an emergency p>
I dropped my gaze immediately, my heart hammering against my ribs.
Isaiah promised me he’d wiped every trace of the hack, but seeing Cassian show up like this… I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d sniffed out what I did to his computer.
To distract him, I threw Samantha a subtle “help me” look.
Samantha hesitated for a few seconds, then finally sucked it up and found the nerve to speak to him. “Cassian… am I not even allowed to have lunch with Luna Trista anymore p>
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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.