Chapter 4

It was late when I returned to the mansion.

Liam was curled up on the living room sofa, asleep, still clutching the marriage certificate tightly.

Seeing this, something in my chest softened.

I walked over quietly, intending to help him to the bedroom.

But Liam woke up with a start, his hazy eyes brightening the moment he recognized me.

"You… you're back."

"Yeah." I bent down and smiled.

"If I come home late from now on, you don't have to wait up for me. Go to bed when you're tired."

After settling Liam, I returned to my study.

Just then, my phone screen lit up.

It was a message from Damian.

[Cassidy, come back and apologize to me now, and I might consider forgiving you.]

[If you want to be mad and fight with me, fine. But you can't marry that idiot to spite me!]

I stared at the screen, my mind perfectly calm. The words that once could easily sway my emotions now just seemed annoying.

I didn't reply. I simply blocked Damian's number.

The world instantly felt clearer.

Early the next morning, I took Liam out. For years, he hadn't even had his own phone. I figured it would be easier to find him if anything happened.

While setting up his new phone plan, I casually saved his number in my contacts. When it came to entering his name, I paused, then deliberately typed two words:

"My Husband."

Just as we were about to leave, we ran into Damian and Serena right at the mall entrance.

Damian's gaze was like a knife, cutting through our clasped hands before finally settling on my face. He was a mix of anger and disbelief.

"Cassidy, are you seriously still playing house? Dragging that… thatthing around town, aren't you afraid of embarrassing the Montgomery family?"

Serena chimed in, her tone dismissive.

"Cassidy, that's enough. Damian's anger has passed. Just apologize, and this whole thing can be over."

"Excuse me. We need to go. I'm taking my husband to pick out a wedding dress."

I cut them off directly, my voice devoid of emotion.

Hearing me address Liam so intimately, Damian completely exploded.

"Cassidy! Have you forgotten how you begged me to be with you? Forgotten how you said you'd only love me your whole life?!"

"How long are you going to keep up this charade with that idiot? Are you seriously not going to marry me?!"

I stared back at him, then calmly replied,

"That's right, Damian. I don't want you anymore."

As his face drained of color, I shielded Liam and walked past him.