CHAPTER 57: FEELINGS AND PRETENSE

The next morning, I texted Daniel before I could change my mind: I’ll meet with you, but on my terms. I’ll set the location and text you when I get there. Come alone.

His response came within minutes: Of course. Whatever you need.

I spent the morning thinking about where to meet him. Somewhere public that was safe. The thought that this could be a setup hadn’t left my mind, what if this Cassandra using Daniel’s phone to lure me somewhere.

By noon, I’d settled on Riverside Café, a busy restaurant in the middle of town. Lots of witnesses, multiple exits, and far enough from my father’s usual haunts that I wouldn’t accidentally run into him.

I texted Daniel the location and settled in at a corner table where I could see both entrances.

Daniel arrived less than half an hour later, scanning the room until he spotted me. He looked genuinely concerned as he approached, which meant he was really a good actor.

"Layla," he said, sliding into the seat across from me. "Thank you for agreeing to meet."

"What’s so important, Daniel?"

He ran a hand through his hair, looking uncomfortable. "There’s no easy way to say this."

"Then just say it."

"It’s about your mother." He paused, watching my face. "She passed away three days ago."

I stared at him for a moment, my heart racing even though I already knew. I couldn’t risk them knowing I’d been there that evening, so I forced my face into what I hoped looked like shock.

"What?"

"I’m so sorry, Layla. I know how much she meant to you."

"She’s... she’s dead?" I let my voice crack slightly.

"Yes. Her condition deteriorated suddenly. The doctors said it was peaceful."

That was a lie, but I nodded anyway. "When did this happen?"

"Three days ago. Your father and Cassandra are trying to keep it quiet until after the funeral arrangements are made."

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked, letting some genuine anger creep into my voice. "You know Cassandra wouldn’t want you to."

Daniel leaned forward, reaching for my hand. "Because despite everything, you deserved to know. You loved your mother."

I didn’t pull my hand away. "But why you? Why not my father or Cassandra?"

"Because..." He hesitated, then looked directly into my eyes. "Because I care about you, Layla. I’ve never stopped caring about you."

Here we go again. But this time, I didn’t shut him down.

"Daniel..."

"I know you’re married. I know the situation is complicated. But seeing you hurt like this..." He squeezed my hand. "I can’t just stand by and do nothing."

I let fake tears form in my eyes. "I feel so alone."

"You’re not alone. You have me."

"But you’re with Cassandra. You’re having a baby together."

"That’s... that’s complicated too." He glanced around the restaurant, then leaned closer. "What Cassandra and I have isn’t real, Layla. It never was. She got pregnant, and I did the right thing, but my heart was never in it."

"Then why stay with her?"

"Because I thought you’d moved on. I thought you were happy with Axel."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Happy? Daniel, Axel is not the man I thought I married. He’s cold and distant. He keeps secrets from me."

Daniel’s eyes lit up with something I didn’t like. "He doesn’t deserve you."

"Maybe not. But I’m stuck with him."

"You don’t have to be stuck with anyone." He moved his chair closer to mine. "After the baby is born, I’m leaving Cassandra. I’ll leave her, and we can be together. The way we should have been from the beginning."

I looked at him, this man who claimed to love me while potentially helping poison my mother, and smiled sadly. "Do you really mean that?"

"I mean it more than anything I’ve ever said."

"What about the baby?"

"I’ll do right by the child. But Cassandra and I, we’re not meant to be together. You and I are."

I leaned into his touch as he brushed a tear from my cheek. If Daniel was so willing to betray my sister for me, then I could use that. When the time was right, I’d crush him just like he’d helped crush my mother.

"I need time to think," I said quietly.

"Of course. But Layla, promise me you’ll keep in touch. Promise me you’ll let me know if you need anything."

"I will."

"And promise me you’ll be careful. Your family, there are things you don’t understand about them."

"What kind of things?"

"I can’t say too much. But your father isn’t the man people think he is."

"I’m starting to figure that out."

"Just be careful. And stay away from the house for a while."

"Why?"

"Because Cassandra is furious about your mother’s death. She’s blaming everyone: the doctors, the nurses, even you for not visiting more."

I almost laughed at the irony. "She’s blaming me?"

"She’s not thinking clearly. The pregnancy hormones, and the stress, she’s just not herself."

Or maybe she was exactly herself. "I should go."

"Of course. But Layla?" He caught my hand again. "This isn’t over between us. It can’t be."

Daniel left first and I waited a few minutes, then gathered my things and headed for the door.

I was almost outside when I collided with a man carrying a cup of coffee. The hot liquid splashed everywhere, soaking his white shirt.

"I’m so sorry," I muttered, trying to step around him.

"Sorry?" He grabbed my arm in anger. "Look what you’ve done!"

"It was an accident. I said I was sorry."

"An accident? You weren’t even watching where you were going!"

I looked up at him properly for the first time. He was tall and well-dressed, with dark hair and an expression that screamed entitlement.

"Let go of me."

"This shirt costs more than most people make in a week," he continued, ignoring my request. "And now it’s ruined."

"I’ll pay for the dry cleaning."

"Damn right you will." He pulled out his phone. "Give me your number."

"Excuse me?"

"Your number. So I can send you the bill."

I stared at him in disbelief. "You’re joking."

"Do I look like I’m joking?"

Against my better judgment, I rattled off my number just to get away from him. He typed it into his phone with exaggerated precision.

"You’ll hear from me," he said, finally releasing my arm.

I walked away without another word, completely hating his guts. What kind of person made such a big deal over spilled coffee?

When I got home, I found Axel waiting in the living room. Erica was with him, and neither of them looked happy.

"Layla!" Erica jumped up when she saw me.

I don’t know, but seeing her together with Axel made me annoyed.

"Where have you been? We’ve been worried sick." Erica asked.

"I had to take care of something."

"We’ve been worried about you all week," she continued. "You haven’t been answering your door, and Axel said you’ve barely been eating."

I looked at her perfectly concerned expression and felt a wave of exhaustion. "Erica, I appreciate your concern, but I’d really like to be alone right now."

"But we need to talk. You can’t just shut everyone out."

"Actually, I can. It’s my house."

Erica looked hurt, but she nodded. "I was just worried about you, Layla."

"I know. But please, just give me some space."

She hesitated, glancing at Axel, but didn’t resist when he nodded toward the door. After she left, Axel turned to me with an expression I couldn’t read.

"What happened at your meeting?"

"I’ll tell you about it later. I just want to rest."

"Later? Layla, you’ve been saying ’later’ for days." His tone was sharper than I’d heard in days, and it caught me off guard. "Why can’t you just let me in for once?" he continued. "I’m trying to help you, but you won’t let me."

I stared at him, feeling something cold settle in my chest. "You don’t have to pretend to care when we’re alone, Axel."

"Pretend? You think I’m pretending?"

"Aren’t you? We both know this marriage isn’t real."

He looked like I’d slapped him. "Layla..."

"I’m going to my room."

I walked past him and up the stairs, leaving him standing there. Once in my room, I locked the door and pulled out the documents I’d hidden under my mattress.

It was time to see if my mother’s story was true.