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Novel Catalog
Chapter 11: Cason Wouldn’t Have Married Ainsley
Roman had been working as Manuel’s private chef for several years, but he was rarely seen by the others, especially Cason and his group. So, when he greeted Ainsley and Lainey so casually, it was clear that they were familiar with one another. Roman shot a quick glance at the others before smiling brightly. “It’s a windy, cold day. Why don’t I drive you two back?”
Lainey’s eyes lit up immediately. She considered anyone who was against Cason and Kaliyah as a potential ally. The opportunity to get back at them while gaining a ride was too good to pass up. “Thank you!” she chimed in sweetly.
Ainsley smiled at Lainey’s reaction but couldn’t shake the feeling that Roman’s gesture might have been orchestrated by Manuel. It was clear he wasn’t that thoughtful on his own.
She followed Lainey into the car, her thoughts distracted by Manuel’s earlier request. As they drove away, she couldn’t help but look at the mansion, hidden in the shadows of the trees. The conversation with Manuel lingered in her mind.
“Ms. Easton,” Roman said, breaking the silence. “I heard from Professor Wade that you’re quite accomplished in psychological studies. Would you mind doing me a favor and treating a patient?”
Ainsley immediately felt a wave of hesitation. If she hadn’t married Cason, perhaps she could have continued pursuing her dream of becoming a psychologist. But now, after all that had happened, she wasn’t sure she was ready to dive back into that world.
“Sorry, I’m afraid I can’t help you. You should ask someone else,” she said, her voice steady but firm.
Manuel’s gentle smile softened the impact of her refusal. The sunset cast a warm glow over him, making him seem almost serene. He didn’t seem angry at all, only a bit contemplative. “Ms. Easton, take your time. You can think about it.”
The drive continued in silence, and once they were on their way back, Ainsley couldn’t help but notice how cold Cason’s expression had become when she left with Roman. The shift in him confused her, and the tension she felt was undeniable.
Once Cason got into the car, his mood remained grim, and the atmosphere felt thick with unspoken words. Kaliyah, ever the attentive presence beside him, leaned in slightly. Her delicate fragrance seemed to break through the tension in the air, and she asked sweetly, “Cason, my parents are coming tomorrow to discuss our wedding. Do you have time?”
Cason snapped out of his thoughts, his gaze momentarily lost. For the past three years, he had been waiting for this moment, yet now that it was upon him, a strange sense of peace washed over him.
“Cason?” Kaliyah’s soft voice broke his trance.
Finally, Cason squeezed her hand gently. “Yes, I’ll find time to be with them in the coming days,” he replied, his voice calm but distant.
Kaliyah smiled warmly, her eyes filled with excitement. “My parents want to stay here for a while, until our wedding is over. I remember the mansion is empty—why don’t we let them live there temporarily?”
Cason nodded, his face devoid of any strong emotion. “Okay.”
Although the Packer family was well-off, their wealth didn’t compare to the Gage family’s. Kaliyah’s parents had sold their homes when she went abroad, and now that they were back, Cason didn’t want to put them up in a hotel. So, he called his assistant to make arrangements for their stay. Throughout this, he never once thought to consult Ainsley on the matter, as if she had no say in the decisions anymore.
The next day, Ainsley met with Cody, a trusted friend who had once been her mentor in psychology. He comforted her when she mentioned Manuel’s request.
“When Manuel asked me to recommend someone, you were the first person I thought of,” Cody said, offering her reassurance. “Aisy, even though three years have passed, I don’t want you to give up on your dream. You’re still the best candidate among all my students.”
Ainsley fell silent, her thoughts torn. “But I haven’t practiced psychology for three years. It wouldn’t be responsible to treat a patient like this.”
Cody didn’t push her, understanding how much courage it would take for her to shift from a stay-at-home wife to pursuing her career again. Instead, he gently offered another option. “How about this? The University of Washington’s psychological counselor was recently dismissed. I’ve recommended you for the position. Why not give it a try? That young girl from the Gage family is there as well. Perhaps you can keep an eye on her situation.”
Ainsley was surprised by his thoughtfulness. Warmth spread in her chest as she realized how much he cared for her. She couldn’t refuse him. “Alright, I’ll give it a try.”
Because of Cody’s recommendation, Ainsley was quickly hired by the university with minimal hassle. However, there was a catch—her new apartment was far from the university, so she needed to move. Of all the properties under her name, the mansion was the closest to the school. After some consideration, she decided to move in.
As she arrived at the mansion, hoping to settle in peacefully, she was met with a sight that caused her stomach to churn. In the courtyard, Kaliyah was chatting animatedly with her parents and Lindsay. Lindsay, with her bright smile, was holding Kaliyah’s hand. “I like Kaliyah a lot. I think she’s much better than Ainsley. If she marries into our family, we’ll definitely treat her well.”
Kaliyah’s parents seemed equally pleased. “Kaliyah is lucky to marry Cason. If not for the misunderstandings back then, they would have been together. Cason wouldn’t have married Ainsley.”
The words hit Ainsley like a slap to the face. She stood there for a moment, watching the happy family, her heart growing colder by the second. There was a sharp flash of bitterness in her eyes as she turned away, unwilling to let them see the pain that their words caused.
