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Novel Catalog
Chapter 3: The Woman in the Passenger Seat
Under Kaitlin’s stunned gaze, Ainsley walked out of the Baldry household, her luggage in tow, without so much as a glance back.
As soon as she reached the door, Lainey’s familiar voice called out to her. Ainsley turned to see her friend hanging out of the window, blowing her a kiss.
“Baby, get in the car. I’ll take you somewhere fun,” Lainey said with a teasing smile.
Though Lainey promised to show Ainsley a good time, she knew her friend was likely in no mood for it. After all, Ainsley had just divorced Cason. Instead of heading to a nightclub or a party, Lainey took her to a music-themed restaurant. It was quieter, more laid-back—just what Ainsley needed to collect her thoughts.
As they sat down, Lainey couldn’t hold her tongue any longer. “So, it’s Kaliyah again. What does Cason see in her? This whole situation is just ridiculous.”
Ainsley stirred her coffee slowly, her expression unreadable. “I don’t know…” she replied, her voice distant.
She didn’t know Kaliyah personally. Cason had been with her long before Ainsley entered the picture. Kaliyah was Cason’s first love. When they had met, Ainsley had only heard of her in passing—how gentle, beautiful, and understanding Kaliyah was. She had been the one who tried to patch things up when Cason and his grandfather had clashed. Eventually, Ainsley had agreed to marry Cason, thinking she could build a life with him.
Lainey didn’t push further on the topic, sensing that Ainsley wasn’t ready to talk about Kaliyah. Instead, she shifted gears. “Well, Cason’s at least generous. He gave you houses, cars, and 12 million dollars. But those aren’t really what you need, are they?”
Ainsley’s eyes glazed over for a moment. She had never been interested in luxury—certainly not in the way the Baldry family saw it. When her father passed away, Ainsley had handed over the reins of their family business to her cousin, Matteo Easton. She was content to live off the bonuses and had little interest in the world of high finance.
“Money’s never a problem,” Ainsley replied absently. “I guess it’s just… I don’t know.”
Lainey could sense the lack of enthusiasm in her voice. She wasn’t surprised—after all, Ainsley had just been thrown out of a marriage where she’d given everything but received nothing in return. “Well, that’s true,” Lainey said, trying to lighten the mood. “Aisy, you should spend that money on some new clothes. New bags, maybe? You should leave the Baldry family in style.”
Ainsley couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Style,” she mused. “I don’t even know who I am anymore.”
Lainey smiled sympathetically and took Ainsley’s hand, her expression softening. “It’s okay. You’ll figure it out. But right now, let’s go shopping. A few days from now, I’m taking you to Riverside Mountain to hunt. You’ll love it.”
Ainsley’s eyebrows lifted. “Hunt?”
Lainey’s eyes sparkled. “Oh, you didn’t know? Manuel’s going to be there.”
Ainsley’s curiosity piqued. Manuel Gage was a well-known name, a real estate tycoon with a reputation for being mysterious and elusive. It wasn’t like him to participate in group activities, especially something like hunting.
But the thought faded quickly. It wasn’t something she felt the need to dwell on. She’d been through too much to worry about some wealthy businessman’s plans.
After the meal, Lainey insisted on taking Ainsley shopping, but Ainsley wasn’t in the mood. Instead, she swiped her card and had all the items Lainey had picked out sent to her friend’s house.
As Ainsley was about to leave, Lainey’s voice stopped her. “By the way, Aisy… Professor Wade hasn’t been doing well. I meant to tell you sooner, but with everything going on, I forgot. You should visit him when you have a chance.”
Ainsley nodded, remembering Professor Wade fondly. He had been one of the few people who had guided her during her university years. He had been instrumental in her studies of psychology. She promised herself she would visit him soon.
When she returned to her small apartment, a place she had moved into after leaving the Baldry household, she wasn’t prepared for what she saw. As soon as she stepped into the parking lot, her eyes landed on Cason, leaning against his car, waiting for her.
Beside him, in the passenger seat, was a woman—graceful, delicate, and everything Ainsley had come to expect from the type of woman Cason liked.
Ainsley’s heart clenched slightly, but she quickly masked it. She couldn’t let herself react.
The woman in the car stepped out, holding Cason’s hand, and walked toward Ainsley. She smiled gently, almost too kindly, and extended her hand. “Hello, Ainsley. I’m Kaliyah Packer.”
Ainsley paused, not extending her hand in return. Her gaze was calm, but there was a flicker of something darker in her eyes.
Kaliyah’s smile faltered slightly.
Cason, noticing the tension, stepped forward and spoke softly. “Grandfather knows about us, and he asked if you could join us for dinner tonight. Your phone was off, so I came to pick you up.”
Ainsley glanced at her phone, which, as expected, was turned off. She nodded but didn’t make any move to join them. “I need to charge my phone. I’ll be there in a while.”
Cason frowned slightly, his voice laced with concern. “I can wait for you.”
“No need. I can go by myself,” Ainsley interrupted with a polite smile.
There was a long pause, and Cason said nothing. Ainsley glanced at Kaliyah, her voice steady as she spoke directly to her. “Tomorrow at nine in the morning. If it’s convenient, let’s go get the divorce certificate.”
Cason’s chest tightened. He didn’t know why, but something about Ainsley’s calm demeanor unsettled him. He felt a twinge of unease, as if things were slipping through his fingers faster than he could control.
Ainsley turned and walked toward her apartment, leaving Cason and Kaliyah standing in the parking lot.
