The Tycoon's Secret Wife's Escape

CASSIE 2: Torn Heart

Asher and I crossed paths through our families' business partnership when I was still in high school. From the moment I saw him, I was captivated.

His features were impossibly perfect: a strong jawline, high cheekbones, and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see straight through me. There was a casual confidence in how he moved, as if the world bent to his presence, yet the warmth in his smile made my heart stumble. He looked like trouble wrapped in sunshine.

He was my brother Evan's friend, which complicated things from the beginning.noveldrama

In the beginning, through high school and college, everything felt perfect. Asher treated me like royalty, always caring and loving in ways that made me feel special.

But that all changed once he started working in the family business and met new people in the industry. The business transformed Asher, and in turn, he began to transform me.

I tried repeatedly to protect myself from the pain he inflicted, but Asher had a unique hold over me, like poison flowing through my veins, living in my blood.

Life without the toxicity that had become so familiar seemed unimaginable.

I packed all my belongings into two suitcases. The shocking part wasn't leaving-it was realizing how little I had in the villa we shared.

Funny, isn't it? This only proves how many times I had considered leaving before. Over time, I'd accumulated much in the villa where Asher and I shared.

Each time I'd attempted to leave before, I had removed something, never replacing it upon my return. A subconscious way of preparing for a departure I wasn't ready to make permanent yet.

I never wanted to keep going back, but I loved him too much. My family's expectations and business connections added pressure I couldn't easily dismiss.

Then, I received a text from my agent: "I know you just got home and need rest, but we need you in Dubai for a new project."

I agreed right away. Work had become my only real escape from Asher's hold, the

only reason that neither he nor my family could easily dismiss.

I left no trace as if I had never lived in the villa with him. I left my ring on the bedside table and took a taxi to the hotel.

There, I decided to stay until my flight to Dubai. I turned off my phone, ignoring all the calls from everyone.

***

The Dubai sun beat down mercilessly as I posed against the golden dunes. Despite the scorching heat, I maintained my composure for the makeup brand that had hired

CASSIE 2: Torn Heart

1. me. My body protested-dizziness washing over me in waves, fatigue weighing down my limbs. I summoned my reserves of strength and continued the photoshoot with a practiced smile.

The crew appreciated my attitude, complimenting my unwavering professionalism. They even posted on their platform, showcasing the 'model with no complaints.'

Then, amid the shimmer of heat rising from the sand, I saw Asher with the woman

I had seen at our villa. My heart tightened, but I forced myself to mask my emotions, keeping them hidden from the camera until the director finally called, "That's a wrap!"

Just then, my bodyguard approached. "Miss, Mr. Reid wants to talk to you."

Of course. As usual, I had no choice but to follow. Refusing would only create a scene, something my carefully constructed public image couldn't afford. Asher and I knew that he used it against me whenever possible.

I followed my bodyguard to a small tent the crew had erected as a temporary shelter from the desert heat. Inside, Asher stood with his woman.

"What is it?" I asked.

With a slight nod from Asher, the woman stepped forward, tears filling her eyes. She immediately started her rehearsed apology.

"Miss Monroe, I'm really sorry for my behavior the last time. I shouldn't have gone to your villa. It was all my fault. Please, don't be angry with Mr. Reid," she said, trembling.

I raised an eyebrow. "You brought her all the way to Dubai just to apologize to me? And what about you, Asher?"

The woman shook her head. "No, Miss Monroe. It's not Mr. Reid's fault. It's all on me. You should be angry with me, not him."

I couldn't hold back anymore. "Shut the fuck up!" I snarled through clenched teeth The woman recoiled at my outburst, and Asher's frown deepened.

"What more do you want, Cassie?" he demanded, his tone suggesting I was being unreasonable. "I brought her here to apologize. I know I messed up. I didn't think you'd come back to the villa that day. You weren't supposed to see her."

I clenched my fist so tightly. His regret wasn't for his betrayal but merely for being caught.

I was actually angry. Sometimes, I wondered if there was an invisible sign on my forehead that read 'moron' or 'fool.'

"You've already stated your intentions. Do you need anything else?" I asked, doing my best to keep my composure.

"Yes, I've promised to give the lipstick line of this product to Rebecca." He gestured toward the woman beside him. “I told her I'd secure the project for her if she accompanied me here to provide this... explanation."

CASSIE 2: Torn Heart

That wasn't really an explanation, but I chose not to argue. I was exhausted and didn't want to further drain my patience with Asher's pointless conversation.

Shortly after our conversation, the makeup brand's owner and advertising team arrived on set. I discovered that Asher had promised a million-dollar investment for the product in exchange for including Rebecca Summers in the makeup line alongside

1. me.

To avoid looking unstable in front of potential business partners, I kept my emotions in check and maintained a calm exterior. I focused on finishing my work, counting the minutes until I could finally escape Asher.

As night fell, my chest tightened, and it felt like I couldn't breathe.

My instinct led me to call Asher. For years, he had been my constant companion, always anticipating my needs before I could say anything. He treated every minor discomfort of mine like a crisis, dropping everything to ensure I was okay.

I temporarily forgot that the Asher I knew was long gone, replaced by someone I could hardly recognize.

"Hello..." he answered after several rings.

"Asher, can you bring me to the hospital?" I asked. Aside from my agent, he was the one I thought would help me.

I could hear the loud music in the background and Rebecca's laugh, which I immediately recognized.

"What are you feeling?" Annoyance colored every syllable of his response.

"I feel exhausted... my head ached..." I lacked the strength for elaboration. Rebecca's voice filtered through the connection. "I felt the same way earlier, Mr. Reid. Miss Monroe was exposed to the sun all day. Just tell her to rest. It'll be fine tomorrow." "We're at a party," Asher stated flatly. "Stop being dramatic, alright? Just rest at the hotel." Then, in a lower voice, I heard him mutter, "Geez! She's always like this! So. annoying!"

I instead called my bodyguard, who was staying in the room next to mine. My last

had never thought before everything went dark was that the man I had loved for years. truly existed.