The Tycoon's Secret Wife's Escape

CASSIE 3: Tangled Paths

It all started with small things-a constant headache, shortness of breath, feeling unusually weak, and a few nosebleeds I thought were just because of the summer heat. I never imagined these simple problems would lead to a diagnosis that would turn my whole world upside down.

I stayed in the hospital for two more days. At first, the doctor suggested it was probably anemia or stress-related, which made sense considering how non-stop my life had been lately. I didn't even question it.

But then, the doctor recommended a bone marrow biopsy. Two days later, the results came back.

"How are you feeling, Miss Monroe?" a female doctor asked gently.

"I still feel exhausted... and dizzy," I admitted.

She pulled a chair closer to my bedside, a gesture that immediately sent a wave of dread through me. Doctors don't sit down to deliver good news.

"I'm sorry, Miss Monroe..." she said, her voice soft but firm as she revealed the truth.

When I heard the word 'leukemia', my mind went blank. It was like everything around me stopped. A rush of questions filled my head, crashing into each other so fast that I couldn't even make sense of them.

People always thought I lived a perfect, charmed life. I had loving parents with good names, blessed with financial security, and a career most girls could only dream of as a model. Even my fiancé, Asher Reid, was someone born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

Yet here I sat, it became painfully clear-no amount of money or privilege could save me from this.

"Is there still a way for me to survive?" I finally managed to ask.

"Chemotherapy could help, Miss Monroe," she explained gently. "It would target and destroy the cancer cells in your body."

After that conversation, I sat in silence for a long time.

If I chose to go through chemotherapy, I knew what would happen. I would lose my hair. My skin would lose its healthy glow, turning dry and pale. My looks-the very thing my career was built on-would change in ways I could hardly imagine.

That night, the weight of everything finally crashed down on me, and I couldn't stop myself from crying.noveldrama

I was terrified!

My friends, my parents... and Asher.

Would he even love me, take me seriously, if he found out I had leukemia?

CASSIE 3: Tangled Paths

After a while, I wiped my tears away. Crying wasn't going to fix anything. I had to hide this, no matter what.

Why? Because I refused to become defined by my illness; I didn't want the world to stop turning just because I was sick. If these might be my final months, I tried to live them as myself, not as a patient everyone pitied.

The following morning, Asher Reid appeared unexpectedly in my hospital ward. He stood awkwardly, designer sunglasses pushed into his perfectly styled hair, for once without Rebecca shadowing his movements.

"Uhm, I heard from your agent that you were brought here to the hospital," he began, his voice hesitant. "Are you okay?"

I didn't want to talk to him. But if I ignored him, he might call my doctor, and I couldn't risk that. It's another complication I couldn't afford.

"I'm fine. Just fatigue from overwork," I said, raising my eyes to meet his and allowing a hint of accusation to surface. “Asher, I called you three days ago..... Three days! You're only now discovering I'm not at the hotel but hospitalized instead?"

I caught the guilt that flickered in his expression.

"Rebecca said you were probably just tired," he explained. "So, we went around the city the past few days. We shopped, bought stuff... I didn't think it was serious enough for you to end up in the hospital."

I shook my head in disbelief.

"Asher, remember-you made promises to my parents. You told my family you'd look after me even after I left the Monroe mansion, that you'd still take care of me. If I hadn't called an ambulance myself, I could've been dead by now, just waiting for you!"

Frustration tightened between us. He scowled, running a hand through his hair. "Fine! I'm sorry, alright? I lost track of time. And as for Rebecca, she was just a short, meaningless fling! I just thought she was cute, but we ended it right away. That's why I'm here now."

I squeezed my eyes shut, not wanting to argue. Arguing with Asher felt pointless, a waste of energy. Whether my illness gave me years or just months, I refused to spend any of it on someone who treated me like I didn't matter.

I returned to my professional responsibilities in Dubai, maintaining a carefully constructed facade of normalcy.

Asher stayed by my side, just like before, as though Rebecca had never existed. Part of me wanted to appreciate that he was making an effort, but it was too late. The

damage had already been done.

On my last day in Dubai, I video-called my parents in my hotel room.

"I've decided to break off my engagement with Asher,” I announced without preamble.

CASSIE 3: Tangled Paths

They looked at each other, clearly stunned.

"Sweetheart, why?" my mom asked, concern in her voice.

"Mom, Asher isn't someone capable of truly loving me," I explained, the truth flowing easily after being confined so long. "You've witnessed the scandals and problems surrounding him. If I go through with this marriage, I won't have a life of my own."

They exchanged glances, and a knot tightened in my stomach. I could already sense

their hesitation.

My dad cleared his throat, and his usual confidence diminished. "Honey, your happiness has always been our priority. We believe Asher would provide that for you. If ending the engagement is what you need, we support you, but..."

He trailed off, unable to meet my gaze.

"What is it? What's the problem?" I asked; anxiety sharpened my tone. "Sweetheart," my father continued, his face serious, "Evan made a huge mistake with the factory down south. The company is facing millions in lawsuits and fines. We need the Reid family's financial help to get through this." He paused before adding, “If you break off the engagement now, our business partners will find out, and they might pull their support."

The unspoken expectations were clear as my parents exchanged another meaningful look. It hit me hard-I was being quietly pushed back into my expected role, reminded of where I stood in our family's business dealings and social obligations, forcing me to accept my situation with Asher...