Cassie’s POV
"So, Cassie... what’s it going to be?"
They were looking at me like they already knew. Like the truth was written across my face in permanent marker—fraud, liar, imposter. Damien’s gaze was steady, almost gentle, which somehow made it worse.
My throat closed up.
"Excuse me," I managed, and I was already bolting out of the office before either of them could stop me.
Why did I run? The second the door shut behind me I wanted to kick myself. Running only made everything look guiltier. I could feel their eyes on my back even after I turned the corner.
The bathroom was empty. Thank God. I shoved open a stall door, locked it, and pressed my forehead against the cold metal. My hands were shaking. I could hear my own breathing, too loud in the quiet. What the hell was I doing? Why did I just flee like a criminal who had already been caught?
After a minute I forced myself out, faced my reflection in the mirror, and took one long, steadying breath. I had to go back to the office.
Damien’s eyes tracked me the second I stepped through the door.
"What was that about?"
"I’m sorry. I got really nervous. Almost had a full-blown panic attack. I’m fine now."
He didn’t look convinced. "And the dinner?"
"I... don’t think I can make it. I already have plans that day."
"Plans." He said the word like it personally offended him. "What kind of plans?"
Like he had any right to know.
"I have a doctor’s appointment. And a date."
His eyebrows lifted. "A date? With who?"
"Edward. You remember him—from the hospital."
Something dark flashed across his face. Jealousy, sharp and unmistakable.
"Edward? That whack doctor?"
"He’s not whack. He runs an entire hospital."
"Are you being serious right now?"
"Yes. So I can’t go to dinner with you guys." I kept my chin up, even though my heart was hammering.
Damien exhaled through his nose, the sound heavy with defeat. "Fine. You can go back to work."
I returned to my desk, pulse still racing. At least that part was over. But I couldn’t stop replaying the conversation I’d half-overheard between him and Dylan. Was Damien telling his brother I was pretending to be Kate? That the real Kate was someone else he hadn’t seen,
A little while later the two of them finished their conversation. Dylan headed for the exit and paused at my desk.
He looked at me for a bit too long. "Goodbye. I hope I’ll see you soon."
I nodded as he left the office.
"Cassie."
Damien’s voice pulled me back. I stood and walked into his office again.
"Sir?"
"Why did you lie about the date with Edward?"
I blinked. Why on earth was he asking about this.
"I didn’t lie. I’ve We’re trying to sort things out," I said. The lie came easier this time. "See if there’s still something there."
He studied me for a long second. "Just... be careful with him. He doesn’t seem like—" He stopped himself, jaw tightening. "Forget it. Just remember there are crazy people out there."
"Okay. Can I go back now?"
"Yes."
I sat down at my desk and stared at my computer screen without seeing it. What the hell was wrong with him? Why did he care so much?
—
By the time I finally left the office, Damien’s driver still hadn’t shown up. I had to find my own way home, navigating the evening traffic with my mind half somewhere else. The apartment was quiet when I walked in. I showered, forced down some leftover rice, and changed into an old T-shirt and shorts. I was ready to collapse when Kate pushed open my bedroom door.
"Cass, are you going to bed already?"
"I was about to. Everything okay?"
"No." She sat on the edge of my bed. "I can’t sleep. I keep thinking about Alex. How psychotic he is. I’m scared, Cass."
I pulled her into a tight hug without hesitating. She smelled like the soap she still used sometimes. "You don’t need to be, he’s behind bars. I’m right here. Sleep in my room tonight—any night you want."
"Thank you." Her voice was small. It reminded me of all the times I’d snuck into her room when my dad was at his worst. She’d always made space for me, then smuggled me out before her own father woke up.
She pulled back a little, eyes searching mine. "I haven’t told you this yet, but your boss came into my ward at the hospital. My dad was with me. Damien tried to greet him, then he saw my face. He just... froze. I think he knows I’m not the same girl he met at that family dinner. But he didn’t say a word.
Everything clicked into place with an almost audible snap.
"That makes sense now," I said slowly. "Dylan came to the office today. From the way Damien was talking, he knows I’m pretending to be you. And he still hasn’t exposed me."
Kate’s eyes widened. "That’s terrifying. I don’t know what he wants from either of us."
"I know. It’s been sitting in the back of my mind all day."
She hesitated, picking at a loose thread on my blanket. "I think he has feelings for you."
I groaned and dropped my head back against the headboard. "Why does everyone keep saying that? Honestly, if anything, he just wants to make my life harder.
"Or maybe he doesn’t know how to show it. Some people are like that."
"You guys are insane." I laughed, but it came out thin. Saving me from Alex. Going out of his way so I wouldn’t quit. The way he’d shut CeCe down the second I walked in. And still... the way he looked at me sometimes made my stomach flip in a way I hated. I didn’t want to feel anything for him. Not when everything was already this complicated.
"I think he’s just protective of whoever works for him," I said. "It’s not that deep."
Kate gave me a look. "Saving his assistant from her friend’s obsessed ex? How did he even find out about Alex? You don’t do that for someone you barely care about."
I didn’t have an answer.
"Be careful," she said quietly. "Either he has feelings for you, or he’s a control freak with a hero complex. Either way, it’s a lot."
"It’s crazy," I admitted. "And he flagged me so no other company will hire me. That’s crossing a line, Kate. I haven’t done anything wrong."
Her face hardened. "Oh my God. He’s actually insane. I need to talk to him. Face to face. Maybe I can figure out what’s going on in his head."
She squeezed my hand. "But not tonight. You need rest. Long day tomorrow."
She switched off the light.
I lay awake for hours, turning everything over—Damien, Edward, Alex, the lies stacking up like a house of cards. Eventually sleep dragged me under.
I woke to the sound of Kate’s sharp gasp.
She was sitting up, drenched in sweat, eyes wide and unfocused.
"What’s wrong?" I asked, already reaching for her. "Are you okay?"
"No... no." Tears spilled over. "I’ve been having these dreams about Alex. It feels like he’s right here."
"What happened in the dream?"
"I was in his room. Tied to the bed—hands, legs, everything. I couldn’t move. He walked toward me slowly with a knife. He was going to stab me."
Her voice cracked on the last word.
I pulled her close. "Kate, you need to talk to someone about these nightmares. A therapist."
She stayed silent, staring at the wall.
"Kate."
"Do you have anyone in mind?" she whispered.
"Yes. The same one who helped me after Mom died. He’s good. Professional. You don’t have to worry."
"I can take you after work tomorrow if you want."
She nodded. "Okay."
—
Morning came too fast. I woke up next to Kate, who was still deeply asleep. Good. She needed it after last night.
I tiptoed to the bathroom, got ready for work, and headed to the kitchen to make toast. The bread had just popped up when Kate appeared, rubbing her eyes.
"You’re up already," I said, amused. "I thought you’d sleep till noon."
"I have a job too, remember?"
"True. I just figured after that nightmare you’d need the extra hours."
She sat beside me and stole a piece of toast. "I need the energy. Every day with Damien is a new problem."
"I’ve told you," she said around a mouthful. "He’s in love."
I rolled my eyes. "That’s still insane."
The doorbell rang.
We both froze.
"I think it’s my delivery," Kate said, standing. "I’ve been waiting on it."
She walked to the door. I heard it open—then slam shut so hard the frame rattled.
Kate sprinted back into the kitchen, face drained of color.
"He’s here," she hissed.
My stomach dropped. "Who?"
"Dylan. Dylan is at the door."