Page 27 of One Week With My Dad's Best Friend

His words pierce my heart. I’m nothing to him? After everything we shared? My legs wobble and I press my palm against the wall to steady myself.

“Think about what you’re doing, Cassandra.” Anton’s voice drops lower, controlled. “You have a husband. You could have a satisfying life with him if you’d just let go of this bitterness.”

A harsh laugh cuts through the air. “Oh, that’s rich coming from you. You’re nothing but a perverted old man who needs to be locked up. Preying on teenage girls.”

I peek around the corner again. Anton’s shoulders are rigid, his hands clenched at his sides, but his voice remains steady. “Can I trust you? How do I know you won’t come back demanding more money?”

Cassandra stands, setting her empty glass on the counter with a sharp clink. “Trust me? You should be more worried about what else you’ll lose besides money, Anton. Your reputation, your career...” She pauses, her lips curling into a cruel smile. “Everything.”

My stomach drops. The realization hits me like a blow to my stomach - I have to let him go. This isn’t about us anymore. This is about protecting him, his career, everything he’s worked for. I can’t be the reason he loses it all.

I press my hand against my mouth to stifle a sob. Tears blur my vision as I back away from the wall, careful not to make a sound. Each step feels like I’m walking through quicksand, and it’s about to swallow me up.

But it matters because my heart is breaking.

I’m young, but I know this is what love is—letting go to protect the one you love.

I can’t let him lose everything. His career…His reputation…

Losing my father as his friend pales in significance.

And it’s all because of me.

Tears brim my eyes as I creep backwards, inching little by little, trying to calm my beating heart. Trying to stifle my sobs.

“I’ll wait,” Cassandra says. “I’ll give you a day to think about my offer and then I’ll start sending the video to those who will change your life when they see it.”

“You want me to take you back, yet you threaten to ruin me. What will you get out of doing that? Because I can’t work out the benefit for you,” Anton says, as I climb the stairs.

I have to save his career.

I have to save the friendship he has with my father.

I have to let him go.

Even if that means he gets back with his ex-wife.

I can’t ruin his life.

But what if I’m pregnant? My hand goes to my stomach. I could be, regardless of my family background. I could already be pregnant with his baby.

What a fucking mess.

Once I get to the top of the stairs, I pull on a pair of trousers, grab my boots, keys, and purse. I don’t have the time to pack my suitcase. I need to get out of his house and give him and me some space.

I need to protect him from her, even if it means he has to take her back. But I don’t want to know. All I want is to lock myself in my bedroom at home and hide away for the remainder of this week on my own.

Chapter 10

Anton

“Get out!” I bark at her, dragging the wine bottle from the island. The island I fucked my angel on only days ago.

I want Cassandra off it, not tainting that memory.

I turn back to Cassandra, and she pretends to cry. “Don’t fucking start the waterworks. I stopped falling for those years ago.”

I’ve been polite with her.

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