Chapter 3

3.

From that day on, I avoided Cade entirely and focused on my visa for the UK.

Even so, the gossip reached me through the housemaids.

They said Cade had begged his mother to let him marry Bianca, even threatening to cut ties with the family.

Mrs. Linden was so angry she ended up in the hospital for a few days.

Then, Bianca moved into the house. They were inseparable.

The displays of affection became constant. My best friend even called to ask if Bianca was going to be my new sister-in-law.

"Yeah, probably," I said casually.

Since that last talk, my love for him had faded into a dull ache.

"Cade is freaking blind," my friend hissed. "She's such a fake, and he's obsessed with her."

I touched my plane ticket. Three days left. "Let them be. It's none of my business."

In the last life, he loved her until he died. Now he was getting what he wanted.

I didn't want any drama, but Bianca sought me out anyway.

She blocked my door early in the morning, asking me to go wedding dress shopping with her.

"Autumn, can you come with me? You're basically Cade's sister, and I'd love your opinion."

I looked up from my book and glanced at her.

"Not interested."

Her smile faltered, and her eyes turned red instantly.

"Do you look down on me that much...?"

I wasn't in the mood for her acting, but before I could tell her to get out, the door was shoved open.

Cade stood there with a dark expression.

"Autumn, can you stop targeting Bianca for one second?"

"She's being nice. She's inviting you to be part of this. Why do you have to be so difficult?"

Always the same story.

Refusing to shop was now an "attack."

I laughed coldly and looked past Cade at the weeping Bianca.

She was wringing her hands, looking like I had slapped her.

"It's my fault. I shouldn't have bothered her..."

Seeing that she wouldn't stop until she got her way, I gave in.

I didn't want any trouble before I left. It was easier to just go.

Bianca's face cleared instantly. She turned to Cade with a sweet, annoying voice.

"See? You said she had a bad temper, but she's being so sweet now."

Cade glanced at me guiltily. I said nothing, my face a mask of indifference.

"Let's go," I urged. "I thought you were in a hurry."

I didn't even want him anymore. Why would I care what he thought?

On the way, Bianca kept talking about home decor. The car was thick with their "romance."

I sat in silence, watching the world blur past the window.

As we approached the city center, Bianca suddenly spoke up.

"Oh, Cade! My parents and relatives just landed. We have to go pick them up right now."

Cade was all smiles. "Sure, let's head to the airport."

Bianca bit her lip, looking troubled.

"But there isn't enough room in the car for everyone."

She glanced at me with a smirk she thought I couldn't see.

Cade turned to me. "Autumn, get out here. We'll come back for you in a bit."

I frowned. "We aren't even in the city yet. Can't you drop me off at a bus stop? There's nobody out here."

We were on a lonely stretch of road. It didn't feel safe.

Cade snapped, "Just get out. We're taking the express lane."

When I didn't move, he got out and dragged me by the arm.

He treated me like a complete stranger.

Bianca chimed in, "Cade, you don't have to do that. I can tell my parents to take a cab."

To Cade, her "kindness" was just more proof that I was being a brat.

He gripped my arm harder and hauled me out of the car.

I tripped and fell onto the rough asphalt. I felt my skin tear on my knee. It burned.

Blood started to seep through my white skirt.

Cade didn't even look back. He slammed the door shut.

"Wait here. I'll be back soon."

The engine roared as the Bentley sped off, leaving me in a cloud of dust.

I pushed myself up and watched the car vanish.

A cold, dark feeling of dread settled in my stomach.

I tried calling the family driver, but he said the car was in the shop and it would be two hours.

Then, the rain started. Massive drops began to pelt the ground.

Within minutes, it was a downpour. I was soaked, trying to flag down a car on the slick road.

Suddenly, a speeding car lost control on the wet pavement.

The tires screeched as it hydroplaned directly toward me!

My heart stopped.

In the Bentley, Cade felt a sudden, sharp pang of anxiety.

He looked at the lightning flashing outside and thought of the girl he left on the road.

He pulled out his phone to call me.