Chapter 2 REBIRTH

Three years later, Cassidy West was no longer the woman Gabriel Shaw had discarded. She had rebranded herself and was no longer in the ashes of her old life behind.

Cassidy was now the CEO of C.W. Atelier, a well-known fashion company that had made waves in the industry for its bold and innovative designs. Cassidy adjusted her blazer as she walked into the gala event hall. She was the guest of honour in the gala which was one of the biggest nights in the fashion world.

She kept her head high as she walked in, she maintained a calm and confident expression as Cameras flashed while reporters were calling out her name. Inside the hall where the atmosphere was full of excitement, Cassidy greeted investors, designers, and celebrities with ease, while she kept emitting her polished smile which did not fade. The event gave her much joy as she reflected on how far she has come and the great strides of achievements she has accomplished. She had worked hard to build her new life, and she was happy she was living her dreams. As she scanned the room, her heart stopped for a while.

Standing by the bar and looking every bit as handsome and powerful as she remembered was Gabriel Shaw - Her ex-husband. Cassidy's concentration was lost. What was he doing here? Her fingers tightened as memories of their last fight came rushing back. The humiliation, the pain, the betrayal, was all she could think of at that moment.

Gabriel froze when his eyes met hers. Neither of them moved for a moment. To Cassidy's surprise, he started walking toward her. "Hi Cassidy," he said, with his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine. "You look... beautiful... and amazing." She raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing here, Gabriel?"

"We need to talk," he said, with an earnest expression. "Please."

Cassidy hesitated. Part of her was fighting within her, wanting to tell him to leave, just to remind him that he had lost the right to ask anything of her. But curiosity won out. She nodded toward a quiet corner of the room. "You have just five minutes, I am a very busy woman" she said. As they sat down, Gabriel looked at her with an intensity that made her heart race. "I made a great mistake, and I regret every bit of it" he said. "I've spent the last three years trying to fix everything that i did wrong. Well.. I know I can't undo the past, but I need you to know that I am very sorry. I was wrong and i regret it all." Cassidy's was surprised he said that. She had waited years to hear those words, it's been too long and feels so hollow hearing them now.

"It's too late, Gabriel," she said, her voice steady and unshaken . "You can't just walk back into my life and expect me to forgive you and act like nothing ever happened, when all you did was throw my love away and destroy my life without any second thoughts.." Gabriel reached for her hand, but she pulled them away.

"I'm not just asking for forgiveness Cass, I just want a chance to make things right." he said. Cassidy leaned back with her arms crossed defensively.

"It does not matter what you want anymore, Gabriel. You clearly made your choice, and I have learned to live with it." Gabriel tried to speak but words failed him and he could not respond. He simply nodded accepting her words even when it must have hurt. But Cassidy could still see the regret written all over his face - a regret that no amount of time could erase. Before Cassidy could respond further, an aide approached her with urgent news about the gala. "Ms. West, the investors are ready for your speech," he said politely. Cassidy stood, brushing invisible wrinkles from her dress.

She looked briefly at Gabriel who seemed like he wanted to say more but refrained. "Excuse me," she said, walking away with style despite the hurts raging inside her.

As she took to the stage, the applause from the audience was deafening, with cameras flashes capturing every moment as Cassidy began her speech about innovation, growth, and resilience – the qualities she embodied over the past three years. "...When I started C.W. Atelier, I faced countless challenges," Cassidy said with a steady and confident voice. "But through determination and the support of an incredible team, we have turned those challenges into opportunities. And tonight, I am proud to share that we're just getting started." The cheers from the crowd became high and Cassidy felt a huge sense of pride. This was her moment. A moment she has earned through hard work and perseverance.

Cassidy mingled with investors and partners as the event continued, her polished smile still present on her face, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Gabriel. Although she refused to admit the sudden disturbance in her mind that Gabriel's sudden reappearance, his apology, and his plea for a second chance had shaken her.

As the gala event was drawing to an end, Cassidy left and stood by the balcony where the cool evening breeze touched her, comforting and relieving her of the heat from the crowd in the hall.

"Beautiful view, isn't it?" a familiar voice said from behind her and without turning around to know who it was, Cassidy sighed. "What do you want, Gabriel?" He stepped beside her, his gaze fixed on the glittering skyline. "I wanted to thank you for giving me five minutes earlier. Even if you hated every second of it." Cassidy couldn't help but laugh softly. "You're right. I did." They stood in silently for some moments, with none of them saying anything.. Finally, Gabriel broke the silence. "I meant what I said earlier," he said quietly.

"I have changed really, I am not the same man I was three years ago. I've changed, Cass." Cassidy turned to face him, her expression unreadable. "Maybe you have. But that doesn't mean I owe you anything." "I know," he admitted. "I just wanted you to know that I'll always regret what happened between us Cassidy." Searching for any trace of insincerity Cassidy studied him for a moment, But all she saw was a man carrying the weight of his mistakes. "Goodbye and have a great night, Gabriel," she said firmly, turning to leave. "Goodbye, Cassidy," he replied, with a voice filled with sadness. As she walked away, Cassidy felt some sense of happiness and satisfaction. Gabriel Shaw had once been the center of her world, but now she was sure that he was just a chapter in her past.