The words struck Cassandra with brutal precision, carving straight into her most vulnerable place.

She fixed her stare on Jasper, her gaze chilling to an arctic frost in an instant, her face an expressionless mask. In that moment, with nothing but a few cruelly chosen syllables, he transformed into her mortal enemy.

Strangers they may have been, but this went far beyond a simple disagreement. He hadnt just crossed a line; hed leapt over it, mocking her deepest scars without an ounce of hesitation.

The Langley family. The venerable Langley family, one of the wealthiest, most revered clans in all of Imperia. And this was what their breeding produceda man so devoid of class or decency.

As the elevator doors slid open, Cassandra tore her gaze away from him, her movements sharp and detached. She stepped out and left without a word.

Jasper watched her retreating figure, his expression inscrutable. Something shifted in hima flicker of regret darted like a shadow across his chest as he replayed her reaction.

Three years stolen by traffickers. Three years of surviving horrors unimaginable. When she finally clawed her way back, her body and spirit battered beyond recognition, the welcome she received wasnt warmth or joyit was rejection.

The same rejection he had just etched deeper into her soul with his contemptuous words.

For a brief moment, he hated himself for it.

But life in a hospital waits for no one, and soon other bodies filled the confined space of the elevator. The closing doors severed his line of sight.

Behind him, a junior resident stared after the tense exchange, curiosity etched into his face. Dr. Langley, was she one of your patients? Why was she so hostile? Its the first time Ive ever heard anyone call you incompetent. You could sue her for slander if you wanted.

Jasper snapped out of his thoughts, the air around him cooling again. Her calling him a 'quack' stung, but his guilt was quick to extinguish. Without looking back, he said, voice glacial, "Shes sick."

The resident blinked, immediately interpreting Jaspers words as a clinical judgment. Ah, right. Makes sense

Cassandra moved through her medical examinations with quiet efficiency.

Good news: she didnt have HIV.

Bad news: her body had not emerged unscathed.

Severe malnutrition had left her emaciated, her leg muscles wasting away, her protein levels alarmingly low, and her blood count dangerously anemic.

Alongside these, the doctor said, briefing her on the cascade of results, "youve developed arthritis, chronic eczema, and edema in your legs." His voice softened as his eyes caught sight of the faint scars crisscrossing her wrists. Suddenly, his tone shifted to one of deeper concern. "Miss, are you experiencing any domestic abuse? If so, you can report it to the policewe can help."

Cassandra smiled faintly at his good intentions. "Thank you, but Ive already contacted the authorities. For now, could you just tell me how to rebuild my body?"

The doctor hesitated, then nodded. "Very well." As he filled prescriptions, he outlined the simple regimen she needed: better nutrition and consistent physical exercise.

Armed with her newfound information and medicine, Cassandra left the hospital.

Crossing through the outpatient lobby, she paused as the wail of ambulance sirens pierced the air. Emergency medical staff rushed through the sliding doors, wheeling in a stretcher carrying a patient soaked in blood, their condition critical.

The crowd instinctively parted, and Cassandra stepped aside, her gaze drawn to the scene. The chaos rippled outward: medics shouting updates, bystanders craning for a better view, the urgent rhythm of life and death distilled into this single moment.

Her eyes locked onto the figure leading the charge. Kneeling on the stretcher, ignoring the crimson staining his pristine lab coat, Jasper was in actionhis normally impassive features carved into sharp lines of focus. Each movement of his hands was precise; each barked order to his team carried authority hard-won through years of life-or-death experience.

She couldn't look away. This was the same man she had dismissed as a pretentious fraud? Her lips tightened at the irony.

The stretcher disappeared into the ER, and the chaos receded back into the hum of the hospital. Turning her head, Cassandras gaze fell on a mounted screen looping images of the hospitals prominent physicians. Front and center, Jasper Langleys name and accolades scrolled like a gilded marquee: revolutionary surgeries, pioneering breakthroughs, honorary memberships in international medical bodies.

Her lips twisted into a sardonic smile. So this was the famed Dr. Langley. Wealth opened doors and spread praises like wildfire. One decent track record, and the world prostrated itself at his feet, throwing him both the resources and reverence of the masses.

She walked out without another glance back.

Freedom was her next priority. First, a real mealshe hadnt eaten properly in weeks. A feast later, she walked into a bank and deposited five hundred thousand dollars into her account, keeping another fifty thousand in cash for immediate use. Thatand a Maserati dealership.

Picking through high-end models, she didnt hesitate.

The total is two hundred thousand, she declared. Pulling out forty thousand in crisp bills, she added, This is the down payment. Ill settle the rest when the car arrives.

Sales clerks swarmed, stunned into brief silence before their training kicked in. Effusive smiles plastered on, they bowed low as they guided her out like royalty.

By the time she got home, the sun was beginning its descent. The golden hues of dusk cast long shadows across the Langley family estate.

Rachel was the first to spot her arrival. Her usual expression of unease deepened as her eyes roved over Cassandras updated appearancefreshly shorn hair, clean-cut clothes, brand-new sneakers, shoulders squared under the weight of an unmistakably expensive backpack and accompanied by several paper shopping bags.

So, Rachel ventured, voice carefully modulated as she approachedbut not too closeyou went shopping, did you? Why didnt you let the family know? Weve been so worried about you.

Cassandra gave her a brittle smile, one that didnt reach her eyes. Worried? Thats considerate of you.

Rachel flinched, her expression flickering under the contempt she could feel radiating from her eldest daughter. Trying again, she hesitated before asking, The money for all this Where did it come from?

Three years ago, when their eldest daughter was abducted and went missing, they had promptly frozen her bank accounts, filed loss reports, and ensured no further financial losses.

She had only returned yesterday, and she hadnt asked the family for any money.

I sold all the jewelry, Cassandra replied plainly.

What? Rachels face paled before indignation boiled over. Youyou could have said something if you needed money! Its not like we wouldnt help you! Those pieces were worth a fortune; you lost so much selling them secondhand!

In Cassandras mind, the retort was sharp and unspoken: If I really mattered to you, you wouldve thought of that last night and offered on your own.

Why should I have to beg?

She fixed Rachel with an indifferent stare, her words flinty. I dont like people touching whats mine. It bothers me. Selling it was cleansing.

You Rachel stammered, too enraged to string together another word.

Cassandra had already dined elsewhere and wanted no part in further arguments. She stalked through the living room toward the small, cramped maids quarters on the first floor.

But no sooner had she entered the room than she stepped back out, her expression cold, her gaze sharp as a blade. Whats happened to my bed?

Rose appeared at the top of the stairs, a sweet-looking bichon frise cradled in her arms. Walking beside her was Miles, who must have arrived unnoticed. Upon seeing Cassandra, his gaze warmed subtly, lingering on her face as though tethered by an invisible thread.

Sister! Youre back, Rose chirped, her voice sugar-coated and oh-so-innocent. Next time you step out, maybe let Mom know first? She worried about you all day.

Cassandra didnt even flinch, let alone respond, ignoring the charade entirely. She stormed forward and, without warning, grabbed Rose by the hair and dragged her down the stairs toward the maids quarters.

Cassandra! Miless expression darkened, panic flashing across his face. He stepped forward to intervene, but it was already too late.

What are you doing?! Rose screamed, the cry raw and high-pitched, her grip slipping on the dog, which fell to the floor with a pitiful yelp.

Other members of the Grant family, who were just about to sit down to dinner, froze mid-step at the commotion. Alarm spread like wildfire.

What are you doing, Cassandra?!

Let her go!

Have you lost your mind, Cassandra?!

The shouting crescendoed, but Cassandra moved with ruthless efficiency. The familys reproaches were no match for her blazing speed. She yanked Rose into the maids quarters, pressing her head down onto the bed.

Roses face was now eye-level with a fresh heap of dog feces.

Your dog, your mess! Cassandras tone was icily unwavering as she pinned Rose there, her steel grip unmoving. Clean it. With your mouth.

The rest of the Grant family surged forward, but the narrow quartersstuffed with a bed and piled with stray belongingsleft little room to maneuver. They could barely squeeze inside.

Miles, the closest, managed to catch up, pulling Cassandras arm back and dragging Rose upright. The younger woman trembled in his hold, collapsing into dry heaves as tears and mucus smeared her face. The pungent stench of the mess shed been forced to confront clung stubbornly to her senses.

Cassandra, this is outrageous! Miles glared at her, anger and disbelief wrestling on his face. Its not Roses fault! Puppies cant always control themselves, and accidents happen. Teach the dog a lesson if you must, but punishing Rose like that? Youve gone too far!

And who let the dog into my room? Cassandras voice cut through his outrage like ice splintering underfoot. She hadnt been carelessshe always made sure her door was shut when she left the house.

Rose continued gagging, shoving Miles away as she bolted out of the room. Rachel hurried after her, fuming over her daughters disgrace.

With the room partially cleared, Thomas managed to step inside. His face mottled with fury, he raised his hand instinctively, aiming a slap at Cassandra.

Thomas, dont Miles moved to shield Cassandra before the strike could land. His aunts palm instead crashed against the back of his head with a resounding thud.

The impact reverberated through the small room, painful and loud.

This is none of your business, Miles! Thomas barked, flexing his stinging fingers as his anger flared once more. Out!

But Miless hands remained firmly on Cassandras shoulders, and he suddenly noticed how brittle she felt under his touch. The woman in his grasp was a ghost of her former selfa wisp held together by the will to spite the world. The realization landed like a weight in his chest, softening his defiance.

Shes just come back, he said in a gentler voice. Shes been through so much out there. Its no surprise shes a little reactive.

She needs therapy then! Thomas snapped, his hand now bracing his hip in frustration. We dont owe her free rein to act out at home!

Cassandras heart, already scarred, broke a little further, the pieces too shattered to even recognize their original shape. Roses smarmy duplicity had caused this mess, yet no one held her accountablenot even a whispered reprimand. Instead, every shred of their fury had been heaped on her, the supposed offender.

Her gaze turned to Miles, who still hovered like a shield, his face rife with unwarranted pity. The sight was sickening.

Dear brother-in-law, Cassandra narrowed her eyes, her smile slow and cutting. I have AIDS. Are you not afraid to touch me?

Miles froze, his entire body locked in shock. His arms recoiled as though scalded, his hands pulling back so fast they might have been tethered to springs. One step, then another, carried him away from her, his lips parting wordlessly.

Cassandra he murmured, his voice nothing but a thread of sound.

Thomass fury stalled, replaced by cold, dawning fear. He had entirely forgotten about that. The thought struck him like a thunderclap: what if his hand, his contact, had been his downfall? He instinctively backed away several paces, mentally thanking every higher being that his strike hadnt met her cheek.

Enough, Thomas huffed, his tone dictatorial as he pointed to Cassandra. You stay in this room. Dont step a foot beyond this doorway.

With that, he stormed out, leaving Miles to shuffle meekly after him.

Dinner plans were all but obliterated.

Upstairs, Rose sobbed her way through multiple showers and vigorous scrubbing, washing her hair and brushing her teeth again and again, convinced every inch of her carried the rank stain of humiliation. Miles did the same, retreating for a scalding rinse before scouring the internet: *Can you get AIDS from hugging someone?*

It was only after an arduous evenings chaos that the Grant family reconvened in the dining room. Though the chef had reheated the dishes, barely anyone could pick at their plates. Especially Rose, who dissolved into dry heaves the moment she recalled how close her lips had been to filth.

But the evenings pitfalls still werent over. Miles was preparing to leave after the dinner-that-wasnt. Ever the attentive fianc, he offered to escort Rose to her room, soothing her fragile state before taking his leave.

Yet the moment she flipped back her comforter, she unleashed a scream so piercing it seemed poised to shatter every pane of glass in the mansion. Her shriek tore through the house like a banshees howl, unrelenting and raw as her hands flew to her hair in hysterics.

Because on the pristine white sheets of her bed lay a monstrositya new pile of dog feces, this one even more egregiously sized than the one Cassandra had confronted earlier.

Ahhhhhhhhhh! Rose wailed, collapsing to the floor, shaking and retching anew. With dinner untouched, her spasms brought up only acid and bile.

The household descended into further chaos, blood pressures spiking anew.

Cassandra! Caleb roared, charging down the stairs with thunderous fury. He reached the maids quarters and, without hesitation, kicked the door wide open.