When His Mistress Took Everything I Ever Loved

I was folding laundry when Cassian burst through the door, his face lit with an excitement I hadn't seen in weeks.

"Selena! I have incredible news!" He swept me into his arms, lifting me off my feet.

"Cassian! What are you doing?" I laughed, though my heart ached at how rare these moments had become.

"Howard Corp is expanding globally," he announced, setting me down but keeping his hands on my shoulders. "London, Selena. They want me to head the London office."

"London?" The word felt foreign on my tongue. "But your position here—"

"Is temporary." His eyes sparkled with ambition. "This is it, babe. Everything we've worked for. Remember our dreams? The life we wanted?"

I nodded slowly. We'd spent countless nights in this tiny apartment, planning our future. A future where we'd never have to choose between rent and groceries again.

"The position starts in three months," he continued, pacing now. "Executive role, corner office overlooking the Thames. The salary alone..."

He named a figure that made my breath catch.

"We could finally have everything," he said, kneeling before me. "The penthouse, the lifestyle we deserve. No more bistro shifts for you."

I touched his face, studying the features I'd memorized over our decade together. "London is... far."

"Not if we're together." He took my hands. "I need you there, Selena. By my side. We can start fresh, away from everything here."

Away from the apartment where we'd barely made ends meet. Away from the memories of our struggle.

"I don't know, Cassian. My job here, my—"

"Your job?" He squeezed my hands. "Selena, you'd be giving up minimum wage for a life where you never have to work again if you don't want to."

I thought of the bistro, of Marcus and the regular customers who tipped me enough to cover our groceries. It wasn't much, but it was mine.

"Just think about it," he pressed. "This is our chance."

I nodded, unable to resist the hope in his eyes. "Okay."

"Yes?" His smile was radiant. "Yes, you'll think about it?"

"Yes, I'll go with you."

---

Three nights later, I woke to find Cassian's side of the bed empty. The clock read 2:17 AM.

I found him in the living room, laptop open, papers scattered across our coffee table.

"Cassian? What are you doing?"

He jumped, quickly closing his laptop. "Just reviewing some proposals."

"At two in the morning?"

"I'm excited, okay?" He ran his hand through his hair. "I want everything to be perfect."

I noticed his phone on the table, screen lit with a notification.

"Go back to bed," he said gently. "You have an early shift tomorrow."

As I turned to leave, another notification appeared on his phone screen.

Kennedy Ryan: Can't wait to lead the PR team in London with you. We're going to rule this city. 💕

My heart stopped.

"Cassian," I said quietly. "Who's leading the PR team in London?"

His face drained of color. "What?"

"Kennedy. She's going to London too?"

"It's... it's a big project," he stammered. "She's the best in PR. Howard Sr. specifically requested—"

"You didn't tell me she'd be there."

"It's not a big deal."

"It is if you're working closely together."

"Don't be ridiculous." He stood, taking my shoulders. "This is about our future, Selena."

But as he guided me back to bed, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd just agreed to step into a trap.

---

The bistro was unusually busy for a Tuesday evening. I'd been assigned to the VIP section—a fact that made my stomach twist when I saw Cassian walk in with a group of impeccably dressed people.

"I brought some friends," he announced, kissing my cheek. "They're dying to try this place."

I recognized Kennedy immediately. She wore a designer dress that probably cost more than my monthly rent.

"Selena works here?" a blonde woman asked, her voice dripping with surprise.

"Just temporarily," Cassian replied, not meeting my eyes.

"Quaint," Kennedy remarked, looking me up and down. "The service is... authentic."

I felt heat rise to my cheeks as the group laughed.

"Selena makes the best of it," Cassian added with an awkward chuckle.

I stood frozen, my professional composure cracking. These were his new friends—people who looked at me like I was some curiosity, a relic of his past.

"Can we sit?" Kennedy asked, her smile not reaching her eyes.

I led them to a table, aware of their whispers behind me.

"Is that the girl he told us about?"

"Poor thing has no idea."

As I placed their menus, Kennedy's hand brushed mine. "We'll need better wine than what she's suggesting," she murmured to Cassian.

I looked to him, waiting for him to defend me—to say anything.

Instead, he laughed nervously and agreed.

In that moment, something inside me shattered.