AT THE BALL

1658 Words
Avery's heart raced as Cassian's words crashed over her like icy waves. How did he know? Panic surged through her veins, tightening her throat as she struggled to maintain her composure. She searched his expression for clues, wondering who had betrayed her secret. Was it Dennis? Did he tell Cassian? "Is that why you were late today?" He asked. “I—” she stammered, her voice trembling despite her efforts to sound steady. “I wasn’t with anyone like you think. I was late for other reasons.” Cassian's brow furrowed, and he stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “I have no tolerance for deception, Avery,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “And if I find out you’ve lied to me…” He trailed off, leaving the threat lingering in the air. She blinked up at him, anxiety swirling in her stomach, but he had already turned away, offering his arm casually to lead her down the aisle as the applause finally died down. The reception was waiting. Cassian barely glanced at her as they made their way out of the church and into the reception hall. A grand, lavish space adorned with white and gold, it screamed wealth and status. Avery felt like an outsider to it all, like she was watching a movie she hadn’t signed up for. "Enjoy the rest of the evening," Cassian muttered, his eyes already scanning the crowd, searching for someone else. "What?" Avery asked, confused. Without another glance in her direction, Cassian smoothly stepped out of her grasp and into a conversation with a group of men at the far end of the reception hall. They were all business executives, men in sharp suits discussing matters far more important than the ceremony they were attending. Cassian slid effortlessly into the conversation, his demeanor shifting into something much more focused. As Avery sat there, isolated in a room full of people, Cassidy sidled up to her. "He does this at every event," she said, sitting down with a soft sigh. Avery raised an eyebrow. "Abandon his bride on the wedding day?" "More like abandoning everything for business," Cassidy said with a dry laugh. She followed Avery's gaze, watching as Cassian engaged in what seemed like an intense conversation with her father and several others. Cassidy frowned. "What do you think they’re talking about?" Avery shrugged. “Whatever it is, it looks serious.” Cassidy leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Something's up. Cassian’s been cagey all week. He never keeps me in the dark." She stood and walked closer to the men, where she caught snippets of their conversation. "...the investigation was pure theatrics," one of the men scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "No one believes Cassian Black would engage in something as pedestrian as tax evasion." "Right," another man chimed in, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Because Kane Stanton wouldn’t touch CB Enterprises if there was any truth to it. This merger is a clear statement." A ripple of agreement spread through the group, and Avery watched as Cassian smirked, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. Kane Stanton's shadow loomed large in this room, and it was obvious to anyone paying attention that his backing alone had squashed the lingering suspicions around CB Enterprises. A loud clink of a champagne glass drew Avery’s attention. Kane, now standing at the center of the room, raised his glass in a toast. "Ladies and gentlemen," he announced, his voice commanding attention, "I am pleased to announce the official merger of Stanton Limited and CB Enterprises." A stunned murmur ran through the crowd. Even Avery, who should have been prepared for this, felt a knot of confusion tighten in her stomach. This wasn’t just a marriage of convenience, this was a complete entangling of their family businesses. She glanced around and spotted Cassidy, her new sister-in-law, who was visibly caught off guard. Her expression shifted from confusion to anger in an instant. "Wait, what the hell?" Cassidy muttered under her breath, staring at her brother. She stormed across the room toward him, her heels clicking sharply on the marble floor. Avery stood frozen, watching the scene unfold. Cassidy grabbed Cassian’s arm just as he turned to leave the group of businessmen. "You didn’t tell me about this," she hissed, pulling him aside. "We were supposed to get through this sham of a marriage, not merge with Stanton Limited. This wasn’t part of the plan." Cassian’s gaze remained impassive, his expression unreadable. He adjusted his cufflinks, ignoring the growing frustration in his sister’s eyes. "Plans change," he said coolly, shrugging her off. "And, Cassidy, I’m the one in charge, not you. I don’t need to clear every decision with you. That’s why mom and dad left the company to me." Cassidy’s face hardened, her jaw clenched tight. "They left it to us, Cassian. We’re equals…" "Are we?" Cassian’s voice was low, but sharp. "Because last I checked, I’m the one they put in charge. I call the shots. You’re here to assist me. If that’s not clear, you might want to reconsider your position." His words hit like a slap. A tense silence hung between them, but before Cassidy could respond, he turned his back on her, walking away without a second glance. Cassidy stood rooted to the spot, seething. Her fists clenched at her sides as she watched her brother saunter away, his arrogance palpable. The rest of the reception passed in a blur for Avery. Cassian continued to work the room, shaking hands and charming the powerful guests, while she was left standing in the shadow of her family’s empire. Avery tried to make herself small, avoiding the prying eyes of the guests and the cameras that kept flashing in her direction. Every time she looked at him, he was deep in conversation with someone. Business people, media moguls and even her father who didn’t so much as glance her way. Her heart sank lower with every passing hour. By the time they returned home that night, Avery was exhausted, not just physically but emotionally. She had hoped, somewhere deep down, that maybe after the ceremony, Cassian would at least try to engage her, talk to her. But he remained cold, indifferent. “Goodnight,” Cassian muttered as he headed straight for his study, leaving Avery alone in the grand hallway of their mansion. Avery stood there, stunned that he didn’t even show her to her room. Cassidy, always the kind one, came to her side. "Don't take it to heart," Cassidy said softly. "He’s just focused on the merger right now. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes." Avery nodded, though she was still bothered by it. "Thanks, Cassidy." Cassidy smiled, wrapping an arm around Avery’s shoulders. "Come on, let me show you around. You should get familiar with the place." They both wandered aimlessly through the mansion, Avery tried to take in her surroundings. She made some comparisons to her father’s house and there was barely any difference. She wondered if the Blacks knew why her father was doing this. Cassidy’s voice cut through her thoughts. "We have a gala coming up soon. It’s to celebrate the merger officially. You’ll have to put on a good face for that, too." Another event. Another spectacle. Avery forced a smile, but her heart wasn’t in it. The grandeur of the place was overwhelming, with its towering ceilings, marble floors, and endless hallways filled with expensive art. Yet it felt cold, sterile just like Cassian. As the weeks passed, things didn’t get any better. Cassian buried himself in work, barely acknowledging Avery’s presence. Avery tried to reach out to Dennis for comfort but every attempt failed. He didn’t return her calls, didn’t reply to her messages. It was as if he had disappeared off the face of the earth. She couldn’t blame him; he must have been hurt by the wedding. They had been together for 2 years and she abruptly marries another man. The night of the gala arrived, and everything felt like it had been leading to this moment. The grand ballroom was a sea of expensive gowns and tailored suits. Avery walked arm in arm with Cassian, smiling for the cameras, pretending everything was fine. But as soon as they were inside, Cassian broke away, vanishing into a crowd of powerful business people, leaving her to fend for herself once again. Avery glanced across the room, spotting her father in the distance. He was deep in conversation with Cassian, but there was no acknowledgment of her presence. It stung more than she expected. Cassian’s indifference was one thing, but her own father’s coldness cut deeper. Avery found herself drifting toward the bar. She hadn’t eaten much, and before she knew it, she had downed more than a few glasses of champagne. The room began to spin slightly, and she leaned against the wall, trying to steady herself. She tried to keep her distance from Victoria and Jake, who hovered near the bar, their smug faces all too eager to remind her of everything she had lost. Her glass of champagne was almost empty when Cassidy suddenly disappeared from her side, leaving her alone and vulnerable to the whispers and stares that followed her everywhere. In an attempt to escape, Avery found a quiet corner of the ballroom, hidden away from the throngs of guests. But it wasn’t long before the alcohol took its toll. The world around her began to spin, the room growing hotter with every passing second. She tried to stand up, but her legs wobbled beneath her, and before she could stop herself, her stomach lurched violently. Just as Cassian, Cassidy, and her father were standing before the grand ribbon, ready to officially announce the merger, a sharp retching sound echoed through the ballroom. Avery, pale and trembling, hunched over near the back of the room, vomited in full view of the crowd.
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