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nIn all actuality, Cassidy didn't only rearrange their room and move her bed away during that entire afternoon.

nShe also locked herself up in her chain of thoughts. It's just that what Gertrude did back in the living room had affected her in a way that she didn't quite expect.

nCassidy wasn't really troubled by the fact that she made a bad impression, though. She also didn't mope or sulk. In fact, she didn't care about what her mother-in-law thought of her or how her disrespectful behavior must have worsened their relationship.

nInstead of all these things, what Cassidy had been pondering for a while was how exactly she could break free from this household.

n

"The husband doesn't love me, the mother-in-law showed some abusive tendencies, the entire family themselves has no need of an outsider like me, and even I...

" Cassidy thought silently as she just kept exchanging looks with her husband.

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"I don't think I can adjust to this way of living any time soon. At first, I did think that I was already fortunate enough that I had all these luxuries. I thought I was already satisfied with having something I could call as home - unlike before when the street was the only place I belonged to. But after comparing my life now and the one I had back then... I eventually realized that I'd rather be free and continue being me instead of staying trapped inside this lavish cage.

"

nNow that she's recalling everything she mulled over for the past hours, she couldn't help but muster a downcast expression.

nSeeing how his wife seems to slump down all of the sudden, Adrian takes a moment to wonder what wrong he committed this time. He just did as what he thought would make Cassidy happy - or at least the older version of her, that is. But then, the only reaction he gets in return is this disheartened display of hers.

nThat's when he finds himself feeling quite frustrated. He always thought that women were easy to please.

n

"Thanks for the thought and the trouble, bossman...

" Cassidy started again after a brief pause on her part.

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"But I won't be attending the party. I'll just stay here.

"

nTaken aback by her uncalled-for rejection, Adrian ends up blinking at her in surprise and confusion. Only then did he finally sense that something's really up with her today. It's just as what Mia said - she appeared somewhat out of it for some reason.

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"Why are you not going? You never decline my mother's invitations before,

" Adrian asked, regarding her inquisitively.

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"Well, it really won't make a difference if I come or not, right? Try telling me one good reason why I should attend,

" Cassidy answered nonchalantly while rubbing the back of her head.

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"It's a family gathering, and everyone will be there.

"

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"Nice try, but that won't change my mind.

"

n

"You're my wife, so you should come with me, your husband.

"

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"And be a mere accessory? You don't need me for something like that, bossman. I'll even probably bring you disgrace instead of a good image.

"

nWhile Adrian reacts nonplussed and ticked off at her indifferent way of making a retaliation, Cassidy only holds her ground. She knows for herself that she has to set her distance as early as now. In order to break free from this household, she'll have to make them want to throw her away for good.

nAbove all, she needs to make her husband accept the reality that she's no longer head-over-heels in love with him.

nSince Cassidy doesn't really know why they're keeping her in the first place, she'll just use a different approach. According to the people around here, she'd been very behaved and complaisant back then, which could be one of the reasons why they're still able to tolerate her presence.

n

"So, if I act the complete opposite now... Will that finally urge them to kick me out completely?

" she pondered quietly, mentally giving herself a thumb-up for one heck of a plan.

nAs Cassidy continues to immerse herself in these thoughts, Adrian silently scrutinizes her expression. It's not that hard to read her, which is why he can tell that she's planning something other than not attending.

nAs much as he just wants to leave her be, he can't find it in himself to do so for some reason.

n

"Then, what about the beach?

" Adrian suddenly brought up, much to her surprise and puzzlement.

n

"What about the beach?

" Cassidy blurted out, tilting her head while a frown marred her frame.

n

"The event will be held in one of our private beach resorts, you see. Since you just got out of the hospital, you could see the ocean and visit the beach - for therapeutical reasons, that is.

"

n

"The beach, huh...?

"

nIt seems like she has to give him credits for that last minute response.

nAfter all, she's never been in a beach before. Perhaps, the same may not be the case with her older self, but still, the current her has been yearning to see the ocean for a long while now.

nNoticing how her eyes somehow gleam a little at that - looking as if her interest has been piqued for a bit, Adrian decided to take this chance and prod even more.

nHe now understands that one of the possible reasons why Cassidy doesn't want to come is because she wants to avoid the others. After all, it turns out that it's not the place itself that she dislikes. That is also going by how she doesn't care about the event being an important family celebration.

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"If you want, I'll reserve a different resort for you that's near the ocean. That way, you don't have to see everyone all the time, and you can get to be by yourself as much as you want,

" he continued, tempting her even more.

nCassidy sees no harm in that, though she still senses something unsettling with how very magnanimous that offer is. Adrian really has a smooth way with his words and persuasive ability, which are probably some of the reasons why he's the capable and outstanding CEO that he is today.

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"Alright then... As long as I get to be on my own and don't have to follow you everywhere, I'll go.

"

nIn the end, because of her long-time longing for a day at a beach, Cassidy finds herself eventually giving in, though she still plans to carry out what she's initially aiming for here.

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