Chapter 3 An Argument

Louis was briefly taken aback when he noticed that my rejection wasn't an act. Soon, however, his impatience took over. "Stop with your tantrums, Cassandra." I didn't like how he constantly took that tone with me. It grated on my nerves, reducing the appeal of his handsome face. I retorted, "I'm your wife, right? It's bad enough that you haven't asked how I'm doing since I got discharged. Now, you're even reprimanding me and being harsh with me. What gives you the right to treat me like trash, Louis?" My anger seemed to upset him. He gripped my wrist tightly, his tone icy as he said, "Because you've brought this upon yourself." He was being too forceful, and his hand happened to press on the wound on my wrist. It hurt, but I forced myself to hold it in and remain silent. Still, I couldn't stop the tears from welling in my eyes. I saw my reflection in Louis' eyes—I looked disheveled, and my eyes glistened with unshed tears. He suddenly released me and turned me around so he could hold me from behind. His tone was still cold as he said, "I'll let it go just this once. Don't try to threaten me with your life again." I tried to break free, but he merely tightened his hold. Clearly, he didn't want to give me the chance to talk back to him. My strength couldn't compare with his—I gave up after struggling for a while longer, realizing that it wasn't getting me anywhere. … When I woke up the following day, I noticed Louis was no longer with me. I got dressed and headed downstairs to see him having breakfast. The butler, Sean Johnson, stood beside him. He greeted, "Good morning, Ms. York." I remained rooted to the spot. Louis didn't even look up as he said, "Come and have breakfast." It was just breakfast, but there was a lavish spread. I couldn't help thinking it was so typical of affluent people to have a feast for breakfast. As I sat across from Louis, Sean placed a serving of mango pudding before me. I frowned when I smelled it. "Why do we have something made with mangoes?" Sean said, "Ms. Amanda brought them over. They're her favorite. These were imported from Orope—" I immediately lost my appetite. "I'm not eating this." The sound of cutlery clinking against a plate rang out. Louis looked at me. "Don't cross the line, Cassandra." I wasn't happy to hear that. "How does my refusal to eat anything with mangoes affect you?" "You're only refusing because Amanda was the one who brought the mangoes over, aren't you?" His face turned frosty. "When will you stop getting jealous over the smallest things?" Me? Jealous of Amanda? I didn't know what 25-year-old Cassandra had been like with Louis—I figured she'd probably been petty and lowly—but we were still husband and wife. Didn't he know I was allergic to mangoes? I was about to speak when Sean said, "Ms. Amanda has arrived, Mr. Monroe!" A gentle voice rang out. "Am I interrupting anything, Louis?" A slender figure entered the dining room. Sean and the maids were familiar with her, so it was clear she came by often. I only had to glance at her to know she was Amanda. I also noticed how Sean had addressed her. I was Louis' legally wedded wife, yet Sean addressed me as "Ms. York", whereas he addressed Amanda as "Ms. Amanda". It was evident whom he was on better terms with. No wonder 25-year-old me had kept picking on Amanda. I was Louis' wife, yet all his affection and partiality went to another woman. They were even acting like this under the guise of being childhood friends. Anyone would have a mental breakdown in such a situation. Amanda looked at me in concern. "I heard about your… incident, Ms. York. How are you now?" I snorted, not bothering to play nice with her. I didn't know how 25-year-old me had acted around them—perhaps I'd been pathetic because of how much I'd loved Louis. Perhaps I'd let them step all over me. However, I was now 18-year-old Cassandra… on the inside, at least. I didn't love Louis at all, so I didn't need to hold myself back. Amanda glanced at Louis, seemingly feeling awkward. "Ms. York doesn't seem too happy to see me, Louis. I'm sorry about this. Perhaps I shouldn't have come…" "Why did you come when you already knew I didn't like you?" I asked bluntly. "Did you want to see me make a fool of myself?" She flushed. Louis snarled, "Stop being unreasonable, Cassandra." I was annoyed he'd defended her, and my impression of him took another hit. I'd been excited upon learning that I'd married my crush, but now it seemed he wasn't so great after all. So what if he was rich and handsome? Did he think he was a big deal when he treated his wife so badly? He shouldn't have married me in the first place if he thought I was beneath him! I was seething, but Amanda was gentle and serene. "I came to invite you to my celebratory party, Louis." Then, she remembered I was still there. It didn't seem right not to invite me, so she added, "You can come along too, Ms. York." I didn't want to go at first, but I changed my mind when I saw the disdain and provocation deep in her eyes. I smirked and said, "Sure. I'm Mrs. Monroe, after all. It's only right for me to accompany Louis to a social event."