Chapter 4 A Choice

Just like that, I followed Louis to Amanda's celebratory party. When we appeared together, everyone in the private room turned to look at us. Their expressions were quite an amusing sight. "Why did Louis bring her along?" "There's nothing to be surprised about. She must've made a fuss—you know how she's hostile to every woman in Louis' life. Amanda isn't her only victim." "I heard she even attempted to take her life because of Amanda." "Yeah, I heard that, too. She really doesn't know her place. She's already lucky enough that she managed to marry Louis. What right does she have to keep him on a tight leash? Throwing tantrums over those girls was one thing, but Amanda? She's not even in the same league." Their voices weren't too loud or soft; it was just enough for me to hear them. I glanced at the people who'd spoken and guessed they were friends with either Louis or Amanda. Whatever it was, they ran in the same circles. I sneered to myself. It was no wonder 25-year-old me had tried to end her life. How could one not become twisted after listening to such insults daily? There was also the fact that I'd been madly in love with Louis. It must've tormented me so much that I'd resorted to harming myself. Louis and Amanda took the seats that had been reserved for them, leaving me standing alone. "Doesn't she feel embarrassed standing there by herself?" "Why would she? She'll fall to her knees as long as she can be with Louis!" I looked at the man who'd said that. "What makes him so special that I should kneel?" The man's expression shifted. It seemed like he hadn't expected me to retort. Louis looked impatient. "That's enough." He hadn't bothered standing up for me despite everyone mocking me. All he'd done was stop the argument from escalating. I snorted and said, "Looks like I'm not welcome here. I'll leave you guys to it, then." With that, I turned around and left. Behind me, people gasped. "Wait, are my eyes fooling me? Did she just give Louis attitude?" "Has something finally gone wrong with her because of her anger toward Amanda?" "I bet she won't hold out for even half an hour. She'll come crawling back soon enough!" The whispers continued. They got on my nerves, so I headed to the pool outside for a stroll. Shortly after, Amanda followed me out. She said, "You've made me see you in a different light, Ms. York." I glanced behind her. When I saw she was alone, I asked pointedly, "Aren't you worried I'll push you into the pool because I hate you so?" She laughed. "I was worried you wouldn't. Everyone knows Louis will save me, after all." I pursed my lips, not wanting to waste my breath on her. She came closer. "Would you dare make a bet with me, Cassandra?" I couldn't help finding her odd. "If you and Louis are really so in love with each other, why don't you just make him divorce me? Do you have to put on an act and step all over someone else's heart to prove how genuine your love is?" Amanda's expression darkened. "It's all because you refuse to leave him! You resorted to threatening Louis with your life just to keep him by your side. He's only with you because he pities you!" She composed herself, going back to looking calm and gentle. She asked again, "Do you have the courage to take me up on that bet, Cassandra?" Lights reflected off the pool's surface. The water looked clear, but the pool was actually very deep. I shook my head. "Nope." I couldn't swim. Attempting to take my life was a stupid thing that I would only do once—I wouldn't try it again. I stood up to leave; Amanda looked at me with disappointment. My back was to her when she lunged forward and pushed me, making me fall into the pool. Screams rang out around us. I quickly sank to the bottom. At that moment, I couldn't feel anything besides the terror of being swallowed by the water. The water choked me, and I couldn't breathe. As I struggled to reach the surface, I saw a familiar figure enter the pool before immediately swimming in another direction. Louis was my husband, yet he'd chosen to save Amanda when we'd fallen into the water together. A sharp pain pierced my heart. Perhaps it came from the 25-year-old Cassandra's lingering attachment to him. Although I'd forgotten about him and no longer loved him, I couldn't ignore what my body made me feel. This time, however, whatever was left of my feelings for Louis drowned in the pool. … I was lying beside the pool when I regained consciousness. Amanda and I had both been saved—Louis had saved her, while a man I didn't know had saved me. He was pretty handsome. He had his hands on my chest as I lay there—he was trying to pump out the water I'd swallowed. I coughed violently. I saw Louis approach me out of the corner of my eye. Amanda was holding herself pitifully, watching his back with reluctance. It looked like he'd finally remembered he had a wife. He frowned and asked, "Are you okay?" I ignored him and struggled to get to my feet. The man beside me tried to hold me up, but I pushed him away. When Louis stopped before me, I raised a hand and slapped him hard. Silence descended upon us. I could even hear the people around us deliberately slowing their breathing so they wouldn't make any noise. After a long moment, I said, "Let's divorce, Louis. Take that slap as my parting gift!"