Here it is another chapter...

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Past...

Cassandra decided to go to the last place she can rely on. Only to get rejected, which she had no idea at that time. The fact that she lost her grandma weighed heavily on her consciousness.

Jeremy gave her the same disapproval look everybody did but the only thing he did was open his jacket covering her up. That time she noticed Coltrane was there. Tears stuck her eyes as she looked at Jeremy almost pleasingly but she just  shook her head. Jeremy will choose Coltrane, that's  how it should be after all they are old friends.

Cassandra takes a seat at a public park. Her eyes blankly staring at nothing, she feels numb to everything. Her inside crunch as she heavied a breath trying to control her shaking. She did not know when her control slipped and  she drifted off to a black place. 

Dream...

She was running away or towards her and had no idea. She stopped even though her legs were trying to run. A shadow hovered over her. 

Growing larger in size, which she recognized as her Grandmother,"You killed me"

Cassandra jumped breathing heavier.Sweat accumulated on her forehead. She can still feel her head throbbing and shaking. She tried to take a deep breath but air escaped her lungs. She rushed towards the kitchen table drinking water or spilling water. Her hands shook badly as if what happened 5 years ago was happening now. Or is it?

She panicked and she needed her pills. After grabbing the bottle she takes out a few pills and drinks it with water. Her nerves were unsettling her with nausea. She rushed to the bathroom vomiting her pills with the soup she ate. Her hand touched the shower she sat there under the cold water. 

Why was she shaking? She asked herself. She gripped her head, "You killed me"

"Please stop," Cassandra  yelled out loudly, biting her lips to the point blood came out.

Her eyes widened in horror. She was looking at the walls as if it would collapse  on her. She ran out of the room. The pain between her legs increased. She stumbles. Her hand reached out to the bottle of pills. She ate the pills without water. Her eyes started to feel the dark spots and she collapsed. Everything around her feels numb. Guilty of killing her grandmother weighs on her consciousness even more now. She repeated the same mistake.What will she pay for this time? That was her last thought.

************

Coltrane completed his work at almost 11 p.m. He sighed. Exhaustion crawled him. He walked out of his office. His body was aching for a bath and a good night rest. But he knows better than to delay his personal matters. With that thought he made his way to Cassandra studio. 

The lights were off as usual. He shakes his head and climbs up the stairs. He was about to press the bell when he noticed the door was already open. He walked in. The room was dark. He could not see anything. So, he reached for any switchboard near him. 

Luckily he found one. The light flushed out the darkness.But he froze his leg almost gave out at the sight. He felt shocked looking down at a particular person and there was a bottle of medicine around her.

Coltrane crouched down to touch her. He felt her body cold not only that she was wearing half wet cloths. He shake her,"Cassandra "

"Cassandra wake up" When she did not reply, he gathered her in his arms. Not trying not to think absurd thoughts. He can feel her breathing, the up and down of her chest was the only thing indicating she is alive.

Coltrane rushed her in his car. The nearest clinic was the Medicinal Clinic. 

He picked her up and rushed in calling for the doctor.

Lisa's eyes widen looking at the patient. She left her position and helped Cassandra to the nearest empty bed.

"Wait here, I am going to call the doctor," Lisa said.

She took her phone out and dialed Austin's  number, "Hello! Why are you calling me with your cell phone?"

"That's not here, Austin came to room 102, Cassandra passed out" she said the words to hear a beep.

Austin was above a floor with Marlyn, "Wait here" he told Marlyn and rushed to the room as fast as he could. Meera's health was stable now since the last time he talked to the doctor. They shift her here.

Coltrane waiting in the room with Cassandra. 

"Take her to the emergency room" He ordered  the male nurse who did as she asked. Coltrane stood there frozen on his spot.

 Austin changed his dress and sterilized himself before entering the emergency room.

"What happened?" Lisa asked after Austin entered the emergency room. Coltrane collapsed and his legs gave out. 

He might have told her, "I thought you were dead already. Why did you return?" 

But that was alway his anger, his frustration, his hate but never once in his life did he want her dead.

Is she going to die? Coltrane looked down, closing his eyes and his heart ached.

But the thought that she actually died shook him. He needed reassurance so he looked out to see anyone or someone. Lisa put her hand on his shoulder as a reassurance. He looked up, "Will she be alright?" He asked.

Lisa looked away before giving a hypothetical answer, "She will be fine". 

After a while Austin came out exhausted mentally with the doctor behind him who was an emergency doctor.

Austin turned and left, he just walked out of there without a word.

"Medicine overdose. We have flushed out the medicine and she will regain her consciousness after a while. She will be shifted to a normal ward where you can meet her there" the doctor told him before he could ask her to leave him there to attend to other patients. 

He waited beside her waiting for her to wake up. The nurse told him that she is out of danger and will be up in two hours. He sighed in relief.

************

2 hour later…

Cassandra blinked her eyes feeling her eyelids heavy, she sighed before attempting to sit up. Coltrane helps her before she removes her saline. She glared at him when Austin walked in dressed normally.

"You are awake?" Austin said coldly, he was standing in front of her glaring at her. She looked at him. 

"Why?" Austin asked her. Coltrane looked at him almost annoyed before shifting his eyes to her. Cassandra opened her mouth to say something but words stuck in her throat. She gulped down trying to control her eradicating breathing. 

"Why the fuck did you take those medicine again?" Austin asked bitterly. Something inside him broke the moment she pulled this stunt. He told himself to calm down but now seeing her in that state and what she did, hurt him. 

"Did I try for nothing?" Austin asked himself. He wanted to save her at any cost but this is what he got. 

"Austin" tears stuck in her eyes but she held back not letting it fall.

"I have had enough," Austin said, looking straight at her.

"Austin, please" Cassandra ripped her IV and stood up almost stumbling near Coltrane. He grabbed her trying to force her on the bed. 

"Austin, Let go of me" she struggled and he let her go. She buckled down. When he grabbed her.

"Austin" she extends her hand towards him. Austin felt the urge to hold her but he held himself back.

"I gave up Cassandra, I finally did. I can't do this anymore" Asutin gulped down painfully.

"Austin please I.. I.. did.. " she trailed off.

"Don't.. Don't explain. You don't need to explain anymore. Keep that to yourself " Cassandra looked at him hurt at his words..

"You know what? You can do whatever you want just just  make sure I don't  know" He gulped down painfully.

"I am getting out of your life, Cassandra" Austin left the room, Lisa was standing there looking at him and tears fell freely from her eyes. 

"Austin" Cassandra whispered almost hyperventilating, tears stream down her eyes. This was the second time in her life she felt hopeless. Coltrane was too shocked to do anything he felt bad for her. She crumbled in front of him shaking. Soft sobs filled the room. As she shook and cried, if he was not standing there he would not have noticed her crying. But she stopped crying and died wiping her eyes. She takes a deep breath. Her face turned blank instantly. 

"I need to check her up before giving her a go sign" Doctor came in. Coltrane nods and gets out of the room.

"Wait for me I will take you home" he said the words but whether she heard him or not that's another thing. He finds Austin's camber. 

Entering it without permission. 

"You should knock"Austin glared at him while sitting on his chair.  He is in no mood to talk; he even sent Marlyn home. 

"Why did you say that?" Coltrane glared at him. 

"You started caring?" Austin raised his eyebrows mockingly.

"Answer me damn it" Coltrane grit his teeth.

"Answer you. Who the fuck do you think you are?" Austun glared at him coldly. He wanted to punch him, beat the shit out of him but he just told Cassandra that he will get out of her life.

"Get out. It's none of your business" Austin said his voice sounds colder as he rubbed his neck trying to calm himself down.

"It is my business. She is my wife" Coltane said, shocking himself as well as Austin. He never thought he could easily say those words. He might have felt pity on her the way she was crying.

"The fuck did you just said?" Austin stood up.

"Right. The wife you left here to fend for herself without coming back. I was the one who was beside her that time. Don't give me that" Austin glare at him.

Coltrane did not know what to say now. He looked down; it was true he left her and the truth was he forgot about her. She did not mean anything to him. Then why now? He shook his head. Why the fuck are you getting involve in this? Just divorce her and get over with it all ready. Leave behind this mess. But he promised her… 

When did Coltrane Flynn Mayor ever go back on his promise?

"You are right" Coltrane shook his head. Austin felt stuck by his behaviour. The mark on her neck and the way she reacted he knows they slept together. But Coltrane shrugged his shoulder as if this does not matter. She does not matter.

Coltrane was about to leave when Austin stopped him. "You want to know. Why did I do that right?"

"No I don't" Coltrane coldly said those words before leaving the door. Yes it's true he does not because at the back of her mind he is afraid at what he might find out Coltrane rubbed his face only to hear Austin's words.

Austin sat down in the chair and stared at the door. "Why do you give yourself to someone like him?"

************

Coltrane walked up to her room. He was ready to get the hell out of there as soon as possible but he told her that he would take her home for the peace of his own mind.

To his surprise Cassandra accepted his offer and left with him. The doctor gave a green signal for her to go with a few medicines and rest as she was on sedation. Coltrane dropped her in front of her home. The whole ride was silent. She did not say a word as he tried to make small talk neither did she bid him goodbye. All this time Cassandra looked outside with a blank face as if she was in her own mind.

Coltrane parked his car in front of the gate throwing the keys at Ben. He walked inside. The house seems more empty than ever. He wanted to take a long relaxing shower and grab a drink with food but he could not.

Not when Coltrane thought about her. The doctor told him it was due to medicine overdose and Austin reacted as if she tried suicide. He closed his eyes and shook his head to stop those thoughts but that is nothing to stop his thoughts. It's not possible right? She would not do something like that right? Why would she do something like that it does not make sense?She has no reason to right, but he was having difficulty to believe himself.

Cassandra walked inside her studio. Her legs felt heavy as she made her way. She just slid down the door curling in a ball. Austin was the one who gifted her this studio. A place to live now that he told that he will leave her. Should she live in a place gifted by him?

No she should not.

Cassandra stands up packing a few clothes and necessities. She walked out of the studio which was her home for the last 5 years. By now she knows staying with someone else will always make her shelter less. And here she is homeless again.

Anyone can throw her out the moment they want to. She is homeless again. How much can she take ?

She is tired, tired of everything. Is dying a better option? She gulped down painfully trying not to go there.
She can see black dots in front of her eyes the sedative must have kicked in. She can feel her leg shaking as she walks away. The sedation started working. She cannot feel her surroundings anymore as she collapses in the middle of the road.

Everywhere is pitch black. Cassandra blinked her eyes repeatedly but nothing was black. She could not even see her hands. 

"Cassey" she flinched as she recognized the voice. Her grandmother was calling her and she opened her mouth to ask where she was? She can't see anything. But nothing came out.

A warm hand wrapped around her neck. She felt choked as she struggled to lose the grip. She grasped for air.

Cassandra jumped up gasping for air. Her windpipe felt soar. She was too dazed to see that she was sitting on a four postal comfy bed with a walk in closet. A table and a chair. It was a bare minimum of furniture but classy on the high end. 

She falls back on the bed without trying to know whose house it is. She is too exhausted to care. All she wanted was a good night sleep without these nightmares to haunt her. She needs her medicines for that.

"Are you alright?" She felt shocked hearing her voice. She hurried and sat up getting out of the bed.

"Where am I?" She asked her heart beat to increase as she stared at Catherine when she heard his voice.

"This is our house" Cassandra looked at Jeremy. Her eyes stuck at the ring they have on their ring finger. She bite her lips as the fact that they are married weighed on her conscious more than before.

"We saw you on the road and brought you here" Cassandra nodded a subtle nod before chuckling at them. Her life was a joke.

"I will be on my way" her words came off cold. She wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. Suffocation filled her lungs.

"Where would you go?" Catherine asked her as she looked at the bags.

"Anywhere is better than here" 

"You can stay here. You look pale" Jeremy said the words she wanted to hear 5 years ago not now she knows she will never get any help no one can change her mindset. She was better off alone.

"No. There is no need for that. I am fine" Cassandra lied. But they did not need to know.

"But..."

"Let me be.I don't need anyone's help" Cassandra snapped grabbing her things and rushed out of there. Without knowing she made her way back to the cafe.

Unconsciously she went back to the same place she once was when she became homeless for the first time..

*************

Thank you for reading dear readers.

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