You need to reader this or this chapter will be confusing. There are two Cassandra one is Cassandra Walmart and another Cassandra Mayor her daughter. Because of the serious context I will be using

Cassandra to refer Cassandra Mayor.

And

Cassandra for her mother.

Reader discretion advised.

Happy reading or Sad it depends

********

Cassandra felt every emotion she was capable of feeling and than nothing. This is the first time she was seeing her mother. The woman who is supposed to love her unconditionally. Then why did she call her a burden? What was her fault in this?

Why is it always her? Who needs to take the burnt for someone else's deed? Now she feels empty. As if every emotion she had someone sucked it own.

Nothing...

The tears which were falling stopped. Cassandra did not feel secure in his arms. It's more like she felt uncomfortable and insecure. She pushed him away and Coltrane let her go.

"Ms.Walmart" was about to leave when she called her mother. Cassandra felt her heart break. She wanted to hug her daughter and tell her how sorry she was. How much she loves her.

She was young, immature and naive. Now that she has a son. While taking care of him Cassandra always thought about her daughter. She came here to ask for her forgiveness even if she needs to beg for it.

"Do you know?" Cassandra's throat closed off. She did not want to break down but she wondered how much time she could hold off.

"I don't have a childhood because of you" Cassandra and Carson flinched at her blank tone.

"I am sorry" Cassandra said tears filled her eyes.

"Most of my childhood. I wondered why am I locked in that dark room? Why does my own father never look at me, never loved me as he loves Catherine? Why did my mother look at me with hatred? Why did grandma tell me not to go near the main house? Why am I not allowed to make friends?" Cassandra whispered but they heard it in that pin drop silence.

"But I was innocent then Why was I the one always suffering?" She asked them.

They looked down.

"When I get some sense grandma told me that People will call me Catherine. I asked why She told me that it was a game" a tear fell from her eyes.

"But when that game became reality and I struggled with an identity crisis. I know when people looked at me they always saw Catherine not me" Coltrane flinched at this.

"You were not there when I asked why Mom and Dad hates me? That's the first time Grandma cried in front of me. She hugged me and cried repeatedly saying sorry." Cassandra looked down, her grandma was the first person who cried for her.

"She told me everything. I was just 13 years old and I got to know that my mother left me. I was a burden for her" Cassandra looked down hearing her daughter's word.

"But I was fine. It did hurt me but I was doing just fine. Because that's the truth of my life people abandoning me" Cassandra sobbed hearing her.

"I tried to be happy smiling at every stupid thing. I tried to be happy, forcing myself to forget how my existence is not needed, " Casssandra said. Her tone never changed; it was as if she was talking about someone else life. It's a defense mechanism for her so that she did not have a complete breakdown.

"I never.." Cassandra stare down.

"Grandma and Catherine helped me to convince Mr. Walmart to let me go to school. I was happy thinking I could get friends and lead a normal life" Cassandra sighed.

"I was too stupid and trusting. That I ended up in disaster. I was thrown out of the house without any money. They did not even let me attend Grandma's funeral" Cassandra gasped as well as Coltrane. 

"That day I understand trying to be happy does not make you happy. It only makes you feel how sad you are" 

"Hunger, nightmare and fighting with my demons were horrible. I thought of killing myself, I even tried to cut myself but I could never go deeper. I was a coward" Tears filled Cassandra's eyes.

"You must be thinking why am I telling this right?" Cassandra shakes her head in no, tears falling on it's own like a river.

Cassandra remembered something horrible. Now she thought about the time she jumped in front of Austin's car but before that it was always blank. She thought the reason was that she got to know about her pregnancy but now.....

"Do you know I was pregnant too?" She told her. Cassandra looked at her in shock.

Coltrane stilled, he looked at her in shock too.

"After six months of suffering I never noticed that I missed my period" Cassandra sighed looking down.

"I was going to be a mother" She smiled after telling her mother that.

"An old lady for whom I worked helped me to buy a pregnancy test kit. It was positive" 

"I took a deep breath that day and determined myself that I will fight for it" Cassandra mocked herself.

"I did what I never thought I would do. I go to your office" She looked at Carson.

"I wanted money" She looked down.

"I can't raise a child in what condition I was in. Most of the days goes on by me being hungry" Cassandra rubbed her face.

"You were not there. So I asked your secretary to give me some money. I begged her. But she strictly told me that Mrs.Walmart refused to let me in. Giving money was out of question" She chuckled.

"I demanded that I want to meet the lawyer. After a ruckus she accepted and called the lawyer. I waited 5 hours standing outside of your office"

"When he comes. I asked him that I wanted my shares of this company" She looked Cassandra in the eyes. Unwanted tears filled her eyes.

"He t..old me t..that he needed to check the family register and Grandfather's will. He invited me to his office. After he checked, he gave me a confused look and told me to look at the family register" Cassandra stared at them with one of the most heartbreaking stares. Her eyes filled with hurt, pain and years of suffering.

"There was only one Cassandra. I was not registered in the family tree" Cassandra gasped.

"What are you saying?" Cassandra asked her, hurt, anguish and pain was the only thing she was feeling right now.

"I never existed in the Walmart family" She told her the painful truth. But then they hear the most heartbreaking thing in their life.

"My will to protect the baby vanished and I did what any mother would never do. I deliberately ran in front of the car. I wanted to die. I have had enough. The only thing I thought would give me my identity was never real. It was the last stroke. I killed my grandmother than an innocent baby. How low can I be?" 

"Now that you are here. I remember why I did that ? I don't know what to call myself anymore" Cassandra said looking at them with blank eyes. Carson blinked his eyes. Taking a good look at her, she did not look like she was sleeping well black circle surrounded her sleepless eyes. She looked more mature than her age. No, she was forced to be mature.

"I know I was not supposed to exist" She whispered to herself.

"So there is no need for you to come and ask for forgiveness. When I myself did something so horrible not only that I take your identity" Cassandra looked down.

Coltrane was standing there silently listening to her. Without knowing a tear slid down his eyes. He felt something inside him break for the first time and  he felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. 

"I am sorry. I am so sorry sweetheart. If only I could go back in the past you would not have suffered. I am 25 years late" Cassandra cried out falling to her knees. Cassandra walked forward bending down and hugged her. Cassandra sobbed. 

"I am sorry. I will do anything for you" She pushed her mother away.

"You don't need to do anything. I am at fault" with that she left her mother andwalked inside her room closing the door behind. Cassandra looked at the way she went in tears , her eyes held something as she sobbed her body shaking. Then she turned to  look at Carson.

Carson was frozen in his place. After hearing everything he felt regret. He wanted to beg for her forgiveness but he knows he does not deserve it. He let that happen to her, he was the main culprit.

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

Jeremy went to his office. His thoughts were all over the place. Even when he said that he will give her all rights as his wife. He rubbed his head.

Love.

Why did he have to fall in love with her? Why can't he fall for someone else?

Jeremy still felt the lingering sweet taste of her lips. She felt soft and heavenly. And the way she reacted against him. But when Aaron said those words it felt like someone poured cold water on him and woke him up from his dream world.

He betrayed his best friend and there he goes again stuck on something like a broken recorder.

He rubbed his head and concentrated on his job.

The next time Jeremy sat up it was already late. He looked at the clock. It's almost 9 p.m. Most of his staff left. James was there and Rose.

"Rose?" Jeremy called her. She flinched .

"Yes..??" She said.

"I am sorry. I take out my anger on you without any reason. Not only that I was extremely rude to you" Jeremy felt guilty the way he treated her. Even though they share a relation of boss and subordinates. He wanted to have a relation of respect not fear.

Not only that he always treated her as a little sister.

"It's okay" Rose smiled at him. He patted Rose's head.

"I will be heading out then. James dropped her home it's already too late" He ordered James who nodded his head.

"Oh and the woman who came today is my wife. If she ever comes, let her in" He said that before going out. The drive to his mother's home was silent, he did not let his mind wander this time.

The guard opened the gate. He entered, Jane was already waiting in the hall for him. He looked at her.

"I was waiting for you," Jane said. He completely ignored her.

"What happened to you yesterday?" She asked. He kept silent, he knows her mother might have already forgotten about what happened yesterday. Or for her nothing happened. He was just throwing tantrums.

"Jeremy?" Jane asked again.

"That was a personal mother. It's between us" Jeremy answered. Jane nods her head giving them their privacy.

"Where is she?" He asked. 

"She has already eaten and takes her medicines. Look at the time already" Now he noticed that it's almost 10 p.m." Jane glared at him.

"Go fresh and up. I will set your dinner" Jeremy nodded his head.

When he entered his room she was already sleeping. He walked near her to see her puffy cheeks and swollen lips. He is the reason. He sighed. The shower helped him to relax and wash his worries away.

Jeremy went out of the room to eat wearing an old pajama.

"She was happy when she came and she waited for you too. Why were you late?" Jane asked after serving him a plate of pasta.

"I was a busy mother," Jeremy said and finished his food as fast as he could. 

"Good night," he said.

Jane sighed. Why did her son grow up to be this closed off? She did not want Catherine to suffer because of her own son.

Jeremy silently entered his room and made his way to the bed. She was already sleeping on a side giving him enough space to sleep. He slide in and closed his eyes

Ring Ring Ring...

Jeremy groaned, Catherine sat up. She looked at the caller I.d. Almost shocked.

"Jeremy," she shakes him.

"Wake up. Your phone" she called him again. He extended his hand for the cellphone.

"Hello?" He said hoarsely.

"What?" Jeremy sat up straight.

"I will be there," he said, rushing out of the bed.

"Catherine get ready we need to go" Catherine looked at his panicked face and stopped whatever question she was thinking to ask. Her heart galloped in fear.

When they sit in the car. She asked, "Why did Coltrane call you?"

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

Coltrane does not know how to feel. But for the first time he wanted to protect her. 

Protect her from who? Her parents or himself? He asked, painfully chuckling. Both of them looked at him as if he had lost it. 

"Was it you who helped Catherine?" He asked even though he knows what the answer would be. 

Cassandra blinked her eyes, tears flowing uncontrollably. 

"Yes" she whispered. He froze. 

"You want her to be the culprit so that it will hurt you less" 

"Yes that's true. It was easier to accept that than thinking the love of his life just ran away from him" he thought out loud. 

Coltrane rubbed his face. He needs to get some fresh air. The room feels suffocating. He walked out leaving them there. He doesn't know what to do anymore. For the past few days he was trying to overcome his past. But now his feelings are all over the place. Was he feeling pity for her? 

Then where is this guilty feeling coming from? Is it because he never knew that she was suffering under her smiling face? 

He drove the car to the medicinal clinic. 

"Where is Austin?" He asked lisa 

"He is actually behind you" Lisa said laughing awkwardly. 

"I want to talk to you about Cassandra," Austin blinked, his eyes almost shocked.

"For what?" He asked.

"I need to know," Coltrane said.

"That does not answer anything Mayor" Austin glared at him.

"Please" Austin sighed before nodding his head and asking him to follow him. 

"What is it you want to know, Mayor?" Austin asked. 

"What is it you wanted to say that day?" Coltrane asked directly. 

"Are you ready to hear that? No, the question is, why do you want to know that?" Austin takes a seat in his revolving chair. Coltrane sighed. 

"I got to know she was pregnant," he said. 

"Do you know that she jumped in front of my car?" Austin was shocked that Cassandra opened her mouth about that. 

"Yes" Coltrane cleared his throat. 

"But that does not answer my question. I asked, Why do you want to know?" Austin asked. Coltrane was almost dumbfounded. 

"Are you doing this because all of a sudden you feel pity? Does she look that pitiful?" Austin mocked him.

"That's not it" Coltrane cannot understand his own feelings but he knows that it was most definitely pity he is feeling right now. 

"Then what was it? Are you in love with her or something?" Austin asked again. 

"No" Austin flinched at his answer. He did not even stop to think.

"Are you always this straightforward? When you clarify your feelings?" He asked, feeling angry. 

"Yes," Coltrane said, confused by that question. 

"How would you feel if Catherine said she loves Jeremy in front of you time to time again and again?" Austin asked, glaring at him. Coltrane was shocked. 

"How do you know?" He asked. 

"I know almost everything," Austin said. 

"Now answer me?" 

"I would feel hurt" Coltrane looked down.

"Then how do you think she feels when you say that everytime" Coltrane felt his mouth dry up. He froze. No, she hugged him and consoled him when he cried. 

"She loves you to the point that she gives up everything. Was her love only worth your curiosity?" Austin asked. 

Coltrane looked down. No, she does not deserve this. 

"You used her, how do you think she would have felt?" Coltrane flinched. 

Please for one night pretend. Pretend to be her. For one night I want to feel her. Please I know you can do this for me. Please I want to feel her, love her till my heart is content. I will take responsibility and stay with you, for the rest of my life.

"Coltrane I will tell you what she has been through in the past 5 years but for that you need to resolve yourself and ask yourself what you want from her?" Austin sighed explaining this to him.

"Are you ready to love her? Love the broken girl who loved you unconditionally. She at least deserves that much. You already know that don't you?" Coltrane painfully gulped down before nodding her head. 

Austin relaxed on his seat but then he noticed something odd. He jumped up. 

"You said that Cassandra told you that she was pregnant" He asked abruptly. Almost beating himself why did not he thought of it immediately.

"Yes?" 

"Did she say anything about her name?" 

"Yes" Coltrane gulped down. 

"You left her alone in the house" Coltrane looked at him confused. Austin looks almost shaken.

"Let's go, we need to stop her. Hurry up" Austin rushed out sweat bead forming. 

"Why are we rushing?" Coltrane asked. 

Austin started his car.

"When the first time I met her she rushed forward in front of my car. It was a pretty big accident. She hurt her head badly, and she never remembered why she did? What did she do? She never said what triggered her to do this. Later on I investigated where she was before that because she looked like someone I already saw on television. So I traced back and got to know she met a lawyer. I forced him for information. I got to know that it was due to the family tree where her name was not registered. It was confusing I did not understand at all. But later on when I get to know her story that make sense" 

"After that she tried to take her life because she felt guilty of killing her baby. But what happened before the accident was blank. We tried hypnotherapy but she cannot remember anything. She always thought it was money due to which she did that" Coltrane froze. 

When they reached his house it was oddly silent. Her parents left right after him, that's what Ben said. He nodded and rushed in. Austin behind him. He felt sweat accumulating on his forehead. Nervously he twisted the door knob.

"We don't have time, we need to break it," Austin said.

"Ben, you those keys" Coltrane said shakily.

"Cassandra"

"Cassandra, Open the damn door" Austin yelled. Ben rushed in with the key. They opened the door only to hear the sound of water from the bathroom. Ben sighed in relief but Austin looked at Coltrane.

Coltrane opened the bathroom door only to feel as if his whole life stopped for a second. There she was in the pool of her own blood. Coltrane's knee shook as he collapsed.

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

I know some of you wanted to kill me for this cliffhanger 😅😅

A few days ago someone PM me that why do I take so much time to update Her Replacement even though I am not working on anything else. I thought this is something you all might be thinking.

The thing is Her replacement takes a toll on me emotionally. So it takes so much time. I am really sorry for the slow updates.

As I promised here is the fast update.

Do share your thoughts and comment.

Thank you for reading dear readers....

Until next time..