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********

They walked through a luxurious hall wall, Coltrane led her straight to the private elevator. The moment they entered she moved away. 

They reached his office, Cassandra looked up to see the nameplate on the door

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

COLTRANE FLYNN MAYOR

She blinked her eyes, getting back her senses. her eyes wander around the office. A modern office with black and white furniture. The wall behind the office desk is a digital transparent screen.

Coltrane walked up to his seat, sighing he sit down on his chair, "You will stay here"

Cassandra glared at him, "I am not a puppet. I will do whatever I want" she took the seat opposite to his chair.

"Listen to me..." he stood up, pushing the chair backward when his office phone rang.

"Hello," his eyes stopped at her, narrowly challenging her to do something.

She smirked standing up, she got herself out of his office.

"You think you can control me" Cassandra rolled her eyes at him. He glared at her, gritting his teeth trying not to shout out at her.

"Jeremy I will call back later" he cut the call rubbing his eyes.

He took his cell phone out and dialed his number.

"Hello, Larson speaking" the person on the other side speaks.

"I heard she signed a different name on the paper" he said straight to the point.

"Yes, Sir. I tried to call you but your cell phone was out of reach. So, I called Jeremy sir" Coltrane cursed under his breath for breaking his mobile.

"Change the name of Catherine Rossella Walmart to Cassandra Walmart and submit it for registry" he smirked if she is going to play a game, he will return the favour ten fold. Now that she is his wife officially. He will give her the surprise of the year. He rubbed his brows to calm down rage boiling in him coupled with frustration and anger. 

Cassandra walked out of his room. The floor was booked with a high ranking post holder. Her eyes landed on the fifth door to the right.

HEAD OF INTERIOR DESIGNER

CATHERINE WALMART

Her inside crunch she stare at the nameplate. She felt choked on her feelings. It was her dream which she never got to fulfill.

"Excuse me Ma'am" someone called her. She blinked her eyes and turned to the sound.

"Congratulations on your wedding" the man in front of her smiled.

"Thank you" her voice came out as a whisper as she forced a smile on her lips.

"Can you help my colour selection? And I want to replace some of the furniture" He asked, confused about the designs.

Cassandra couldn't answer her choked feeling return. She blinked her eyes, she tried to keep her emotions under control.

"Keep it in my office. I will check it" she cleared her throat. He put his file inside and left from there. 

Sometimes dreams can be painful especially those dreams which you have the capacity to fulfill but not the luxury. Her dream was about to come true because she replaced her. The irony of the situation makes her chuckle.

Tears of pain, hurt, anguish, over and over stuck her. She stood there not blinking trying not to have a break in the middle of nowhere. 

Coltrane found her standing in front of Catherine's office.

For once he stared at her, " Why didn't you complete your studies?" He asked not sure if he should. He knows she dropped out but why? That's a sensitive topic, something he has no idea about nor anyone else. But the bitter feeling remained. Many things happened at that time he didn't want to recall all those hurtful stuff. Especially her betrayal. He shook his head,  nerve popping out, he could even feel his anger.

"It's none of your business" she coldly said back towards him. Trying to keep herself emotionally blank, if only he had asked this question 5 years ago. He might have had the answer without asking.

His anger exploded at the same time, her cold words burning something inside of him. He grabbed her turning around forcefully. She stared at him blankly. His grip tightened. She stood there not blinking. He wanted her to react for some reason, her blank expressionless face was bothering him more than he shows.

"Listen…"  Coltrane gritted his teeth when her phone rang.

"Let go" she struggled to get away from him. His grip slacked. She picked her cellphone.

"Hello," her voice cracked a bit.

"C.. . Catherine" she blinked her eyes looking straight at him. His eyes widened and he grabbed her hand, snatching away her phone.

"Hello! Hello! Answer me damn it. Hello! Hello! Hello! Fuck" he cursed throwing her phone away.

"What are you doing?" Cassandra grasped. He grabbed her hand tightly pulling her closer, "Where. Is. She?" He asked, gritting his teeth. 

Cassandra couldn't answer. Her mouth dried off, nothing came out, even when she tried nothing.

She could not feel anything. This must be a joke right? Why does everything happening indicate that it's her fault? Why would Catherine contract Austin? All of a sudden? Him of all people? She didn't feel anything when he dragged her into the car.  

Cassandra closed her eyes trying to forget what she heard. Coltrane stared at her as she shivered a bit. He was waiting for her to open her eyes not knowing she was not conscious anymore.

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

Past

"Why don't you tell the teacher?" Coltrane asked her. Catherine looked down not knowing how to answer.

"I don't want my dad to know. He will destroy their life" She mumbles. Her family is one of the richest in the country. The last thing she wanted to do was to make a mess out of their life just for a misunderstanding. 

It's horrifying how her father treats her and how he treats her sister.

Coltrane blinked his eyes; he might have laughed if not for her serious expression.

"So what should we do?" He asked her at last.

"I have an idea" Coltrane, Catherine and Jeremy looked behind to find Cassandra still standing there with a bored look.

"I thought you said, you will never help us" Jeremy asked, raising his brows in question.

"When did I say that?" She asked, snapping a bit.

"You did not but the meaning was the same" Jeremy added mockingly.

"Yeah but I changed my mind" she mumbled.

"I know you won't leave" Coltrane smirked before patting her head.

"Yeah! Well whatever" Cassandra rolled her eyes slapping his hand away.

"So what's the plan?" Jeremy interjects between them.

"I will replace her" Catherine's eyes widened, she looked at her shocked at her words.

"Can you?" Coltrane asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Off course" 

'I am used to' she smiles even though it feels a bit forced. The bitter fact that she is used to it.  She keeps it to herself.

"No, You don't need to be my replacement" Catherine refused glaring at her for even suggesting that. This was the first time Coltrane and Jeremy saw the soft kind looking Catherine glaring at someone.

"What happened? Are you afraid?" Cassandra whispered which only Catherine heard.

"No. It just.. I don't want you to replace me."She looked down, trailing off.

"Then it's decided. I will be the one going in her class while she stays here. I will make them pay for this" she stated.

"But how can you...." Jeremy interrupts her.

"It's alright Jerry. I am used to it" she grinned saying that out loud. She went straight to Catherine's classroom.

"It will be alright," Coltrane said.

"Yeah! She can handle it" they reassured Catherine, almost forgetting what she said before leaving.

***********

Present...

Jeremy stares at Catherine for an explanation, when suddenly the door opens. His eyes widened looking at the man standing in front of him.

"You know?" Jeremy accused him.

"Off course. She is my patient" Austin said in a formal tone and started her regular check up.

"If you knew then why did you stay silent?" Jeremy almost wanted to shake his collar and yelled at him 'Do you know what kind of situation you put your own friend in?' But he held back.

"Keep your voice down mister and Did you hear about patient confidentiality?" Austin told him calmly.

"Dr.McGregor, Do you know him?" Catherine asked him.

"No. You are fine now. I will sign your discharge papers tomorrow. Take rest tonight" Austin said before walking out.

"Will you start explaining?" Jeremy asked, glaring at her.

"Hurry up" he gritted his teeth. The more time he spends with her the more bitter he is feeling.

Ring Ring...

Cursing colourful words as he picked up his call.

"What?" He snapped.

"So? Why the fuck are you calling me?" He growled taking a deep breath.

"That dick needs you to break his phone" he mumbled under his breath.

"That lawyer called why the fuck did you break your....." 

"Jeremy I will call back later" He heard a beep sound trying not to throw his phone also. He took a deep breath trying to control the bit of sanity he was holding.

"You want an invitation for speaking?" Jeremy asked, glaring at her.

"No" Catherine shook her head scared at his odd behavior and tears threatened to fall. He seems so different from the Jeremy she used to know from high school. Her heart flutters seeing him talking to her directly after 5 years almost.

"I was drunk.." She cleared her throat.

"When I woke up I was here. That's all I know" Catherine said looking anywhere but his eyes.

He stares at her for anything else, she is lying he knows that. Her habit of looking away whenever she lied. 

"Was there anyone else with you?" He asked her after waiting for her to continue.

"I don't remember" her answer made him wonder how much this set up goes against Cassandra.

"When did you wake up?" Jeremy can feel his anger rising and the fact that she is lying confused him about everything.

"Today morning," she said.

He gritted his teeth, " if you wake up today that means you were out for one whole day. Right?" He asked her.

She nodded her head flinched away at his words.

"One day coma and now you are fine. How?" He suspiciously looked at her. Her eyes flashed with hurt.

"I don't know"

"Do you have any idea what happened to your wedding?" Catherine nodded her head looking at him.

He rubbed his brows. Every single thing indicates that the culprit is Cassandra. 

That time he tried to blow it off but now again the situation calls for trouble.

Trouble is something Cassandra is used to. Now what will she do more importantly what will Coltrane do to her?

This all seems like a plan made by Her and Austin. He needs to clear it out with Austin but before that...

"Are you done lying?" Jeremy asked coldly. Catherine's eyes widen.

"Pray tell, When will you.." he trailed off.

She shook her head, " I want some time. Please Jeremy?"

"Your fucking time will destroy someone's life" He yelled.

"I need some time. I will tell him everything. Please Jeremy. Please" she asked, almost begging him.

"No. Are you fucking out of your mind?" He growled a hatred bubble inside of him.

"Please" Catherine said softly as tears threatened to fall. He closed his eyes taking a deep breath.

"Go find yourself a hotel. Don't bother me. I don't know you" Jeremy said glaring at her. She flinched away looking down trying not to break down. He was breaking her heart without even trying. She should not complain, after all she also broke his heart once.

Jeremy walked out not bothering to look behind. Her sobs filled the room.

He smiled at the receptionist. She blushed and looked away. The man in front of her is indeed handsome. She could feel her heartbeat rising.

"Can I talk to Dr. Austin?" He asked.

"Sorry sir but Dr. McGregor is in OT. But you can book an appointment with him?" The receptionist forwarded him a form.

"Alright I will," he said, taking the form and filling in the details.

"Can I ask you something?" He asked her.

"Yes off course" she took the form from his hand.

"Who admitted the patient in room no. 307?" He asked her casually.

"Why sir?" The receptionist asked, confused.

"Oh! I want to thank them for helping my... wife?" Jeremy paused for a while before saying a solid lie.

"Let me check"

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

Present.

Austin sighed he had no idea that the patient Dr.Karl handled was actually Cassandra's sister. He entered his cabin and dialed her.

"Hello" Cassandra picked up the call even though it sounded off. He doesn't know if this is the right thing to do.

"I need to tell you something" when she didn't answer he continued, " I saw Catherine today"

"C.. . Catherine" she shuttered.

"Doctor it's an emergency" 

"I will call later" he cut the call hurrying to do his duty.

Cassndra could feel her consciousness returning.

Her feelings numbed  and she could hear his voice but nothing came out of her mouth.

She blinked her eyes when he gripped her cheeks painfully tight, she pushed him away glaring at him with hatred, "I. Don't. Know" she gritted her teeth.

"Than. Why? Did. She. Call. You?" Coltrane said in the same manner gritting his teeth.

"It was someone else" 

"Who?" He growled at her.

"I don't know. But he said he saw her today" she lied. Telling the truth will make her life difficult. 

"Give me the number I will trace it" Coltrane extended his hand for her phone forgetting that he broke it a few minutes ago.

Cassandra glared at his extended hand. He sighed remembering what happened earlier.

He called Jeremy, When he did not answer, he left a message, "I want you to trace the last number that called Cassandra the first thing. And call me when you get the message" He sighed starting the car.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"Home" he answered monotonously.

"Stop the car, I can go home on my own"

"You really think I will do that," he chuckled coldly.

"I don't trust you. Do you really think you said 'I don't know' and I believe" Cassandra stilled at his distrustful words.

"I will make you remember after we get home"

"What are you gonna do? Hurt me ? I am used to it" She grit her teeth sparing those words bitterly as her body tensed up. She gripped her fingers in a fist.

"There are many other ways to get what I want? And you know very well how much disgustingly low I could be to get what I want. Hurting you might be  a better option for you" he held her eyes while promising her something. 

Cassandra laughed out loud, freezing him almost, "Go ahead" he looked at her blank expressionless face.

 He stopped the car, opening her safety belt. He gripped her hand pulling her closer. She struggled when his lips crashed on her lips. 

He kissed her roughly before letting her go.

Coltrane started the car as if nothing happened. She looked out blankly.

***********

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