Chapter 15
It was late at night, and Josiah tucked the sleepy Paisley into lied. Settling her down, he placed her cherished doll by her side and snugly covered them both under the sheets.
“When will Mommy come? Paisley asked.
Josiah replied, “Mommy is busy. Let me accompany you, okay?”
Paisley posted in grievance. “No, I don’t want you. I want Mommy…
“Am I not good?” Josiah gently strokes the hair on her forehead.
Paisley hugged the doll tightly and looked aggrieved. It wasn’t that Josiah wasn’t good, He was tall, handsome, and doted on her, but he wasn’t her father. She was inexplicably resistant to him.
Josiah opened the storybook on the bedside table and asked, “Shall I read you a story?”
Paisley’s tiny face was buried behind the doll’s huge head, revealing only a pair of big eyes. She wanted to hear it but preferred Cassidy to read it.
Josiah read Paisley a fairy tale, and Paisley fell asleep halfway through.
After Josiah turned off the light and left the room, Cassidy called him. He picked up the phone. “Hello?”
“Is Paisley asleep?” Cassidy asked.
“She just fell asleep” Josiah asked, “When will you come over?”
“I–I suddenly decided not to move Cassidy stood in the living room, looking at the luggage that had been put back in place, and sighed. “Since he knows about me, it’s pointless to hide.
“Well, I’ve invited the Howell and the Jensen families to Saunders Group’s cocktail party next week. I’ll announce our engagement then. They will know sooner or later, Josiah said.
Cassidy was stunned, and her mind went blank.
Before returning from abroad, Josiah had suddenly proposed to her at the foot of Epiphany Tower. He had wanted to put a ring on her finger, but she had refused, saying she didn’t deserve it.
However, Josiah countered, “Cassidy, you’ve been by my side for over 20 years of my life. You mean the world to me. Cassidy, be my wife. I’ll dedicate my days to loving and shielding you, and I’ll cherish Paisley like she’s my own. Don’t turn me down, unless you’re plannin‘ on shuttin‘ me out for good.”
Cassidy gazed at the ring box resting on the table. Gently, she lifted the lid and slid the ring onto her finger.
Back in time, Nathan had taken her hand, delicately placed a stunning two–carat pink diamond on her finger, and popped the question, “Cassidy, will you marry me?”
“Cassidy?” Josiah’s voice from the other end of the line snapped Cassidy back to reality.
Startled, Cassidy tried to remove the diamond ring in a rush, but it was snug, refusing to budge. “Josial, why’s this ring so tight?”
Josiah’s voice was doting and gentle. “Since you’ve put it on, don’t take it off. He’d slyly downsized the ring by two units.
Cassidy struggled in vain and sighed helplessly. “You did it on purpose, didn’t you?”
Josiah said, “MacQueen rang up today, sayin‘ the gown’s landed at the store. Remember to give it a whirl tomorrow. Need me to tag along?”
“Nah. When’s your appointment!” Cassidy inquired.
pm, Josiah responded.
Cassidy said, “I have to pick up Paisley at 3:30 pm
Tll swing by for Paisley first, then scoop you up for supper,” Josiah suggested.
12:20 PM ·
Chapter 15
“Okay,” Cassidy agreed.
Cassidy drove to MacQueen, Broburgh’s renowned fashion landmark
As she opened the door, the store manager, Daphne, greeted her enthusiastically, “Ms. Saunders, welcome!”
“Thanks. I’m here to try on the gown,” Cassidy replied.
“Okay, this way, please, Daphne said and led Cassidy to the dressing room.
Daphne praised, “Mr. Saunders is really thoughtful! A Night in Mallowbrook is a masterpiece by Ashley, the renowned designer. It snagged top honors at major fashion weeks and runway events.
“Ashley’s quite the enigma. Young and gifted, her creations are sought after by dignitaries and celebrities from all over the world. Her designs are priceless gems in the fashion realm.
“However, she has an eccentric personality. Someone once offered millions of dollars to bid for this work but got turned down. Mr. Saunders must’ve worked wonders to secure it.”
Then, Daphne added, “I heard you and Mr. Saunders are getting engaged. Congratulations!”
“Thanks” Cassidy entered the dressing room and changed into the gown.
Meanwhile, at the store’s entrance, Meredith and Samantha strolled in. The shop assistant hurried over to welcome them, “Welcome, Mrs. and Ms. Jensen!
Meredith asked, “Is the gown set?”
“All set. Follow me, please, the shop assistant confirmed.
The Jensen family had snagged invites to a forthcoming cocktail bash hosted by the Saunders Group. Meredith, a loyal MacQueen patron, had nabbed a gown for the occasion.
Once a child prodigy in showbiz, Meredith wowed audiences with her violin solo “Melody” at the Strico Opera House at a mere ten years old. With her striking looks and magnetic presence, she swiftly ascended to fame, delving into movies and TV dramas, quickly becoming a beloved young star nationwide. Kenny and Samantha beamed with pride for her achievements.
In contrast, Cassidy, newly back in the Jensen fold, appeared like a fish out of water, sporting drab attire and emanating nerves and timidity.
Despite being Kenny and Samantha’s biological offspring, she’d been raised by a nightclub dancer. Adding to that, Kenny and Samantha shared a close bond with Meredith, spurring Cassidy to go above and beyond to win their approval
They loved listening to violin music, so Cassidy took it seriously and even learned how to compose. Her grandfather, Lionel Jensen, was into oil painting, so she worked hard on that. Her grandma, Patricia Jensen, was all about opera, so she picked up vocals and taught herself screenwriting
Yet, irrespective of Cassidy’s remarkable accomplishments–a gold medal from the Paganini International Competition, numerous vocal accolades for her violin performances, and a six–figure sale of her oil painting at an art exhibit–Meredith remained the family’s undisputed princess in their eyes.
Meredith tried on the gown and stepped out. While opening the door, she faintly heard Daphne’s admiration from the adjacent dressing room. “You look stunning in this gown, Ms. Saunders! Only you deserve A Night in Mallowbrook.”
“Thanks,” Cassidy replied.
‘A Night in Mallowbrook? Isn’t that Ashley’s masterpiece! Meredith wondered.
Word was, Ashley had created it after a night spent in Mallowbrook. Tasha Bowman, a top international model, had worn it at fashion week, winning first prize.
