The Accident

It's been more than two long years since Cassie decided to cut her connection with her family. She thought escaping would end her doubts and fears, but she was wrong.

As soon as her daughter turned one, she met Theodore. The man attended their daughter's first birthday. She was surprised and didn't know what to say then suddenly; the man told her to live with him.

How could she ever escape? And what's wrong with him?

"Why are you doing this? I don't even know you," she asked.

The man walked toward her. As Cassie doesn't want to ruin her daughter's party, she pulls the man inside the house and drags him into the kitchen.

"You know what I wanted," Theo replied as he stopped a few steps away from her.

Cassie arched her brow. She shouldn't show any fear in front of the man. She admits to herself that she was getting intimidated by his presence.

"Look, Mr. Smith—"

"You know me," he cut off.

She scoffed. "Who wouldn't? Whatever your business here, can you do it the other day? This is my daughter's birthday—"

"Our daughter, Cassie."

She shook her head. "No. She's not yours."

Theo smirked. "Not because you changed a lot means I didn't recognize you, Cassie. I memorize every angle of your face—"

"So, you're a stalker? Don't you know stalking is a crime?"

"I don't follow the rules, and I like to break the law. Don't beat around the bush, Cassie. Live with me and—"

"No. Period. You can't act superior to me. Now, leave," Cassie said as she pointed the way out.

Theo, who feels unbothered, as he can get whatever he wants, smirked. "Don't try me, woman."

"Oh, really? Get out of my territory."

Well, it was Rona's property, but who cares? As long as she was determined to shoo him away, she would do anything.

Indeed, the man was right. She changed a lot. She's not that fatty, ugly whom they used to call. She lost weight, and her skin was lighter than before.

Theo then left without uttering a word. He can wait. He even waited for almost three years, so why can't he? It's only a matter of time.

Rona rushed toward Cassie, who was walking in her direction.

"What happened? What did the two of you talk about? And why is he in a hurry?"

"I pushed him away. His presence can't threaten me," Cassie replied. Although the truth is, she's frightened.

Rona sighed. "I told you. He knew. It's not that you can escape him forever. You may escape your father, but not Theo."

"That's why I need your help again, Ro."

Rona frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Help me find a place where he can't track us. Me and my daughter."

Rona arched her brow and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Are you nuts? That man is dangerous. And you know he can find you wherever you go—"

"No. We need to be careful this time. I need to hide—"

"Are you gonna hide forever? Why do you keep on running? Why don't you face everything? Are you being a coward now, Cici?" Rona asked in frustration. She wanted to help her friend, but she kept on troubling herself. Cassie must face everything.

"If he wants you to live with him, why not? Why don't you try? What if he really loves you?"

Cassie let out a sarcastic laugh. She shook her head as she pulled Rona to the corner. "Love me? Theo is after my daughter, Ro. He knew that Camila was his daughter."

"What? So, what?"

Cassie pinched Rona slightly on her shoulder. "Can you stop being mean—"

"I'm not mean. You're being mean. What if Theo changed? Don't tell me you're not hooked on that guy. And you know what? You can also use Theo to slap your family."

Cassie shook her head. "You don't understand, Ro. I don't care about my family anymore—"

"You can't say that. It's time to face your family also. As the first daughter, you have the right to claim your inheritance. Don't let that b*tch Mira take everything."

"The Carter already had the power over Morgan Corporation," Cici replied.

"Still, you have to get your share, even if it was just 2 % or so. Besides, you know your father got paralyzed, right?"

Cassie looked for a chair nearby and sat. She massages her temple. A month before she gave birth, Rona informed her that her father had been rushed to the hospital.

"Are you not curious about what was happening to your family?"

Cassie didn't reply, and after a few moments, Nana Sela caught their attention. The old lady is holding the cute little girl, Camila Morgan.

"I'm sorry, Miss Cici, but Camila won't stop crying," Nana Sela stated.

Cassie stood up and got the little girl pouting with tears streaming down her cheeks. "What's wrong with my baby girl?" she asked as she patted her back.

Camila enveloped her little arms around her nape and rested her head on Cici's shoulder.

"Take good care of our little Camila first, and I will entertain some other guests," Rona said as she tapped Cassie back. "We'll talk later," she added.

Cassie nodded and walked inside the house.

It was just a small party, and she only invited their neighbors. Vince, Mish, and Jake couldn't attend, so Rona is here to fill their place.

Cassie really didn't expect that Theo would show up. That man really loves to surprise her, just like what had happened the night they met. The night where it all started.

She was about to open the door of her room when she heard Rona's voice. She frowned when she saw how Rona rushed towards her, panting.

"What's wrong with you? Is there something wrong?"

Rona catches her breath.

Good thing her daughter is already asleep.

"Browse the latest news on the internet."

Cassie frowned and opened the door first. "Why? You seem frightened."

"Yes, it's really frightening. And you wouldn't believe it," Rona asserted.

As curiosity evaded Cassie's thoughts, she swiftly but gently put down her daughter on the bed.

Rona helped her by handing her cell phone to her. "Search for his name."

Cassie's forehead knitted. "Him?"

"Theodore."

She then does what her friend says. As soon as she opened the browser of her phone, the headline, [A Car Accident Involves Theodore Smith.]