Chapter 2 - What Cassandra Wanted
Cassandra had spent most of her life standing beside doors she believed should have opened for her.
She never forgot the first time she entered Hart House.
She was fourteen.
Her parents had brought her to a Christmas dinner hosted by Thomas and his wife, Eleanor.
Amelia had been eleven.
Cassandra remembered looking at the staircase, the paintings, the silver dinner service, and the enormous Christmas tree in the drawing room.
She remembered thinking that Amelia had been born inside a fairy tale she hadn't earned.
Years later, when Cassandra's parents died, Thomas paid the remaining balance of her tuition.
He offered her a job.
He gave her opportunities.
But gratitude slowly became resentment.
Thomas treated Cassandra like family.
He never treated her like Amelia.
There was always a line Cassandra could see and Thomas pretended did not exist.
Amelia was blood.
Amelia was legacy.
Amelia was the person Thomas looked for when he laughed.
Cassandra was always almost.
Almost family.
Almost daughter.
Almost trusted.
And almost was never enough.
Three days after Amelia returned home, Cassandra met Julian at a hotel bar across town.
Julian arrived ten minutes late.
"People know me here," he said.
"They know me everywhere."
"That's not reassuring."
Cassandra slid a glass toward him.
"You've been avoiding me."
"Amelia is home."
"For twelve days."
"Eleven now."
Cassandra leaned back.
"Do you love her?"
Julian didn't answer.
"That's what I thought."
"It's complicated."
"No. You're complicated. She's easy."
Julian laughed bitterly.
"You think Amelia is easy?"
"She disappears for six months, sends you three messages a week, comes home wearing a uniform, and expects time to freeze."
"She doesn't expect that."
"Then why haven't you told her?"
Julian stared at his drink.
Cassandra moved closer.
"Tell her you don't want this anymore."
"And then what?"
"You choose the life you actually want."
Julian looked at her.
Cassandra knew what he wanted.
Status.
Security.
Influence.
Julian's law firm was struggling. He owed more money than Amelia realized. His father's old debts had become his.
Cassandra had discovered that accidentally.
Then she had made herself useful.
"You said Thomas might name you CEO," Julian said.
"He will."
"He told the board he isn't ready."
"He isn't ready to admit he's ready."
"What about Amelia?"
"Amelia doesn't want Hart Maritime."
"That doesn't matter. She inherits the voting shares."
Cassandra smiled.
"Not necessarily."
Julian's eyes narrowed.
"What have you done?"
"Nothing illegal."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one you need."
At Hart House, Amelia spent that same afternoon helping her father organize documents in his study.
Thomas had become obsessive about records.
Original contracts.
Trust certificates.
Property deeds.
Board resolutions.
He checked each folder twice.
"You have lawyers for this," Amelia said.
"Lawyers misplace things."
"Martin has represented you for twenty-five years."
"And he's still a lawyer."
She laughed.
Thomas stopped at an old steel safe behind a cabinet.
He entered a six-digit code.
Amelia looked away.
"You can watch."
"I don't need to know."
"Yes, you do."
He opened the safe.
Inside were several envelopes, a hard drive, two antique watches, and Amelia's mother's wedding ring.
Thomas removed the ring.
"I thought this was in the bank."
"I moved it."
"Why?"
"Because banks ask questions."
"You're becoming paranoid."
"Maybe."
He placed the ring in her palm.
Amelia stared at it.
"I don't want this yet."
"Neither did your mother when I gave it to her."
"That's encouraging."
Thomas smiled.
Then he became serious.
"The safe code is your mother's birthday."
"Dad."
"Memorize it."
She did.
"What are you scared of?"
Thomas closed the safe.
"I'm not scared."
"You made me memorize a safe combination while giving me Mom's ring."
He walked toward the window.
"Someone proposed a trust amendment under my authorization."
Amelia froze.
"Who?"
"The request came through a private account associated with Hart Maritime."
"Did you approve it?"
"No."
"What did the amendment do?"
Thomas turned.
"It moved controlling shares into a management trust."
"Controlled by whom?"
"The document was withdrawn before Martin finished tracing it."
"Who benefits?"
Thomas's expression hardened.
"Someone who thinks I'll die sooner than I intend to."
Amelia immediately thought of Cassandra.
She hated herself for it.
Then she remembered the folder at dinner.
"Did Cassandra bring you trust documents?"
"She said they were governance updates."
"Did you read them?"
"I did after she left."
"And?"
"One page was missing."
Amelia stood.
"We should call the police."
"For what? Missing stationery?"
"For attempted fraud."
"We don't know that yet."
"Then suspend Cassandra."
Thomas shook his head.
"If she's involved, I want to know who is involved with her."
Amelia thought of Julian.
The thought appeared so quickly she almost felt guilty.
"No."
Thomas watched her.
She looked away.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Her phone buzzed.
Julian.
Dinner tonight?
She stared at the message.
Thomas noticed.
"Go."
"We're not done."
"We'll never be done."
Amelia picked up her coat.
At the door Thomas said, "Amelia."
She turned.
"If someone makes you choose between peace and the truth, choose the truth."
She frowned.
"Why are you talking like you're dying?"
"I'm talking like I'm seventy-one."
"Same thing, apparently."
Thomas laughed.
Amelia left.
At dinner, Julian was unusually affectionate.
He ordered her favorite wine.
He asked about her deployment.
He discussed wedding dates.
For an hour, Amelia's doubts felt ridiculous.
Then Julian excused himself to answer a call.
His phone remained on the table.
The screen lit up.
A message appeared.
Cassandra.
You promised tonight.
Amelia stared at it.
Julian returned.
He saw her expression.
Then he saw the phone.
Neither of them spoke.
May you like
Finally Amelia asked, "Promised her what?"
Julian stopped walking.
