Cassandra's POV
I kneel down to Mia's level, trying to look friendly and non-threatening.
Hi, Mia, I say softly. Is it okay that I'm here?
She studies me with those serious brown eyes. So much like her uncle's. She clutches a purple stuffed rabbit to her chest Mr. Hopps, I remember Elijah mentioning.
Are you nice? she asks.
The question catches me off guard. So direct. So honest.
I try to be, I answer truthfully.
Do you like tea parties?
I smile. I love tea parties.
Mia's face lights up like I've just told her the best news ever. Really? Uncle Eli doesn't like tea parties. He drinks coffee.
Well, coffee is for grown-ups. Tea parties are much more fun.
Can we have one tomorrow?
Absolutely.
Mia beams. Then she looks at Elijah, then back at me. You're really married to Uncle Eli?
Yes.
Why?
Out of the mouths of babes.
Because... we like each other very much, I say, choosing my words carefully. And we wanted to be a family.
Are you going to live here?
Yes.
Forever?
My throat tightens. For a while, yes.
Mia considers this. Then she steps closer, still clutching Mr. Hopps. My mommy went to heaven. She's not coming back.
Oh God. My heart breaks.
I know, sweetie. I'm so sorry.
Are you going to leave too?
The question is so small, so scared, that I want to cry.
I look up at Elijah. He's watching us with an expression that's half hope, half terror.
I look back at Mia. This little girl who's lost so much. Who's being fought over by people who see her as an object to possess, not a person to love.
I'm not going anywhere, I say. And even though it's a lie even though I'm only here for ninety days in this moment, I mean it.
Mia smiles. Then, to my complete shock, she hugs me.
Her little arms wrap around my neck, and she smells like strawberry shampoo and innocence.
I hug her back, blinking away tears.
When she pulls away, she takes my hand. Come see my room! I have a castle and everything!
She drags me down the hallway, chattering about her toys and her school and her best friend Sophie who has a dog.
Elijah follows at a distance, and when I glance back, there's something soft in his eyes.
Something that looks almost like gratitude.
Mia's room is a explosion of pink and purple. Castle bed. Stuffed animals everywhere. Art supplies scattered across a tiny desk. A bookshelf overflowing with picture books.
It's chaos. Beautiful, lived-in chaos.
The only room in this sterile penthouse that actually feels like a home.
This is Mr. Hopps, Mia introduces me to her rabbit. And this is Princess Sparkle, and this is Diego the Dragon, and this is
She goes through every single stuffed animal. I sit on the floor and listen, asking questions, admiring each one.
Elijah leans against the doorframe, watching.
After twenty minutes, he says gently, Mia, it's almost bedtime.
But I'm showing Cassandra my things!
I know, sweetie. But Cassandra will be here tomorrow. And the day after that. You'll have lots of time to show her everything.
Mia looks at me. Promise?
Promise, I say.
Okay. She stands up. Can you read me a story?
I glance at Elijah. He nods.
I'd love to.
Mia picks three booksThe Paper Bag Princess, Where the Wild Things Are, and some book about a fairy who loses her wings.
We settle on her bed. She curls up next to me, warm and small and trusting.
I read all three books, doing different voices for the characters. Mia giggles, points at pictures, asks questions.
By the end, her eyes are drooping.
Time for sleep, princess, Elijah says softly from the doorway.
Okay, Uncle Eli. She yawns. Then she looks at me. Will you be here when I wake up?
Yes.
Promise?
Promise.
She smiles sleepily. Good. I like you.
I like you too, Mia.
Elijah tucks her in, kissing her forehead. Sweet dreams, bug.
Sweet dreams, Uncle Eli. Sweet dreams, Cassandra.
Sweet dreams, sweetheart.
We turn off the light, leaving only her nightlight glowing. Close the door most of the way.
And then we're alone in the hallway.
The silence feels heavy.
Thank you, Elijah says quietly. For being so good with her.
She's wonderful.
She is. He runs a hand through his hair. I should have warned you. About how direct she is. How open.
Don't apologize. She's perfect.
We walk back toward the living room. I'm suddenly aware of how strange this is. This beautiful penthouse. This man I barely know. This marriage that's supposed to be fake but felt startlingly real when I promised Mia I wouldn't leave.
Are you hungry? Elijah asks. I was going to order dinner.
Sure. What do you usually get?
Thai. Indian. Whatever's easy.
Thai sounds good.
He pulls out his phone, orders from a place he clearly calls regularly. The person on the other end knows his order by heart.
We end up on the couch in the living room sitting at opposite ends, careful not to touch, both of us awkward and unsure.
So, I say. This is our life now.
For ninety days.
Right. Ninety days.
Elijah looks at me. That was good. What you said to Mia. About not leaving.
I shouldn't have promised that. I'll be gone in three months.
I know. But for now, she needs stability. She needs to believe someone isn't going to abandon her.
I won't hurt her, I say firmly. When I leave when we end this I'll make sure she understands it's not her fault. That I'm not leaving because of her.
Thank you.
More silence.
Tell me about your day, Elijah says suddenly. Your actual day. Not the wedding. What did you do this morning?
The question surprises me. I had a board meeting at eight. Reviewed Q3 projections. Fired one of Marcus's cronies who was still leaking information.
Good. How did the board react?
Pleased, mostly. They're starting to see how much damage Marcus did.
And your friend? Jordan?
She thinks I'm insane.
Elijah almost smiles. David said the same thing.
They're probably right.
Probably.
We look at each other. And despite everything despite the strangeness and the fear and the absolute insanity of this situation I almost laugh.
This is the weirdest day of my life, I say.
Mine too.
And I willingly signed up for ninety more days of weird.
We both did.
The food arrives. We eat on the couch, watching some mindless show on TV. Not talking much. Just existing in the same space.
It's not terrible.
Actually, it's almost... comfortable.
Which scares me more than I want to admit.
At 10 PM, I excuse myself. I should unpack more. Get settled.
Of course. Elijah stands. If you need anything
I know where to find you.
He nods. Hesitates. Cassandra? That kiss today. At City Hall.
My heart skips. What about it?
I just wanted to say... I didn't mean for it to be I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.
You didn't.
Good. Because it was just for show. For the photos.
Right. Of course. For show.
It didn't mean anything.
No. Nothing.
But we're both lying. And we both know it.
That kiss meant something. We both felt it.
We're just too scared to admit what.
Goodnight, Cassandra.
Goodnight, Elijah.
I go to my room. Close the door. Lean against it.
My first night as a married woman.
Sleeping alone in a guest bedroom.
In a stranger's house.
With a ring that's too big spinning on my finger.
I look around the room impersonal, beautiful, not mine.
And wonder what the hell I've gotten myself into.
Outside my door, I hear Elijah moving around. Getting ready for bed. Living his life just meters away from mine.
My husband.
Who's supposed to be a stranger.
But who gave me his father's ring without hesitation.
Who looked at me with something soft when I promised his niece I wouldn't leave.
Who kissed me like he meant it even though he claims he didn't.
I change into pajamas. Wash my face. Brush my teeth.
Climb into bed in this room that smells like expensive detergent and nothing else.
Try to sleep.
And fail.
Because all I can think about is that kiss.
And the way Mia hugged me like I was someone who mattered.
And the fact that in eighty-nine days, I'll leave both of them.
And it will break that little girl's heart.
And maybe mine too.