Chapter 18

Tamia had already pulled Anastasia from the reflecting pool, water streaming from her designer gown. She immediately wrapped her blazer around Anastasia’s shivering form. Fortunately, Tamia had worn a pantsuit to her business meetings earlier—she still had a blouse underneath. Since the suit was custom-tailored with a unique design, it looked perfectly appropriate for the gala setting.

Jasper held Valeria protectively, his face dark as he shot Anastasia an accusatory look. “What the hell, Ana? You could have seriously hurt her!”

Hearing his words, white-hot rage flooded through Anastasia. She stared at him with ice-cold contempt. “Are you fucking blind, Jasper? She’s the one who dragged me into the water, and now somehow it’s my fault?”

The gathering crowd began whispering among themselves, many giving Anastasia judgmental looks, assuming she’d acted out of jealousy. Valeria caught the shift in public opinion, satisfaction flashing in her eyes before she quickly replaced it with wounded innocence.

‘Jasper, please don’t blame Ana,” she whispered through fake tears. “This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have made her angry…’

Yes, she’d done it completely on purpose! In front of all these influential people, she’d wanted to humiliate Anastasia publicly.

Tamia exploded with fury, pointing an accusing finger. “Cut the victim act, Valeria! Everyone saw you yank Ana into that pool, and now you’re playing innocent? You’re absolutely shameless!”

Valeria recoiled dramatically, clinging to Jasper’s sleeve with trembling hands. “I didn’t… I would never… How can you say such horrible things about me?”

Jasper’s expression turned even darker. He pulled Valeria closer protectively, shooting Tamia a withering glare. “Watch your mouth. Valeria doesn’t deserve to be attacked like this.”

‘Oh, fuck off! You’re both trash!” Tamia was practically vibrating with indignation.

Just as Jasper opened his mouth to respond, Valeria tugged on his arm. ‘It’s okay, Jasper. Don’t make this worse. I’m fine, but Ana really seems to hate me…”

Her performance was absolutely flawless—wounded, forgiving, completely innocent.

Suddenly, Anastasia grabbed a glass of red wine from a passing waiter and threw it directly in Valeria’s face. The wine hit with a satisfying splash, cutting off Valeria’s fake tears instantly. Her shock was genuine this time, wine dripping down her carefully contoured cheeks.

That fucking bitch! How dare she!

Anastasia’s voice was deadly calm, laced with dark satisfaction. “Since you want to play the victim so badly, now you actually have something to cry about. I threw that wine—I own that completely.”

With that, she grabbed Tamia’s arm and walked away with her head held high. The remaining crowd looked at Valeria with newfound skepticism. One woman had remained composed and direct, while the other was clearly performing. It wasn’t hard to figure out who was really behind the drama.

‘Jasper…” Valeria’s voice trembled as she looked up at him with wounded eyes. “I’m so cold, and my head is spinning.”

She was absolutely seething at Anastasia, but she had to maintain her helpless act.

Jasper watched Anastasia’s retreating figure with unexpected irritation churning in his chest. He looked down at the shivering woman in his arms. “Let me take you to the hospital to get checked out.”

Valeria could only nod weakly. “Okay.”

Despite being soaked and cold, Anastasia felt strangely peaceful inside. Walking out of the museum into the cool night air, she took a deep breath, feeling the weight of three years finally lifting from her shoulders.

“Anastasia.” A deep, familiar voice called from behind her. She turned to see a tall figure approaching through the shadows. He wore an impeccably tailored black tuxedo, his face austere and commanding, eyes that seemed to see straight through to her soul.

Cassian. Her heart immediately started racing. She hadn’t expected to see him while looking like a drowned cat.

“Cassian.” She managed a small smile, trying to keep her voice steady.

Tamia’s eyes went wide as saucers. Wait—this was the legendary Cassian Rhodes? The most powerful man in Manhattan? And he knew Ana personally? This was beyond mind-blowing!

Before Tamia could process what was happening, Cassian had crossed the distance between them. He took Anastasia’s hands in his, his brow furrowed with concern. “What happened? Why are you soaking wet?”

Anastasia knew he’d find out anyway—the man had resources everywhere. “Just a small… incident.”

Tamia jumped in indignantly. “Incident, my ass! That psycho Valeria deliberately dragged her into the pool!”

Cassian’s expression turned dangerous. Someone had actually dared to hurt his wife? They clearly had a death wish.

Anastasia didn’t want their relationship public yet—too many complications still to resolve. “It’s fine. I handled it. Actually gave her something real to cry about.”

She quickly changed the subject. “Cassian, this is my best friend Tamia.” “Tamia, meet Cassian.”

“Ms. Summer, pleasure to meet you,” Cassian said with perfect politeness.

Tamia was practically speechless. The man before her was absolutely devastating—sharp cheekbones, intense eyes, and an aura of controlled power that was both terrifying and magnetic. When the hell had Ana met this god among men? She was definitely demanding a full interrogation later.

‘Mr. Rhodes, the pleasure’s all mine!”

Cassian nodded briefly before turning back to Anastasia. “Let’s go home.”

Anastasia blinked in surprise. “Aren’t you supposed to be networking at the gala?”

His gaze dropped to her wet dress, voice gentle but brooking no argument. “Not anymore. You need to get out of those wet clothes.”

Anastasia looked down at her bedraggled state. “You’re right. Let’s go.”

Tamia listened to this exchange with her jaw practically on the floor. She grabbed Anastasia’s sleeve, whispering urgently, “Ana, what the hell is going on? You two sound like… like you’re together or something!”

Anastasia’s face flushed with embarrassment as she tried to figure out how to explain. But Cassian beat her to it.

“Ms. Summer, Anastasia is my wife.”

“WHAT? WIFE?!” Tamia’s voice cracked with shock. “Since when are you MARRIED?!”

Anastasia hadn’t expected Cassian to be so direct about their relationship, her cheeks burning bright red.

Tamia finally recovered from her shock, smacking Anastasia’s shoulder playfully. “Girl, you’ve been holding out on me! How could you not tell your best friend you married Manhattan royalty?!”

“We’re keeping it quiet for now,” Anastasia said sheepishly. “I still have to deal with the whole J&A situation.”

Tamia immediately mimed zipping her lips.

“Ms. Summer, can we give you a ride home?” Cassian offered, clearly noting how close she and Anastasia were.

“No thanks, I drove myself,” Tamia replied quickly.

As Anastasia walked away with Cassian, Tamia watched them go with pure admiration. They looked absolutely perfect together—like something out of a fairy tale.