The Unwanted Bride: Claimed by the Billionaire - Chapter 56: Chapter 56

Cassie’s Pov
It took a while for my vision to clear after I had opened my eyes. I was sleeping on my side, and opposite me was a single couch that Shawn occupied. I think he passed the night there. He was still putting on the outfit he wore last night. The only things he discarded were his jacket and shoes.
He looked really uncomfortable.
I let out a soft groan as I sat up, being careful of my hand.
Shawn opened his eyes, then rushed to my side as fast as his legs could carry him. He placed a kiss on the side of my forehead before taking a seat opposite me. His eyes were filled with worry, and he looked so exhausted. As though he hardly had any sleep last night.
“How are you? Are you still in pain?” He asked with a hoarse voice, staring at me intently. He reached for my hand. Not the one I sprained, but I pulled away.
I didn’t miss the hurt in his eyes.
“Are you still mad at me?”
I said nothing, even though I stared at him in return.
“I would rather you hit me or shout at me than for you to stay quiet.”
Silence.
“If this is about Stella, then I’m sorry.”
If I weren’t paying good attention, I would have thought I heard wrong. For the first time ever, Shawn said those words. He fucking apologised because of her. Something he failed to do whenever he freaked me out.
“What?” I said in disbelief.
“I’m sorry. You saw me with Stella, but I promise that it was just business. I will hand over to someone else so I won’t have anything to do with her anymore.”
“You owe me no explanation,” I whispered, trying to stop my eyes from getting itchy as I remembered the statements his ex said to me last night.
“You are my wife. I owe you an explanation. I didn’t mean to disrespect you.”
“I give you my word that you won’t see me with her ever again,” Shawn said with a pleading voice.
“Are you still angry with me?” I said nothing. Not because I wanted to give him some silent treatment, but because I had no idea what to say.
“How’s your hand?” He stared at my sprained wrist that was wrapped with a bandage. I could see the urge in his eyes to take the hand and shower it with love, but he probably decided to hold back because of the fear of rejection.
“Does it still hurt? The doctor will be here soon.” He assured.
“I’m fine,” I mumbled. “I honestly had no idea how I was feeling. My hands felt heavy, but the sharp pain I felt last night was gone.
“You are not saying that to shut me up, right?”
“I didn’t think I would be saying this, but I hate it when you are mad at me. You had the opportunity to let me take you home last night, but you told Tessa not to reach out to me. Did Stella say anything to you?” He challenged.
“We checked the camera and saw her coming out of the ladies room shortly after you entered. She did this to you, right?” I saw Shawn trying to hold back his anger.
“The way she grabbed you before you both headed out of the hall. You went with her like a lost puppy after pulling that stunt with me on the stage. You came back to the table smelling of her scent, and you want me to believe that it’s just business? Please stay the hell away from me. The doctor said I need to rest.”
Shawn ran his fingers through his hair. “Stella is just touchy. I won’t deny that she has been trying to take advantage since the business negotiations started. I had no idea she was going to present tonight, but I promise you that nothing happened.”
“You are free to do whatever you want to do. It’s just a reminder that all of this is a joke.” I said.
“It’s normal to be jealous, but please, don't say mean stuff. I’m not perfect, and all of this is new to me, but I’m trying my hardest to be the best husband to you. I don’t know what to say to you to make you believe nothing happened. Yeah, I was a fool to go out with her, but nothing more happened. You and I made love in a secret place, that didn’t mean I would do the same with another woman.”
“She did this to you, didn’t she?” Shawn pointed at my hand.
Even though I said nothing, I think Shawn got his answer from my silence.
He mumbled some words in a dangerous tone. I got scared for a second because of the danger I saw in his eyes.
“What did she say to you? I know she said nasty things to you. Tell me.”
“We’ve got nothing serious going on, so it doesn’t matter.”
“You call this?” He pointed between us. “A joke?”
“After all that happened, if you believe Stella’s words over my words and my actions towards you, then you are the one with issues.”
Shawn’s words pierced my heart very deeply, making me question my sanity.
“You aren’t telling me anything she said because you believed it all. You’ve always looked for reasons to discredit me and everything that is going on between us. I guess you finally found what you wanted.”
“She groomed you,” I mumbled as I couldn’t hold back anymore.
Shawn frowned. “Groomed me into what?”
“I don’t know. Probably all of the sex stuff you are trying with me now. No one can ever satisfy you except her. That’s why you never initiate the red room with me.”
“You actually believed that crap?” Shawn stared at me in disbelief.
“You never wanted a family with her. That’s why she went for someone else. You are just with me for a son. You will discard me after that and I will be another failed story.”
“Those are the words of a jealous and vicious woman. I’m disappointed you let them get to you.”
“What would you have done if you were in my shoes?” I challenged Shawn. “We made love, you left me to go business talk with your ex, who threw herself against you and transferred her scent to you.”
“I wish you trusted me enough. If you did, you wouldn’t have stormed away from the table, and this would not have happened.” He gestured towards my arm.
I chuckled, trying to push back the fresh tears that were starting to well up in my eyes. “So it’s my fault for being upset about you being intimate with another woman?”
“You could have opened up to me there and then that you were mad at me, and I would have explained to you that nothing happened. Do you know how much it hurts to see you this way? Do you know how painful it is to know that you were hurting and I wasn’t there to do anything to help you?” Shawn raised his voice at me, and I couldn’t help the tear that rolled down my cheeks.