Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Cassie stared at him, her face a perfect mask. “Funny, I could’ve sworn you disappeared in the middle of the night. And I never mentioned visiting any cemetery today. How exactly did you know I’d be here, Callum?”
He reached for her hand with that practiced familiarity, his touch once comforting, now revolting. “My stomach was acting up last night. Saw you were camped out in the bathroom, so I drove myself to the ER. This morning when I got back, Laurina mentioned she was meeting you here for your dad, so I figured I’d join.”
A nearly perfect lie, delivered with the smooth confidence of a man who’d never been caught.
“Right,” was all she managed, the word hollow.
When they reached the gravesites, Cassie’s eyes fixed on the two headstones standing side by side. A wave of grief crashed over her with unexpected force.
The only two people who had ever loved her purely, genuinely, were gone forever.
Noticing the tears gathering, Laurina moved closer and squeezed her shoulder. “Cassie, I know it’s hard without your parents, but remember–you have Callum now. He’ll take care of you for life. And your baby’s coming soon…. you’re building a new family.”
She spoke with such certainty, as if she’d already accepted the permanence of a marriage that was nothing but elaborate theater. The irony was almost too much to bear.
Callum jumped in with rehearsed sincerity: “Absolutely. I’ll always take care of you and the baby. Don’t worry about anything.”
His empty promises scraped against Cassie’s raw nerves. His vow to care for her wasn’t born from love or even basic decency. It was just another prop in his twisted performance–a way to keep his obsession within arm’s reach.
Swallowing the bitter laughter threatening to escape, Cassie looked up at her parents‘ photographs.
“Yes, I’ll definitely have a new family soon.”
Just not one with Callum Reid’s name attached to it
After the cemetery visit, a light drizzle began falling from the leaden sky.
Laurina and Cassie sat in the back seat together while Callum drove. The artificial separation didn’t escape Cassie’s
notice–husband and wife, deliberately divided.
Finding the silence uncomfortable, Laurina attempted conversation. “I heard about this new Italian. Street that just opened. Should we check it out for lunch?”
on Canal
Without even consulting his wife, Callum immediately changed direction. “The owner’s straight from Rome, apparently. Food’s supposed to be seriously authentic.”
10:13
Addio To The Stand–In Past. This Time I Chose To Reclaim My Own Life
2.2%
Chapter 4
“Really? When I was in Paris, I had this pizza that
They launched into conversation with effortless rhythm, flowing from European cuisine to Scandinavian design to their recent experiences. No awkward pauses, no searching for topics–just the natural back and forth of two people intimately familiar with each other’s minds.
No matter what one said, the other picked up the thread instantly. They finished each other’s thoughts, referenced inside jokes with half–sentences, anticipated interests before they were stated.
The surreal absurdity of the situation wasn’t lost on Cassie. Here the sat, technically the wife, yet feeling like the intruder in their perfect dynamic. The third wheel in her own marriage.
She smiled bitterly to herself. Of course they were in perfect sync. Their decade long relationship had built a foundation of shared memories–places explored together, private jokes accumulated, preferences memorized, habits anticipated. A history measured in years, not manufactured in months.
What could a stand–in like her ever hope to compete with? She was just a hastily constructed paper doll, designed to resemble the real thing.
At the restaurant, Callum instinctively handed the menu to Laurina first–a small gesture that spoke volumes.
Laurina started to open it, caught herself, and quickly passed it to Cassie. “Pregnant women have all those restrictions. You should order first, Cassie.”
Cassie selected dishes at random, her appetite nonexistent. When the food arrived, Callum’s forehead creased with immediate disapproval.
“You can’t eat any of this. Did you completely forget what Dr. Olsen told you?”
Laurina’s eyes dropped to Cassie’s midsection, confusion flashing across her face. “Cassie, aren’t you sixteen weeks along? Your stomach looks… different than I’d expect.”
Callum stood abruptly, moving to inspect for himself, but crashed into a server carrying a fully loaded tray.
The cart toppled with theatrical slowness, sending dishes flying in all directions.
His reaction was pure instinct–lunging toward Laurina, his body curving protectively around hers, shielding her from the spray of sauces and cold appetizers.
8
Meanwhile, Cassie sat unprotected as scalding soup cascaded over her legs, instantly raising angry welts on her skin.
White–hot pain seared through her, cold sweat beading on her forehead as she gripped the tablecloth. Through the rising steam and her own tears, she watched as Callum scooped Laurina into his arms and rushed toward the exit without a backward glance.
The symbolism couldn’t have been clearer if he’d staged it himself.
The restaurant erupted in chaos. A server finally noticed Cassie and helped her to a safer area near the entrance.
From that vantage point, she witnessed Laurina and Callum locked in heated argument just outside.
1017
Addio To The Stand In Past. This Time I Chose To Reclaim My Own Life
2.9%
Chapter 4
“I’m fine, damn it! You need to go back in there for Cassie!” Laurina was pushing against his chest, trying to create distance.
“Your hand is already blistering.” His voice was frantic, almost manic. “Why are you being so goddamn stubborn? I’ll take you to urgent care first, then come back for her. Why fight me on this? I saw how you looked at me in there–how worried you were when that cart tipped. Deep down, you still care, Laurina. You can’t hide it from me.”
“So what if I do? What difference would it make?” Laurina’s voice cracked with frustration. “You married Cassie! She’s carrying your child, for God’s sake!”
As her anguished words rang out, Callum’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, his expression suddenly raw and desperate.
“You know the truth,” he whispered fiercely. “In my heart, she’ll never matter like you do. Never. She’s just—”
Laurina froze mid–response, her gaze shifting over his shoulder. Her pupils contracted with shock, her voice suddenly strangled.
“Cassie! Oh my God–what are you doing out here?!”
