However, her confession about the affair, and those stormy tears, had seemed genuine. It all made sense—Harriet’s instant dislike of her, competing for Ryan’s attention, the way she’d snapped and stormed out when she’d realized what was going on. Cassie couldn’t blame her. She knew, too, what it was like to have her world fall apart.
She had thought this home and this family to be a safe haven, after the nightmare of her previous job with Pierre Dubois.
Now she was starting to realize that Ryan’s actions had actually been more damaging than Pierre’s. Certainly, Ryan had been more deliberately dishonest with her than Pierre had ever been.
Cassie couldn’t bear thinking about it any longer. She climbed to her feet and reluctantly turned back toward home.
Arriving back at the house, she was relieved that Ryan and Trish weren’t there. She had no idea when they would be back, because they hadn’t left a note, and Ryan hadn’t messaged her.
Even though the house was empty, it felt filled with memories and false hopes. Each sight and smell reminded her of her dreams that she and Ryan would make it their home together.
Every time she thought about what had happened, a new wave of disbelief hit her. Her brain simply couldn’t accept that everything she’d been told was a lie, and the foundation she’d built her trust on had proved to be as flimsy as a house of cards.
Thinking of cards reminded her of the magic show they’d watched on that sunny Sunday, when she’d taken the children on their first outing. She still had that damned card in her purse.
Cassie took out the paper packet the magician had given her, sealed with a sticker, and felt the shape of the card inside.
The queen of hearts, signifying love, had been gifted to her at a time when she was beginning to hope that there might be a special spark between her and Ryan.
With a sigh, she opened the packet.
Cassie stared down in consternation.
The card inside was the two of spades.
The magician hadn’t given her the queen at all. His final trick had been slotting a different card inside. One that was disposable, and that he didn’t need to use for his next audience.
Looking at the card, thinking of the misdirection she’d experienced right here in this house, Cassie felt sick. Harriet was right. Leaving was the only option. She didn’t want to spend another night here.
She crumpled up the card and tossed it away.
With a jolt, she realized she had no idea whether Ryan had even told the truth about getting her car fixed. She’d have to hope that he had kept his word in that regard and that it was really where he’d promised to take it.
She was still worrying about the logistics of the car when Trish arrived back with the children.
“Would you look after them for the afternoon?” she asked Cassie. “I’m helping Ryan rearrange his office.”
“No problem,” Cassie said, giving a big fake smile that hurt her face.
Knowing that Harriet would arrive any minute for her final shift, Cassie decided that after the confessions they had shared earlier, it would be better for both of them if she wasn’t home.
“Shall we go for a walk to that cake shop down the road?” she asked the children, thinking she would also take the names of the closest guesthouses, so she could plan where to go later that night.
“Good idea,” Dylan agreed. “There’s a bookshop inside that tearoom. They have some fun books.”
Madison, however, wasn’t so eager.
“I’m tired. I don’t want to go out again.”
Cassie bit her lip. Madison clearly had issues and Cassie was starting to worry that it was because she had worked out what Cassie and her father had been doing.
Her world would have been shattered, too. Most likely she was confused, upset, and resentful.
For all she knew, Dylan might feel the same way but was hiding it better.
“Come on Maddie,” Dylan encouraged her. “The bookshop’s a fun place.”
Eventually, Madison agreed, and while they changed out of their school uniforms, Cassie counted her money.
She hadn’t been officially paid yet, but every time Ryan had given her money for shopping, he’d told her to keep the change. There was enough to pay for lunch at the cake shop and a night at a guesthouse, and she’d be able to go into a bank tomorrow and withdraw more.
Out on the road, Cassie photographed two of the guesthouse signboards as they passed.
“It’s a beautiful afternoon,” she said, hoping to encourage some conversation and break through Madison’s silence.
The tearoom half a mile down the hill was warm and cozy, and it had a good selection of secondhand books. Once they’d had lunch and hot chocolate, and Cassie had allowed them each a slice of carrot cake in defiance of the healthy eating rule, they spent some time sitting by the fireplace with the books they’d bought.
“What are you reading, Madison?” Cassie asked, hoping she could start up a friendly conversation.
“It’s a story about a girl who goes to boarding school,” Madison replied curtly.
Cassie felt at a loss. Clearly Madison was still set on the idea and she had no idea why.
“Is there a reason you want to go to boarding school?” she asked in a gentle voice.
Madison shook her head firmly.
“I can’t tell you now,” she said.
It was almost dark when they finally headed home. When they reached the house Cassie was relieved to find Harriet had gone.
“Glad to see you lovely people are home,” Ryan called out as he heard the front door open.
“We went to the cake shop,” Dylan said. “We had carrot cake and read books.”
“Cake?” Trish called from the kitchen, sounding stern. “I hope it hasn’t spoiled your appetite for supper. It’ll be ready at six.”
Cassie headed straight to her room and spent an hour packing her things. By six, she had all her bags ready and her shelves
