CEO's Dead Wife: Too Late for Sorry

Cassandra's POV

Due to an arranged marriage between our families, I married Damien Blackwood, heir to a business empire.

During five years of marriage, I tried hard to play the perfect wife, bore him a daughter Lily, thinking I had finally won his love.

Until his first love Serena returned from abroad, I watched him rekindle his passion for another woman, watched them rekindle their old flame.

A car accident changed everything.

I was taken to court, sentenced to three years in prison, becoming a "murderer" despised by everyone.

And he personally sent me to prison.

Snowflakes hit my face as the prison gates clanged shut behind me.

I was Cassandra Whitmore, Mrs. Blackwood three years ago, now inmate #113.

"Nobody came to pick you up?" Guard Jeff poked his head out, looking at the empty street.

I clutched the paper bag containing all my possessions—two prison uniforms and that photo of Lily.

"Someone will come."

Jeff shook his head and slipped me twenty dollars. "Get home fast, girl. Don't freeze out here on Christmas Eve."

I waited six hours.

Nobody came.

Of course nobody would come.

Three years ago in court, Damien's cold voice still echoed in my ears: "She's dangerous, Your Honor. She attempted to murder an innocent woman out of jealousy."

I laughed bitterly, then pulled out that yellowed photo from my coat.

It was Lily's photo from when she was just born, the only thing I was allowed to bring into prison. In the photo, she was still a tiny baby, eyes closed, little fists clenched tight.

Tears fell on the photo without warning.

"Don't cry," I told myself, quickly wiping away the tears with my sleeve. "Cassandra, don't cry. Lily's still waiting for you at the orphanage."

Now Lily was four years old. She'd spent three years in that cold place.

I gritted my teeth and tucked the photo away again.

What good would crying do? I had to bring her home.

"Table three needs champagne, GO!" the hotel manager barked at me.

I immediately forced a servile smile, then weaved through the luxury ballroom carrying a tray.

Because of my criminal record and the Blackwood family's influence, nobody dared hire me. This was the only job I could find after a week of searching—temporary waitress, $100 a day.

At this rate, I'd need three years to scrape together $100,000.

But Lily couldn't wait three years.

Three days ago, I met with Director Johnson at the orphanage.

"Regaining custody requires proof of $100,000 in assets," she repeated that astronomical figure coldly.

"All my assets were frozen..."

"Then figure it out, Ms. Whitmore. Until then, Lily can only stay here."

Through the glass window, I saw Lily's thin figure sitting alone in the corner. She asked me through tears, "Mommy, are you really my mommy? When are you taking me home?"

My heart was breaking.

$100,000. Once no more than a month's shopping budget for me, now an impossible dream.

Lost in thought, I bumped into a woman while carrying my tray.

Red wine splashed all over her.

"God, you IDIOT!" the woman shrieked. "This is my evening gown!"

I frantically apologized: "I'm sorry, let me help clean that..."

The woman looked up, and after recognizing my face, surprise flashed in her eyes, followed by malicious glee.

"Oh my God, isn't this Cassandra Whitmore?"

It was Victoria Chen, Serena's best friend.

The ballroom guests heard the commotion and gathered around.

"You're out of prison?" Victoria looked me up and down without hiding her schadenfreude. "Never thought I'd see the day. The great Whitmore heiress, now waiting tables."

Whispers erupted around us.

"She's that murderer?"

"I heard she tried to kill someone out of jealousy..."

"How did she only get three years?"

"How was prison life?" Victoria asked loudly in front of everyone. "Did you learn to behave?"

Then a voice came from behind the crowd: "Victoria, what's happening?"

My blood ran cold.

That was Serena's voice.

The crowd automatically parted as Serena walked through slowly. She wore sunglasses and carried a white cane.

Victoria immediately got excited: "Serena, guess who I ran into?"

"Who?"

"Cassandra Whitmore! She's out of prison and working as a waitress here!"

Serena's body visibly trembled.

"What? Cassandra... when did you get out? Does Damien know? Why didn't you tell us?"

I laughed coldly: "Why would I tell you?"

"Cassandra, how can you talk like that?" Victoria immediately defended Serena. "If Serena hadn't been kind enough to speak for you in court, you'd still be rotting in prison!"

Serena spoke for me?

I couldn't help but laugh coldly.

"What are you laughing at?" Victoria frowned.

Three years ago on that rainy night, Serena and I got into an argument while I was driving. She angrily grabbed the steering wheel: "Stop dreaming! Damien will ALWAYS be mine!"

After the accident, she went blind and sobbed in court: "She tried to kill me because I discovered her affair!"

"I'm laughing at how absurd this world is," I stared at Serena's sunglasses. "The person who framed me has now become my savior."

Victoria's face changed: "What nonsense are you talking about? Serena is the VICTIM!"

"Cassandra," Serena said softly, "I know you hate me, but what happened before..."

"What happened before?" I laughed coldly. "You destroyed my life, stole my family, and now you want to play saint here?"

"I'm truly sorry..." Serena reached toward me. "Can we..."

I instinctively stepped back and swatted her hand away.

Serena lost her balance and fell backward heavily onto the wet floor.

"Ahh!" She moaned in pain.

At that moment, a tall figure rushed over.

"Serena!"

My heart stopped.

That was Damien Blackwood.

He knelt down to help Serena up, then looked at me with deadly eyes.

"Cassandra Whitmore." He said my name word by word. "You want to hurt her again."