Hello dear readers here another chapter as I promised I updated at one day interval. I completed this month quote but I will still update the next chapter as soon as I can finish though it will take a little bit time. This chapter is above 3k, so enjoy.

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Cassandra stared at Jeremy wandering if he heard what she did.

"What did he just say?" She was too sure that she heard something wrong. No way Coltrane can do something like this. She shakes her head.

"Jeremy,Can you file for a divorce, I want to see what he can do, exactly?" She asked him coldly. 

Jeremy closed his eyes wondering how to start. He himself does know whether he should say no and try to explain this to her or let her do what she wants and see how bad this could get. But staring at her, he decided otherwise.

"Cassandra Can I ?" He hesitated a bit. This is something he himself can't do and suggesting it to someone else. Who the hell does he think he is ? He shook his head.

"Can you not do this?" Jeremy asked a bit awkward, he was wandering where to start from. Cassandra glared at him.

"Are you here to talk me out of it?' She snapped and her eyes were cold and determined.

"No, not exactly" Jeremy said, closing his eyes before his eyes met her again. She flinched. His eyes were telling her something.

"It's not like I am here to stop you or something. I am just giving you a warning, that's all. You don't know what he is exactly capable of. I just don't want you to get hurt without any reason" Jeremy said his eyes were analyzing her. 

"What can he exactly do that will hurt me more?" Cassandra bite back, that's true he cannot hurt her more than he did.

"There are many things he can do and bend you to his will just because he is letting you do it does not mean he is incapable of." Jeremy rubbed his head.

"What the hell are you talking about?Are you scared of him?" Cassandra smirked, staring at him. Is he? Jeremy wandered at her question a bit this is not about him though.

"No, but I am scared for you," Jeremy said, staring at her. She flinched.

"Not just physically but emotionally too" She flinched.

"I don't care," she said, staring straight at him to prove it.

"Oh! You don't. That's better than I guess" Jeremy said. 

"I don't have anything to lose. Neither will I let him blackmail me. Does he think he can threat me?" Cassandra said determined.

"It's not that Cassandra. What would you do if he shut down Austin's clinic? What will you do if he stops you from seeing Cameron? And I am just giving you the general idea. I myself don't know what he will do?" Jeremy sighed the more he knows the more messier it seems. Cassandra is not in any mood to listen to him but that does not mean he will let her be.

"He will keep those threats trust me, Coltrane never said anything he cannot fulfill" Cassandra stared at him shocked something akin to a cold shiver passing through her. 

"I was talking to him before coming here" 

"He was not being sane. He told me that you will stay with him with or without your will" Jeremy said. Cassandra eyes widen.

"He can't do that," She said.

"He would, that's why I want you to think about it carefully. Don't take decisions just because you feel like that" He said. 

"I am not taking decisions because of that" She glared at him.

"You are. Take time, think about it" Jeremy said. 

"You don't know what you are saying Jeremy" She said.

"I won't Jeremy. I can't do this anymore" She said Jeremy flinched.

"Why is he doing something like this?" Cassandra asked him as her eyes hurt.

"Tell me Jeremy, has he ever treated Catherine like this?" She asked. Jeremy stares at her.

"No" he could not lie about it.

Cassandra smiled as a tear fell from her eye.

"See here and he said he loves me? Who is he fooling him or me?"

"For him I am just someone he could keep beside him to make him feel better. He knows I love him so he thinks he can take advantage of me. I am here just to ward off his hurt. Is this how I am supposed to live for the rest of my life?" Cassandra asked Jeremy has no answer to that but someone else does.

"Why don't you try to give him the benefit of doubt?" Jeremy asked.

"What benefit of doubt? He always makes sure that I am nothing to him. He will never love me." She mock herself. Jeremy was silent; he cannot argue with that anymore.

"I have had enough I cannot take this anymore Jeremy so file for the divorce and release me of this" Cassandra said. Jeremy stayed silent for a while before staring at her.

"I won't," He said. Her eyes widen as tears fill.

"Why? Why would you do this to me? You don't know how it feels" she said.

"I know" Jeremy sighed. 

"I know more than enough how it feels," he said.

"How could you know?" She yelled, mocking him. Jeremy's jaw clenched as anger flush through him. He stepped forward.

"I know because more or less I am going through that too" he yelled.

Cassandra eyes widened as she stared at him,"you??"

"You still have not forgiven her. Don't you?" She asked him. 

Jeremy has no answer for that as much as he wanted to say something he can't which hurt him.

"Why?" Cassandra asked.

"Why can't you just let it be?" That's when something snapped in Jeremy again

"Can you?" He asks, his eyes glinting coldly.

"I might not be going through the exact same thing but it is similar to some extent"Jeremy  said. Cassandra looked at him coldly.

"Can I what?" She asked.

"Why can't you give Coltrane what he wants?" He asked, mocking her.

"This has nothing to do with you or Catherine"

"Exactly Cassandra. It is exactly the same thing just like how I can not forgive her" Jeremy said.

"But I already forgiven Coltrane," she said loudly, glaring at him.

Jeremy gulped down walking close to her, "Then why can't you stay with him?" 

"Why are you asking for divorce?" He asked.

"I want to let go of everything. I want to.." Cassandra did not get to complete as Jeremy cut her.

"Bullshit" he yelled.

"That's just a load of crap" Jeremy said.

"You are lying to yourself" Cassandra looked at him with her eyes widened.

"I am not" she choked on her words.

"Then you should have no problem giving him another chance as you have already forgiven him?" Jeremy said, smirking coldly.

"Give him what he wants it will be easier for you, right?" He whispered slowly standing right in front of him. 

"No, I want to.."

"Shh.. Cassandra if you are going to say then why don't you tell the truth or Do you want me to tell you why exactly?" Jeremy asked

"I am not lying" for the first time her eyes flashed with something akin to fear.

"If you are going to be insufferable then go ahead but it will never change me..." she stopped talking as he pressed his finger against her lips.

"Because you are afraid," Jeremy whispered, his voice husky.

"I am not" Cassandra yelled, pushing his hand away as her eyes flash with hurt.

"You are afraid that one day when you both will..."

"Stop" she yelled again that's when Jeremy grabbed her cheek forcing her to look at him and listen to his words.

"One day, when you both will be together sleeping on the same bed he will call her name" Cassandra tried to push him away.

"That's not true do you hear me that's not true" she said as a tear fell.

"When he moans, the name will not be yours" he gritted his teeth. His eyes were burning with the same pain which was flooding her eyes.

"You are insecure and you know that if you stay with him that insecurities will eat at the remaining sanity you have" Her eyes widen tears filled her eyes. 

"No.." that's not true but those words did not come out of her mouth.

"Jeremy.." She whispered. 

"Because one day when he will be inside you, he might moan someone else's name" Jeremy said , his forehead resting against her.

Cassandra froze as another tear fell from her eyes. Slowly tears flushed down her eyes. Her eyes held pain and her. She looked small and vulnerable. Jeremy stares at her slowly closing his eyes as his forehead rests against her.

"Shh.. don't cry" Jeremy whispered, wiping her tears and then he did something. Something stupid. He pressed his lips against her. 

Cassandra looked up as her eyes widened as she stared at him. His eyes stare ahead. He did nothing but just softly touch his lips against her. She could push him away but he pulled back with a  smirk.

The moment Jeremy pulled back, Coltrane already punches him in his face.

"Get out " He yelled.

Jeremy wiped the corner of his lips.

"What? Did it hurt you?" Jeremy asked mockingly. 

"I kissed her because I thought she is Catherine.. " His words were cold as he narrowed his eyes. Coltrane was about to punch him but he stopped him.

"Is not it exactly what you did?" Coltrane froze when Jeremy utter those words pushing him against the wall.

"Sex have nothing to do with love. You should know better then anyone" He want Coltrane to know that just because she loves him does not mean she could not be with someone else physically just like Coltrane did in the past.

 "Shut up" Coltrane yelled punching him. Jeremy's face turned away as a blood trickle down his cheen.

"There is a limit to hypocrisy, Coltrane Flynn Mayor. Don't cross that" Jeremy spat those words turning to leave his eyes fall on Cassandra a flash of guilt pass through his eyes before it turned cold as he stare at a fuming Coltrane. He smirked a bit before walking out.

"Jeremy" Cassandra called him trying to follow him but Coltrane held her hand.

"Where the fuck do you think you  are going?" He asked. She pushed him away.

"You have no problem using me like that then, Who the hell are you to accuse him?" Cassandra said coldly before running after Jeremy.

Coltrane has no answer to that.

**********

"Jeremy" Cassandra yelled trying to stop him. The moment he opened the door, she stopped him grabbing his hand.

"Jeremy look at him" he stared away, guilty washed over him.

"What's wrong?" Cassandra asked that's when he looked at her.

"Nothing, " Jeremy looked away. He couldn't hold her gaze anymore after what he did.

"I know you are hurt," Cassandra said softly. When he pressed his lips against her,  she knew he was in a trance that must be why she did not push him away.

"How could you know that?" He asked slowly. 

"Experience, you can say" Cassandra said with a small smile even though her eyes were sad and those tears still stuck in her eyelashes.

"I just hurt you. You should not be anywhere near me" He gulped down painfully looking down.

"You are right that you hurt me," she said.

"I am sorry," Jeremy said.

"But I will forgive you if you tell me why you did it?" She asked her grip on his hand to tighten.

"Anyway I am more used to that kind of kiss" Cassandra said lightly laughing at him. Jeremy looked down as a tear trailed down.

"That does not excuse my behavior towards you" he choked.

She let go of his hand, her hand went to his cheeks. She slowly wiped his tears.

"It's fine" Cassandra said.  

Jeremy held her, unknowingly he hugged her. She let him. Coltrane came out after a while but stayed quiet. His eyes linger on Jeremy's hand which hugged her while she let him.

"Why are you being kind to me when I hurt you just now?" he asked.

"It's not that you hurt me. This is something I knew from the beginning but I was too afraid to acknowledge it " Cassandra said sighing. He let her go.

She stared at him " Will you tell me what happened? Why are you hurting this much?" He gave her a subtle nod.

"I did something stupid and I regret it" Jeremy said at last.

"If you did something to regret then you should rectify it" she said softly.

"I can't," he whispered. Cassandra stayed silent and gave him all the time he needed.

"I threw Catherine out of the house, " Cassandra gasped. She put some distance between them to look at him and there was  truth in his eyes.

"Why?" She asked. 

Coltrane was shocked too. Jeremy was not someone to open up to, not even to him before their relationship went downhill but he has always noticed that if it was Cassandra he opened up. For some reason it was always easy for Jeremy to talk to her.

"Just to prove a point" he mocked himself.

"I want to let my mother know that I am exactly like my father. Just like how she always proclaimed"Jeremy closed his eyes as her words ring in his ear.

"But she" he bit his lips closing his eyes.

"She told me that I am nothing like my father" he laughed lightly as if he was still having difficulty believing that.

"Even after I throw her out of the house" 

"Because she knows that you are nothing like your father Jeremy" he stares at her shocked.

"For her, you are Jeremy just that nothing else. The man she loves since high school"

"I...." Jeremy wanted to say something but a tear rolled down his eyes. 

Cassandra stayed silent as he struggled with his own emotions.

After a long silent he said, "thanks"

"It's alright take your time" Jeremy nodded his head.

"Do you know I can understand why Coltrane does not want to let you go?" He said. Cassandra blinked her eyes confused at his words.

"What?" She asked.

"Nothing and I am sorry about earlier" Jeremy said.

"It's alright but I don't like cheaters. So, I want you to tell her about this" 

"I know," Jeremy said before turning towards the door.

"Thank you for that," he told her before walking out.

"Jeremy" he stopped.

"If you want to talk I am here" Cassandra said. He smiled.

"Thanks and Cassandra think about the divorce and if you are sure tell me I promise to fight too" he stares at her before walking out. She nodded her head. 

That when Coltrane came back to reality.

Coltrane grabbed her hand pulling her close enough for his front pressed against her. She gasped almost forgetting what happened before. She stared at him shocked.

"Coltrane??" She said, blinking her eyes. His hand went around her and pulled her close.

"Coltrane let me go," Cassandra struggled.

"Why?" He hissed angrily.

"You have no problem when he was holding you" Coltrane was trying to talk some sense into her but she was not ready to listen to him but now she had no problem listening to Jeremy.

"Coltrane" 

"Why?" He yelled. She flinched as his grip tightened around her. The idea to struggle and get out of his arms seems too far fetched.

"He kissed you right" his voice sounded blank.

"No, he just pecked me," Cassandra said, trying to explain. Only to realize later why she was even trying to explain.

"And I enjoyed it," She stared at him coldly. That pierced him.

"Are you trying to push me?" He said calmly and dragged her to the bathroom. Cassandra struggled.

"Do you think you can treat me however you want and I will let you?" She gasped as cold water washed over her. Coltrane took the hand shower and washed her mouth. She tried to struggle but all was in vain. He will definitely leave bruises. It's not like she does not feel disgusted but she will prove her point at any cost.

Coltrane threw the washer away and took a hold of her dress and pulled it off her.

"What the hell...?" Cassandra did not get to finish her words as his lips crashed on her in a punishing kiss. She felt numb to react. She was just standing there only in her brassiere.

"Stop it" Cassandra pushed him biting his lips.

" Why can't you understand?" he asked.

"You will pay for that kiss and so will Jeremy'' Coltrane grit his teeth as he kissed her again this time invading her mouth. He bite her mouth making sure that she will feel pain. Nothing seems to dull his ache.

"Coltrane" Cassandra said at last but she was not struggling or anything. Coltrane hand grinned her hair pulling her head down pressing a kiss on her lips again before licking her neck. 

"Coltrane" Cassandra whispered as her voice came out as a gasp. As he explores her neck. He went around her brassiere opening it. Her eyes widened. She started struggling as hard as she could. 

"Don't " he hissed.

"Don't you dare stop me," Coltrane said. His hand started exploring her. She did not want to feel pleasure. This should feel disgusting. She tried to maintain her composure but nothing worked a moan escape. That when reality invades her sense.

"What do you want me to understand?" She asked her voice softly. 

Coltrane froze and his hand fell beside him. He looked up and she was staring at him, then it hit him what exactly he was doing. He opened his shirt covering her. He pulled her up in a bridal style making his way inside and he put her down on the couch before grabbing a dry t-shirt from the closet.

"What do you want me to understand?" Cassandra asked him again.

Coltrane kneel down forwarding his t-shirt when she did not move he did it himself.

He put his head on her lap sighing. 

Cassandra just stared at him, not reacting at all.

"Can you give me a chance?" He asked. She froze of all the things he could be talking about; this was not one of them.

"Coltrane?" She said a lump form in her throat.

"Please?" He said again.

"Give me a chance to love you" 

"I love you" Cassandra cupped his face as a tear trailed down her cheek.

"Coltrane, I can't, I am sorry" she shook her head.

"Why?" He asked.

"It's not like that, Coltrane" she sighed. 

"Then what is it like? Tell me I want an answer" he said.

"What you feel for me is not love" Cassandra said.

"How could you know what I feel for you?" He asked, gritting his teeth as anger flashed through him. But he did not pull his head away from her hold, just snuggled in her hand pressing a kiss on her palm. 

"Coltrane??"  She pulled her hands away. He put his hand around her pulling her closer.

"I love you," He said. Cassandra shakes her head in a no.

"You don't Coltrane  the thing you feel for me can be pity, obsession or even responsibility but love is not one of them. You cannot just fall in love with me after hating me all this while" her words were heartbreaking. He gulped down painfully aware of the situation now.

"I... I ..." never hated you but those words were far fetched because he did hate her at one point in life.

"There is a thin line between hate and love" Coltrane said.

"No there is a thin line between hate and obsession" Cassandra rectified him.

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Thank you for reading, I will update the next chapter as soon as I can.

Do share you thoughts and comment.

Stay safe and stay healthy. Please try to avoid social gathering. Yesterday I heard about a three year old get detected by Covid-19 that was one of the most heartbreaking for any parents. It is heartbreaking  news and so please take care of yourself and wash you hand regularly.