The Beta's Broken Mate

Suspicion

Cassie could sense something was up although she had no idea what it was. But her step mother and Stephanie in particular although still quite demanding of her, had also been very well polite and civil to her. It was strange and highly suspicious. Even Liam was picking up on it despite his young age. She shrugged, maybe they were trying to be nicer and she was making a big thing of it.

She kept herself busy and her head down, hoping it was all in her mind and then the unexpected happened, Liam got sick, coming down with a fever and cough, Cassie highly anxious and being given surprisingly the time off to take care of him. She'd thought it a wonderful gesture, having thought she'd have to keep him with her while cleaning, Isabelle was that capable of that much cruelty but when this happened she'd almost wept, able to focus wholeheartedly on her son who desperately wanted his mother. Then Isabelle had added she didn't want to get sick and Cassie realised it was because of that and not out of the goodness of her heart. Either way Cassie was grateful.

"Mummy" Liam wailed and she rushed to his side, taking in his flushed cheeks and glazed eyes with concern. She'd given him Tylenol like clockwork and cough medicine but it wasn't making much of a difference yet. She gave him a cuddle and climbed into bed with him, holding a book and trying to smile.

"Would you like me to read to you until you fall asleep again" she murmured, a hand brushing back his sweat soaked hair from his face as he gave her a miserable nod.

My poor baby thought Cassie, opening the story and beginning to read him his favourite story "Red Riding Hood" because he liked wolves and felt sorry for the one in the book.

It was almost midnight now and he'd woken up on and off, his coughing and spluttering constantly waking him from his slumber while Cassie got him back to sleep over and over. He was exhausted, she could see, and before she knew it once again he was asleep as she lay on her side and regarded him.

He was hot to the touch, as she rubbed his back and she got up and fetched a wash cloth. Cassie had already undressed Liam until he was just in a singlet and diaper, but it hadn't seemed to cool him down, not at all. She bit her lip as she gave him a quick once over and disposed of the wash cloth into the laundry. She was beginning to get worried. Liam had been sick before but not quite like this. Maybe she should take him to the hospital? It wasn't too far although she had wondered why it was set out in the depths of the forest and not in town but who cared? Her son was her priority right now and she would do anything to get him better, even beg money for medication if she had too. She eyed him, saw he was sleeping peacefully and rushed across to the main house, intending on getting back as quick as possible. Surely Isabelle would lend her the car? If she had to walk on foot though she would, she wasn't going to wait anymore. He needed the hospital, end of story.

She'd just managed to find her way to Isabelle's room, hand raised to knock when she heard talking, surprised to find her still up at this late hour. However she knew Isabelle slept in most days, perhaps it was because she was up so late? Who knew. Some part of her however didn't knock straight away, Cassie leaning against the door to hear who she was speaking to.

"wedding will take place in two days."

"mother" this was Stephanie's voice thought Cassie knowingly, so her half sister was awake as well "Cassie's never going to agree to this you know that."

What did Cassie have to do with the wedding? Now she was confused. Wasn't Stephanie getting married to that miserable excuse of a man Johnathon? Two days though was very little notice that was shocking in fact. She would have thought Isabelle would want a large high society wedding for her precious daughter.

Then Isabelle's voice came out loud and clear and Cassie stiffened. "Cassie won't have a choice. Johnathon wants her and his son. If she wants to have the inheritance her father left her she'll do what we say. Besides we'll force her if we have to. Johnathon's not above using her son as a bargaining chip to get his hands on her." she cackled as Cassie felt her heart sink. Her stepmother was planning her wedding to Johnathon not Stephanie! Not only that but she would force her to if she didn't want to lose Liam. How could she be so heartless.

Cassie backed away slowly, careful not to make a sound and alert them of her presence. They'd had no intention of telling her about it and it was chance and pure luck she'd come to the house in time to overhear it all. She didn't have much time. Cassie needed to pack what clothes she could and grab Liam. If she stayed she'd be married in the next few days to the very man she despised and hated, something she could not bear and she would not allow him to take away the son he'd denied for so long. Or use Liam to get her to marry him.

She scurried back to the house, grateful Liam still slept and rushed around, gathering the meagre amount of clothing both of them had. She had no compunctions about leaving. Isabelle would be furious no doubt but Cassie had to do what was best for her son and herself. She'd find a job, she had to in order to survive but right now her first stop would be the hospital. She slung the pitiful backpack over her shoulder and gently woke up Liam feeling extremely apologetic.

"Mummy" he murmured sleepily looking confused.

"Hey sweetheart" she soothed trying not to look panicked "mummy wants to take you to the hospital but it's cold outside. Let's put some pants on and a jacket so I can carry you and you can be warm" she almost begged, feeling the need to leave as quickly as possible before they could get caught.

Liam nodded sleepily and she dressed him hastily, uncaring about her own freezing state and she grabbed him, hoisting him over her other shoulder, glad that he nodded back off, head snuggled into her shoulder as she made her way outside. It was dark but her eyes adjusted quickly and she began to make the short trek to the nearby hospital, getting as much distance as possible between her step mother and herself as she could before daylight would break and she'd be discovered missing along with her son.