Chapter 151: Cassie’s Jealousy

Chapter 151: Chapter 151: Cassie’s Jealousy

Cassie’s mouth gaped open in utter disbelief, her hands still clutching his shirt as tears of frustration and relief finally spilled over her cheeks.

"You... you complete jerk!" she sobbed out, hitting his arm with a soft, harmless tap before burying her face right against his chest, holding him tight enough to make sure he wasn’t going to fall over. "I was worried sick, and you’re making jokes?!"

’He really didn’t use his energy just so I’d stop...’ Cassie thought, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs as she breathed in his familiar scent. ’How am I supposed to stay mad at an idiot like him?’

Derrick chuckled softly, the vibration running through his chest as he wrapped a steady arm around her shoulders. "Come on. Let’s head inside before you tear up the rest of the yard."

Guiding her gently by her waist, Derrick led a still-sniffling Cassie up the porch steps and through the front entrance of the villa.

Just as they stepped into the spacious living room, footsteps echoed from the staircase above.

Rebecca was making her way down, dressed in a comfortable silk housegown, her sharp, elegant eyes immediately taking in the scene.

Cassie’s red, tear-stained face and Derrick’s hand resting lightly over his waist.

"My goodness," Rebecca said, pausing on the bottom step as her eyebrows arched in mild amusement. "What on earth was all that commotion outside? It sounded like a rogue beast was tearing down the fence."

Derrick offered her a calm, effortless smile, subtly smoothing down his shirt over his sore chest.

"Nothing to worry about, Rebecca," Derrick replied smoothly, his tone as casual as ever. "Cassie was just blowing off some steam. I helped her train a little, that’s all."

Cassie’s face instantly exploded into a bright crimson, her gaze darting away to the floor as she bit her lip, completely unable to dispute his cover story without admitting her own embarrassing meltdown.

Rebecca looked between the two of them, a knowing, wicked gleam flashing in her eyes.

She gracefully brought one soft hand up to press against her cheek, letting out a dramatic, exaggerated sigh.

"I see..." Rebecca cooed, her voice dripping with playful mischief as she stepped closer to Derrick. "And here I thought you two were fussing over something else. So, tell me, Derrick... how was your night with little Beth?"

She leaned in slightly, her gaze locking onto his with an arched brow as her teasing smile widened.

"Should I start preparing myself to worry about grandkids anytime soon?" Rebecca asked, her voice laced with smooth, provocative humor.

Gulp!

Beside Derrick, Cassie froze like a statue, her jaw practically dropping to the floor as her face burned hot enough to melt iron, her eyes snapping over to see how Derrick would possibly answer that.

The moment the word grandkids left Rebecca’s lips, a sharp, green flare of jealousy surged right back into Cassie’s eyes, her jaw tightening as her fist clenched at her side.

’Grandkids?! With that girl?!’ Cassie screamed in her head, her stomach twisting into a tight, burning knot.

For a split second, she looked ready to explode all over again.

But before anyone could catch her slipping, Cassie forced a sharp exhale through her nose, wiped every trace of emotion off her face.

Derrick, however, didn’t even blink. A shameless, wicked smirk played on his lips as he looked Rebecca right in the eye, completely unfazed by the provocative trap.

"Now that you mention it, Rebecca," Derrick replied smoothly, his eyes gleaming with pure mischief, "you might want to start picking out nursery colors just in case. I tend to be very thorough."

"D-Derrick!" Cassie choked out, her aloof facade cracking for a fraction of a second.

Rebecca let out a delighted, melodious laugh, her hand still resting against her cheek as she shook her head in amusement. "Oh, my. You really have no filter, do you?"

"Come on," Derrick ignored her murmured down to Cassie, his tone shifting into something soft and firm. "Sit down before your legs give out from all that tree-punching."

Derrick led Cassie over to the plush sofa, placing a firm, warm hand on her waist to guide her down onto the soft cushions.

Cassie stiffened her back and sank onto the sofa, crossing her arms tightly over her chest.

Her jaw was set in a sharp, defensive line, and her eyes burned with a mixture of raw jealousy and pure irritation.

’Grandkids... nursery colors... he really just boasts about that girl right in front of me,’ Cassie thought, her blood boiling as a bitter, heavy knot twisted tight in her gut. ’And he thinks he can just pat my back and make it all go away?’

"All teasing aside, Derrick," Rebecca spoke up softly, resting her hands neatly on her lap as a gentle, genuine smile touched her lips. "How did the night go? I truly hope everything went smoothly with Beth, and that you managed to find some peace while you were away."

Derrick leaned back against the sofa cushions, stretching his broad arm across the backrest right behind Cassie’s shoulders. His thumbs casually brushed against the fabric of her top, completely unbothered by the sharp, dangerous side-eye Cassie shot him the moment his arm settled behind her.

"It went better than expected," Derrick replied smoothly, looking calm and steady. "A few loose ends were tied up, and Beth is doing well."

"That’s wonderful to hear," Rebecca murmured, her voice laced with sincere relief. "You carry so much on your shoulders... I only wish the absolute best for you, wherever your heart leads you."

Hearing Rebecca’s gentle praise and blessing for his relationship with Beth was the absolute last straw for Cassie. A fresh surge of sharp, burning envy rushed through her veins, making her stomach twist in knot after knot.

’Wish him well?! With HER?!’ Cassie screamed internally, her fingers digging so deep into her own arms that her knuckles turned white.

Unable to listen to another second of it, Cassie let out a loud, cold click of her tongue.

She violently shoved Derrick’s arm off the backrest, stood up from the sofa in one swift, furious motion, and stomped toward the kitchen without throwing a single glance back at either of them.