VOWS OF VENGEANCE

Tangled Webs

Meanwhile, back at Paige's family, they were all glad. “It's a good thing you got rid of him.” Tiffany said with a wide grin. “Why now?” Cassandra’s father asked, staring at her in the face. “I got what I wanted. I see no reason why I should keep him around.” Cassandra said with a smirk etched on her face. 

“And what is that?” Frank Paige asked. Cassandra was about to talk when her phone rang. “Is that Williams?” Tiffany asked. Cassandra nodded, getting out of her sofa chair. She walked briskly into the other room, where her parents could hear her giggle with laughter. 

“Mom, what do you think about planning the biggest wedding in town?” Cassandra asked, staring at her mother. “Did he pop the question? Did he ask you out?” Tiffany looked at her. “Yes, Williams would like to marry me, but of course I need to divorce Ethan.” 

“Why didn't you think of getting him a divorce letter before you decided to end things with him?” Frank looked at her. 

“Because the marriage was a scam. I see no reason why I need to officially end things with him.” Cassandra replied nonchalantly. “But didn't you sign the document stating you are going to wed this ill-fortuned guy?” Frank looked at her again. “Doesn't matter, Dad. I am going to find him and give it to him. Nothing is going to stop me from getting married to Williams. I have waited for this all my life.” Cassandra said, calling her lawyer. 

Cassandra leaned against the wall of her room, her phone pressed tightly to her ear as her lawyer's voice echoed on the other end.

"You want to push the divorce papers immediately?" the lawyer asked, his tone sharp and direct.

"Yes, I want it finalized as soon as possible," Cassandra replied. "Find him and make sure he signs it. I don’t care what it takes."

The lawyer hesitated. "Finding Ethan might not be easy. Last I heard, you had him thrown out of work and your home. Finding him might not be easy; this could take longer than you think."

Cassandra clenched her teeth. "I don’t care how difficult it is. Find him and make it happen."

Ending the call, Cassandra felt a wave of satisfaction wash over her. With Ethan gone, Williams was her future, and she wasn’t about to let anyone or anything stand in her way.

[ BACK AT MIRANDA'S MANSION ]

Ethan stared at the steaming cup of coffee on the table before him, Miranda’s words replaying in his mind. Freedom. Revenge. A chance to rebuild your life. He wanted to believe her, but her offer seemed too good to be true. He remembered how Cassandra had discarded him like a piece of trash when she was done using him. 

What was the chance that Miranda wasn't any different?

"You still haven’t answered my question," Ethan said, breaking the heavy silence. "What happens if I say no?"

Miranda, seated gracefully across from him, leaned back in her chair. Her calm demeanor didn’t waver. "If you say no, I’ll respect your decision," she replied. "But you’ll go back to the streets with nothing. No roof over your head, no food, no chance to start over. Is that what you want?"

Ethan’s jaw tightened. He hated how her words stung deep into his skin. She was right—he had nothing. Yet, her offer still felt like a trap; his mind shifted back and forth, not sure of how to reply to Miranda’s demands.

"Who is this man you want to take down?" Ethan asked, trying to buy time to think.

Miranda gazed at him. "His name is Williams Hargrove. He’s a corrupt businessman who’s ruined countless lives, including mine. He hides behind wealth and power, but he’s nothing more than a criminal in a suit."

Ethan frowned. The name rang a bell. “Hargrove," he muttered. "He’s that bigshot CEO, right? Owns half the city? I think...” he said nothing, trying to know if he could really trust Miranda.

"Exactly," Miranda confirmed. "But what he doesn’t own is his conscience. And that’s where you come in."

"Me?" Ethan asked, skeptical. "What can I do that you can’t?"

"You’ll be my weapon," Miranda said bluntly. “No one will see you coming. And with my resources, you’ll have everything you need to take him down. Besides, you have never told me who wronged you.” 

“Not now.” Ethan said, slowly running a hand through his hair. 

Was this his chance to fight back against those who had crushed him? Or was he just trading one set of chains for another?

Before he could respond, Miranda leaned forward, her eyes locking onto his. "Think about it, Ethan," she said, her voice softening. "You’ve been dealt a bad hand, but this is your chance to change the game. Don’t let fear stop you."

Ethan exhaled slowly, his resolve wavering. "I’ll think about it," he said finally.

"That’s all I ask," Miranda replied with a faint smile. "Take your time."

[ BACK AT THE PAIGE'S HOME ] 

Cassandra stormed back into the living room, her face flushed with anger. "The lawyer says it could take weeks to track Ethan down!" She snapped, throwing her phone onto the couch.

Tiffany raised an eyebrow. "Weeks? That’s unacceptable. You need to be married to Williams before the end of the year."

"I know!" Cassandra barked. "That’s why I’m taking matters into my own hands. If the lawyer can’t find him, I will."

"And what will you do when you find him?" Frank asked, his tone dripping with disapproval. "Beg him to sign the papers?"

Cassandra smirked. "Beg? Please, Father. Ethan will sign those papers, even if I have to twist his arm to make him do it."

Frank shook his head, his expression a mix of disappointment and amusement. "Just be careful, Cassandra. People like Ethan have a way of coming back to haunt you."

Cassandra waved him off. "Ethan? Haunt me? Don’t be ridiculous. He’s nothing. And soon, he’ll be gone for good."