Used, Betrayed, Gone Chapter 07 (Continue)
I spent three months rebuilding myself and gathering evidence.
Then, with Preston’s legal team by my side, I returned to Los Angeles.
The moment news spread that I was still alive, reporters flooded the airport. Caineras surrounded me from every direction.
“Ms. Calloway, how were you rescued after jumping into the ocean? We’ve heard the current scandal involving the Calloway and Collins families was pushed by the Fraser family in New York City. What exactly is your relationship with Mr. Fraser?”
“Are you returning to file a lawsuit to reclaim your assets, or to accuse the two families of abusing you?”
Questions came one after another.
I didn’t answer any of them.
Surrounded by bodyguards, I walked straight toward the car waiting for me.
Just before getting in, I spotted Caspian standing at the far edge of the crowd.
He was staring at me from a distance, his eyes filled with emotions I had never seen before.
I looked away and went straight to court.
Suing both the Collins and Calloway families at the same time would take time and energy. Fortunately, I had prepared for that long ago.
After filing the lawsuit, I planned to return to New York City.
As soon as I stepped outside the courthouse, I saw Caspian waiting there. His eyes were red and he looked thinner than before, yet the arrogance in his posture remained.
He got straight to the point. “Josie, I made a mistake back then. Come back to me. I’ll treat you right from now on.
“I know you’ve gotten close to Preston Fraser in New York City, but someone like him could never genuinely care about a woman I’ve already been with. Wake up and stop making a scene. Come back now, and I’ll let everything go.”
The sharp crack of a slap echoed.
I slapped him across the face, interrupting him.
Caspian stared at me in shock. He clearly hadn’t expected me to actually hit him.
Now, I wasn’t the same person he had bullied three months ago. I had returned with more than a dozen bodyguards behind me, so there was nothing he could do to touch me.
I stared at Caspian for a long moment.
Somewhere along the way, I had forgotten how I ever fell in love with someone like him.
“Caspian, you should be grateful I never decided to take you down with me. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be standing here right now, spouting this garbage.”
For the first time, Caspian seemed to realize that I was no longer someone he could control.
He pulled out a cigarette with an irritated motion and lit it. But after taking only one drag, he threw it hard onto the ground and ran both hands through his hair in frustration.
“Josephine Calloway, what exactly do you want? I’ve already told you that if you come back, I’ll treat you right.
“Have you ever thought about what’ll happen if one day Preston gets tired of you? When that happens, who’s going to protect you? Stop being so naïve!”
I ignored his outburst and let out a cold, humorless laugh.
“Caspian, have you forgotten how you protected me? Do you want me to remind you? My body is still covered in scars from everything that happened. Would you like to take another look?
“If you’ve got time to stand here arguing with me, you’d be better off figuring out how you’re going to defend yourself in court.”
He froze.
A moment later, he turned away in anger and started to leave.
After taking a couple of steps, he suddenly stopped and looked back at me. “You’ll regret this!”