Cassie's POV

I woke up a little earlier than usual. Benji was speaking loudly in sleep. He was dreaming. Benjamin held her hand strongly. He was having a nightmare. As I tried to calm him up he mumbled in sleep.

"Mama don't leave me. Monsters will eat me. I am afraid." He was too afraid to open his eyes. He was sweating with fear.

Monsters.

Who would feed a seven year old boy such stories?

It must either Greg or Martha.

I cursed them silently for spoiling my son.

"I am here, Benji. I will never ever leave you. You are a brave boy just like your papa" And then I kissed on his forehead lovingly.

Benjamin went back to sleep wrapping around his favorite pillow. I covered him with the sheets.

He is adorable. Just like, I thought.

I love my son. He is my first priority. My life.

I slowly got up and went down. I am still in my nightgown. Martha was already awake and doing her daily chores.

"You are early, my Grace" Martha said politely.

"I lost my sleep somehow. Can you bring some coffee? I will be in library."

"Yes, my lady. Your coffee will be ready soon," Martha informed me.

I walked to the library slowly. Sleep had almost left me. Windows were open somehow and they are making noise due to strong winds. I walked towards them. The sky was still black. Cold wind slowly entered the room and I shivered. Usually I love cold wind but today they are colder. I closed the windows strongly to prevent further winds coming inside.

My late husband Henry Lockhart, late duke of Brimwood owned a large library. He had a collection of thousands of books ranging from literature to almost everything in the world.

The books will always calm me when I am stressed. My baffled mind today may be due to lack of sleep.

I chose a book and began to read but I found myself lacking interest in it. Something was bothering me and I don't know what it is.

Suddenly the door opened and but I didn't bother to look back because I knew it was Martha bringing me coffee. Smell coffee hit my nostrils and I was overjoyed.

"Your coffees are awesome," I said with much admiration.

"People usually say my coffee is bland. You are first one to complement it," said a male voice from behind.

"Greg!" I almost shouted. Gregory Winston, my husband's best friend stood before me.

"What the hell you are doing in this wee hour" I asked him.

"Seems like you didn't like that I came to you" Greg faked his anger and made up a sad face.

"It is not like that Greg, I just don't want people to think wrong about you," I said with concern.

"Your staff knows well what our relationship is and for the outsiders you are already rumored to be my lover and you are not in the least bothered."

Yes, Greg was right. She was only answerable to Henry and all her staff knows well how she is.

"OK Greg, you win." I said lifting my hands up.

"But why you are so early here. Did something bad happen?" I questioned him worriedly.

"I was returning from York and I felt hungry and thought about having a good breakfast from Martha and I heard something." Greg said seriously.

I looked at him expectance. What that could be.

"Your lover boy is back," he said smiling.

"Really? Which lover boy?" I asked him playfully.

"Caption Benedict Hart"

My heart sank. He came back. Finally.

I lost my words. My morning instincts were proved right. I drank coffee and closed my eyes.

Memories.

Bad memories.

They can't affect you anymore. You are strong. I tried remind myself.

Yet...

"Your face become pale." Greg said noticing my sudden panic.

I didn't say anything. But I knew well Greg understood me well.

"You know what that means," Greg continued.

"Yes, my late husband's will be executed." I said weakly.

"Cassie you are going to get finally you wanted. Can't you just abandon the revenge and move on?"

"How can you say that Greg! I planned for the revenge the moment I learned about Henry's will! I want him to pay. To pay for what he did to me" I said angrily.

"Do you know how painful it is when your lover marries someone else?" I snapped at him,

"Yes Cassie I know that pain very well." Greg replied grimly.

"I didn't mean that Greg." I tried to apologize.

"No need, Cassie. I just want you to be happy. It is true you suffered a lot because of Benedict's betrayal. But Henry wanted you to happy. That is why he made a will like that. But now with your reputation after Henry's death I highly doubt Hart will ever even come close to you. You deliberately ruined yourself." Greg said warningly.

"And even the lure of title and fortune is not enough. Captain Benedict Hart is an honorable man," Greg said again.

"Honor my foot. Where was his honor when he dumped me and decided to marry my sister?

And you are right, he won't be easily walk in to my hell. But he will... There are two things that will make him come to me. One his greedy family and other..."

I stopped and smiled wickedly.

Greg gave me his evil smile and said.

"OK my Cinderella, go ahead and have your revenge. Let your Prince Charming pay for what he did. But always remember, revenge won't gain you nothing. But I am with you always."

I finished my coffee and mind already began to make plans for how to start Captain Benedict Hart' s ruin...

Benedict Hart needs to pay for his sins. Time has finally favored me. But strangely I found my heart beating against my conviction for revenge. Still, I decided to go against it praying god for enough strength.

Yes , it is the time for revenge……….