without you || n.j

Chapter Thirty Four

Turns out it wasn't anything bad. It was just a simple cold that she got once in a while. My heart had started slowing down and I could finally releases the breath I didn't know I was holding, once she was in my arms.

I sat her down on my knee and cuddled her close. Mariana was my top priority and if there was anything wrong with her, I wouldn't hesitate to be by her side.

"Are you gonna head back to your place?" Melissa asked staring at us closely while cuddling her own daughter.

I nodded, my focus still on Mariana. "Maybe rest up."

That was possibly the last time I traveled without my daughter. It was just to much for me to leave her alone. If something happened to her— I couldn't image it.

"We should head out now. It looks like it's about to rain and traffic is going to be hell once it starts to downpour."

I craned my neck to get a good look at the outside. The sky was filled with grey clouds, not a hint of blue was to be seen.

I slowly stood up and waited until Melissa brought her carseat over.

I couldn't wait to be able to sleep in my own bed and be in the comfort in my own place.

⟹ ⟹ ⟹ ⟹ ⟹

"Are you sure Neymar's not home?" We glanced at the house that was lit. It seemed like someone was inside and we weren't sure who it was.

I shook my head and pointed at the red Mercedes that was parked in the driveway. "I'm ninety nine percent sure Neymar, or I think he doesn't own a red Mercedes," I unbuckled my seatbelt and started to get out of the car. "I'm gonna go and see."

Melissa grabbed my arm, holding me back. "You're kidding right. It could be some murder. Let's call Marc and tell him to go check."

I shook her away. "That's just wasting time and he's three hours away, I don't think we have the time."

"God... You're crazy, women. You could die in there!"

I laughed. "If I don't come out in the next ten minutes, call the police or something. Just pray I don't die though."

"Don't say that!" She gasped and grabbed me again. "You better hurry out."

I nodded and grabbed my phone. Then made my way up to the stairs. I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared. I was shaking.

"Please don't be a serial killer." I said to myself and possibly God. I opened the door, surprised it wasn't locked. I slowly stepped into the house and looked at each highway, fearing someone would jump out and slaughter me.

"Stop it, Ney..." Giggles filled the room. They had yet to notice me standing—Sliding against the wall.

The laughter slowed down, then came a gasp.

"CASSANDRA!" He yelled out my name, but it seemed like I had lost my hearing. I looked foolish sitting cross legged against the wall. It was my only option. I knew if I stand, my legs will turn into quick sand and drag me to the floor.

"This isn't what it looks like!" He continued to yell out, in a begging matter. My muscles somehow had gathered the strength to look at them.

There was the girl in the photos, in just his black t-shirt, the t-shirt I loved wearing the most. Then there was Neymar, in nothing but his tight boxers. In another universe, I would enjoy seeming him this way but know, I felt betrayed.

I laughed.

That's all I could do.

I laughed because of how ridiculous this seemed.

I couldn't feel anything. Mentally and emotionally. I was numb.

"Cassandra, please say something. You're scaring me." Neymar grasped my hands in his, trying to bring me to my feet, but I just went limp.

"What am I suppose to say?" I whispered staring at him straight in the eye. "Am... Am I suppose to say 'I can't believe your doing this' and all that crap?"

"I'm not going to do that Neymar." I said wiping a tear that escaped. "I'm tired and I can't handle this anymore."

I stood up and felt the room spin.

I had to leave.

Now.

I couldn't breathe.

I made my way out the door, ignoring his protest and cries telling me to come back inside the house so we would talk.

Melissa got out of the car when she saw me storming out of the house with my face streaming with tears. "What happened in there?"

"Cassandra you can't leave!" Neymar scrambled out of the house despite being half naked. "You can't leave with my daughter!"

He grabbed ahold of my forearm, stopping me from moving any farther. I shook myself from his grip but he only tighten his hold.

The sound of my hand against his cheek was quick and loud. I felt him flinch under my skin. Everyone froze for a moment, shocked that I would do that.

"Don't you dare come near us." I said, disgusted. I slipped away from his grip and made a few inches away from him.

"Please forgive me."

I tried to retreat back to the car, but Neymar grabbed my arm once again. In the next moment, Melissa was pounding her fist against his arm until he released me.

"Leave her alone, you bastard!" She screamed in his face. "So help me god! If you try to stop her, I will douse you in gasoline and light you on fire while you sleep!"

Neymar stared at her, blinking for a moment in stunned disbelief.

His grip loosened and I managed to slip away.

"Cassandra, I don't want her." He pleaded, on the edge of tears. "I love you, so damn much. Please don't leave me."

I shook my head, unable to believe him anymore. Anything he said could be a lie.

I wiped an escaped tear. "I can't do this anymore,"

"She deserved better from you!" Melissa snarled at him. She slammed the door as she sat behind the wheel. I sat beside her, trying to block Neymar from my mind.

She started the car. "He's such an idiot."

"Cassandra please," Neymar begged through the window.

"Fuck off Neymar!" Melissa yelled, leaning out of the window. She backed out of his driveway.

And I cursed myself for looking one last time.

The image of Bruna standing at the top of the stairs with a smug expression was going to torture me until I die. 

------------------------------------------------

{a/n; one more chapter left *cries* 

send me questions and i'll answer them, so anything you want to know i'll answer them. 

thank you for reading, ily all so much}