Revenge of Duchess

Chapter 29_ Reasons Part 2

"What" All looked shocked including Cassandra.

"He is right. Cynthia has become a mentally unstable person. Something was happened to her. This broke her from inside and out side.

"Someone tried to molest Cynthia. This had broken her completely. In fact Cynthia was slowly losing her sanity too. She began to have nightmares."

"She couldn't handle herself and becoming half mad" Clarisse finally confessed.

"I never knew that. She appeared normal whenever I met her" Cassandra added.

"You rarely met her. I kept her in Harriet's house. She was under meditation. But that meditations worked for some time, she was never become normal again. I paid money to Harriet to safeguard her. But when Harriet's son, Jonny tried to molest her on second time, she become completely mad. Unbearable. She was about to jump from cliff when Benedict saved her. That is when I asked Ben to marry her and take her away from here. No one else will marry my Cynthia knowing her truth. Having a mad daughter will affect my other two daughter's life. Who will marry them if the world knew my elder daughter is mad one. I emotionally blackmailed Benedict to marry your mad sister. I know you loved him Cassandra, But you had better future awaiting you and Cynthia was hindrance. So I begged him to take your sister away from here." Finally Clarisse sat down and she looked broken. Tears are rolling from her eyes.

"I know it is hard, but after knowing the truth you have let, it go" Benedict said.

"It was unbelievable tale of my sister. Another side of her which I never knew existed. But I need time to accept the truth. Mean while Cathy, I won't be bothering you and your work anymore"

" But one last question to you Ben, why you choose to sacrifice my love over my sister's care. I guess honor blinded your eyes that time."

Cassandra left the place without turning back.

"Clarisse, just give Cassandra some more time. She will eventfully comeback" Benedict consoled crying Clarisse.

Cassandra's insolent behavior confused Benedict more. Even after knowing truth why she is not forgiving her step mother. Her silence was killing him. He needs to talk to her. And her last words haunted him.

He needs to know what is in her mind. He decided to follow her. As he opened the room he saw Cassandra was standing up window watching outside.

"Cassie, "He called.

"I know why you are here. But I want full truth" She said without turning back.

"When I rejected Cynthia at first she said she wanted to meet me. She said I was her only hope. Someone wants to kill her and her unborn baby". This made Cassandra's head turn, and seeing her shocking expression he continued.

"She was pregnant. Amy is not my biological daughter. She was desperate to save herself. Her abuses made her half mad. Still she strived to be normal. She wanted an escape from him. One thing even today Clarisse never knew is Cynthia was actually raped by Jonny. At that moment I thought nothing but saving her. So I married her and left. I felt pity and thought she needs me.It is not justification of what I did. But you need to know what really happened."

"Why didn't you tell me these earlier" Cassandra asked.

"Would you believe me if I had told you earlier" Benedict asked back.

"Yes, I would have. Just like I said to Clarisse I need time to accept truth"

"Have you ever thought of me Benedict? What could have happened to me when you left suddenly?" When you choose to play savior to my sister, I was suffering and trapped. If only your cousin didn't come for my rescue I wouldn't have been alive today. Do you know I was pregnant with your kid" Cassandra said hitting hard on Benedict's chest. Benedict can feel her anger and frustration.

" I know Cassie" Benedict said grimly.

Cassandra looked at him bemused.

"Greg confirmed my Doubts. I should have been with you. But I fell for Clarisse's words. And Cynthia made it like life and death and situation for her. I was bound to pity. You are always strong woman but Cynthia was a weak woman."

Cassandra wiped her tears and said

"I am strong, but that doesn't mean I can be weak at times"

"Cassie ..." Benedict held her close. Despite of Cassandra's struggle to free her Benedict does not leave her. Both don't know how long they stood like that.

"Cassandra, A conspiracy was hatched against you " Benedict said slowly.

"So, you are putting blame of your actions in the name of conspiracy" Cassandra mocked him.

"No, at first I thought it was only against Cynthia. But when I came to knew what really happened to you, they are after you too. Cynthia lived constantly in fear that someone may come after her. After Cynthia's mishaps it was your turn. As if someone has grudge against Greene family"

"Really it can be coincidence. Nothing happened to me after I reached Brimhood "Cassandra said back.

"You are safe because Henry and Gregory protected you and they want finish what they started with Cynthia. Her fears were real. Now I knew that" Benedict added.

"What do you mean" Cassandra asked curiously.

"Cassandra, there is something I told no one. Cynthia didn't die natural death."

"She was murdered in cold blood"