Chapter 3 Anastasia's eyes widened at his blunt assessment . She rushed to explain , momentarily dropping her composed façade . " God , no - that's not what this is . " She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear . " Jasper and I are done . Completely done . My grandmother Elisabeth is in her eighties now , and seeing me settled has been her dream forever . " She met his gaze directly . " I need someone , and I don't need more time to decide who . " s Make Cassian Rhodes her backup plan ? She'd rather play Russian roulette with five bullets . Cassian studied her , his expression giving nothing away while his eyes caught every micro - expression crossing her face . " You're ready to walk away from him ? Just like that ? " His tone suggested casual interest , but there was something predatory in his stillness . " When they're serial cheaters who fuck your stepsister behind your back ? " Anastasia's voice turned razor - sharp . " I'd run , not walk . " The conversation she'd overheard had sobered her instantly . The alcohol buzz was gone , replaced by crystal clarity . After hearing Jasper talk about her like she was disposable , something had snapped permanently . Cassian's perfect eyebrow arched slightly , something dangerous flickering behind his eyes that made her pulse quicken . He shifted closer , his designer cologne enveloping her . " Are you absolutely certain this is what you want ? " The controlled rasp in his voice sent shivers down her spine . Her eyes might have been glistening in the dim light , but her voice was steel . " I'm throwing out the trash , and I'm not looking back . " Cassian's arm slid around her waist , pulling her flush against his chest . His lips brushed her ear as he spoke , " You realize what you're starting , don't you , Anastasia ? " His breath was warm against her skin . " Once I have something , I don't let it go . " 19.59 Duganed Today Married Tomorrow : My Overnight Wedding to a Tyroon 1.4 % Chapter 3 Heat bloomed across her cheeks and spread lower . Her heart hammered so hard she was certain he could feel it where their bodies pressed together . After a breathless moment , she looked up through her lashes . " I'm counting on it . " Common sense had officially left the chat . " Good . " His thumb traced her jawline . " We'll get the license tomorrow . " Cassian's tone made it clear this wasn't a discussion - it was happening . " That fast ? " she whispered , caught between excitement and vertigo . " Second thoughts already ? " His lips curved into something not quite a smile . " Or just eager to make it official ? " " No second thoughts . " She found herself leaning into his touch . " Would you mind driving me home ? I need to get my documentation . " Twenty minutes later , Cassian's sleek black Bentley glided to a stop in front of her Upper East Side brownstone . Anastasia currently shared the place with her grandmother Elisabeth - her sanctuary after everything had fallen apart . When her father Sharpson Kingsley had walked out on them for his younger mistress Whitney Stone , he'd torn their family to shreds without a backward glance . Whitney's daughter had even taken the Kingsley name , becoming Valeria - a constant reminder of what had been stolen . Anastasia's mother Sheila hadn't been able to handle the betrayal . After a spiral into depression , she'd died in a car accident that Anastasia had always suspected wasn't entirely accidental . The memory still gutted her . Every time she thought about it , the wound reopened as fresh as the day it happened , That's why she would never forgive Sharpson . Her mother's death was on his hands , Anastasia would carry that anger to her grave , Valeria - three years her junior and freshly graduated with a business degree she'd barely 15:58 Dumped Today Married Tomorrowe My Overnisbe W Chapter earned - had somehow landed a position at Jasper's company , J & A . At a company gala weeks earlier , Valeria had performed some sexy dance routine that had every man in the room drooling . That must have been when Jasper's wandering eye had first locked onto her stepsister . J & A had become one of the industry's most talked - about jewelry brands in recent years , featured in Vogue and worn on red carpets . That status was undoubtedly why Valeria had maneuvered her way in . Though Anastasia also worked at J & A , she headed the design department , working mostly in her private studio . She rarely crossed paths with Jasper during business hours and had zero involvement in HR decisions . She'd been blindsided at that company party when she'd spotted Valeria schmoozing with executives . Anastasia hadn't made a scene - she'd severed emotional ties with the Kingsley family years ago . She just never imagined Jasper would sink to sleeping with her stepsister . To win approval from Jasper's old - money family , Anastasia had worked herself to exhaustion , proving her worth through talent rather than pedigree . All for nothing . Her natural gift for design had earned her gold at the prestigious . A ' Design Award in the Jewelry category - the industry's highest honor . After falling for Jasper , they'd built J & A together from the ground up . They'd spent a weekend at the Hamptons brainstorming the company name . The memory now felt ike a cruel joke . ' We're here , " Cassian's deep voice drew her back from the edge of her thoughts . His hand covered hers briefly - a surprisingly gentle gesture . " It's late - I'll meet Elisabeth properly another time . Wouldn't want to give the lady a shock tonight . " Anastasia blinked , surprised by his consideration . She nodded . " Yeah , that's … thoughtful of you . " 15:58 Dumped Today Marie Chapter 3 " Get some sleep . " His eyes traveled over her face as if memorizing it . " I'll send a car at nine tomorrow morning . We're doing this properly . " " Okay . " Anastasia found herself responding softly , the fight in her temporarily subdued by his unexpected gentleness . 15:58 ( 20 ) Dumped Today . Married Tomorrow : My Overnight Wedding in a Turoan