Chapter 8 Anastasia glanced at her phone . The message was from Valeria . She rolled her eyes before even opening WhatsApp . It was a photo . The image showed a string of prayer beads , deliberately snapped and scattered across what looked like expensive bedsheets . Anastasia's stomach dropped as she stared at the screen . Those prayer beads - she'd dragged herself halfway around the world to Tibet two years ago to get them blessed at the Potala Palace . She'd been such a naive romantic back then , believing in all that spiritual protection bullshit . To prove her devotion , she'd climbed endless stone steps in thin air , performed traditional prostrations until her knees were bloody ; and waited for hours in freezing temperatures for some monk to bless the damn things . She remembered that trip - the altitude making her dizzy , her designer jeans torn from all the ceremonial kneeling . But she'd felt so fucking righteous about it . she'd wanted those beads to protect Jasper , to keep him safe and successful . God , she'd been pathetic When she'd given them to him , he'd acted all touched , spinning her around their apartment . " Babe , you're incredible . I'm the luckiest bastard alive , " he'd said . Now those " sacred " beads were destroyed - just another piece of trash in Valeria's bedroom . The whole thing felt like the universe's sick sense of humor . Another message popped up , oozing fake concern : OMG Ana! I'm SO sorry ! Jasper gave me these beads for protection - I think you got them on some ¿ piritual retreat or whatever ? Anyway , I totally broke them by accident ! You're not mad , are you ?? " ' I feel horrible but Jasper said they were just cheap tourist stuff anyway so no biggie if they're 15-59 Dumped Today Married Tomorrow : My Overnight Wedding to a Tycoon 5.09 Chapter 8 broken ! Hope you understand ! ? " Valeria was practically purring with satisfaction . Nothing got her off quite like twisting the knife . Anastasia stared at the carnage for exactly three seconds before firing back : " Honestly ? They were garbage . Got them at a gift shop for like $ 10 . You can buy a dozen on Amazon if you want . Though I doubt prayer beads can help someone with your karma . ? Q ' 11 Valeria's response was immediate rage . Was this uptight bitch actually coming for her ? That fucking princess was about to learn what real pain felt like . Anastasia was already basically an orphan . Once Valeria finished destroying her professionally and personally , she'd have nothing left to live for . The thought made Valeria practically giddy . But Anastasia had already moved on from Valeria's juvenile mind games . She was too busy looking forward to her new life as Mrs. Rhodes . She twisted the heavy signet ring on her finger , wondering what Cassian was doing at this exact moment . She still couldn't believe she'd married a complete stranger . But zero regrets so far . On impulse , she opened Cassian's WhatsApp profile . His avatar caught her completely off guard . Instead of some corporate power shot , it showed an artistic latte with an incredibly detailed leaf pattern in the foam . The delicate , almost feminine image seemed totally wrong for someone so intimidating . Cassian Rhodes was a coffee art enthusiast ? The specific design triggered something in her memory - she'd definitely seen that exact pattern before , but couldn't remember where . While she was still puzzling over it , a new message appeared . 15:59 Chapter 8 Cassian : " You up ? " Anastasia quickly typed back : Just about to sleep . " Good . FYI , my parents are dying to meet you . " The message hit like a freight train . Anastasia's heart immediately started hammering . Meeting the in - laws was inevitable , but Jesus , could they not ease into this ? She forced herself to sound casual : " Sure , whenever works for you . " He seemed satisfied : " Perfect . Get some sleep . " " Night ! " After closing the chat , Anastasia could still feel her pulse racing . Get it together , Ana ! This whole thing was just a business arrangement - two people helping each other solve family problems . That's it . Nothing more , nothing less . ..Right ? ( 14 ) 15:59