Page 25 of Sexting the Silverfox Daddy

Cassie

Two o'clock sharp, the catering van rolled out of the estate's gates.

I was curled up in the back, hidden among crates of dishes and produce, my heart pounding so hard I thought it'd burst. Every bump in the road made me hold my breath, terrified I'd be caught. It was a crazy risk, but it was my only shot to get out.

So far, so good.

Ten minutes out, I finally let myself relax a little.

Through the van's tiny window, I caught glimpses of the outside world—sunlight, busy streets, people going about their lives.

It was so real, so alive, and I hadn't seen it in forever.

The estate, beautiful as it was, had started to feel like a gilded cage.

But my mind wasn't fully here. Guilt and nerves kept tugging at me.

"Cassie," Old Henry's voice came from the driver's seat, tight with worry. "You sure about this? If Mr. Sokolov finds out… there's still time to turn back."

His fear hit me hard, and guilt twisted in my gut. Henry had worked at the estate for over twenty years. He had a wife, grandkids—he shouldn't be risking anything for my reckless plan.

"Henry," I said softly, trying to sound steady, "I know this puts you in a tough spot, and I'm so sorry. If Gennady finds out, I'll make it clear this was all my idea, that I forced you."

"No, no, Cassie," Henry said quickly, shaking his head. "I'm not worried about me. Mr. Sokolov's tough, but he doesn't hurt us for no reason. I'm worried about you."

He glanced at me through the rearview mirror, his eyes kind, almost fatherly. "Miss, I've watched you settle into the estate. You're a good girl. But it's dangerous out there, especially now."

"I know it's risky," I said, clenching my fists to steady myself. "But, Henry, this might be my only chance. You get that, right?"

He went quiet for a moment, then sighed. "My daughter's a musician too—not as gifted as you, but I get what music means to you."

From the moment I'd made this choice, guilt had been eating me alive, a heavy stone in my chest. But hearing Henry's words eased it a little. Maybe I'm not completely wrong. Maybe chasing my dream is worth a little risk. Maybe I'm not a selfish idiot.

My eyes stung with tears. "Thank you, Henry. For understanding."

"But, Cassie," his voice grew heavier, "have you thought about what this'll do to Mr. Sokolov if something happens to you? I've been here a long time, and I've never seen him care for anyone the way he does you. You're everything to him."

My heart clenched. I had thought about it. Every time I pictured Gennady's face when he realized I was gone, it hurt so bad I could barely breathe.

"I'll be careful," I said, taking a deep breath to steady my voice. "It's just the competition, a few hours. It's a public place, lots of people. It's safe."

Henry didn't reply, but I could feel his worry. The van fell silent, just the hum of the wheels on the road.

I hugged my knees, my emotions a tangled mess. I knew this was wrong. I knew it'd scare Gennady, put Henry at risk, maybe cause trouble for everyone at the estate. But I didn't have a choice. This opportunity wouldn't come again.

I just hoped Gennady would understand I wasn't betraying him—I was trying to find myself.

Two hours later, I stepped out of the concert hall, my earlier doubts gone, replaced by a high that made me feel like I was floating. I couldn't wait to text Jennifer.

Me: Jen, I made it to the next round! Judges loved me, said they're excited for my next piece. I feel alive again!

Jen: OMG Cass! Knew u could do it! Her reply was instant.

I grinned, typing a response, my heart full of hope. Maybe I could convince Gennady to support my dream. Maybe we could find a way to balance—

Then I looked up, and my smile froze.

Gennady stood at the concert hall entrance, leaning against his black sedan, a cigarette glowing between his fingers, smoke curling around him. his green eyes—usually so warm when they looked at me—were cold as ice, sharp enough to cut.

My phone slipped from my hand, clattering to the ground. My heart raced, panic flooding me. He knows. He fucking knows.

I glanced around, desperate for an escape, but it was too late. If he was here, he'd known where I was all along.

He stubbed out his cigarette and started toward me, each step heavy with barely contained rage. People on the sidewalk parted instinctively, sensing the danger radiating off him.

I swallowed hard, trying to look calm. Maybe I could explain. I knew it was dangerous, but I'd been careful. I'd picked a crowded, public place, kept my eyes open…

"Had your fun?" His voice was low, too calm, as he stopped in front of me.

That calm was scarier than any shout. I'd never seen him this angry—not even with his enemies. The storm was brewing just beneath the surface.

"Gennady, I can explain," I said quickly, my voice shaky. "I know you're worried, but I was careful. This is a public place, tons of people, it's safe—"

"Safe?" His lips curled into a cold, humorless smile. "You know how many ways I could kill you in a 'safe' place like this?"

My face went pale, my stomach dropping.

"Get in the car," he said, grabbing my wrist with a grip that hurt. "Now."

"Wait!" I tried to pull away. "Gennady, listen to me. I was careful! This competition—it's everything to me. I—"

He didn't listen, practically shoving me into the car before sliding in beside me. The door slammed shut.

"Gennady," I said, turning to him, guilt making my voice tremble. "I know you're worried about my safety, but look, I'm fine. Nothing happened."

He didn't answer, just stared out the window, his jaw tight as steel.

The silence in the car was suffocating. I started to realize this was way worse than I'd thought.

Back at the estate, Gennady got out of the car like he was ready to tear the door off its hinges. I followed, my unease growing with every step.

The second we hit the living room, his anger exploded. He snatched my competition confirmation letter and ripped it to shreds right in front of me.

"What are you doing?!" I shouted, horrified. "That's my entry form!"

"You know what, Cassie?" He turned on me, his green eyes blazing with a fury I'd never seen. "The second you left the estate, Marco's men were tailing you. They were waiting for a chance like this."

"What?" My blood ran cold. "Tailing me? But I… I was watching, I didn't see anyone suspicious…"

"You think you'd see them?" Gennady's laugh was bitter. "You think professional killers would let you spot them?"

My legs felt weak, like they might give out. "I didn't know. I thought the concert hall was safe."

"If my guys hadn't spotted them first, if I hadn't gotten there in time, you'd be dead right now!" His voice echoed through the room. "But what were you thinking about? Your fucking music competition!"

I got it now—why he was so mad. And I saw how stupid I'd been. But hearing him dismiss my dream like that? It cut deep.

"I'm grateful you protected me," I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. "But it's not some fucking competition. It's the Vienna International Music Competition. It's my dream!"

"Dream?" Gennady scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "In the real world, dreams don't pay the bills or stop bullets. You need to learn what matters and what's just a luxury hobby!"

"Hobby?" I snapped, tears burning my eyes as anger surged. "You're calling my music a hobby?"

"What else is it? A childish fantasy?" His words were sharp, cutting. "Grow up, Cassie."

I stared at him, disbelief washing over me. "I don't get it. You supported my music before. You said you loved hearing me play, that it was my gift. Was that all a lie? Just a way to control me?"

His expression froze, pain flickering in his eyes for a split second.

"It was fine when it was safe," he said, his voice tight. "In the estate, under my protection. Not when you're running off to some bullshit competition and risking your life!"

"Bullshit?" I was practically screaming now, all my fear turning to rage. "This is the Vienna International Music Competition! It's my one shot to prove myself!"

"Prove what? How stupid you are? That you're willing to die for a fucking contest?"

"Prove I'm not just your toy!" I shouted, the words I'd held back for so long bursting out. "Prove I'm not just a bird in your gilded cage! Prove I'm a real person with my own worth, my own dreams!"

The room went deathly silent.

Gennady stared at me, his eyes a storm of pain, anger, and disappointment. "So that's how you see us?" His voice was low, dangerous. "I'm your jailer, and you're my prisoner?"

His hurt hit me like a punch, but I was too far gone to back down. "What else am I supposed to think?" I wiped at my tears. "You control every move I make, watch every decision, and now you're killing my dreams! That's not love, Gennady. That's possession!"

His face went white, his fists clenched so hard his knuckles were pale.

"I did this to protect you!" he roared.

"Protect me? Or control me?" I shot back, torn between fear of the danger I'd ignored and fury at being caged. "Yeah, I screwed up. I underestimated the risk, and I should've told you. But did you ever ask what kind of protection I want?"

"In my world, staying alive is all that matters!"

"But in my world," I said, tears streaming as I looked at him, "living without dreams is no different from being dead."

I turned and ran for the stairs. "I'd rather risk everything for my dreams than die safe in this fancy prison!"

"Cassie!" he shouted after me.

But I didn't look back. I bolted to my room, slammed the door, and slid to the floor, my back against it.

Tears poured out, unstoppable. I finally understood the real danger I'd faced today, and my own stupidity. But I also saw the deeper truth: Gennady and I were divided, fundamentally, on what mattered most.

I loved him, but I couldn't lose myself to love him.

Downstairs, something shattered, followed by heavy footsteps and the front door slamming shut.

I hugged my knees, sobbing, caught between fear of what I'd walked into and despair for what lay ahead.

But one thing was clear: there was no going back now.