--Cassie--“Cassie, Cassie,” a voice called my name, gentle but insistent, pulling me from a foggy haze. Slowly, I opened my eyes, blinking at the bright lights around me. As my vision cleared, I saw familiar faces gathered close—Aunty Sophia, my dad, and my friends, Hailey and Michelle. Relief washed over their expressions as they saw me stir.“Oh, she’s awake!” one of them exclaimed, smiling.I looked around, taking in the room. We were still in the grand reception hall, its opulence now dimmed by my disoriented state. Everything felt surreal, like waking from a strange dream. “What…what happened?” I asked, my voice coming out in a whisper as I tried to focus on their faces.“You fainted,” someone said softly, but the murmurs and hushed voices around us made it difficult to pinpoint who. I noticed the way people looked at me with a mixture of concern and curiosity, their eyes heavy with questions."I bet she’s pregnant, that’s why she fainted," someone whispered from a distance, tho
--Cassie--It was time to say goodbye. My bags were packed, and I was ready to leave. I had tried everything to contact Alessandro, but every attempt failed. His phone wouldn’t connect, and the pilots were already waiting at the airport. I was running late—an hour behind schedule, with eyes swollen and red from crying. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I could hear Dad and Aunt Sophia talking softly, their voices barely reaching me as I stood by the door."I don’t want to speak to you, Dad. You lied to me that you did not know that I had to go stay in Italy but you did," I choked out, my voice filled with betrayal. "I asked if you knew, and you lied." With that, I walked out of the house, my two best friends beside me, helping me carry my luggage.I paused for a moment, taking one last look at the house where I’d grown up. Memories of my childhood flooded back—the laughter, the joy, the moments with my mother. My mother… I could still feel her presence in the walls, in the air.I hurri
--Cassie--“We will be landing in twenty minutes,” the pilot announced through the speakers, his voice steady and calm, but it only heightened my nerves. I took a deep breath, trying to settle the thoughts whirling inside me. This new reality, the weight of it, was beginning to sink in as we neared Italy.Stephanie, the flight attendant who had stayed by my side throughout the flight, gave me a warm smile. She’d done everything to make me comfortable, offering snacks, pillows, and even sharing stories about her own life. Despite her kindness, I hadn’t told her much about my own situation. Even though she seemed genuine, I kept the truth of my predicament close to my chest. But her sincere, gentle approach made me feel like I could trust her, and that comfort was something I’d desperately needed today.“Are you feeling okay?” she asked softly, sitting down beside me. “Landing can be a bit intense, especially after a long journey.”I smiled back, though it felt a bit fragile. “Yes, I’m
--Cassie--We had been driving for over two hours, and an uneasy feeling was building in my chest. I shifted uncomfortably and finally leaned forward."Mr. Blake?" I called out to him, my voice catching slightly.“Yes, ma’am?” he replied, glancing at me through the rearview mirror. His expression was steady, as if he already knew the question I was about to ask.“Where exactly are we going?” I asked, looking out the window. All I could see were endless rows of trees, stretching as far as I could make out.“We’re on our way to Mr. DeLuca’s estate, ma’am,” he answered, his tone serious and calm.“Are you sure?” I pressed, glancing at the trees around us, my nerves on edge. “It’s been hours, and we’re just surrounded by trees.” A sliver of doubt crept in—what if these people weren’t from Alessandro? What if they’d been lying to me all along?A pang of panic started to rise. My thoughts ran wild with every possible scenario, my heart pounding faster. I glanced at the cars behind us, part
--Cassie--My luggage was carried out of the car, and I watched as an older woman approached me with a warm smile.“Welcome, Mrs. De Luca,” she said graciously, her voice steady and soothing. I smiled politely, my eyes darting around to take in the scene. The place was breathtaking, almost unreal. Every corner radiated wealth, luxury, and elegance. How could anyone be this rich?“Mrs. De Luca,” Blake’s voice brought me back to reality. “Emily here will take care of you and ensure you have everything you need.”“Hello, dear,” Emily greeted me warmly, stepping forward. “I’m Emily, and I’m here to assist you with anything you require.”Before I could respond, a group of maids hurried out of the mansion toward us. Emily gave them a quick look, and they stopped in their tracks as if silently instructed. Then, turning back to me with the same kind smile, she said, “Let’s head inside, shall we?”Blake nodded briefly. “Mrs. De Luca, see you around,” he said before disappearing back into the c
--Cassie--“Open the door,” came a soft knock and a voice from outside.I stirred awake, blinking against the golden rays of sunlight streaming into the room. The warmth of the morning was comforting, but the voice tugged me back to reality.Dragging myself out of bed, I padded over to the door and opened it to find Aunt Emily standing there with her ever-kind expression.“Mrs. De Luca,” she greeted, her tone polite but concerned.“Please, just call me Cassie,” I said quickly, the title feeling too foreign, too heavy.She hesitated, then nodded with a small smile. “I wanted to check on you. It’s past noon, and I hadn’t heard anything from you.”Noon? My heart skipped a beat. I hadn’t realized I’d slept so long. “I’m good, really. I’ll be downstairs soon,” I assured her, attempting a smile of my own.Her shoulders relaxed, and a look of relief crossed her face. For a moment, I wondered if she thought I’d tried to escape or worse.“Alright, Cassie,” she said softly, her smile warmer now
--Cassie--After yesterday’s incident, the two girls were dismissed, and Aunt Emily held a meeting with the staff. I had no idea what was said, but it must have been serious. Now, here I am, alone in this room, overwhelmed with boredom. Alessandro hasn’t shown up yet, though I’m not complaining.My dad has called me countless times, but I haven’t answered. My bestfriends persistent attempts to reach me have only made me more stubborn. I know he has probably asked others to check on me, hoping they’ll convince me to speak to him. But I’ve ignored their calls too.Nothing here brings me joy, not even the luxurious clothes that fill the massive wardrobe. Yesterday, out of sheer boredom, I started unpacking my belongings and discovered just how extravagant the contents of the wardrobe were. Dresses, shoes, and jewelry, all brand new, still with their price tags attached—and the numbers were outrageous.I stared at the gleaming items, their value mocking me. They were supposed to make me f
--Cassie--"Get up, Cassie, the doctor is here," Aunty Emily’s voice cut through the haze, rousing me from the shallow sleep I’d been drifting in. Blinking against the faint light in the room, I saw a female doctor standing at my bedside, her warm smile contrasting with the worry in Emily’s eyes."Mrs. De-Luca, good evening," the doctor greeted, her tone soft as she approached with her bag in hand."Hi," I managed to reply, my voice barely above a whisper. Speaking felt like a monumental effort, my strength drained from days of feeling this way."How is she feeling, Ms. Emily?" the doctor asked, her gaze shifting to Aunty Emily, who looked frazzled yet determined. The doctor was strikingly beautiful, with the kind of poise that could belong to a model."She’s been having constant headaches, a fever, and her temperature keeps spiking," Emily explained, her voice tinged with concern as she motioned toward me.The doctor nodded, her expression softening. "Oh, she’s experiencing stress, M
--Cassie--The morning light streamed through the large windows of my room, illuminating the space with a soft, golden hue. Today felt different—a rare day out of the mansion, a chance to escape its towering walls and endless routines. I had practically begged Aunty Emily yesterday to let me accompany her to the orphanage, and after what felt like hours of pleading, she finally relented. Excitement bubbled in my chest as I swung my legs off the bed, my bare feet brushing against the cool marble floor.I stretched my arms over my head, still feeling the remnants of sleep tugging at my body. My gaze shifted to the alarm clock on my bedside table, and my heart nearly stopped. Thirty minutes?! Aunty Emily had mentioned she’d be leaving at eight sharp, and somehow, I’d managed to oversleep despite setting an alarm. My exhaustion from yesterday’s activities must have gotten the better of me. Panic set in as I dashed toward the bathroom, still clad in my loose, pink pajamas. The excitement
“Where is the turkey, Maria? Mr. Lucio still hasn’t delivered it!” Aunty Emily called out, her voice tinged with both authority and impatience. She had been overseeing the kitchen with a sharp eye, making sure everything was in place for tomorrow’s guest.Maria, who had been animatedly recounting a story, paused mid-sentence, looking flustered. “I sent the invoice to him yesterday,” she explained hurriedly. “There was a delay this morning. But he promised it would be delivered soon, and... oh, there it is now!”At that moment, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway, and a small team of men entered the kitchen, each carrying large boxes labeled "Turkey." The sight was overwhelming—at least twenty boxes, stacked high, each one looking like it could feed a small village.As they brought the boxes in, the staff immediately turned to me and began to bow. The gesture caught me off guard, and I felt a rush of discomfort. Was this how things worked in Italy? Did staff automatica
--Cassie--"Aless will be coming tomorrow," she announced casually, catching me mid-sip of my tea. I choked slightly, coughing to cover my surprise, and she quickly handed me a tissue."Sorry," she said, her eyes filled with concern. Her comment had hit me harder than I expected, and I wondered if my discomfort had been too obvious. Could she tell that I didn’t want him back?"Don’t worry, dear. I know that this was an arranged marriage," she added, her tone gentle yet matter-of-fact. My chest tightened at her words, and I forced myself to offer a polite smile, though inside, I felt far from composed. What would she think if she didn’t know the truth about this arrangement? What would anyone think?"I know my Aless can be... stubborn," she continued, her expression softening as if she were recounting memories of a particularly headstrong child. "But please, have patience with him. Don’t give up on this, alright?"Her words hung in the air, making me nod reflexively. I didn’t have anyt
--Cassie--Exiting the elevator, I was greeted by an unexpected flurry of activity. The once-quiet atmosphere of the house was now alive with movement. There were people bustling around, their chatter and footsteps filling the space. It was anything but quiet. I wasn’t complaining, but I couldn’t recall ever seeing so many people here before. This house, so often serene, now seemed to hum with energy."Mrs. De-Luca, good morning," came a chorus of voices from various directions. A small group of staff, dressed in crisp uniforms, nodded politely as I passed. I smiled back, acknowledging them, though their sudden presence left me curious. They soon returned to their tasks, leaving the air tinged with the aroma of fresh cleaning solutions and a hint of something delicious wafting from the kitchen.As I stepped into the kitchen, the warmth of the room enveloped me, carrying the tantalizing scents of breakfast in progress. My gaze immediately fell on the assortment of dishes being prepared
--Cassie--"Get up, Cassie, the doctor is here," Aunty Emily’s voice cut through the haze, rousing me from the shallow sleep I’d been drifting in. Blinking against the faint light in the room, I saw a female doctor standing at my bedside, her warm smile contrasting with the worry in Emily’s eyes."Mrs. De-Luca, good evening," the doctor greeted, her tone soft as she approached with her bag in hand."Hi," I managed to reply, my voice barely above a whisper. Speaking felt like a monumental effort, my strength drained from days of feeling this way."How is she feeling, Ms. Emily?" the doctor asked, her gaze shifting to Aunty Emily, who looked frazzled yet determined. The doctor was strikingly beautiful, with the kind of poise that could belong to a model."She’s been having constant headaches, a fever, and her temperature keeps spiking," Emily explained, her voice tinged with concern as she motioned toward me.The doctor nodded, her expression softening. "Oh, she’s experiencing stress, M
--Cassie--After yesterday’s incident, the two girls were dismissed, and Aunt Emily held a meeting with the staff. I had no idea what was said, but it must have been serious. Now, here I am, alone in this room, overwhelmed with boredom. Alessandro hasn’t shown up yet, though I’m not complaining.My dad has called me countless times, but I haven’t answered. My bestfriends persistent attempts to reach me have only made me more stubborn. I know he has probably asked others to check on me, hoping they’ll convince me to speak to him. But I’ve ignored their calls too.Nothing here brings me joy, not even the luxurious clothes that fill the massive wardrobe. Yesterday, out of sheer boredom, I started unpacking my belongings and discovered just how extravagant the contents of the wardrobe were. Dresses, shoes, and jewelry, all brand new, still with their price tags attached—and the numbers were outrageous.I stared at the gleaming items, their value mocking me. They were supposed to make me f
--Cassie--“Open the door,” came a soft knock and a voice from outside.I stirred awake, blinking against the golden rays of sunlight streaming into the room. The warmth of the morning was comforting, but the voice tugged me back to reality.Dragging myself out of bed, I padded over to the door and opened it to find Aunt Emily standing there with her ever-kind expression.“Mrs. De Luca,” she greeted, her tone polite but concerned.“Please, just call me Cassie,” I said quickly, the title feeling too foreign, too heavy.She hesitated, then nodded with a small smile. “I wanted to check on you. It’s past noon, and I hadn’t heard anything from you.”Noon? My heart skipped a beat. I hadn’t realized I’d slept so long. “I’m good, really. I’ll be downstairs soon,” I assured her, attempting a smile of my own.Her shoulders relaxed, and a look of relief crossed her face. For a moment, I wondered if she thought I’d tried to escape or worse.“Alright, Cassie,” she said softly, her smile warmer now
--Cassie--My luggage was carried out of the car, and I watched as an older woman approached me with a warm smile.“Welcome, Mrs. De Luca,” she said graciously, her voice steady and soothing. I smiled politely, my eyes darting around to take in the scene. The place was breathtaking, almost unreal. Every corner radiated wealth, luxury, and elegance. How could anyone be this rich?“Mrs. De Luca,” Blake’s voice brought me back to reality. “Emily here will take care of you and ensure you have everything you need.”“Hello, dear,” Emily greeted me warmly, stepping forward. “I’m Emily, and I’m here to assist you with anything you require.”Before I could respond, a group of maids hurried out of the mansion toward us. Emily gave them a quick look, and they stopped in their tracks as if silently instructed. Then, turning back to me with the same kind smile, she said, “Let’s head inside, shall we?”Blake nodded briefly. “Mrs. De Luca, see you around,” he said before disappearing back into the c
--Cassie--We had been driving for over two hours, and an uneasy feeling was building in my chest. I shifted uncomfortably and finally leaned forward."Mr. Blake?" I called out to him, my voice catching slightly.“Yes, ma’am?” he replied, glancing at me through the rearview mirror. His expression was steady, as if he already knew the question I was about to ask.“Where exactly are we going?” I asked, looking out the window. All I could see were endless rows of trees, stretching as far as I could make out.“We’re on our way to Mr. DeLuca’s estate, ma’am,” he answered, his tone serious and calm.“Are you sure?” I pressed, glancing at the trees around us, my nerves on edge. “It’s been hours, and we’re just surrounded by trees.” A sliver of doubt crept in—what if these people weren’t from Alessandro? What if they’d been lying to me all along?A pang of panic started to rise. My thoughts ran wild with every possible scenario, my heart pounding faster. I glanced at the cars behind us, part