--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--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--"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
“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--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
--Cassie--The scenery outside the car window was breathtaking in its simplicity. The streets were clean and lined with quaint houses, their exteriors adorned with cascading flower pots and shutters painted in soft pastel tones. The beauty of the area struck me, even though it wasn’t what I had expected. There were fewer shops and cafes than I had imagined, giving the place a residential charm that felt more intimate than the bustling cities I was used to.The architecture reminded me of the town centers in the UK, where everything seemed centered around a community hub. Here, however, the shops were sparse, and the car passed by long stretches of houses interspersed with the occasional café or boutique.“So there aren’t any big shopping areas around unless you go to the town center?” I asked Valentina, who was seated beside me. She gave a small nod, her attention focused out the opposite window, as if she wanted to avoid the conversation. Her disinterest didn’t bother me, but I could
"I was busily eating my food, savouring every bite. I was enjoying it so much. When I felt a sharp pain sear through my abdomen."Ahh!" I screamed, dropping my spoon as I clutched my belly."Why, what is wrong?" Alessandro came to my side immediately, looking all scared with fear as well as concern written all over his face."I feel so much pain," I said to him as the pain became more and more unbearable as I struggled to find my breath."Let me get the doctor." Without looking at me, he ran out of the room."Hailey and Michelle rushed to my side while Auntie Emily told me to breathe in and out as everyone looked scared of what was about to happen. ‘’Breath in and out, dear,’ Aunty Emily said, despite the tension in the air.The door opened and a nurse rushed to my side. "Can you please raise your legs? I would like to check", the nurse said to me Sensing the tension in the room as wellI obeyed, wanting to have this baby out of me soon."You are now eight centimetres dilated," she
--Cassie--The massive doors of the mansion swung open, and Alessandro drove through the entrance, the car gliding smoothly over the stone-paved driveway. The house stood in silent grandeur, its towering structure bathed in the soft glow of moonlight.As I stepped inside, I noticed the eerie stillness that had settled over the place. It seemed like everyone was already asleep. Not wanting to disturb anyone, I made my way straight to the kitchen, determined to prepare my meal myself. The hunger gnawed at my stomach, urging me to move quickly.I gathered the ingredients I needed, placing them neatly on the counter. With a flick of my wrist, I turned on the stove and cracked an egg into a sizzling pan, the rich aroma instantly filling the air. The gentle hum of the toaster and the quiet bubbling of the oatmeal on the stove created a soothing rhythm in the otherwise silent kitchen."Amore," Alessandro's deep voice called from the hallway."I'm in the kitchen!" I yelled back, keeping my fo
--Cassie--“Bambina,” he murmured, his voice low and rough, thick with restrained desire. The husky timbre sent a shiver down my spine, making my breath hitch. My heart pounded against my ribs, a frantic, unsteady rhythm that mirrored the sudden heat surging through my veins.His dark eyes roamed over me, devouring every inch as though he were memorizing the sight, branding it into his soul. There was something primal in his gaze, a possessiveness that made my stomach tighten and my knees weak. Slowly, deliberately, his fingers reached behind me, brushing the curve of my back as he deftly unclasped my bra. The whisper of fabric against my skin sent a fresh wave of anticipation coursing through me. The delicate garment slipped away, leaving me completely exposed beneath his heated scrutiny.A sharp gasp escaped my lips as I took in the intensity of his expression—raw, hungry, reverent. The evidence of his own desire pressed insistently against the fabric of his boxers, a silent testame
---Cassie--I am officially nine months pregnant, and honestly, I feel like a whale."Cassie, what have you been eating?" Aunty Emily exclaimed when she saw me.I just smiled at her, unable to find the words to explain that it wasn’t just cravings—it was hunger that never seemed to end.Aunty Sophia and her mate had just returned from a cruise after being away for about three weeks. This was the first time they'd seen me in all this time. Today, we were having a family dinner at her house, and she had invited Aunty Emily, Hailey, Lorenzo, Marco, Alessandro, Stephanie, Lalia, and me."The babies are both four kilos each," Alessandro said, his voice tinged with awe as he looked at my swollen belly."Are you serious?" Aunty Emily laughed. "Then they already weigh more than you did, Alessandro."Everyone chuckled, and I couldn't help but smile, though I could feel the weight of the truth in her words. I was carrying a lot of extra weight, but it was for a good cause. "Hello," her mate s
--Cassie--A sudden knock at the door broke the comfortable silence in the room."Someone’s knocking. Check who it is, Alessandro," I murmured, nudging him lightly.He groaned, stretching lazily before getting up from the bed. We were both curled up under the covers, waiting for the extra bed the nurse had promised to bring in an hour. Until then, Alessandro refused to leave my side, insisting he needed to be close to me.I watched as he made his way to the door, his steps slow and reluctant."Come in, Aunty Emily," Alessandro said, pulling the door open."You’re awake!" Aunty Emily’s voice was filled with relief and joy as she stepped inside."Yeah, I am," I replied with a small smile, watching as she made her way over to the sofa."I brought you some chicken soup, rice, and fresh fruit," she said, setting a bag down and beginning to unpack the food. The aroma of the soup instantly filled the room, making my stomach growl in anticipation."Thank you, Aunty Emily," I said sincerely, w
--Cassie--We couldn't stop staring at the nursery. Everything had been put in place yesterday, and the room now felt complete. The soft pastel walls, the carefully chosen decorations, and the neatly arranged furniture created the perfect space for our baby.I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude toward Dennis—he had been a tremendous help, making sure everything was set up just right.The rocking chair was positioned beside the crib, a cozy spot for late-night lullabies. The changing tables stood just beside the chair, creating a seamless flow between the essentials. In the corner of the room stood the wardrobe, already filled with tiny outfits I had carefully folded and placed inside. Each little onesie and blanket held the promise of the moment I would finally meet them—our babies.A warm smile tugged at my lips as I ran my fingers over the soft fabric of a baby blanket. But before I could fully savor the excitement, a sharp pain shot through my abdomen."Ugh!" I groaned, doubli
--Cassie--The sharp trill of my phone broke through the quiet, drawing my attention away from the half-eaten toast in front of me. I glanced at the caller ID. Genevive.“Hello, Genevive,” I said, pressing the phone to my ear.“Cassie! Tell your bodyguard to let me in,” she snapped, frustration coating her tone.I frowned, confused. “Blake?”“No, it’s someone else. I’ve never met him before. And, honestly, he’s driving me crazy!”“Okay, give me a minute. I’ll sort it out,” I replied, trying not to laugh at her exasperation. I hung up and turned to Juliet, who was setting plates on the dining table.“Juliet, who’s on duty at the gate today?”“A new guy,” she replied without looking up.“What? Where’s Blake?”“He has gone to hospital appointment with Marcy,” Juliet answered, placing a glass of orange juice beside me.I let out a sigh. “Can you tell him to let Genevive in? She’s waiting at the gate.”Juliet nodded and moved to the intercom at the far end of the room. Her voice was calm a
--Cassie--Today, Alessandro decided to start setting up the nursery since the baby would be arriving soon. I eagerly offered to help, but he insisted that he just needed me there to guide him on where I wanted things placed."Bambina," I heard him call from the nursery."I'm coming!" I responded, quickly slipping into my pants before stepping out of our bedroom.The nursery was right next to our room, and as I walked in, I noticed that Alessandro hadn't started yet. He stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed, surveying the empty space."You haven't started yet?" I asked, raising an eyebrow."I was waiting for you," he said with a small smile. "I want to know where you think the wallpaper should go."I walked further into the room, imagining the layout in my mind. "The crib should go here," I said, pointing to the far wall. "So, I definitely want the wallpaper behind it. Something soothing, maybe a starry night theme."Alessandro nodded thoughtfully. "And where will you keep the
--Cassie--It’s already twelve o’clock, and guests will start arriving soon. “Go and get ready,” Aunty Sophia said, heading towards the kitchen.“Looks like I’m right on track,” Lalia remarked, following me.We entered the elevator together and rode up in silence. Once inside my bedroom, I sank onto the plush sofa, Lalia sitting beside me.“Alessandro still hasn’t arrived?” she asked, glancing at the time.“No, I was just about to call him,” I replied, reaching for my phone resting on the sofa cushion. Just then, Alessandro walked through the door.“Sorry I’m late, Bambina,” he said, his voice laced with exhaustion. “There were rogues around, and we had to take care of it.” His usually neat hair was disheveled, a clear sign he had been running his fingers through it in frustration.I offered him a small smile. “I understand.”“I’ll get ready in the next room,” Alessandro said, heading into the closet to grab his pink shirt.Lalia shot me a puzzled look. “Why is Alessandro wearing pink