--Cassie--"We'll miss you, Cassie," my two friends, Hailey and Michelle, said to me, their eyes welling up with tears, making me laugh.Hailey and Cassie were the only close friends I made when I came to Dream High."Why are you crying, girls, when you know we'll see each other?" I asked, looking at them."We like living in the same neighborhood," I explained as I walked out of the room where I had just received my valedictorian certificate."You're right," they said, wiping their tears away. Their eyes were puffy, and they looked sad."Can I get your number, Cassie?" inquired the school's best basketball player."Give it to him, Cassie," Hailey said, a broad smile on her face. Her mood immediately changed, as if she had not just cried her eyes out."Okay," I said, and he exhaled."Why did you do that?" I asked, taking the pen and paper from his grasp so I could write down my phone number."You always refused to give me your phone number," he remarked.That was Deon, the school's hot
--Cassie--I slipped out of my dress, feeling the weight of the past four years settling on my shoulders. As I stood before the mirror, I couldn't help but notice the resemblance to my mom, with her blue eyes and wavy brown hair. Stepping into the bathtub, I let the warm water wash away the fatigue of the journey, wrapping myself in a fresh-smelling towel from the wardrobe. Every item in this room seemed meticulously cleaned, undoubtedly in anticipation of my return.Moving to the closet, I sifted through my dresses, but none seemed to fit anymore. Frowning, I scanned the room until my eyes landed on my suitcase beside the bed. With a sense of relief, I unzipped it, selecting a pair of ripped jeans and a crop top. After applying lotion to my skin, I tied my hair into a neat bun, studying my reflection in the mirror. It was strange seeing how much I had changed over the years.I flopped onto the bed, retrieving my phone from the nightstand. Surprisingly, it already had a SIM card inser
--Cassie--"His wife-to-be is so lucky," Hailey exclaimed, holding up her phone with a picture of Alessandro Leonardo De Luca. Her excitement was palpable, and I couldn't help but wonder who this fortunate woman was. And then it struck me—I was about to be tied to Alessandro Leonardo De Luca for life.I studied the picture intently. Alessandro had striking features—sharp jawline, piercing eyes, and a confident smile that could melt hearts. It was easy to see why he was considered a heartthrob. But despite his looks, I wasn't interested in him romantically. My decision to marry him was solely to help my dad out of his financial troubles."How old is he?" I asked Michelle, trying to gather more information about the man who would soon be my husband."Twenty-five," she replied enthusiastically."Thank God he's not much older," I muttered under my breath, relieved that we weren't too far apart in age."What did you say?" Michelle asked, leaning closer to hear me better."Nothing," I repli
--Alessandro--"Pops, I can't do what you're asking me to do, Dad," I yelled at my grandpa angrily. I couldn't marry a girl I knew nothing about, especially a human. The very idea of tying my life to someone I hadn't chosen or even known felt like a betrayal to my own autonomy and the memory of Athena."Yes, you are going to marry her, Alessandro. You don't want to get mated again after Athena died," he mentioned, causing my wolf to groan at him."Alessandro, listen. You will like her. She's pretty and a nice girl. I met her when she was sixteen at the mall. Please, Alessandro, listen to me. You are the mafia don and the alpha of the Rivermoon Pack; you need a woman by your side, and you know that pretty well." His voice softened as he tried to persuade me, but his words felt like a knife."I can look for someone if that's what you want, but you'd have to give me time and stop stressing Mr. Roberts like that. He doesn't deserve all that you're doing," I muttered, trying to guilt-trip
--Cassie--A month flew by in the blink of an eye, and here I was, torn between obligations and my overwhelming desire to flee. The wedding was set for two days from now, yet every fiber of my being recoiled from the thought of it. I hadn’t seen Alessandro since the day I learned of this arranged marriage; even the engagement ring had been delivered impassively by his driver, precisely a week after I received the news. A ring, beautiful but impersonal, lay in its velvet box, coldly glinting under the light—a physical reminder of the life-changing decision that had been made for me, rather than with me.This wasn’t how I had ever envisioned my wedding. I had always dreamed of a love-filled celebration, where my partner and I, bound by genuine affection, would share the joy with close friends and family. In that vision, he would hold my hand, reassure me, laugh with me, and look at me with the warmth and anticipation that lovers do. But reality couldn’t have been further from that dream
--Cassie--We were in the garden, seated around a small wooden table, each of us with a steaming cup of tea in hand. The warm afternoon sun bathed us in a gentle glow, filtering through the leaves above and casting dappled patterns on the grass. The air was rich with the scent of blooming jasmine and roses from the nearby flowerbeds, and every now and then, a soft breeze rustled the leaves, carrying with it a hint of fresh earth and summer warmth.Hailey and Michelle were lost in their usual chatter, still gushing over photos of Alessandro. They spoke in excited whispers, eyes wide with fascination, as they scrolled through the images. Their words, though mostly lighthearted, held an almost envious undertone that wasn’t hard to miss. Both seemed to wish they could swap places with me—to be the ones Alessandro had chosen. I thought, only half-joking, how I’d gladly grant them that wish if I could. This entire situation felt surreal, and if I was being honest, slightly overwhelming.“He
--Cassie--“Get up, Cassie,” I heard Michelle’s voice as she tapped me gently on the shoulder, pulling me from the edges of sleep.“Let me sleep, please,” I murmured, hugging my pillow tighter, wishing that somehow I could stay in this cocoon of comfort and escape reality a little longer.“Today is your wedding, girl!” she replied, her tone a mix of excitement and urgency.The words jolted me awake, and I sat up suddenly, as if struck by lightning. My heart sank as the realization hit me, and a tear slipped down my cheek. So, its today, I thought, as a wave of helplessness washed over me. I wished, desperately, that I could run away. The idea lingered, sweet and enticing, like a dream that would never be. My mind raced with images of escaping, of disappearing into a place where arranged marriages and obligations didn’t exist.“Cassie, everyone is waiting for you,” Aunt Sophia called from the doorway, a soft smile on her face, as though this were any ordinary day. She looked so cheerfu
--Cassie--Looking at myself in the mirror, I could hardly recognize the person staring back. My reflection shimmered with elegance, and for a moment, I found myself mesmerized. The soft glow of the morning light poured in through the window, casting a gentle, golden hue over everything, as if even the world outside was celebrating this day. The delicate lace and diamonds of my gown sparkled as I moved, and I couldn’t deny that I looked beautiful, like a vision straight out of a dream. I took a deep breath, trying to steady the fluttering in my heart.Just then, there was a soft knock at the door. “Cassie,” I heard, followed by my father’s familiar voice. The rest of the room fell silent, and with gentle murmurs, my bestfriends and the makeup artist stepped out, leaving us alone. I turned to see him standing there, his face a mixture of pride and sadness. His eyes softened when he looked at me, and I could see he was fighting to hold back his emotions, just as I was.“Dad…” I whispere
--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