--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
--Cassie--“Yes,” he said, completely unbothered by the revelation. “He said he was forced to get married but told me not to tell anyone.”The bluntness of his words hit me like a bucket of cold water. My grip on Alejandra tightened slightly as I processed what he had just said.“Alessandro told you that?” I repeated, my voice quieter now.He nodded again, his small face still devoid of any emotion.The casual way he delivered such a loaded statement irritated me more than I expected. That same infuriating, nonchalant attitude—it was so much like Alessandro’s. I felt a flicker of anger bubbling within me, but I suppressed it for the sake of the children around us.“Well, Mr. Rossi,” I said, forcing a smile, “you’re quite the confidant, aren’t you?”He shrugged, clearly unimpressed by my attempt to deflect. “I don’t know what that means,” he replied bluntly before hopping off the bench, leaving me to stew in my thoughts.I glanced down at Alejandra, who gurgled happily in my arms, obli
--Cassie--“Cassie!” Stephanie called out, her voice pulling me from my thoughts. I hadn’t realized I had been staring, lost in my own musings. She smiled brightly, her eyes filled with warmth, and before I could react, she was walking toward me with open arms.“Stephanie,” I said, returning her smile and stepping into the hug. Her embrace was gentle yet welcoming, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of comfort from it. She was so beautiful, with her easy charm and infectious energy. “You didn’t tell me you knew Cassie,” Aunt Emily said, her voice filled with surprise as she looked between the two of us.“I haven’t spoken to you in days, Mom,” Stephanie replied with a lighthearted laugh, her eyes sparkling with mischief. It was clear she enjoyed teasing her mother, and I couldn’t help but smile at the ease with which they interacted. It was such a stark contrast to the formality I had seen between Alessandro and everyone else in the house.“And whose fault is it? It’s Alessandro’s f
--Cassie--I was utterly exhausted and knew I needed some sleep before dinner. My body ached from the day's events, and all I wanted was a brief respite. I was aware that Alessandro was just three rooms away from mine, and the thought of encountering him filled me with dread. His intense glares and imposing presence had been enough to unsettle me, and I wasn’t in the mood for any confrontations.“I’ll get you when it’s time for dinner,” Valentina assured me with a kind smile. Her offer felt like a small blessing, and I nodded gratefully. As the elevator doors opened and I stepped onto my floor, I couldn’t help but smile in relief. There was no sign of Alessandro, and for a moment, I felt a sense of triumph. Finally, some peace. My happiness, however, was short-lived.The moment I opened the door to my room, my heart sank. Sitting casually on my bed, like he owned the place, was the very person I had been so eager to avoid. Alessandro. My shock must have been evident because he looked
--Cassie--I was utterly exhausted and knew I needed some sleep before dinner. My body ached from the day's events, and all I wanted was a brief respite. I was aware that Alessandro was just three rooms away from mine, and the thought of encountering him filled me with dread. His intense glares and imposing presence had been enough to unsettle me, and I wasn’t in the mood for any confrontations.“I’ll get you when it’s time for dinner,” Valentina assured me with a kind smile. Her offer felt like a small blessing, and I nodded gratefully. As the elevator doors opened and I stepped onto my floor, I couldn’t help but smile in relief. There was no sign of Alessandro, and for a moment, I felt a sense of triumph. Finally, some peace. My happiness, however, was short-lived.The moment I opened the door to my room, my heart sank. Sitting casually on my bed, like he owned the place, was the very person I had been so eager to avoid. Alessandro. My shock must have been evident because he looked
–Alessandro–“Aless, why did you do that? Don’t you realize she’s human? She won’t be able to handle it until you’ve completed the bond!” Aunt Emily’s voice broke through the heavy silence, her words laced with anguish. Tears streamed down her face as she paced back and forth in the room, her trembling hands clutching at the hem of her apron. “She’s going to die, Aless! Don’t you see what you’ve done?”I stood there, my jaw clenched, unable to respond. The weight of her words crushed me, but I refused to let it show. Cassie had been unconscious for two days, her fragile body lying motionless on the enormous bed. Despite the medical care, herbs, and everything else we’d tried, there had been no sign of improvement. Her pale face was a stark reminder of my mistake—one I couldn’t undo.Aunt Emily’s cries echoed in my mind as I left the room, needing an escape from the suffocating guilt that clawed at me. The forest called to me, offering solace in its quiet isolation.Before the Accident
--Alessandro--“What did you do to my daughter, De Luca?” Mr. Robertson roared the moment I stepped into the room where she lay. His voice was sharp and accusing, filled with an anger I knew all too well.I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to retaliate. His outburst scraped against my already frayed patience, but I held my composure—not because I wanted to, but because I had been warned to. To my surprise, keeping my temper in check felt like the right decision, something that shocked even me. Under normal circumstances, his disrespect would have landed him in one of my cells by now.Ignoring him, I turned my focus to my Bambina. She was still unconscious, her face pale but serene. Her chest rose and fell steadily, a sight that brought me a fleeting moment of relief amidst the storm. Her well-being was all that mattered to me now—not his outbursts, not his threats.“Mr. Robertson, please lower your voice,” Aunt Emily pleaded, her tone firm but calm, an attempt to diffuse the tensi
--Alessandro--The past two days have been anything but smooth. Cassie still hasn’t woken up, and now a doctor is flying to America. One of the best doctors in the world is there, and it feels like the only hope left.Mr. Robertson is seething with anger, his fury practically radiating off him like heat from a blazing fire. His glares could melt steel, and I can’t even blame him. Last night, Cassie’s fever had spiked so high that even the pack doctor grew alarmed, calling it dangerous to her health. We sat by her side the entire night, taking turns dabbing cold water on her forehead in a desperate attempt to bring the fever down.The fever broke two hours ago, but the unease in my chest hasn’t subsided. Sleep has been a distant dream—I couldn’t close my eyes knowing she was lying there so pale, so fragile. Regret churned in my gut, a bitter companion to the growing fear that I might lose her.I had tried to convince myself, and even my closest confidants, that this connection with her
--Cassie--A shiver ran down my spine as his warm breath caressed the sensitive skin of my neck.“Alessandro…” I managed to whisper, my voice trembling.“Shh,” he murmured softly, trailing gentle kisses along the curve of my neck.The sensation was electric, sending a surge of heat coursing through me. My heart raced as his lips lingered, and I felt a deep ache building within me. He turned me around slowly, his hands firm but tender on my shoulders. His dark eyes locked onto mine, searching for a silent answer. The intensity of his gaze left me breathless, and I gave him a small, trembling nod.A knowing smile curled his lips.I reached for the hem of my dress, intending to remove it, but his hand gently stopped me.“That’s my job, Bambina,” he said, his voice husky and laced with desire.The sound sent another wave of shivers down my body. His hands moved with purpose, and within moments, my dress slipped from my shoulders, pooling at my feet. I stood before him, clad only in a lace
--Cassie--How was I ever going to face him now? It seemed Alessandro was waiting for me in the room, and the thought alone made my cheeks burn. I was too shy to step out of the bathroom, too flustered to gather my courage.For the past ten minutes, I had been standing behind the bathroom door, hoping he might leave. But, of course, I was wrong. He wasn’t going anywhere. The bed creaked faintly under his weight, a reminder that he was still there, waiting patiently.I took a deep breath, steeling myself. You can do this, I thought, though my heart pounded furiously in my chest. Slowly, I stepped out, my towel wrapped tightly around me. His eyes landed on me instantly, and the intensity of his gaze made me want to melt into the floor.Without a word, I quickly made my way to the closet, too self-conscious to meet his eyes. My footsteps felt hurried, almost frantic, as if speed alone could shield me from the weight of his stare.“I’m waiting so we can go for breakfast,” he called out ca
--Cassie--I couldn’t believe it. I had given my virginity to Alessandro. The thought kept replaying in my mind, each time leaving me in a mix of disbelief and wonder. Last night had been something entirely different—a night where all my senses had come alive. It was as though I craved him in a way I didn’t know was possible. At first, I thought I was unwell, but when he entered the room, something shifted. My body, soul, and spirit had yearned for him, and I couldn’t resist the pull.As I lay in bed now, the memories of the previous night lingered vividly. I couldn’t shake the idea that maybe someone had drugged my food or drink. How else could I explain what I had felt? I had never experienced anything like that before.The sound of water running from the shower broke through my thoughts, reminding me that Alessandro wasn’t here in the room with me. He was in the bathroom. I felt a wave of shyness wash over me. How was I supposed to face him after what happened? He knew I was a virg
--Cassie--The next morning Alessandro was already gone. I could not meet with Elise yesterday because something came up I sat up in bed, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment. Suddenly, I began to feel incredibly hot. It was as if a furnace had ignited within me. I glanced at the AC, which was on and functioning correctly. What was happening to me? I felt an overwhelming urge to strip off my clothes. Without a second thought, I peeled them off, not caring if someone could enter and see me. The heat was unbearable, and my skin felt like it was on fire.I thought a shower might help, so I rushed to the bathroom and turned on the cold water. But even the cold water did little to alleviate the heat. I sat in the tub, my head pounding, my back aching, my abdomen cramping—every part of my body was in distress. I felt a primal, almost feral need coursing through me."Woooo," I heard howling from outside. The sound was loud and insistent, a chorus of voices that seemed to vibrate thro
--Cassie--Waking up in the room alone, I immediately noticed Alessandro’s absence. The emptiness of the bed beside me only added to the quiet of the morning, but my rumbling stomach quickly reminded me of a more pressing need. I needed food, and I needed it now.Throwing off the covers, I got up and headed straight for the dining room. As I entered, the familiar hum of conversation filled the air. Everyone was there except for Marco and Alessandro.“Good morning,” I greeted the room with a polite smile before finding a seat at the table. My eyes briefly scanned the room, landing on Lalia. She was here too, sitting a few seats away, and she looked much more relaxed than she had yesterday.I focused on my plate, letting the aroma of the warm meal soothe my morning haze. As I ate, I couldn’t help but notice Lalia’s gaze lingering on me. She wasn’t being subtle, and her curiosity was palpable. It made me wonder if she wanted to say something. But she didn’t. She just kept staring, her ex
--Cassie--Yesterday had been an exhausting day for all of us. The events, the tension, and the overwhelming social games had drained every ounce of energy I had. I thought the day’s drama was behind us, but I was wrong.Yesterday as we were seated at the table when Lalia returned, her eyes still red from earlier. Shortly after, five young women approached her. They moved with practiced ease, their perfectly styled appearances giving them an air of confidence that Lalia clearly lacked.It didn’t take long for their intentions to become clear. Alessandro leaned over and whispered, “They’re here to hook up with wealthy men. Happens at events like these—through the connections of a certain powerful woman.”I looked at him, stunned. “You’re saying they’re...?”He nodded subtly, confirming my suspicion. “Escorts. High-end, expensive ones. It’s normal at these types of galas. Lalia must be new to this. Look at her—she doesn’t even know what she’s gotten herself into.”My heart sank as I tur
--Cassie--The auction had finally come to an end, and Alessandro and I were making our way out of the booth toward the gala hall. The atmosphere was electric, but I couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. Tonight, I had seen greed in its rawest form, and I was certain this night would be etched into my memory for a long time—perhaps forever.A commotion happened near one of the booths caught my attention. Two celebrities, both renowned for their glamorous but controversial lives, were at each other’s throats over a diamond necklace. Voices were raised, insults thrown, and it didn’t take long for the argument to devolve into a full-blown physical altercation.“Unbelievable,” I muttered under my breath, watching the chaos unfold.The security team acted quickly, stepping in to separate the two women before they would have brawl could escalate further. Despite their scuffle, they had been so distracted by their heated exchange that neither noticed when another
--Cassie--“We will now begin the auctioning of the goods,” Lorenzo’s voice boomed, his tone infused with grandeur.From behind the velvet curtain, a sleek, elegant drawer was wheeled onto the stage, drawing the crowd’s attention. Atop it sat a stunning pair of antique clocks, their polished gold frames gleaming under the spotlight. The intricate patterns on the surface and the subtle chime that echoed in the silence gave them an otherworldly aura.“This pair of clocks here,” Lorenzo continued with dramatic flair, “is known as the Clock of Money. Legend has it that every tick blesses your business with abundance—every second, every moment.”I blinked, startled. My first instinct was to scoff. How could anyone believe something so ridiculous? A clock that brings wealth? It sounded like one of those myths that people desperately clung to for comfort.Alessandro must have noticed the incredulous look on my face because he leaned closer, his voice low and amused. “It’s not true, of course
--Cassie--The room was breathtakingly glamorous. The chandeliers, massive and intricately designed, hung high above, casting a golden glow that shimmered off every polished surface. The atmosphere was opulent, almost surreal, as though I had stepped into a world reserved for the elite.As we made our way further inside, the stares continued. Alessandro, however, seemed completely unfazed. He moved with a natural confidence, exuding an air of authority that made it clear he belonged here. He looked like the man of the hour, and judging by the way people murmured and whispered, he was enjoying every second of it."Oh, she’s so young," I heard someone mutter nearby."Look at those curves—and that face. She probably went under the knife."The words stung, but instead of ignoring them, I turned and met the speaker’s gaze directly. She froze, her expression shifting from smug confidence to startled surprise. I held her gaze for a moment longer, making it clear I had heard her, then turned