--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--"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--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--“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--“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--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--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