--Alessandro--I severed the connection, knowing he would act immediately. Blake was reliable, and in times like this, his attention to detail was invaluable.My gaze drifted to Stephanie, who sat nearby, her face streaked with tears. Her love for Cassie was evident, her heartbreak palpable. She clutched a handkerchief tightly, her shoulders trembling with each sob. Stephanie had always been like a sister to me, and seeing her in this state only added to the guilt weighing me down.Aunty Emily, however, wasn’t crying. She was angry—furious, even. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she avoided looking at me altogether. Her silence was louder than any words she could have spoken. The kitchen staff, too, seemed to share her sentiments, their usual warm smiles replaced with icy glares. I could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating, as though everyone had decided I was to blame for what had happened to Cassie.I needed to escape the suffocating atmosphere. Rising from my c
--Alessanfro--“Did Dante notice something that made him act that way?” I wondered aloud, referring to his abrupt withdrawal from the pack’s affairs after the incident with Cassie. He hadn’t spoken much since it happened, his guilt suffocating him like a thick fog.Marco shook his head, walking over to my desk and settling into the chair opposite me. “He must’ve heard what the doctor said, but fear’s got him locked up inside his own head,” he said. “He probably blames himself for not being vigilant enough.”I sighed heavily, rubbing my temples as frustration simmered just beneath the surface. “How can we catch the person responsible now? The CCTV footage was deleted, and we’ve lost any solid leads.”Marco tilted his head, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “We’ll bring in someone who can recover it,” he said, his confidence unwavering.I met his gaze, catching the subtle spark of determination in his eyes. “The boy,” I muttered, understanding his meaning.Marco nodded
--Cassie--“Cassie…”The sound of my name echoed faintly, pulling me out of my thoughts. I could hear voices around me, and instantly, annoyance surged through me. They were disturbing my much-needed rest. Why couldn’t they leave me in peace? But then, I heard a familiar voice—Alessandro. I instantly stiffened, my heart racing. Was he in my room again? No, I couldn’t deal with him right now. I was desperate to stay asleep, to escape the reality of his annoying presence.But it wasn’t just him. There were other voices. Hailey? Michelle? I wasn’t sure. Were they even in the country? Weren’t they in America? Panic twisted in my gut, and my mind began to race. How had I ended up here—at this lunatic's house, forced into a situation I hated with every fiber of my being? A forced marriage, a prison I couldn’t escape.“Cassie.”This time, it was my dad’s voice. His words cut through my haze, and I reluctantly opened my eyes. But the moment the light hit my vision, I snapped them shut again.
--Cassie--It was evening now, and the girls and I were planning to go swimming. Surprisingly, there was an indoor pool in the house, and it was heated to perfection. The warm water would be a welcome escape, a small slice of normalcy in the midst of everything. My room had been changed, and I was still on the same floor as Alessandro, though my room was at the far end of the hallway. I wasn’t facing the woods anymore, which gave me a strange sense of relief. Instead, I was facing the side of the house, and to my surprise, the view included a set of stables. I couldn’t help but be shocked; I hadn’t expected to see horses, or even the stables themselves. But it wasn’t the worst thing—it was quieter here, a little more removed from everything else.I had planned a lot of activities for the girls and me, to try and take my mind off the chaos. A dip in the pool seemed like the perfect way to unwind, even if it was temporary.But for now, I was with my friends, and that was enough. For to
--Cassie--“I had so much fun! Your house is practically like a mansion!” Michelle exclaimed, twirling dramatically around my room as if she were on a grand stage.“It is a mansion, Michelle,” Hailey shot back, equally loud, as she threw herself onto my bed with a playful shriek.I had just changed out of my swimsuit, the cool fabric replaced by something dry and comfortable, but I still felt sticky from the chlorine. A long, warm shower was calling my name, but I waited patiently for the girls to finish their turn first.“We’re going horse riding tomorrow, right?” Michelle asked again, her voice carrying from the bathroom. For what felt like the hundredth time that day, she posed the same question. It was both irritating and amusing, though I couldn’t let her know she was getting to me. My silence was deliberate, a ploy to make her stew in suspense for just a little longer.“Hey! We are going tomorrow, right?” she called out louder this time, stepping halfway out of the bathroom. Her
--Cassie--“I need to see Alessandro, please,” I said, keeping my voice steady despite the nervous energy bubbling beneath my skin.He nodded and stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter. I walked in, the soft thud of the door closing behind me signaling that I was now fully committed to this confrontation. The room was a symphony of wealth and refinement. The air was infused with the earthy scent of wood and pine, grounding yet intoxicating. It felt like stepping into another world, one far removed from my own.My gaze wandered, unwillingly captivated by the space. The bed was enormous, draped in dark, luxurious linens, and edged with what looked like real gold. The wardrobes were equally opulent, their intricate designs glinting in the dim light. The sheer extravagance of it all made my head spin. How rich was this man? I thought, momentarily distracted. But I shook the thought away. I wasn’t here to admire his wealth—I was here to get answers and to put this chapter behind me.“Wha
--Cassie--The knock on the door sounded again. “Cassie, are you alright?” Michelle’s voice was soft, but there was an edge of concern.“I’m fine,” I replied, my voice hoarse. “Just give me a minute.”"Call Alessandro," I heard Michelle say, her voice tinged with urgency. It was that moment that stirred me awake, pulling me out of my groggy haze. I blinked, trying to adjust to the dim light in the room. Groaning softly, I sat up, my body heavy with exhaustion.Deciding to see what the commotion was about, I opened the door to my bedroom. They practically burst in, their worried expressions quickly replaced by confusion. Their frantic energy seemed misplaced, and I couldn’t help but sigh at their dramatics."What were you even thinking?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at the group as I stepped back to give them room. Ignoring their flustered explanations, I moved toward the closet. Naturally, they followed, as if I were a ticking time bomb they couldn’t leave unsupervised."You think I’m
--Cassie--Her words caught my attention. The horse was indeed commanding, his posture exuding dominance, much like Alessandro himself—his presence was unmistakable. And it made me think back to the boy at the orphanage, the one who had seemed to have that same intense, almost dangerous energy."Don’t go near him, Michelle, or he’ll kick you so hard that you’ll land in the hospital," Stephanie warned sharply. Michelle hesitated for a moment, then backed away quickly, clearly respecting the warning."Sorry for getting here late," a voice suddenly interrupted our moment of silence. I looked up to see the man who had been tending to the horses earlier. He was leading one of the horses away from the field, and though his tone was apologetic."Why do they bow?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. I had noticed this ritual every time someone addressed me, but this was the first time I was asking about it. Stephanie’s response was careful as if she wasn’t sure how to answer."It’
"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