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Chapter Forty Nine | Virtues
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Re-Arranged Chapter Fifty | Forgive And Forget
Growing up, Liviana was taught a lot of things.Patience is a virtue.Curiosity killed the cat.Sharing is caring.Hope only ever leads to disappointment.Beauty is a weapon.Safety first.There were more- of course there were. But above everything else, there was always one lesson that was drilled into her head, over and over again.And that lesson was about forgiveness. Forgive and forget."You can't stay mad forever," they would tell her, preaching about how unhealthy it was to hold on to a grudge. Pent up anger... it never did anything but boil over and burn a person.And for her, it did just that.Liviana would listen- taking those lessons to heart as she let everyone do whatever they wanted, walking all over her like some sort of doormat. And when they were done, after they had stomped all over her, dirtying her name and reputation, destroying all of her confidence... she would still smile. She would stand up, dusting herself off and taking in all the damage they had done, and s
Re-Arranged Chapter Fifty One | Puzzled
People are like puzzle pieces.It was something Liviana often thought about, comparing human beings to little pieces of cardboard. Comparing their beings to those pieces with edges and cutouts that sit and wait, wondering when they would find their other piece.And it took a while. Through mixed matches and being forced together- finding those that you thought were right only to find out that there was something wrong and it wouldn’t work, no matter how badly you could have wanted it to. Because some things just weren’t meant to be. Some people simply weren’t compatible. Because people are like puzzle pieces, and they needed their perfect match to fit.That was one side to the story, at least. One theory- a legend to fit in with all those others. For example, the invisible string theory.The invisible string theory Liviana had once heard about had the girl obsessing over the inner workings of the universe. For so long she would ponder the theory, letting it consume her as she thought
Re-Arranged Chapter Fifty Two | A Thin Line
Blaze Castelli was a simple man.He wanted very few things out of life. Money, success, respect, power... And at the bottom of the list, peace, happiness, euphoria.He wanted luxury. He wanted all the best things that life had to offer. And he wanted it now, delivered to him on a silver platter that sparkled.Express mail, he used to say. Telling the universe to send it over ASAP.He was demanding, to say the least. And as a child, he was more. He was worse.“But I don’t want broccoli!” A young Blaze would cry, just repeating the same argument they have had every night for the past month. “I want mashed potatoes!”“Blaze!” Elara would huff, glaring down at the ten-year-old whose face had gone red with rage over what he would call such a disappointment of food. “You will eat what is given to you, or you will not eat at all.”“Broccoli is meant for bunny rabbits and- and raccoons! And other animals, and I’m not an animal!” He would cry, arms flailing as he argued that he would eat anyth
Re-Arranged Chapter Fifty Three | When Two Monsters Meet
Blaze Castelli is a complicated man.It was a line that had been fed to Liviana for as long as she had known the man. From the moment they met she had been given these warnings, having all his loved one’s precaution her.“He’s more than just those rumors.”“He’s not a bad guy.”“Just give him time. He’ll come around.”And all she could say was “okay”, and go about her day. Even if she was an impatient person- even if she had no time to give, it’s not as though she had a choice but to wait for him. He was her husband. And more than that, he practically owned her now.From the moment they had signed that contract, she knew that it was over. From the second the ink dried on that marriage license, Livi knew that her life was over. Figuratively, and she was sure that one day it would be literally. The question was only when would that be?It was a question that often plagued Liviana’s sick mind. Asking herself what role her doting husband would play in her untimely demise. She wondered wha
Re-Arranged Chapter Fifty Four | Triangles
For as long as she could remember, Liviana had held a hatred for this one trope.Through all the books she’s read and all the fiction she’s seen through a screen, watching TV shows and movies, there was only ever one trope that she never could stand. And that trope was a love triangle.They weren’t real; she thought. She didn’t believe in them- choosing to call them lies and refusing to give them her mind, treating them the same way she would when she claimed not to believe in goblins and ghouls and all those other tall tales told to scare children into good behavior. They didn’t exist. Except for when they did.It was a rare event in reality; she liked to believe. Choosing to pretend that they were events contained on a screen or a page. One of the few true works of fiction. At least, that was what she told herself. That’s what the hopeless romantic inside her longed to believe- wishing for nothing more to be true. Because if it wasn’t, then that stubborn heart of hers would have to
Re-Arranged Chapter Fifty Five | Step One
Liviana has never considered herself to be oblivious.Despite many rumors and stereotypes, and that precious reputation of hers that said she was a daydream of a woman, walking through life with her head in the clouds. She was clueless. A space cadet, according to them. Despite the other stereotype that went with such a title.Livi was always quick to defend herself from these rumors, shooting them down every chance she got. “I may be a lot of things, but a stoner isn’t one of them,” she would deny, scoffing as she called her space cadet nickname ridiculous. “So, I’d really appreciate if you stopped spreading such lies about me. It’d be a shame for people to get the wrong idea.”It was simple enough, a civilized line she fed to every gossip she had come face to face with. And typically, they would get flustered at such a call out and assure her they meant no offense- it was simply a term most used to describe her. It was her reputation, and not just some blatant lie they made up. “Of
Re-Arranged Chapter Fifty Six | Terms and Conditions
The Castelli family was one built on chaos.They weren’t just built on it; they thrived on it. For decades, through generations, this was a family who would raise hell. They would bring the flames and step back with a smile, watching the world burn in their wake. And though they too would get scorned, they would always survive.Emerging from the flames with scars to show their strength, the Castelli’s lived on. They survived, rising from the ashes of their wreckings like a Phoenix being reborn. And they would rebuild, reprise, and thrive. And nobody could ever stop them.The Santora family was the opposite. They strived for serenity, doing everything they could to avoid being swept away in a storm of chaos. They couldn’t survive it. In a moment of panic, they would be left behind, thrown under the bus or tossed to the wolves by every other big name who was trying to save themselves. They were stepping stools, and only with serenity could they avoid being kicked away and left in the di
Re-Arranged Chapter Fifty Seven | Condition Terminal
Las Vegas had become a war zone.Between the rage of Blaze Castelli and the spite of Leona Castelli, fire was catching, and the city was going up in flames.She was doing all she could to get under his skin. Giving their security escort the wrong times and leaving minutes before they were ready, sneaking herself and her three accomplices out of the hotel and out of her brother’s clutches. And they would disappear for hours, leaving Blaze to search the city high and low to locate the trouble makers he found himself responsible for. And by the time he had found them, tracked them down and chased them home, they had already gotten themselves into trouble.Leona was determined to make her brother regret his choice of following them all the way out of state. She was set on making his life hell. He wanted to be a babysitter? She would make sure he would never want to play guardian again. He wasn’t cut out for the job, and she would make him realize that.The trip had been extended, Leona de
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Re-Arranged Chapter Ninety Eight
Strolling through the hedges was difficult - awkward - and the Santora siblings couldn't handle it. They absolutely hated this heavy feeling hanging between them. Never have they ever felt so detached."Where are we going?" Tino asks, glancing around at the tall rose bushes that kept them secluded. "And why is it so freaking far?" He complains, quickening his pace to catch up to that of his nervous sister, who remains silent. "Liv?""Uh," she mutters, glancing over her shoulder at the young man. "Just... follow me," she says, insisting he not question it. Right now, she was only doing what was best for the both of them, and she needed him to trust that. "We need to get away for this, okay? It's important that no one overhears us."She couldn't risk their parents finding out about her betrayal. They would behead her at the first opportunity."Okay..." he trails, eyes narrowing at the back of his sister's head. "But why?""Because..." she shrugs it off, admitting in a whisper, "it's saf
Re-Arranged Chapter Ninety Seven
Liviana didn't know what to do with herself.After her argument with Tino, it was as if the thoughts doubled in tenfold and her mind couldn't - wouldn't - stop. All night she was forced to sit with herself, overwhelmed by her endless thoughts and memories while she retraced every inch and wondered, where did it all go wrong?She would look back on her life, spending hours sorting through all the memories, and it was as if every time she did, she could spot a new lie. It didn't take long for her to have a mental list going, and the more she added, the more she wondered, was any of it real? Where did the lies stop? Where did this act she perfected end? When was enough, enough? Nothing was ever enough for Drusilla and Alonzo - Livi scoffs at the thought, turning over where she lies in her bed. And then came the dreaded thought. What about her siblings? One was dead, one disappeared, and the other seemingly despised her. Her eyes water at the thought, and she pulls the blanket over her
Re-Arranged Chapter Ninety Six
The moment Liviana left the restaurant that night, it felt as if she was walking into a world void of air. It was as though all the oxygen had been sucked out of the planet - if not just her lungs - and she couldn't breathe for days afterward. It was all too heavy, and she wasn't sure she could handle it. How does one go about their life knowing that nothing was as it seems? Knowing that, at any God given moment, it could all be taken away from her? How was she supposed to go about her day knowing that each second could be her last? She just couldn't.Liviana was no stranger when it came to living her life in fear. She knew paranoia all too well, almost like an old friend she was introduced to by none other than her parents. Childhood was rough, and Liviana could say with confidence that she was raised in fear. It surrounded her. It became her. She was scared of everything. And that was always her biggest problem.After dinner with the detective, Liviana only grew all the more paranoi
Re-Arranged Chapter Ninety Five
A younger Liviana wrung her hands together as she climbed the stairs, following her mother's bellows all the way to her bedroom door. "Liviana?!"She flinches at the screech of her name, taking a step back to compose herself. "Breathe," she reminds herself, stilling for that of second before she's startled by another shout of her name. "Shit," she curses, rounding the corner into her mother's bedroom and asking, "yes, mom?""Finally!" Drusilla throws her arms up. "Where in God's name have you been?" She demands, asking what had taken her so long. "Didn't you hear me calling?""I'm sorry, mom," Liviana apologizes. "I was outside with-""I don't care to hear your excuses, young lady!" Drusilla scoffs, scolding the girl for her lack of responsibility. "What if I was hurt, hmm?" She questions. "What if I was in danger? Or worse, dying? What would you have to say for yourself then, huh?""I'm sorry-"Drusilla scoffs once again. "Your apologies mean nothing to me, Liviana. Do better!" She
Re-Arranged Chapter Ninety Four
Blaze could practically feel his heart tie itself into a knot in his chest at the sound of another distraction. Would he ever get the timing right? He sighs at the thought, turning around to greet the man, whose voice he recognizes immediately."Bryce," he greets, pushing out of his chair and offering the man his hand to shake. "There you are! We were beginning to think you got lost.""What can I say? I run on my own time." Bryce shrugs it off, giving Blaze's hand a shake before he rounds the table to take the seat across from the 'happy couple.'"That would have been something to mention days ago when we arranged this meeting," Blaze points, and the detective rolls his eyes. "I specifically asked for a time that suited you-""I'm here, aren't I?"Blaze only hums, narrowing his eyes at his 'old friend', and Liviana coughs."Uh- Blaze," she murmurs, reaching to take his hand in hers and giving it a gentle tug with a silent demand- if not a gentle ask for him to sit. "He's here. That's
Re-Arranged Chapter Ninety Three
"Are you sure about this?" Liviana asked, sparing a paranoid glance over her shoulder in worry. She couldn't believe they were doing this."Yep," Emilia nods, marching through their parents' garage with a determination Livi had never seen in her sister until now. And in all honesty, the look in her eyes scared Liviana, and she couldn't help but disagree."I don't know about this," she says, slowing to a stop and looking back at the elevator they had come from, scared of who could follow. "I think we should just go back-""Livi!" Emilia throws her head back with a groan. "Come on, it's fine! Just come look before you leave-""But what if-""What if we live a little?" Emilia cuts her sister off, spinning on her heels to face her sister with the question. "What if we do this and it's the best night of our lives?"Liviana frowns, arms crossing over her chest as she ponders the thought. Would one night be worth it? "What if it's not?""But what if it is?" Emilia stresses. "We'll never know
Re-Arranged Chapter Ninety Two
"I hate them!"A young Liviana startled in her seat when, out of nowhere, her bedroom door is thrown open and Emilia storms into her room with the complaint. "I hate it here," the older sister pouted, kicking the door shut behind her before collapsing onto her sister's satin sheets, climbing into the bed with her to vent. "I can't wait to grow up and leave. I need to get out of here!"Livi frowns, reaching over to gently pat Emilia's back, watching as she takes a moment to bury her face in a pillow and scream. She couldn't help but chuckle as she observed the action, asking the dreadful question only after her sister quieted. "What did they do now?"Emilia pushes herself up, propping herself up on her elbows to face her sister, who frowns at the sight of tears glistening in Emilia's eyes. "They lied," she says. "Again."Head tilting in her confusion, Liviana asks, "what?" She questions softly. "What did they lie about?""The car," Emilia answers, watching as her sister grows all the
Re-Arranged Chapter Ninety One
It was as if the moment the words left her mouth, the world around them changed. Life was different. Liviana couldn't explain how, as it was a mere feeling- a pang in her heart every so often as she becomes painfully aware of her situation.The realization hit like a truck when the thought first crossed her mind. She didn't want to believe it, but there was a nagging feeling in her gut that told her something was wrong, and she needed to look deeper. It was over the course of a week, after days of trying to ignore that unsettling feeling stirring inside her, that Liviana's demeanor began to crack and the thoughts she had tried so hard to ignore became all she could think about. They consumed her, and soon, they were the only thing on her mind. She should have known it would have come spilling out of her sooner or later- she never had been good at secrets of her own.Liviana hoped that telling Blaze would help. She wasn't sure how as there was nothing he could do- he was a mere listene
Re-Arranged Chapter Ninety
The question plagued Liviana's mind, and it didn't take long for the fear and worry to join it.She couldn't stop thinking about it. Why would Emilia run away when it seems as though she already had everything worked out? She had a plan, and Emilia had always been strict with her practicality. What would be grave enough to have her abandoned it all completely? What could possibly be so bad that it would make Emilia abandon her family? Her siblings? Liviana didn't understand. It was all so sudden, and yet, that night, she never thought to question it.Liviana cursed herself for being so thoughtless, though she couldn't hold herself at fault entirely. Back then, she had no reason to question her sister - who had mentioned running away more times than she could remember during their youth. In all honesty, Livi believed it was only a matter of time before Emilia snapped and finally went through with it. And though she missed her sister dearly, she could never blame or resent Emilia for he
