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Chapter Twelve | Setbacks
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Re-Arranged Chapter Thirteen | A Rough Landing
Pulling the knitted sweater over her head and tucking it into the top of her jeans, Liviana takes a breath, having a silent debate with herself through the mirror to decide if she wanted to do her makeup or not.She knew that if Drusilla were here, the decision would already have been made.“You need to have a face on at all times, Liviana. Being seen without your mask is like walking the streets exposed. It’s despicable and, quite frankly, disturbing.”Her mother’s speech would change every so often, giving the evaluation of a woman walking about without a face being similar to one of those cats without fur, something Drusilla referred to as disgusting.But Drusilla wasn’t there, Liviana had to remind herself. Her mother wouldn’t be waiting outside the bathroom door to ridicule her for looking horrendous without her makeup to cover any and all of her flaws, such as the small beauty mark hidden by her hairline, a mark her mother constantly reminded her about by speaking of how ugly it
Re-Arranged Chapter Fourteen | A Honeymoon From Hell
A safe haven. That’s what Liviana realized this plane ride was. A stop in heaven before arriving in hell - if hell was disguised as a beautiful island, a private paradise. Which, in her case, it was.Liviana lays in her bed, in this beautiful room she had been given in one of the four large vacation homes that the Castelli’s had built on their island, and apparently, this one was specially made for her and Blaze, because every married couple deserves their own private space, even when on a vacation. Liviana was still trying to grasp the thought of it being tradition for every married Castelli to get their own home as a wedding gift, as if Elara and Lucius were giving one final gift after a life of taking care of their children who were their problem no more, a house acting as a college fund would for a young adult going off into the world for the first time alone. It was a strange, expensive gesture, one she never would have dreamed she would be on the receiving end of, yet here she
Re-Arranged Chapter Fifteen | Dinner Downhill
“It’s about time you call.”Liviana chuckles, a soft noise as she nods in agreement. “Yeah, I know.”“Where’ve you been? I haven’t heard from you since you left.”“I know, I’m sorry.” She sighs. “I’ve just been... busy, I guess.”“Too busy to call your own brother?” Tino scoffs. “That’s just mean.”Liviana scoffs a laugh, nodding as she agrees. “Yeah, I’m just so mean. Neglecting my poor baby brother.” The sarcasm was clear in her tone as the siblings share a laugh. “So, what are you up to?” He asks. “What’s been keeping your schedule so packed that you couldn’t even take time out of your oh so busy day to call your favorite sibling?”Liviana chuckles. “I don’t know if I’d call you my favorite sibling.” She teases the boy, who immediately scoffs in defense.“Who else would be the favorite? Emilia?” He scoffs again at the thought. “No way.”Liviana couldn’t help the way her smile faltered at the mention of their sister, but she’s quick to shake it off, forcing a laugh. “Well, you got
Re-Arranged Chapter Sixteen | Don't Make It Personal
Liviana had always heard that flashback come at the worst times. Something happens, a loud noise that takes you back to a certain moment, or perhaps someone says a phrase that is so painfully familiar that it makes the one that replays in the back of your mind a hundred times a day so loud it’s impossible to ignore, it just keeps going, getting louder and louder until finally, you snap, and you’re ready to do anything to make it stop.Only when you’re triggered, there’s nothing to make it stop. Suddenly, you can’t breathe. You’re swarmed by all those memories you tried so hard to forget and you get trapped in the middle, stuck in your head as the trauma eats you alive. They did always say remembering things you don’t want to remember hurts. Livi didn’t understand until now, as she stares down the barrel of a gun with her husband on the other end, only in her head, it wasn’t Blaze behind the weapon; it was another man, one who haunted the absolute worst of her dreams, ones that couldn
Re-Arranged Chapter Seventeen | Impartial
Nearing thirteen hours in the kitchen, and Liviana was finally done. Placing the last dish of the first two courses onto the table, she steps back and places her hands on her hips, taking in all of her hard work that took up a good chunk of the large mahogany dining table. A smile of satisfaction forms slowly and she nods, pleased with the turnout. She hums. “Not bad.” She says, spinning on her heels and pausing as she finds another presence behind her. A small gasp escapes her lips as she startles. With a hand on her hip and another on her chest, she blows out a breath. “Don’t you think you’ve scared me enough for one day?”“Sure.” Blaze chuckles, shrugging as he approaches. “But perhaps I enjoy scaring you.”“Perhaps? I think it’s obvious that you do.” She rolls her eyes, watching him round the table and inspect the dishes. “What...” She trails, clearing her throat to get rid of the nerves that were so clearly present in her voice. “It looks good, doesn’t it?”The man nods, pullin
Re-Arranged Chapter Eighteen | Second Thoughts
Days had passed since the surprise apology. The sun had come and gone and with the light the giant ball of fire had brought; it hadn’t just warmed the weather, but that of her soul. And, dare she say, that warmth had started to melt the ice around her husband’s chilly heart.Since the dinner, the energy in not only the vacation home but between the newlyweds had shifted. The house was no longer cold and empty, no dark cloud looming over them while Blaze stormed through the house to make his presence known with the obnoxious slamming of doors which played like alarm bells for the wife who stayed hidden alone in her room, walking around on eggshells in the house that was supposedly half hers, despite the way she acted as if she was nothing more than an unwanted guest, tiptoeing the lonely halls like a shadow. Now the shadow pressed to the wall has stepped out, and she wasn’t so scared that she felt she had to be a ghost in her own home. Liviana started to walk freely, and with cordial s
Re-Arranged Chapter Nineteen | Step Back
Liviana sat waiting for over an hour.She had gone from pacing the house as she listened to the running water to sitting at the table, leg bouncing with anticipation until she realized she still needed to reheat the food, using it as a distraction as she watched the numbers on the microwave go down, time running out.She couldn’t help but wonder if that timer was just for the food, or if it was representing something else in her mind. Perhaps her patience, her kindness? The limit of the night? She had no clue. She just knew time was running out.The timer goes off and she sighs, pulling the plate of food out and placing it in the oven, hoping that it would still be warm by the time Blaze came downstairs, if he ever did. At this point, she was seriously doubting if he would.It was forty minutes later, minutes filled with pacing and picking at the cooling food off of her plate before finally giving up and slouching back on the couch as she debated her options.One, go knock on his door
Re-Arranged Chapter Twenty | Homecoming
It was bright and early when Liviana was awoken by one of the maids, Georgia, who had informed her the plane would be taking off in two hours, at 8am sharp. She laid there for another twenty minutes, eyes unable to stay open after a night of stressful overthinking to add to the late night and arguments. With tears shed and a headache that overwhelmed the anxiety flowing through her veins with that of pain, Liviana was exhausted.So when she pulled herself out of bed, prying her body from her cozy bed to start getting ready, she was just about ready to call it a miracle. And then her phone rang. With a huff, the girl trudges back around the side of her bed, pulling the charger out of her phone and letting the cord fall to the floor as she swipes accept, not bothering to read the caller ID when she brings the phone up to her ear and greets the person through a yawn.“Sounds like someone’s tired.”“Morning Tino.” “So, I hear you’re going home today?”“To The Castelli’s home, yes.” She
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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
Re-Arranged Chapter Eighty Nine
Merely four days had passed since Liviana's "Castelli training" commenced, and it was safe to say it was much worse than she originally thought. The woman was exhausted. She couldn't believe she had agreed to this, and she began to question her sanity when she was only two lessons deep into this secret plan that her husband and his sister had constructed for her. Liviana wouldn't lie. She began to loathe the two and their scheming and the stress it was putting her body through. And although she believed them, and she knew that she wouldn't see results without putting in the work, she couldn't help but hate the work. She much preferred her life of being a couch potato who occasionally wandered into the kitchen to bake. Life was much more peaceful back then. She tells her husband as much, whining as the two lounges around their bedroom after another hard evenings workout session - because "to fight is to be fit", And Liviana, as healthy as she was, wasn't very fit. She was far from it
