One Hundred Sixteen

Cassandra stood on Aunt Marrie’s porch, staring at the dark sky with empty eyes. The night wind blew through her loose hair, but she barely felt it. Her mind was consumed by one thing—the bitter truth that her parents had never truly been free from the world they tried to leave behind. Behind her, footsteps approached. Alexander appeared, carrying two cups of hot tea.

"You haven’t come inside,"

he said, his voice soft but watchful.

"It’s freezing out here."

Cassandra didn’t respond right away. She took the cup without looking, taking a small sip. The warmth should have spread through her body, but the cold inside her refused to leave.

"They just wanted a normal life," she murmured finally, pain thick in her voice.

"But they were never allowed to escape."

Alexander stood beside her, gazing out at the empty street.

"Cass…"

He hesitated before saying,

"I know this hurts. But if you want answers, we can start digging into their past."

Cassandra tightened her grip on the cup.

"I have to find them,"

she whispered, her voice nearly swallowed by the wind.

"I have to make sure they get what they deserve."

Alexander’s eyes darkened with seriousness.

"We have to be careful. If this is about something that happened years ago, the people involved might still be out there."

Cassandra turned her gaze to him.

"I know."

Inside the house, the warmth of the living room contrasted with the chill outside. Aunt Marrie sat in her chair, her face filled with worry.

"Cass, are you sure you want to investigate this?"

she asked softly, as if afraid her own question would pull Cassandra deeper into a dangerous abyss. Cassandra met her gaze, unwavering.

"I have to know, Auntie. I need to know why they were killed. I can’t live with lies anymore."

Aunt Marrie let out a deep sigh, carefully choosing her next words.

"Your father and mother… they weren’t ordinary people,"

she finally said.

"But they tried to get out of that world. Unfortunately, that world never truly lets anyone go."

Cassandra’s eyes sharpened.

"You mean… they already knew they were in danger?"

Aunt Marrie hesitated, then nodded.

"Your mother… she was restless in the months before they… before they were gone."

A tight knot formed in Cassandra’s stomach.

"Why was she restless?"

Aunt Marrie’s eyes flickered with something—something she wasn’t sure if she should say.

"I don’t know for certain, Cass. But… she always said the past can’t be escaped."

Alexander, who had been silently absorbing every word, finally spoke.

"If they felt threatened, then they were trying to protect something. Maybe there are clues in their old house?"

Aunt Marrie shook her head.

"Their home has been gone for years, Alex. After what happened, nothing was left."

Cassandra exhaled heavily.

"But someone must know, right?"

Aunt Marrie held her gaze for a long moment before finally saying,

"I can’t tell you more. If there’s something you need to find, it won’t come from me."

Cassandra stepped closer, her eyes pleading.

"Auntie, please… I just want the truth."

Aunt Marrie placed her hand over Cassandra’s, squeezing it tightly.

"Sometimes, Cass, the truth hurts more than you think."

A heavy silence settled over the room. Alexander was the one to break it.

"Then we start with the people who knew them."

Cassandra met his gaze and nodded. She wouldn’t stop until she had answers. Whoever was behind her parents' deaths… they wouldn’t be able to hide forever. The sky grew darker as evening fell. Heavy clouds loomed low, carrying a coldness that seeped into the bones. The wind stirred through the trees around Aunt Marrie’s house, making the night air feel heavier, as if nature itself shared Cassandra’s unease. From inside, the crackling of burning wood in the fireplace provided a little warmth, but not enough to calm the storm inside Cassandra’s mind. She sat on the living room sofa, knees pulled to her chest, staring blankly out the window. Aunt Marrie entered, carrying two cups of tea—one for herself, one for Cassandra. She set them on the table before sitting beside her niece, her eyes filled with concern.

"Sweetheart, you need rest," she said gently.

"You can’t keep digging for answers when your head is clouded with anger."

Cassandra bit her lip, not answering right away. She knew Aunt Marrie was right, but how could she rest when the truth she had just uncovered was tearing her apart?

"I can’t just sit still, Auntie," she finally whispered, her voice raw.

"I have to find them." Aunt Marrie sighed and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"And you will," she said with quiet certainty.

"But in the right way—not by rushing in blindly."

Cassandra lowered her head, staring at her clenched fists on her lap. She wanted to argue, wanted to say she didn’t have time to wait, but the words felt hollow in the warmth of her aunt’s presence. From across the room, Alexander, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.

"I’m staying," he said softly, but with certainty.

"So if you need anything, you can rely on me."

Cassandra lifted her gaze to him, emotions swirling inside her. Alexander had always been there, always supported her, but her heart was too tangled in chaos to respond properly. Aunt Marrie smiled gently, turning to Alexander with gratitude.

"Uncle John is out of town, so I’d like you to stay the night. It’s not safe to drive back in this weather."

Alexander hesitated.

"I don’t want to be a burden, Auntie…"

But Aunt Marrie waved a hand dismissively.

"Oh, don’t be silly. Besides, I’d rather you stay and make sure my hot-headed niece doesn’t do anything reckless."

"Auntie… I’m not reckless."

Aunt Marrie chuckled softly, brushing Cassandra’s hair with affection.

"You’re stubborn, Cass. Just like your mother."

Silence. The three of them fell quiet at the mention of that name. Cassandra swallowed hard before asking in a low voice,

"Was my mother stubborn too?"

Aunt Marrie nodded, her eyes gleaming with old memories.

"Oh, absolutely. Annalise was the most determined woman I ever knew. She always knew what she wanted, and she wouldn’t stop until she got it. That included choosing your father, even though many people were against it."

Cassandra looked at her aunt with curiosity.

"She knew who he really was, didn’t she?"

Aunt Marrie held her gaze for a long moment before nodding slowly.

"Yes… but she believed in the good inside Marvin. She believed that man could change."

Cassandra frowned.

"And did he really change?

Aunt Marrie didn’t answer immediately. She looked at Cassandra with a soft but meaningful expression. "He tried, Cass. He fought hard to leave his old world. But… that world never really left him."

Cassandra’s heart sank. She knew it was true. Even after her parents had run away, that dark world still hunted them. Until, eventually, it took their lives. Alexander, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.

"The mafia never lets anyone leave easily."

Cassandra nodded slowly, her gaze now fixed on the cup of tea growing cold in her hands.

"I won’t let them get away with it."

Her voice was barely a whisper, but it was enough to make Alexander and Aunt Marrie exchange glances. Aunt Marrie reached out and gently took her hand.

"I know, sweetheart. But you have to keep a clear head."

Cassandra let out a long breath.

"Fine. I’ll stay the night. But tomorrow morning, I want to start looking for clues."

Aunt Marrie smiled gently.

"Of course, sweetheart. But for tonight, get some rest."

Cassandra nodded, and that night, for the first time in days, she tried to let herself rest. But even in sleep, her mind never truly settled. Outside, the rain finally began to fall, wrapping the world in temporary tranquility. But inside Cassandra’s heart, a much bigger storm was only just beginning. The night grew darker. The rain, which had started as a light drizzle, turned heavy, drumming against Aunt Marrie’s roof in a rhythmic sound that should have been soothing. But for Cassandra, it only deepened her unease. She lay on her old bed, staring at the ceiling with empty eyes. The dim glow from the bedside lamp illuminated only part of her face, highlighting the exhaustion in her gaze. Her thoughts drifted back to that night—the night her life changed forever.

Flashes of the accident played in her mind like an old film on repeat. The fire consuming her parents’ car, the screech of metal as glass shattered, the faint scream of her mother trapped inside… But this time, something was different. Something that had always been buried under the trauma and fear of her childhood. A blue sedan. Cassandra frowned, trying to remember more clearly. That car had been parked across the street, not far from where the accident happened. She recalled seeing a man inside—wearing a black suit, dark sunglasses, and a perfectly trimmed French-cut hairstyle. He didn’t run to help. He didn’t panic. He just… watched.

"Who was that man? Why am I only remembering this now?"

She bit her lip in frustration. Was he just a witness? Or was he something more?

"If I can find that car, maybe I can find my answers."

Cassandra sat up, turning toward the window. The rain continued to fall in thick sheets, blurring the world outside like a ghostly veil of the past. She needed to know more. Moving carefully, she slid out from under the blanket and stepped onto the wooden floor. The old boards creaked softly beneath her as she made her way toward the living room. But just as she reached the staircase, a voice startled her.

"Cass?"

She turned quickly and saw Alexander standing in the doorway of the guest room, dressed in a white T-shirt and sweatpants. His hair was slightly messy, and his expression was laced with sleepiness.

"What are you doing up at this hour?"

he asked, his voice raspy from sleep. Cassandra exhaled slowly.

"I couldn’t sleep."

Alexander walked closer, his eyes scanning her face with concern.

"Still thinking about your parents?"

Cassandra nodded.

"There’s something I just remembered. Something off about the night of the accident."

Alexander took a deep breath, his gaze sharpening.

"What is it?"

Cassandra looked past him, toward the window, where raindrops raced down the glass. Her mind replayed the image of the blue sedan.

"There was a man there. Sitting in a blue car parked near the crash site. He didn’t do anything. He just… sat there and watched."

Alexander frowned.

"Are you sure?"

Cassandra nodded firmly.

"Absolutely. I can remember him clearly now. His hair was neat, French cut, wearing dark sunglasses… It was like he already knew something was going to happen."

Alexander folded his arms over his chest, his expression darkening.

"If he was just a witness, why wasn’t he ever mentioned in the police reports? There was never any record of someone seeing the accident."

Cassandra bit her lip.

"That’s what makes me suspicious. Maybe he wasn’t just a witness, Alex. Maybe he was a part of all this."

Alexander stepped closer, his hand gently touching Cassandra’s arm, trying to offer her comfort.

"If that’s true, then we need to find out who he is. Do you remember the car’s license plate?"

Cassandra shook her head in frustration.

"No… just the shape and color."

Alexander gazed at her with understanding.

"Don’t be too hard on yourself, Cass. The fact that you remembered this much is already incredible."

She looked at him, and for the first time tonight, she felt a small sense of calm. Alexander always knew how to steady her without needing many words. Suddenly, footsteps echoed from the direction of the kitchen.

"What are you two doing up so late?"

Aunt Marrie stood in the doorway, wrapped in her night robe, watching them both with quiet concern. Cassandra gave a small, sheepish smile, feeling like a child caught sneaking out of bed in the middle of the night.

"I just couldn’t sleep, Auntie."

Aunt Marrie walked closer and gently brushed Cassandra’s hair.

"You need to try and rest, sweetheart. Overthinking will only exhaust your body."

Cassandra let out a deep sigh.

"I know, Auntie. But I can’t ignore this."

Aunt Marrie studied her carefully before turning her gaze to Alexander.

"And you? Why are you still awake?"

Alexander smiled slightly.

"I can’t sleep if Cassandra is restless."

Aunt Marrie raised an eyebrow, then gave a knowing smile.

"Hm… is that so?"

Cassandra glanced at Alexander and suddenly became aware of how close they were standing. Her heart skipped a beat. Aunt Marrie patted her shoulder gently.

"Listen, sweetheart. I know you want answers. But you also need to take care of yourself. You can’t uncover the truth if your body and mind are too exhausted."

Cassandra met her aunt’s gaze and nodded slowly.

"I’ll try, Auntie."

Aunt Marrie smiled, satisfied.

"Good. Now go back to bed. We can talk more about this tomorrow."

Cassandra glanced at Alexander, who was still standing beside her. He gave her a small nod.

"I’m heading back to my room too. If you need anything, just knock on my door, okay?"

Cassandra offered him a faint smile.

"Thank you, Alex."

They finally parted ways, returning to their rooms. But even as Cassandra lay down and closed her eyes, her thoughts remained tangled with the image of the mysterious man in the blue sedan. That night, the rain continued to fall, cloaking the world in its soft, rhythmic whispers. She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling with tired eyes, yet her mind kept working—replaying the accident, the unknown man, and… something even more confusing. A soft knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Cass, sweetheart, are you still awake?"

She recognized the voice immediately. Aunt Marrie. Sitting up, she wiped her face briefly before answering,

"Come in, Auntie."

The door creaked open, and Aunt Marrie stepped inside with a gentle smile, carrying a cup of warm tea in her hands.

"I figured you were struggling to sleep," she said, walking over.

"So I made you some chamomile tea. It might help calm you down."

Cassandra smiled faintly, accepting the cup.

"Thank you, Auntie."

Aunt Marrie sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes scanning Cassandra’s face, taking in the exhaustion written in her features. She reached out and gently stroked the back of Cassandra’s hand.

"Cass, I know everything you’re dealing with is overwhelming. But every problem has a solution. You just need to stay calm enough to find it."

Cassandra met her gaze, uncertainty clouding her expression.

"What if the solution never comes, Auntie? What if I’m chasing something I’ll never truly find?"

Aunt Marrie gave her a warm, knowing smile.

"The truth is always there, sweetheart. Sometimes, it just takes time to uncover it."

Cassandra bit her lip, feeling a sliver of comfort from her aunt’s words. She took a small sip of the tea, letting its warmth seep into her. But just when she thought the conversation was over, Aunt Marrie suddenly looked at her differently—softer, but with something deeper behind her eyes.

"Cass, can I ask you something?"

Cassandra arched an eyebrow, slightly taken aback by her aunt’s change in tone.

"Of course, Auntie."

Aunt Marrie studied her for a long moment before finally speaking.

"Sweetheart, who is in your heart? Alexander or Antonio?"

Cassandra froze. Her fingers tightened around the teacup. Her heart lurched, unprepared for the question.

"You look so conflicted, Cass,"

Aunt Marrie continued, her hand gently stroking Cassandra’s.

"It seems like your heart is torn between two places."

Cassandra lowered her gaze, exhaling heavily.

"I… I don’t know, Auntie."

Aunt Marrie’s gaze was filled with understanding.

"Alexander is a good man. And Antonio… I know you have history with him."

Cassandra bit her lip, her eyes drifting toward the misted-over window.

"I love Antonio."

The words slipped out easily, but they didn’t make her feel any lighter. She closed her eyes, trying to understand what she truly felt.

"But sometimes…"

she continued, her voice trembling slightly,

"I don’t know if I’m holding onto him because I don’t want to lose him… or because I actually need him."

Aunt Marrie smiled knowingly, brushing a strand of Cassandra’s hair behind her ear.

"Only your heart can answer that, sweetheart. And you don’t have to rush to figure it out."

Cassandra met her aunt’s gaze, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Auntie… I feel like I’m drowning. I know Antonio isn’t perfect. I know being with him is dangerous. But… when I’m with him, I feel alive."

Aunt Marrie gave her a look of both love and realism.

"And Alexander?"

Cassandra fell silent. Alexander… the man who was always there. The one who never pushed, never demanded anything from her, but who always watched over her from a quiet distance.

"He’s different," Cassandra murmured.

"He’s like my safe place, someone who’s always there when I fall."

Aunt Marrie nodded slowly.

"Cassandra, love isn’t just about who makes you feel alive. It’s also about who feels like home."

Cassandra sighed, her heart growing heavier.

"But what if I can’t choose, Auntie? What if I need them both in different ways?"

Aunt Marrie gave a small smile.

"Then it means you still need time to understand what you truly want."

Cassandra closed her eyes, feeling tears prick at the corners.

"I’m scared, Auntie."

Aunt Marrie pulled her into a warm embrace.

"It’s okay, sweetheart. No one is forcing you. Only you can decide what’s best for your heart."

Cassandra let herself sink into the hug, feeling a rare warmth she hadn’t had in a long time. Outside, the rain continued to fall heavily. And inside her heart, the storm raged on. Morning arrived gently in the small village. The crisp air carried the scent of dew clinging to the leaves, while soft sunlight seeped through the window curtains, casting golden patterns across the wooden floor of Aunt Marrie’s house.

Cassandra opened her eyes slowly, feeling a rare moment of peace. But her mind was still cluttered with unanswered questions—about her parents’ accident, the mysterious man in the blue sedan, and the most confusing of all, her own feelings. She took a deep breath and got out of bed. As she stepped out of her room, a familiar, sweet aroma greeted her. In the kitchen, Aunt Marrie was setting plates on the table, while Alexander sat in a chair, a cup of coffee in his hands.

"Good morning, sweetheart,"

Aunt Marrie greeted with a warm smile. Cassandra glanced at the table—and her heart clenched. A stack of caramel honey pancakes sat in front of her. Her favorite childhood breakfast. For a moment, she couldn’t speak. Memories rushed back—her mother bustling in the kitchen, her father sipping coffee while reading the newspaper, and her younger self, eagerly waiting at the table for breakfast. But now, all that remained was silence and echoes of the past.

"You don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to,"

Aunt Marrie said gently, as if she knew exactly what Cassandra was thinking. Cassandra shook her head slowly and gave a faint smile.

"Thank you, Auntie. I… it just reminded me of something."

She sat down, staring at the pancakes with mixed emotions.

"I always remember how Mom used to make these for me every Sunday,"

she murmured, more to herself.

"Dad would always say I should eat something healthier, but Mom would just laugh and say life should be enjoyed."

Aunt Marrie smiled warmly.

"Annalise was always like that. She just wanted you to be happy, Cass."

Cassandra swallowed hard, trying to push down the tightness in her chest.

"But she’s not here anymore."

A heavy silence settled over them. Alexander, who had been quiet the whole time, finally spoke, his voice low.

"But she’s still with you, Cass. In your memories, in everything she left behind."

Cassandra turned to look at him. His gaze was sincere, full of understanding—as if he truly knew what it meant to lose someone. Aunt Marrie stood up and walked to a small cabinet in the corner of the room. She pulled out a small, deep-blue box and sat back down.

"Cass, before you leave, I want to give you this,"

she said, placing the box in front of her. She opened it, revealing a delicate gold necklace with an antique key pendant. Cassandra frowned, confusion flickering in her eyes. Aunt Marrie placed the necklace in Cassandra’s palm, holding her hand gently.

"Your mother left this with me before everything happened. She told me, ‘If Cassandra ever comes looking for me, give this to her.’"

Cassandra traced the tiny engravings on the key with her fingertip, feeling its smooth, intricate surface. Her eyes stung with unshed tears.

"What does it mean? Why would Mom leave this for me?"

she asked, her voice unsteady. Aunt Marrie shook her head.

"I don’t know, Cass. But maybe this is another piece of the puzzle—something that might help you find the truth."

Alexander took the necklace from her hand, inspecting it carefully. His expression turned more serious.

"There might be something hidden inside this,"

he said quietly. Cassandra looked at him, then back at the key pendant. It wasn’t just any key—it was old, unique, as if it had a secret locked within it.

"I have to find out,"

she whispered, gripping the necklace tightly. Aunt Marrie squeezed her hand gently.

"You will, sweetheart. But don’t let this consume you. Remember, your mother loved you, and whatever her reasons were, she would have wanted you to live your life well."

Cassandra nodded slowly, though the confusion in her heart remained. Alexander watched her for a long moment before saying,

"No matter what happens, I’ll be here to help you."

She turned to him, and for a second, just looking into his eyes made her feel steadier. But beneath the calmness of that morning, one thing was clear—Cassandra’s journey was only beginning. And this pendant… it might just be the key to unlocking a much deeper secret. Outside, the wind whispered through the trees, as if carrying a message from the past, waiting to be uncovered.