Chapter 05

JACE'S P.O.V.

The room became dead quiet as I walked quietly to the shattered window and a relief washed over me when I realized they were gone. I turned around to see Astrid holding her knee to her chest while staring into thin air.

“They’re gone,” I said softly as I sat next to her “Are you hurt?” She shook her head.

“Who were they? Why did they leave so suddenly? And Ingrid?” I sighed while running my fingers through my hair.

“There’s a lot you need to know, and none of it will be easy to hear.”

“Then start talking,” She snapped and the fire in her eyes appeared, but there was something else, she was scared. “What aren’t you telling me, Jace?”

"I found out the truth about you the night before our wedding,” I began while watching her from the side of my eyes.a “I was at the venue, making final arrangements, when Ingrid showed up out of nowhere.”

“Ingrid?”

“She told me everything, your parents weren’t planning on marrying you off to me. They were planning to sell you to the richest man in the world, someone thrice your age with a reputation for cruelty. Your father saw you as a bargaining chip, a way to secure even more power and wealth.”

The idea still made me boil in anger, but I watched as she tried to control her breath and I placed a hand on shoulders

"They… they were going to sell me?”

“I couldn’t let that happen. I proposed a deal to Ingrid. If she let me marry you instead, you’d be free from that arrangement. But Ingrid… she’s not who you think she is, Astrid. She’s dangerous.”

“What do you mean?”

“She's deeply involved in drugs. She’s tied to some very powerful and dangerous people. And the worst part? She admitted she’s always hated sharing everything with you. She wanted you out of the picture. Permanently.” Her body stiffened as she panicked.

"She wanted to kill me?” I nod gently.

“She didn’t outright say it, but the implication was clear. I think the gunmen tonight were her doing. She’s escalating, Astrid.”

“Why would they do this to me? My family…” Tears slipped from the corner of her eyes and I lost all sense of composure, I immediately reached for her face and lift her chin while wiping away her tears.

"Because they don’t see you for who you are… But I do.” Her eyes glittered from the tears and I felt drawn into those magnificent green eyes.

My eyes wandered on every bit if her face and saw the clear difference between them, she was flawless, and her twin was not. Without her consent my lips brushed against hers and I watched as she slowly closed her eyes, letting me take control and I did.

She tasted addictive and my hands five through the bottom of her hair as I thug on to it deepening the kiss, and we pulled apart breathing heavily, it's like having a glimpse of heaven and I pressed my forehead against hers

“Pack your bags,” I mumbled softly “We’re leaving tonight.”

“Where are we going?” she whispered.

“Italy, It’s time for us to start fresh. Away from all of this.”

Hours later we boarded my jet bound for Italy and I watched as she stared outside the window, probably thinking about her family. It hunts me knowing I couldn't take her feelings away from her, but I just had to let her grieve.

We arrived at Italy and I shook off the weird feeling I had as the car drove to my Villa. I could see Astrid's confusion when he got home.

“It's our house.” I mumbled, and she didn't say anything until we got to the room as I noticed her fumbling with the edge of her shirt.

“Did we… you didn’t really…” She trailed off, her cheeks flushing, and I realized what she was talking about.

“No, I didn’t touch you that night at the bar. You passed out, and I took you to my guest room. I wasn’t going to take advantage of you, Astrid.”

“I’m sorry I accused you of that.” I brushed her hair away from face and cupped her left cheek.

"You had every right to be angry. But that’s in the past now.”

“Then I suppose it's time for our wedding night?” She mumbled, and a smirk appeared on my face.

“Well someone is being naughty”

“Kiss me already, Jace Lysander”

“Yes ma'am”

******

We sat at a local restaurant the next morning and I watched Astrid attempt to speak Italian and I forced myself not to laugh, but it brought me comfort seeing her relax for the first time since we met

“You do know you can speak English right?” I mumbled and she pouted in the most adorable way.

“It's not everyday I get to be in a local restaurant in Italy” I chuckled, and she continued to torture the poor waiter

After breakfast, I drove out of the city and stopped at the one house I dread and we both walked out of the car

“My family’s originally from Italy,” I mumbled as we walked up the marble stairs and her eyes widened in realization “... Relax you'll be fine”

The door flew open revealing mama who had a frown on her face and she glared at Astrid

“So, this is the woman you chose? She doesn’t seem like much.”

“Mama” I warned. “You will respect her. If you don’t, you’ll have to answer to me.”

"How dare you speak to me that way?”

“I dare because you’ve overstepped for the last time, Astrid is my wife, and if you threaten her, you threaten me.” We both walked inside the house to see papa sitting on the couch “... Papa”

“Jace, you will not speak to your mother like that.” And everything in me snapped as I grabbed Astrid's hands.

"Then I won’t speak to her at all. We’re leaving.”

"Jace, I didn’t mean to cause this…”

“It’s not your fault, I left home years ago because my mother tried to control my life. I won’t let her do the same to you.”

We returned to the Villa and my blood ran cold as I stepped out of the car to meet eyes with the one woman I really loathe

“Jace,”

"Vanya,” My response was cold, but I didn't care

“Who is she?” Vanya extended her hand to Astrid and I watched them closely.

"I'm the woman Jace was supposed to marry five years ago.” I saw her body stiffen and immediately pulled her away “…And I’m here to take back what’s mine.”

“Vanya…"

“Don't even think about Jace, let the bimbo go”