Cassandra's POV

The loud notification sound almost gave me a heart attack. Their laughs died down, "someone's there," Aurelia gasped urging Sinclair to check it out

She was acting as if she didn't see me earlier. Footsteps started to approach

Before my weak heart gave out, I grabbed my phone and the broken heels and bolted away. I never knew I could run this fast with a broken heel.

I tripped again on my unbalanced heel. It felt like all the emotions I tried to bottle up threatened to spill. A lone tear escaped my eyes and I felt my throat tighten. My frail lips parted, but nothing came out, not even a cry.

Years of dating and planning to settle down with him but... but... He had promised me so why...

"No, " A whisper finally slipped off my lips, and I shook my head. It can't be true. I...I think I heard wrong and....

'Stand up, Cassandra,' my thoughts yelled, and with my last strength, I scrambled off the floor and ran, half staggering, towards the door.

I should run away from him. Away from where he could see how broken I am

The door was pushed open, and my heart was still thudding, too scared to be found out. I knew I should have confronted them but I didn't want them to see me break. Triumphant smirk on Aurelia's face was etched in my mind.

Where had I gone wrong? She was always my sweet little sister.

The floor was still in complete chaos, and someone bumped into me, pushing me off balance. My ankle twisted and the second heel broke.

"Ahh," a startled scream escaped my lips as I fell, colliding straight into someone else. The door leading to the hallway was pushed open before Sinclair could step out. I turned around and hugged the innocent victim I bumped into.

'What the hell was I doing?' my thoughts screamed at my pathetic attempt to hide from Sinclair. Wasn't he scared of being found out?

Thud

Thud, the rhythm of my heart beat slowed down. My face was buried in the stranger's embrace. His strong masculine cologne filled my nostrils. An exotic mix of spices and wild flowers.

I knew I wasn't supposed to know what he smelled like, but somehow, I found myself sniffing him. This was wrong, my mind whispered, but why?

Why did it feel that way when Sinclair didn't care while fucking my sister? Did he ever wonder how I felt? His scent was expensive. It wasn't like Sinclair's cologne which always made my heart race. His scent was calm as if it could wash away the tremors in my heart.

"Are you done sniffing? Your pusher is gone.." A deep baritone voice sneered. His voice was alluring sounding hypnotic.

My heart skipped a beat, "...Miss bride to be.." he added sarcastically

My head jerked backwards to the door; it was still open. Call it bad luck, Sinclair and Aurelia were about to step out.

Shit!

I shrank back hiding once again in his embrace. He was a jerk. His soft chuckle drifted to my ears. He was laughing so heartily that each one felt like a jab.

His irritating laugh weirdly cleared my chaotic mind like a numbing mind. What was so amusing about this scenario? His laugh didn't die off. I pinched his nipple. He hissed irritably in response.

Feeling like an achiever, I glanced at him with a triumphant smirk.

The music faded, our eyes met and I was drawn into those dark orbs. His eyes were so dark it felt like an endless abyss I could get lost in just staring. My heart squeezed. Why did Sinclair's dark blue orbs pop into my mind?

"They are gone now, you can let go." He said, breaking my trance. I blinked at him, then narrowed my eyes before glancing back at the door. It was shut now and there didn't seem to be any sign of the adulterous pair.

"Am I that handsome you can't let go?" That annoying voice chirped once again. My face scrunched up unable to hide my disgust.

"You wish," I scoffed pulling away before clearing my throat to regain my composure.

"I am sorry about that. I was in a bit of a hitch, don't worry, I can pay for any inconveniences caused." I offered him fairly.

He scoffed, his lips twitching.. " 'You can pay for any inconveniences' as if you can afford to pay for the damages caused." He sneered with a condescending tone, as if I were nobody.

I might not be the richest heiress in the city but I came from a remarkable background and my fiance...Sorry, I mean that cheating scum was one of the most promising heirs in the city.

My eyes twitched.

Cassandra Sterling knew a lot of heirs, and for sure, I had never seen this ' guy'; he was rather handsome, the truth be told. There was no way I couldn't remember a rich heir with this type of face. He was in his late twenties at most from his looks.

That left 2 options for him to be this arrogant and good-looking: he was either an upcoming artist or a gigolo. With this attitude, he was definitely a gigolo. I pulled out a limited black card Sinclair gave me, not ready to be humiliated by a gigolo.

"How expensive are you? You aren't even the most expensive gigolo here. I can even pay for your services the entire night."

Yes, I was going to use the cheating bastard money, it was the only revenge a scared chicken like me could afford. His gaze sharpened, and he snatched the black card from my hand. I gasped, stunned by his speed.

I wasn't frightened knowing the card belonged to Sinclair. He stared at the card, his eyes narrowed at the Von Duvall surname on the card. A subtle smirk curled on his lips. "You think I am a gigolo and you're ready to pay for my service using this card." He asked carefully, clearly tempted by the money.

He was cheap as I expected. "You can even wipe it clean if you want. Consider our debt cleared." I agreed without a second thought.

There was this mischievous look on his face. "Are you sure once payment is made you can't take it back?"

I waved my hand. "Do I look like I am joking, the pin is 1997. Feel free." I didn't bat an eye. "Fine then." He agreed. A wide smile was on his face. He was excited because he had just cheated the dumb rich girl out of her money.

With our deal done, it was time I left this club. My mood was completely ruined and I just wanted to sleep on it and probably cry myself to sleep for being such a scared chicken for not confronting Sinclair. For crying out loud, we were getting married tomorrow, and he decided to fuck my younger sister tonight.

He gripped my wrist and, without a word, started pulling me away. My head snapped at him, I could feel my gut twisting. "What are you doing? Isn't the money enough?" I snapped at him, scared he wanted to kidnap me or even worse, take advantage of me.

He didn't stop walking, and weirdly enough, no one stopped him. He matched up the stairs to the bar lounge in the gallery of the club. It was less rowdy here, which didn't stop my gut from twisting

He stopped and I slammed straight into his back. Damn, his body felt like a wall. "What the hell are you doing?" I barked at him but the jerk didn't give me a response and just pulled me towards the bar counter.

"Two mai tais." He slid my card to the bartender and finally let go of my wrist.

"You paid for my services, ma'am. Going to back out now, 'Miss Bride-to-Be' or are you a scared little chicken?" he taunted.

"Or you are scared little chicken."

Was he taunting me? My lips parted then closed, stunned at this man's audacity. "I am not a scared chicken." I retorted, God his smirk was pissing me off

"Says the person who hugged a stranger just to avoid someone." He was trying to piss me off and it was working.

"Here are drinks ", the bartender placed two chilled glasses of cocktails. That was pretty fast. He sat on a barstool, then slid one of the glasses to me before taking a sip of his drink.

I stared at the tempting glass. "Are you going to be a scared chicken or badass, miss bride to be?" I glanced at him watching the way the dim lights highlighted the edges of his face..

He was tempting indeed.

. "Dear Cassie is too uptight and spineless. I am the only one who would want someone like her. At times, I have to picture you in my mind to get my dick up just to fuck her." Sinclair's words rang in my ears.

I was not spineless. My lips curled into a grin and I sat on the stool before grabbing the glass. "My name is Cassandra, and not Miss Bride-to-be." With that being said, I did the most reckless thing in my life.

I downed the glass in one brave gulp. Who are they going to call spineless now?

Alaric's POV

"My name is Cassandra and not 'Miss Bride-to-Be,'" she said, downing the rest of the mai tai in one brave gulp. I fought to keep a laugh from escaping.

Who was this brave little Miss bride to be?

She slammed the glass on the counter, then shot me a provocative smile, as if finishing once the glass was a great achievement.

"Who is the scared chicken now?" She retorted, keeping up the facade, she was brave and badass, trying to hide the fact that she trembled slightly, and her eyes were lost, almost looking broken.

It wasn't a big deal, but a huge improvement. It wasn't my style to intervene in others' lives, but not every night you run into a bride-to-be looking completely lost like the sash and crown didn't mean anything on a random Friday night.

She probably has a bachelorette party somewhere close by, and it would have been better to let her go back to her friend, but she wasn't the only one who needed company today.

Once again, I was no saint if not the most selfish person I know.

"Definitely not Cassandra," I chimed, playing along, then beckoned the bartender to bring another glass. The bartender immediately placed the glass beside her, he was doing his absolute best to keep a straight face.

A rare sight, it was for the owner to show up at the bar with a woman.

Cassandra blinked, her hazel eyes dazed as the second glass appeared. "I thought it was just one," she blurted, pouting.

I took a quick sip of my drink, the sweet top note gave way to a clean, sharp burn of the alcohol base that woke my head

"But we are just starting. The night is still young." I replied placing the glass back on the counter while rubbing my finger along the edges of the glass.

Her gaze was fixated on me. Once I glanced at her side, she averted her eyes, scared to hold my gaze.

My gaze lingered on her side profile for a bit, tracing the edges of her face, from her battling lashes to her pouted pink lips.

Her brows were knotted together; deep in thought, like the cocktail was some type of poison. Her naivety was her biggest charm.

"I'm not good at holding my drinks," she finally said. A reluctant sigh escaped my lips, "It's fine then, too bad the night is wasted after spending a fortune on such a handsome gigolo." I said disappointedly. The bartender almost choked on his spit

His face flushed, his awkward laugh was out of place.

Cassandra blinked once more as if letting my words sink in. A rare smirk graced her lips. "You are right, I would not let this opportunity go to waste, and besides, it is meant to be my bachelorette party." She declared, grabbing the glass to down it.

My lips parted and closed, I should have stopped her, warning her she wasn't meant to drink it all up at once, or she might get drunk despite the cocktail being rather sweet...I didn't

I was still on my first and she was done with her second. She slammed the glass on the counter, her eyes were a bit drowsy, the alcohol was slowly kicking in and her confidence got boosted.

"What next ?" Her expectant gaze met mine. I finally finished my mai tai. "Are you up for some shots?" She didn't give a verbal answer and just smiled completely carefree.

The night just started indeed. The bartender started lining up the shots. Cassandra, suddenly fearless, kept downing them one after another like it was a fruit punch.

Her hands stopped trembling with whatever emotions she was hiding, and her laughs were louder like we were the only ones that mattered. "You really didn't," she laughed at a random joke I said to lighten the mood.

"Never knew someone like you could have just an audacity." There seemed to be something in her laugh which made everything seem brighter. She was not the type who rambled on about her life while drunk. No that wasn't Cassandra, it felt like the drink made her forget her troubles for the moment.

"I tricked you out of all your money. Didn't I?" I placed the shot back on the counter. Damn, she was still dead on thinking I was a gigolo, it still baffles me what made her think that way.

Her lips pouted, then she waved off. "I don't care about the money, you can keep it." The song on the speaker changed, and she started humming. It was 'Did It First' by Ice Spice.

Her singing was off and I was barely holding back my laugh. She didn't care about my stiffening smile. Cassandra got on from her seat and started dancing and singing out loud.

The onlookers gave her curious glances, and some laughed at her. This wasn't the club downstairs, and she wasn't meant to dance here, but who was going to stop her when I made the rules?

Cassandra kept on spinning and dancing, laughing in between her lyrics. I didn't even realise my lips were curled up. If it wasn't enough to make herself the centre of attention, she rushed towards me to pull me out of my seat.

"You don't plan on making only me dance. Do you?" She asked, pulling me directly to the middle of the room, where she started dancing around me. My brow arched at her.

The laughs grew louder, and she tossed away her sash, reading bride to be before pulling me by the collar to her eye level.

"Stop standing rigid and dance Mr pretty boy. I paid for you, if I start running around naked, you'd better run along. Do you understand?" Someone was now a little boss lady.

"Yes ma'am. Your wish is my command." I agree holding back my laugh. She was the boss, although if she got drunk enough to run around naked, I would throw her over my shoulders. There was no way I would let anyone see her naked.

"Good then," she chimed and started leading the dance, luckily for me, I had a few moves to match her vibe. Song after song she got wilder by the second. I had to signal the guards to send everyone off the floor to give us a bit more privacy.

She owned the floor now. A slow song started playing, but she wasn't any less energetic. She took the initiative, placing my hand on her slender waist, which felt fragile in my grasp. I was a bit reluctant to get too close, scared of my control wavering

She didn't see the signs and leaned on me. Her bosoms pressed against my chest. Her muffled voice teased. "Now who is the chicken?" She taunted having no idea what her soft frame was doing to me or how intoxicating she smelled.

I still kept the grin, ignoring the subtle twitching from my slacks. I dug this pit for myself...

Cassandra laughed once more, she definitely felt my hardness. It was baffling how she found it funny instead of being scared. My lips could only twitch.

Her laugh died. Her gaze flicked away, and she hid her face against my shirt, pain trembling through her. My chest tightened; I pulled her closer, desperate to offer some small comfort.

Her little hand clutched my shirt, her face buried in my dark shirt. We continued dancing in a sombre mood. She didn't laugh again, instead, subtle whimpers escaped from her lips. Everything she was bottling up was now pouring out.

She didn't stop dancing, nor did her cries stop. Each sob was tearing me apart. I didn't have any words to say so I just let her. She wiggled in my hold, then slowly glanced up with those teary eyes, which almost made me weak in the knees.

Her lower lip was between her teeth. Her lips slowly parted. "Am I so boring you could never marry me?" That wasn't a casual question. Her eyes looked like her world depended on the answer.

I shook my head then leaned down. "You are many things but boring. Any man would be privileged to have you." The words came out naturally.

Her eyes glimmered with hope. "Really," she squealed excitedly. I nodded without a second thought. She hopped to grab my collar, pushing me against a nearby wall. Our foreheads were touching. "Would you give me your surname or better take mine then? Will you be the lucky man?" She asked, completely wasted and probably rumbling.

I laughed unable to hold it back any more. Can she get any bolder?

My fingers grazed her cheeks, wiping off her tears, before cupping them in my palms. "If you love my surname so much."

She smiled, and even the tears looked stunning. "You can't back down now, hubby. You just got a wife."

Still pondering on how lovely the word hubby sounded on the tip of her lips, something soft clashed against my lips, throwing every other thought out the window.

Her lips weren't gentle. They were fierce and hungry like the flames of hell consuming completely. She grabbed my hair and hauled me closer.

Fuck it.

I just found my new cravings and obsession I don't think I can ever get enough of.

Cassandra's POV

My head was a complete mess, and I wasn't thinking straight at this point, like it mattered.

His lips were intoxicating, I knew I should not kiss him and didn't know why I couldn't stop.

His hold on my waist was firm, and I clung to his shirt, deepening the kiss, nibbling and licking his lower lip until we both moaned into each other's lips.

We unravelled each other. A gasp escaped my lips, his hand squeezed my butt, and I didn't even know when his fingers crawled over my skin to get to the edge of my panties. He ignited something forbidden in me.

He forced our lips apart, his teeth nibbling under my ear, sending jolts of sparks through my spine. He hovered over my ear, and a soft chuckle rang in my ears. "Be careful with fire or it might burn you."

The warning came in through one ear and left through the next. I tiptoed to nibble his lower lip once more before giving him a half-witty smile. "Enough talking, hubby, or don't tell me you are scared chicken now?" I taunted him.

He cocked his brow at me, something dark ran through his eyes. My legs almost gave up. A low rumble escaped his throat. Next, I spun around, my back against the cold wall.

A man over twice my size is hovering over me. "You really love pushing me." There was something dark and alluring in his voice, but my brain couldn't register it properly because he was all over me like a storm.

His kiss trailing down my neck and his hands wandering in place, it shouldn't be. The rest of the night drowned in heat, his lips, his hands, the taste of liquor on my tongue until everything blurred into darkness.

*******

The rest of the night was a blur, once he started consuming me. The irritating sound of my high-pitched ringing tone rang next to my ears.

My eyes jerked open and shut back immediately. It was too bright. Why were all the windows open?

I groaned rolling to the side opposite the window. My eyes opened again, and for a moment, I was dazed.

I jolted up without thinking; a sharp headache struck me, and my entire world spun at once. I hissed under my breath trying to make sense of what was happening or where the fuck I was?!

The room was completely foreign like a luxurious penthouse. My body acted on its own, ignoring my piercing headache or the fact that my legs were wobbly.

I ran off the bed, my eyes darted around the room and fell on a mirror. My reflection stared back at me. I was wearing an oversized black shirt, shrouded with a strong masculine cologne clinging. Several hickeys could be spotted from the gaps in the shirt

' Fuck!!. What have you done, Cassie? Another mistake you can't take back.'

I cried out invisible tears, my aching head screamed.

Luckily, my clothes were folded on a nearby table, and they were already dry-cleaned. I didn't need an explanation of what happened, I just needed to get out of here ASAP.

The sound of rushing water echoed from the bathroom. Shit, he was still here. I didn't even remember his face because the entire night was a blurry mess upto when I asked him to marry me.

My hands moved the fastest it has in ages, I grabbed my purse and phone and ran barefoot for my life, leaving the tiara.

It was a miracle my wobbly legs didn't collapse until I got to the elevator. I slouched on the floor to catch my breath while dreading the hangover.

A few minutes later, the elevator ding opened and I fled the building, ignoring the curious stares from the onlookers. A taxi pulled over and I successfully escaped further embarrassment. So I thought.

*****

The entire ride home, I did my best not to cry. What the fuck did I just do? Even if Sinclair was a cheating scum, I shouldn't have stooped to his level.

Cassandra Sterling, the boring, nerdy daughter of the Sterling family, hooked up with a random gigolo on the eve of her wedding.

"I'm dead," I cried, earning a suspicious look from the driver through the rare mirror. My lips clamped together and I sank back into my thoughts. What if he didn't use protection and I accidentally got pregnant, or worse, contracted some kind of disease? Was it worth it?

Time wasn't on my side, soon the taxi drove through the Villa's gate from the glass window I could see Aurelia patiently waiting for me.

The car door slammed behind me and the taxi drove off. Our eyes met and she narrowed suspiciously at me. My stomach churned looking back at the large villa, which was my home, yet filled me with dread of what awaited beyond those doors.

Aurelia scoffed at me, "the slut is finally back." My brows furrowed. Something was off. Did she change after last night?

I glared at her, as memories resurfaced of how my sister, my only sibling, was hooking up with my fiancé. She shrugged and marched through the doors.

My fingers curled into a fist, that's right I wasn't going to run from this. Why was I scared of them? I gathered every drop of bravery I had in me and marched through those doors.

From the foyer, I could hear several voices and a muffled cry. Not too surprising, I got to the parlour and was welcomed by glares. My parents, Aurelia, the cheating bastard and his parents are all sitting on the couch, glaring at me like some hideous monster.

Mum was the first one to speak. She burst out crying. "Where have you been Cassandra Angelina Sterling?"

What was going on? Mum even called my entire name. Before I could even think of a reply, a harsh slap out of reflex I returned the slap

. "How dare you disgrace the Von Duvall name, you little slut?!."

My palm had already struck Sinclair's mother's face.

"Cassandra!!!" Dad's voice boomed. Sinclair's mother was already stumbling, luckily, he caught her before she hit the floor.

"What do you think you are doing Cassie? You spend the night fooling around and have the guts to slap my mother." He accused me.

Baffled, my brows twitched. How did he know?!

"Don't look so shocked, sis. Everyone's already seen what you did last night. You're trending." Aurelia pulled out her phone and showed me a popular TikTok video. A man and a girl are dancing carefree in a bar.

My face was very visible to the camera, but the man lurked under the shadows of the dark light, hiding his identity completely. It looked too convenient.

Shit, this was just great. I clutched my dress then glanced at Sinclair. I was immediately taken aback. His eyes looked completely heartbroken.

Mum was breaking down in a corner crying. I laughed, stunning them all. "You even have the nerve to laugh after what you did. You disgraced our family name." Aurelia self-righteously accused me

I could not stand their hypocrisy. My laugh died down. "Slut?" I laughed bitterly. "That's rich, coming from the one spreading her legs for my fiancé. A pot calling a kettle black."

" You are losing it, Cassie. Stop playing the victim card. Today is our wedding day for crying out loud." Sinclair grabbed my hand, his grip firm as he trembled.

I arched my brow at him completely unaffected. "Did you forget that fact while you were kissing Aurelia last night?"

The room went silent. Sinclair seemed stunned; his grip tightened.

"You are so shameless. Because you have destroyed your reputation, you want to drag me through the mud. " Aurelia jumped in to defend herself.

I completely ignored her, my head was still aching, and I didn't have the strength to deal with her hypocrisy. My eyes fell on Sinclair and I calmly requested. "Let go of hands."

He didn't react, completely dumbfounded like a hurt puppy. I gritted my teeth and yanked my hand off. "Do me a favour and get out of my face." I barked then stormed away, running up the stairs, knowing he would follow behind.

Sinclair ran after me, his footsteps closing in. "Please stop running Cassie. I know you were probably drunk, I will forgive you as long as you apologise." He kept up the act...

My chest tightened but I didn't stop running. I ran into my wedding dressing room, and the door burst open immediately after I stepped in.

Sinclair's gaze was panicking filled with fear. "Come on, baby, what happened? Did I do something? Just tell me and we can put this aside. You know I love and can do anything for you." He pleaded.

I stood staring at this man I couldn't recognise. "Including fucking my sister behind my back," I asked him

His jaw clenched, "You're imagining things, Cassie. Aurelia? She's your sister. I can never do that "

"Shut up." I cut him off then grabbed a bottle of whiskey.

I marched straight to my luxurious designer's wedding dress. "You are the fucking problem!!!" I barked then poured the whiskey on the dress. My eyes didn't even waver.

Before he could process what I was doing. I pulled out Sinclair's old lighter, which I normally carried around, and then tossed it on the dress. It caught fire immediately.

The door was pushed open with the rest rushing in. "What is wrong with you Cassandra?!" Mum cried.

My bloodshot eyes stared back at them. Sinclair looked pale as a ghost. "The engagement is off."