Cassandra's POV

"The engagement is off." The flames raged beside me. Mum shrieked, ordering the maids to put on the fire. The room was plunged into chaos.

Amidst the chaos, I slipped out of the dressing room to my bedroom. I don't even know if they could save the dress.

I slumped on the bed and picked up my phone to text my best friend, Becky. There were several messages in my DM from her worried after I disappeared last night.

Drained, I tossed my phone. I never knew a day like this could come. My entire life revolved around marrying Sinclair. We have known each other since secondary school and got engaged in our freshman year. This wedding had been planned for years, even the dress I burned was personally customised for me.

"Don't cry Cassie, it isn't worth it," I muttered. The door was unceremoniously opened, and I didn't even glance at who it was.

"Enough of this Cassie. I can't put up with all this." Sinclair's annoying voice sneered as he tossed what was left of my burnt dress.

I refused to look at him. "You don't have to. Marry your Aurelia and you won't have to force yourself to fuck a woman you aren't sexually attracted to." I shrugged hoping he would leave.

The bastard didn't leave, he marched towards the bed. He tried to hold my hand, but I evaded him, moving far away. My glare was sharp. His gaze flickered with pain.

"Why are you doing this?!" He blurted.

I snorted, crossing my hand under my bosom. "I am not as spineless as you thought. The wedding is off from today, we are strangers." I repeated in case he didn't hear me earlier.

"CASSANDRA!!!" How untimely I heard Dad screaming my name from down the hallway. Sinclair's fist clenched, his eyes burned. "If that's how you want this to be. One day you will regret it." He said, then stormed away, unable to bear the humiliation.

At the door, he ran into Dad. "What do you think you are doing? Are you on drugs?" Father threw accusations at me.

"Maybe ask your perfect daughter, Aurelia, who was hooking up with Sinclair." I retorted and then picked up my phone. Pretending to scroll on it. I was scared of my father's fury.

Like a storm, he got to the edge of my bed. "Aurelia would never do such a thing." He declared. Even I wouldn't have believed the same thing if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

"Believe what you want. I am done with Sinclair." We had a face-off, and no one was ready to give up.

"Fine, just know if you break up this engagement, there is no place in the Sterling family for you..." My very own father said, instead of probing why, I suddenly changed my mind.

To say I was heartbroken was an understatement. "Daddy..." I blurted. He gritted his teeth. "We have a lot of investment with the Von Duvall family and we can't afford to get on their bad side."

He was choosing business over his daughter. What did I expect? "Fine. I guess this family has no place for me." He was dumbfounded.

Under his gaze I packed my bag, anything I could put my hand on. He didn't stop me. "Goodbye, father." We stared intently at each other. I swallowed a lump then stormed off.

"Cassandra, where are you going?" I heard mum's startled voice from down the hallway. I didn't give her a reply and continued leaving.

Maybe it was best I took a break from everyone. That day, I ignored my mother's cries and pleas. I hailed a taxi and left home. Dad didn't even beg me once. The entire ride I cried out my heart.

********

The doorbell rang, and I stood at the door sniffing, trying to fight the tears. The door was pushed open and Rebecca stepped out dressed in her bridesmaid's dress.

"Cassie," she gasped, surprised at my appearance. Her eyes fell on the luggage. I swallowed a lump. The dress made my heart burn. "Rebecca," I whimpered and she immediately pulled me into her hands

"Everything will be fine." She assured me. Her words broke me. "There isn't going to be a wedding. I hate that bastard." I cried into her arms. She just held me

It's been weeks and I haven't stepped out of Rebecca's apartment. She was nice enough to give me a roof when my life was falling apart. Until now, I haven't told her exactly what happened that night.

I didn't want to relive it again. Rebecca understood not to pry too much. She tried her best to cheer me up while I was wallowing in depression.

For the first time in weeks, I was starting to breathe again, so I decided to check my old emails that I had checked in weeks. Bundled under an old blanket, the TV was playing in the background. There wasn't anything particularly important at first.

My hands stopped. My eyes narrowed on the screen. "Marriage registration." I read out an old email sent a few days after the wedding was called off.

Curious, I clicked it open, and my fragile world collapsed. "What!!!!" I screamed my lungs out, unable to believe my eyes. Who the hell was Alaric Von Duvall? Why was that gigolo's surname similar to Sinclair's!!

I thought my life could get some normalcy after the failed wedding, but fate has another one coming at me.

I walked through the door of a five-star hotel, a bit confused whether this was indeed the location. Why did he bring me here? My face scrunched up remembering the man I was married to was a gigolo.

But it was still a mystery as the event of that day was a haze in my mind. I pulled out my phone to send a text to Alaric informing him that I have arrived. The email contained his contact, and I contacted him on WhatsApp to meet in person.

He agreed and directed me to come here. My phone rang with a notification.

Alaric: Someone will be with you in a minute.

It was a simple reply, and right on cue, a strange voice called out. "Mrs Von Duvall." My brows furrowed, "pardon!!" I found it weird remembering that Sinclair has a similar surname. It gave me a bad memory.

A man dressed in a tailor suit approached, "Pardon me for the address. Ma'am Cassandra. Sir Alaric is expecting." He politely said. It still felt weird but I politely accepted. "Please lead the way."

Under his lead, we headed to the elevator. The man kept on giving curious glances, but averted his whenever I caught him. He selected the floor and soon we arrived with the elevator dinging open.

Loud classical music drifted to my ears. Was there a party going on? I glanced at the escort to question him. He didn't give me the chance when he marched out of the elevator.

I was left with no choice but to follow after him. We arrived at a pair of large doors which were pushed open. The blinding lights and loud music welcomed me

Still dazzled, the escort excused himself. "Sir Alaric will be with you shortly. " He walked off immediately. I was left breathless staring at the lavish hall filled with people. Some I recognised from high society.

How did Alaric get into this crowd? Was my ' husband.' dating a big shot? I wondered.

Growing up in wealth should've made me immune to grandeur, but the hall still managed to steal my breath. Every detail was intricate and screamed wealth.

I was still admiring the delicate chandelier which hung in the middle of the room from the spot I stood, when a familiar voice I didn't wish to hear sneered, drawing my attention.

"Guess who finally crawled out of her hole. If it isn't my dear sister Cassandra." My eyes snapped to Aurelia, who was dressed glamorously, fitting the occasion, a far cry from my simple dress. Alaric didn't tell me the nature of the event

After the engagement was called off, the trending videos were all taken down to protect the Von Duvalls' reputation, leaving the past a mystery that still plagued me.

"Aurelia," I blurted. My hands clutched my purse trying to hold myself together. She stood holding her wine glass with a disdainful gaze just when I thought this couldn't get any worse. I heard that voice which still plagued me.

.

"Cassandra, what are you doing here?" Sinclair asked slowly, approaching me. His gaze was still carrying that hurt look which always left me puzzled.

"Please, can we talk things over?"He pleaded, but Aurelia's face turned rather ugly. Sinclair left me baffled, looking broken like the break-up had affected me. He wanted to hug me.

But before he could get close an arm appeared before him blocking his way. "You should avoid carelessly touching a married woman, especially one who is my wife." A dried-out voice heavy with tension slowly said.

My head bobbed up to meet his dark gaze, those abysses I remembered. It was him. "Alaric," I whispered. Was he always this charming?

"Hi, Cassandra. It's been a while." He gave me a soft smile and I felt my face heating up. His hand curled around my waist protectively, pulling me closer.

Sinclair just watched us unable to move. He wasn't the only one stunned. Alaric guided me to the middle of the room and then raised his glass.

The entire hall went silent.

"Thanks for coming tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the reason for our celebration tonight." He chimed then gazed down at me with the sweetest smile.

"Meet my wife, Cassandra Von Duvall, the newest member of the Von Duvall family "My heart started to thud. Everyone's eyes were on me. What was going on?

A sharp voice cut through the tension. Sinclair rushed towards me, then grabbed my arm. "What do you mean by your wife? You can't marry my fiancé, uncle. Cassandra is mine."

Wait, they were truly related!!!

CASSANDRA'S POV

I was left dumbfounded.

My brain was still processing the fact that Alaric had announced me as his wife I could not even process the fact that he was Sinclair's uncle

I stared blankly at the man who was supposed to be my ex-uncle and found it hard to believe. He looked just a few years older than Sinclair, I had no idea until today that Sinclair had such a young uncle.

Several questions started to race in my mind, if Alaric knew I was engaged to Sinclair. Did he have any secret intention because I found everything fishy?

A low voice echoed next to my ears giving goosebumps. Alaric's eyes were locked on Sinclair's grip. "Better play along." He warned me. It felt more like a threat.

Alaric's grip on my waist grew tighter.

Shivers ran through my spine, it felt like he wanted to rip out his hand. "Your fiancé?" Alaric asked, his unwavering gaze still on Sinclair's arm with a look that could kill.

Sinclair gritted his teeth so tight his jaw could snap. "Cassandra is my fiancée. I don't know which games you are playing but it has to stop."

His words made me smile. It was completely ridiculous Sinclair was bravely claiming me after what he did. "Games?" Alaric asked, still unfazed.

"If there is anyone playing games, it should be you. My wife is clearly not engaged to you." He stated, "Your engagement went up in flames the same as the dress." Alaric added, and snatched my hand from Sinclair's grip.

His hands held me protectively. "I won't accept any slander, Nephew ", he said in a deliberate, condescending tone.

My head was still spinning. The lights around me blurred into vague shapes as my mind tried to catch up with the madness unravelling before my eyes.

Wife?

Did he really just call me that again?

Everyone's eyes were on us, reporters snapping photos, whispers spreading like wildfire through the crowd. My palms grew clammy, and my heartbeat roared in my ears.

"What is going on?" I whispered loud enough for him to hear, backing away slightly, but Alaric's grip on my waist didn't loosen.

"You will find out soon." Those words reached my ears before Sinclair grew more anxious. From the corners of my eyes, I could see my parents and Aurelia coming towards us with a ghostly appearance.

They didn't look any less pale than Sinclair's parents, who watched the scene with their mouths wide open.

This was a scandal, the reporters couldn't get enough. The bride who cancelled her wedding at the dying minute married the groom's uncle.

Only God knew the kind of story they were cooking.

Sinclair looked like he was about to explode. "Cassandra, tell him the truth! You don't even know him!" he snapped, his hand reaching for me again.

Alaric's arm moved before I could react, pushing Sinclair's hand away with a quiet, deadly strength that made the air freeze. "Touch her again," Alaric said, voice low and venomous, "and I'll make sure you lose that hand."

Gasps erupted around us. Finally, Sinclair's mother spoke up. "What do you mean by you're married??"

"How can you get married to your nephew's fiancée??" She barked pointing at our nose. Acting like I was the vile girl who betrayed Sinclair.

"How dare you do something so shameless?!" My hands clenched as I glared at them.

"Shameless?" I scoffed, finally gaining my bearings. Alaric smiled. This was what he wanted: a show.

It was fine. I will give them a show. "So I am the shameless one," I added and his mother's face had changed. There wasn't the faintest glimpse of guilt on my face as she expected.

"Who gave you the right to speak after what you just did? You both have humiliated the Von Duvall name." She said self-righteously. Alaric didn't say a thing. He already created the stage for me and I was willingly going to take the lead.

An eerie laugh rang through the hall. "If anyone humiliated the Von Duvall name it is your precious son. Why don't you ask Sinclair what he was doing with Aurelia on our wedding eve?"

Gasping erupted, panic ran through Sinclair's eyes for a moment. Anyone with a brain would understand what I meant. Whispers were already flying around the room.

Aurelia burst into tears; her expression was the pitiful, flawless white lotus. "What are you trying to do Cassandra?" She cried, acting like I caused her a heavy injustice.

"You were the one who was caught dancing with a stranger online, and you want to turn the blame to Sinclair and me." She perfectly spun the story. Fingers started to dig into my palm as realisation hit me

I had no evidence of their affair, and from the looks of things, I was the one who betrayed Sinclair. Aurelia wasn't done with her act. Her make-up was ruined by her tears.

"I always saw you as my big sister but you want to frame me and ruin this family. Sinclair deserves better than you." She added crying louder. Her act made Sinclair's mum's heart soften.

She pulled Aurelia into a hug to comfort. "No need to cry dear. I don't know what Sinclair saw in her but you have always been the best choice." She said with contempt.

Aurelia was still crying but there was a look in her eyes when she glanced at me. Smug victory. Aurelia shook her head, then glanced at our parents, then at me. She was holding Sinclair's mum's hand.

She sniffed, "Don't say that, Aunty. Sinclair loves my sister and I will never come between them. I don't know what happened to Cassie but we can resolve this issue." She said acting like the peacemaker

Mum, who had been standing by the side with a pale expression, finally spoke. Her voice was shaky. "Please, Cassandra. Enough of the games and apologise to Sinclair..."

"After the drama on the wedding morning, he was nice enough not to cut off our family. We still owe them a lot. Maybe if you apologise, he will forgive you." She said fanning Sinclair's ego

His expression grew more smug, the entire time. Alaric watched with an amused expression as if he were watching a circus performance.

"He still loves you." She finally stated. Mum tried to reach out for my hand and I avoided her touch.

"Yes, Cassie, we can't throw away all those years. Don't let my uncle fool you." Sinclair added. Public opinion changed, and I was the villain

The venomous woman who brought disgrace to him while Sinclair was the saint ready to forgive me.

My eyes turned sharp. Fine if they made me the villain then I would play the role.

"Why would I apologise to him when he was the one who betrayed me?" I asked, leaving them dumbfounded. Sinclair's expression faltered

The most infuriating part was the fact that he refused to accept he was cheating till now. I didn't let them have their say. I turned to Alaric with a victorious smile. He returned the smile. The flash of his dimples made my heart race

He was truly good-looking, better than I remembered.

"You all heard my husband," I said on my tiptoes. Alaric bent over his arm on his face, pulled me closer, and our lips met and our tongues entangled in a passionate kiss before them.

It was short but breathless enough to send the message. Leaning against his firm chest I glanced at Sinclair. His face was ashen. "I don't need your forgiveness. When I burnt the dress I sent a straight message..."

"There is nothing between us again. I am already Mrs Von Duvall." I declared enjoying the show. Sinclair looked like he had lost his gaze.

"Don't waste your words on them, darling. Tonight is to celebrate you." Alaric added sweetly, still holding me, ignoring Sinclair's heated gaze.

Sinclair's mother could not accept it. It was an insult to her family. Her face had changed various shades before she lunged at us. Her hand was ready to slap me

"You shameless vixen." She snapped rushing forward. Everything happened in a blur. Alaric quickly pulled me behind him to shield me. He grabbed her wrist, stopping her in time.

"Don't you dare touch my wife." His voice thundered.

His voice shook the hall. Chaos unravelled as reporters pushed forward to capture the scene. Sinclair's mother froze, eyes wide in shock, while Sinclair shouted something I couldn't make out.

My heart pounded so fast it hurt I couldn't grasp a breath. The lights were blinding, the noise deafening, voices clashing, cameras flashing.

"Cassie..." Mum's voice broke through the chaos.

Alaric turned sharply toward me. "Cassandra?"

I tried to answer, but my vision blurred. The world tilted. I swayed forward, my knees buckling before I could stop myself.

"Cassandra!" Sinclair's shout was the last thing I heard before everything shattered into a blurry mess.

Strong hands caught me just in time, trembling as he pulled me into his arms. "Call an ambulance!" he barked, his voice distant and hollow.

Everything collided before it all went dark