LOGIN(Trigger warning: this book has some elements of dark romance with an unhinged ML) "Would you give me your surname or better take mine then? Will you be the lucky man?" I blurted out having no idea of what I was saying. My head was already in the clouds and blinded by his smile. It calmed the storm in my mind. He laughed. Those dark abysses were truly alluring when they sparkled. His fingers grazed my cheeks, wiping off my tears, before cupping them in his callous palms. "If you love my surname so much." A foolish smile graced my lips, oblivious of the fact that he wasn't joking. "You can't back down now, hubby. You just got a wife." I thought I lost everything when I walked away from Sinclair. I never imagined I’d end up as Alaric Von Duvall’s wife. ******* Her life was written in stone. A perfect life one she always dreamt of. Everything Cassandra wanted was within reach until one night revealed the love she'd trusted was a lie. Betrayal and deceit from those she trusted the most made every belief she had crash down. What she didn’t expect was to stumble into a stranger's arms, into his bed and wake up married. Alaric gave her what she thought she wanted; now she can't take it back. One reckless mistake became a wedding vow. Now she’s trapped inside Alaric’s empire of lies. Married to a stranger who knows more than he’s letting on He’s dangerous. He’s charming. And in front of everyone, he claimed her as his . Caught between Sinclair’s obsession, Alaric’s shadowy intentions, and her family’s betrayal, Cassandra doesn’t know if this marriage will be her downfall… or her salvation.
View MoreCassandra's POV
The music was blasting from the speaker. The DJ was definitely killing it with how buzzing the night was. My eyes darted around the floor as I wandered into the club God, I was nervous. My finger was twirling my hair while I forced a smile on my face, the awkward type, with my teeth feeling off. "Come on Cassie, try to cheer up." Aurelia cheered me, chuckling between her words. Her smile was infectious and would normally get me to relax but not tonight. My nerves couldn't relax. "I'm trying, sis, but what if something happens?" I whined, voicing my fears to my younger sister, Aurelia. Her smile faltered for a second. Aurelia's sharp hazel eyes narrowed at me. "Are you worried about Sinclair?" She asked with a pout. My lips parted then closed. She got the exact reason. Aurelia sighed then grabbed my hand. "Geez, Cassie, you've got to relax. Nothing will happen to Sinclair and you will have the perfect wedding tomorrow." She started pulling further into the club. Her words didn't completely ease my worries. How could I relax knowing Sinclair was having his bachelor's party with his crazy friends? I pulled away from Aurelia causing her to spin around. Her frown deepened. "What if he drinks too much and misses the wedding?" I whined. I didn't like the idea of his bachelor's party and was against it. His friends complained and called me controlling, which wasn't the case. The problem was that those bad influences Sinclair kept as friends. . Aurelia groaned, probably getting tired of my whinings. She held her face forcing me to look straight into her eyes. "Nothing will happen. Just have fun because this is the last chance you will get. Your friends are already waiting, don't ruin the night, Cass." As if on cue, a familiar pitchy voice called from the side. "Cassie, you are here." The voice chimed, her hand yanking me from Aurelia. "Stop standing around, it's time to party." My best friend Rebecca screamed excitedly pulling me away to our table. Tonight was my last night being single, and the girls had planned a lot of stuff; unfortunately, I couldn't relax. Geez it was draining getting married. Rebecca pulled me to the reserved VIP table, filled with familiar faces. "The soon-to-be bride is here, girls. It's time to party." She announced. Aurelia grabbed my other hand, "It's time to get wild. "Her voice beamed. There was no escaping; their cheerful demeanour eventually got to me, and I finally relaxed following the flow. There was no need to worry even though Sinclair's friends were jerks he was a saint and pretty responsible We cheered and drank, having the best of the night. The DJ soon started playing some of my jams, which got me on my feet dancing with Rebecca acting as my personal hype. I stood out on the dance floor with my tiara and sash, reading bride to be which was quirky, but the girls had insisted. Song after song changed and the night was just starting. While singing out loud and dancing my fave ice spice song did it first, I caught sight of Aurelia sneaking off the dance fall to answer a call. I shrugged. She was an adult and I didn't need to be in her business. Time slowly went by and 30 minutes had gone by. " I need to take a break," I told Rebecca, feeling my feet go numb. "Sure, try resting, the Gigolos will be joining us soon." Rebecca winked at me and I almost choked on my spit. My eyes shot her a look saying. ' Why was I just finding out about this?' Rebecca chuckled then shoved to the table. I sat down and started watching the others having a good time but my nerves started acting up again. My fingers were twitching from habit. It wasn't because of Rebecca's tease, Aurelia was taking too long. My brows furrowed as my thoughts strayed, thinking of the worst possible situation, which made my stomach churn. What if she ran into some bad guys? Unable to sit still, I snuck off when Rebecca wasn't watching to find Aurelia. "Where am I going to start from?" I contemplated trying to weave my way through the crowd. The restrooms were closed and a bit quiet compared to out here. Aurelia might be there. After escaping the chaotic dance floor I found myself in a quieter hallway. The restroom was down the hall. I rushed down, not wishing to waste any time. "Of course, you have the cutest smile." A voice carrying a half-teasing, flirty tone drifted to my ears from a sharp turn on the left. My pace slowed down subconsciously, and I could feel my heartbeat slow down. An obvious frown played between my brows. That voice was so familiar it made me restless. No… I shook my head. That could not be the case, Sinclair was with his friends on the other side of the city. There was no way he could be here. Even if he came to this club, why didn't he inform me? I clutched my dress, my body urged me to charge forward. Just before I could turn, another familiar voice caught my attention. And just like cold water was poured on me my entire body froze. Her voice was soft and teasing. She giggled sweetly. "Even prettier than your fiancé." She asked My heart beat, which dropped earlier, spiked up immediately. The sound drumming in my earlier. No this can't be. Maybe it was just someone who had a similar voice. A part of me wanted to go back to the club and forget this. Maybe it was because I already knew whatever lies ahead would break me. My body acted on its own ignoring my mind and heart which could not bear it I forced a lump down my throat and peeked from the corner of the wall to confirm my doubt. "Can we not talk about her? In my eyes, you are the prettiest, if not because of Dad, I won't bother being with that screw." The male voice said his tone was contentious. "But you are still marrying her." Aurelia pouted. The scene before me left me struck. Just staring blankly, my heart racing so fast it felt like it would fall out. I should have screamed or cried. At least done something to let them notice my presence. My brain just froze and they didn't seem to notice me. His back was against me, he had Aurelia in his arms against the wall. His large frame shadowed her while his neck was crooked around her neck, kissing her skin slowly as if he was savouring the taste of her... I couldn't see his face but I was certain it was the man I was getting married to tomorrow. The same one I dated since freshman year. He was even wearing the same customised leather jacket I got for him on his last birthday. The words Cassie is my favourite sin were written on it. It was cheesy and his friend taunted him about it. He didn't care and loved wearing it. Sinclair von Duvall, my devoted fiancé, was secretly making out with my blood sister on our wedding eve. "I don't have much of a choice but to marry your boring sister..." He hissed, while his hand slowly lifted her gown crawling towards her panties She moaned, clinging to him. Her eyes drifted from Sinclair. A glimpse of fear crossed those eyes before it turned into a provocative smile. She saw me, instead of being scared she looked smug like she won. "You are so bad. Cassie might catch us, aren't you scared?" . He nibbled her ears, then trailed down his tongue behind his ears, drawing out a startled cry. Aurelia's eyes rolled shut, her fingers dug into her coat. Sinclair chuckled. "Even if she catches us there is nothing she can do." He sneered, his voice turned sharp. "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." My fingers twitched, and I could feel the subtle sting in my eyes. Was that how he saw me? Aurelia chuckled, happy at his reply. She tipped her toes, wrapping her hands over his shoulders to pull him in. Their lips smashed and she started kissing him hungrily. Sinclair moaned into her mouth, and he pushed her against the wall, kissing her back with the same intensity. Every nerve in me screamed to storm over and tear them apart, but my legs betrayed me. Maybe Sinclair was right ' Cassandra Sterling was a coward.' My vision blurred with tears I refused to shed. Then Sinclair’s voice cut through me like glass. “Let’s sneak out of here, I miss your cute moans.” That was the final straw. I ran away like a coward. My head was a complete mess. I couldn't run straight before I knew it, my heels broke In an instant, I lost balance. My phone flew from my hand, clattering on the floor with a loud notification sound echoing. I froze, breath caught in my throat, terror flooding meAlaric’s POVCassandra’s gaze froze on me, her eyes wide with shock at the sight of me, but it slowly went cold. My heart was racing from the run, but it still ached at the sight of her.Exhaustion was etched into my face, my eyes looked hollow, like someone barely holding on. Blood trickled from my hand where I had yanked at the IV line in desperation. Pain shot through my body at every movement, and my legs were barely holding up.Every instinct in me screamed, every nerve burned with panic and guilt.I couldn’t believe what had happened. One moment I had been collapsing from exhaustion, overworked and driven on caffeine, the next I was being sedated, only to have Nathan tell me that Cassandra had been admitted and our baby was in danger. Someone had poisoned her. The thought hit me like ice, and I barely registered anything else.I could vaguely hear Natasha’s voice screaming at me to stay in bed, or Nathan insisting I shouldn’t move, that my body was still weak. But I couldn’t sta
Cassandra’s POVFor a moment, I simply stared at the dark screen of my phone, unable to process what had just happened. Natasha had hung up on me.The words she said replayed in my mind like a cruel echo. Alaric is currently busy. My fingers tightened around the phone until my knuckles turned white. A surge of anger rushed through my chest.Busy? My baby might be dying and he was busy. Busy with what, and why was she with his phone? Everything I was scared of started to weigh down on me.My hands trembled violently as I dialled his number again. The call did not even ring this time. Instead, a cold electronic voice filled my ear."The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please try again later."For a second, I thought I had misheard it. My heart slammed painfully against my ribs as I pulled the phone away and stared at the screen. The phone was switched off.A wave of disbelief washed over me. Natasha hung up his phone. What right did she have? My head began to sp
Cassandra’s POVBy the time I arrived at the resort later that morning, the entire place had transformed into a winter wonderland.Christmas decorations filled every corner of the property. Strings of lights hung across the pathways, and large artificial snow displays had been placed near the main filming area.Excited chatter filled the air as staff members rushed around preparing for the finale.Viewers had been voting throughout the week, and the results would be announced during the final broadcast that night.Since it was a Christmas special, the participants were scheduled to take part in several festive games and activities throughout the day. My favourite segment was the opening event.A Christmas themed photoshoot. The images would later be turned into holiday greeting cards for the resort’s promotional campaign.Cameras had already been positioned across the set while the celebrities prepared in their colourful outfits.Theodore stood near the monitors, watching the camera a
Cassandra’s POVAlaric did not return that night.I tried to fall asleep again, but it was impossible. My mind kept wandering back to the message Natasha had sent me and the picture that came with it. No matter how many times I told myself it meant nothing, the image kept replaying in my head.The following days passed quietly, yet something felt wrong. I barely saw Alaric.Gregory mentioned that there was an urgent situation at the company that required Alaric’s attention, so he had been working late almost every night. At first, I accepted the explanation without questioning it. After all, the company had always been important to him.Still, something about the situation felt different. Alaric slowly became like a ghost in the house.Sometimes he returned home long after midnight. Other nights he did not return at all. The rare moments I saw him were brief and fleeting. He always looked exhausted, with dark circles beneath his eyes and tension etched across his face.Each time I con
CASSANDRA'S POV The drive from the gate to the mansion took longer than I expected. It felt like we were ascending a hill. The closer we approached the mansion the larger it seemed. The car came to a stop in front of the main entrance, and the door was pulled open by the chauffeur. Ala
CASSANDRA'S POV My stomach still felt weird after I threw up. The mourning pills Rebecca prescribed weren't working to ease my mourning sickness. I pouted, finding this baby troublesome. I opened the door and I paused, struck by the cute scene before me.. A soft meow echoed in the hall
CASSANDRA’S POVI could hear incoherent words in the background that made my head throb with a headache. A faint hiss escaped my lips, my eyes squinted before I stirred awake blinded by the bright lights. For a moment, I couldn’t tell where I was. The bright white ceiling above and the strong sce
CASSANDRA'S POV The realisation that the child could be either man's own didn't make the situation any less complicated than it already was. Oh shit. I fucked up big time. What was I thinking that night? I could not remember anything from the night I supposedly got married












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