Chapter Four – The Family Gathering

2weeks later

The smell of butter and sugar danced around the kitchen.

Cassia set the basket of warm muffins on the counter and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. 

“Mama, pwease can I lick the spoon?” Elara padded in, her soft brown curls bouncing as she walked. She was dragging her stuffed rabbit by the ear.

Cassia smiled at her daughter who was a replica of her. “Yes sweetie, but only because you asked nicely.”

Cassia was in her softest apron which Elara had scribbled on with markers. She was thinking about being a wife again, and a mother. 

Elara licked the spoon dramatically and giggled. “Daddy won’t eat muffins. He says bread makes him fat.”

Cassia winced but kept her smile. She had a notion Dorian was indirectly trying to spite her because of her body size. “Daddy says a lot of silly things.”

The sound of a door closing carried through the house. “Cassia, where are you?”

It was Dorian. He walked into the kitchen wearing a smile on his face. He was already dressed for work. His blond hair was slicked back as nearly as usual.

“In the kitchen,” she called, smoothing her apron.

“You baked,” he said, looking at the muffins as if they were irrelevant. “Again?” Then he looked at her with an irritated look on his face.

“Yes.” She lifted the basket, choosing to ignore the look. “I thought we could have some for breakfast.”

He kissed Elara’s head but didn’t touch Cassia. He never did anymore. Instead, he poured himself a drink from the bar cart in the corner. “I have news,” he announced.

Cassia braced herself. Work, again. It was always work. “Another case?” she asked softly. Her husband was an influential lawyer who worked for celebrities. It was why they were so rich.

And he was good at his job too. Cassia bit her lower lip, wishing now that she had not quit her job as a chef a year ago. 

“No..this is family business.” He stared at the muffins like it would bite him. “My half-brother is back. He’s decided to crawl out of whatever hole he’s been hiding in.”

Cassia’s hand tightened on the basket. “Half-brother?” she had no idea he had a brother.

Dorian was the only child of his parents. He'd never told her he had a half brother, until now and it made her wonder what other secrets he's been keeping.

“Kael Vale…” Dorian swallowed his drink, and winced. “He’s inherited a share of father's estate, which means he’ll be living here. In the guest wing.” 

The basket slipped and some muffins fell out. “Here? He's moving here? And you didn't think to tell me earlier?” Cassia asked. She felt betrayed.

Dorian frowned at her reaction. “Yes. Annoying, isn’t it? But legally I can’t stop him.” He set the glass down hard. “The bastard will claim what isn’t his, as he always does, besides I didn't think you needed to know. What's the point? There's nothing you can do about it anyway.”

Cassia bent quickly to pick up the muffins, but her hands shook so badly she dropped one twice. She was furious with Dorian. 

“When is he coming?” She asked.

“This evening.” Dorian answered. Cassia's head whipped up to his face. 

“What the f–” she held herself back. “Dorian?! Why didn't you tell me all these earlier. I…I can't, there's no time to prepare.” She stammered angrily over her words.

“Can you calm down? It's not as bad as you're making it seem. He's part owner of this estate, you know.”

Cassia nodded. “I understand that but how would you feel if my family turned up out of the blues?” 

Dorian scoffed. “Don't be silly darling. Your parents are dead and you're the only child? What family?” 

Cassia made a strangled noise as her heart twisted painfully. She could not believe her ears. What happened to her sweet Dorian?

“Mama?” Elara crouched to help, her little fingers sticky from the spoon. “Are you crying?”

Cassia blinked, and shook her head. “I’m not, sweetheart. The muffins just slipped.”

Dorian didn’t notice. He was pacing now, muttering something about contracts and lawyers. 

Cassia looked up at him, and for the first time in her married life, she felt disgust.

****

That evening, Cassia dressed carefully. She had cleaned the house thoroughly and cooked, but she was still nervous.

And still annoyed at Dorian who had gone to pick him up from the airport.

She smoothed the soft blue dress over her hips three times before leaving the mirror. She busied herself with setting the table, while Elara played with her rabbit.

“Mummy…” Elara called out, bringing Cassia's attention to the table napkin that was yet to be folded.

“Thank you sweetie.” She folded the napkin just as the doorbell rang.

“Daddy!” Elara squealed and padded down the hall to the door before Cassia could stop her.

Cassia cleaned her hands on the kitchen napkin and sighed. She heard Dorian's voice. “Meet your uncle, Elara.” She made her way to the sitting room.

Then she heard Elara’s delighted voice.“Hi uncle!”

Then she heard a deeper one, that had a French accent. “Oui, petite. I am.” He was talking to Elara, and his back was turned to her as he bent to hand her a small wrapped box.

“Oh, Kael, meet my wife.” Dorian said as she entered the room.

When he turned and straightened, the air left Cassia's lungs. Fuck no! 

The man in front of her was wearing a black suit that fit him perfectly and he had a pale slash against his tanned skin. Just like the man from Miami.

His name was Kael and he was her husband's half brother. His face brightened when he saw her, and she felt the room suddenly tilt and her stomach twisted painfully. She wanted to run away, to confess to Dorian and to fall into Kael all at once.

But Dorian was right there, pouring wine.

“Cassia, this is Kael,” Dorian said briskly, adjusting his cufflinks. “My charming half-brother.”

Cassia’s lips parted, but no sound came out.

“Madame Vale.” Kael greeted her, extending his hand. The accent was thick, just like she remembered. 

Cassia forced herself forward and their palms met. Once again, she was taken back to Miami, to his fingers inside her.

She coughed and drew back her hand.

“Are you alright?” Dorian asked her.

She nodded. Kael reached for her hand again, and she let him. “Madame, nice to meet you.” He brushed his lips over her knuckles and her legs felt weak.

His lips slid lower, to the soft skin of her palm, and Cassia couldn't breathe. Was he insane? In front of Dorian, but thankfully, Dorian was busy with the drinks at the bar.

Kael leaned closer, his stubble brushing her cheek, he whispered so only she could hear.

“You didn’t tell me you were married, mon ange,” his breath fanned her ear. “But it won’t stop me.”

Cassia’s knees threatened to give.