The Day Her Heart Shattered Again

11AM

The room was dimly lit. Rain tapped against the windowpane in a rhythmic whisper. A figure sat curled on the couch, shivering.

“Here.”

Caspian draped a blanket over her. Jenny pulled it tight around her, a small smile curling her lips as he settled into the chair opposite her, arms folded.

“What were you doing in the rain?” he asked. “Why’d you show up at my house this late?”

Jenny sniffled. “I had business nearby. I didn’t know it’d rain... I had nowhere else to go.”

Caspian sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“Why don’t you start behaving like a lady? What kind of woman wanders around at night alone?”

“Hey,” she whined, pouting. “I’m gonna catch a cold. Quit yelling at me.”

He stood, walked over, and flicked her forehead.

“Ow!” she winced.

He chuckled and walked off, returning shortly with a shirt. “Go change before you freeze completely.”

Jenny glared at him but took the shirt and disappeared into the bathroom.

When she returned, Caspian froze.

She looked beautiful. His shirt clung to her damp skin in places, the sleeves hanging loosely at her elbows. She met his gaze, and he cleared his throat, quickly standing.

“You look good in my shirt,” he said, ruffling her hair before she could speak. “But you’re too short.” Then he darted into the bathroom.

“That brat,” she muttered. It wasn’t her first night here, but it was the first time she wore something of his. She looked down at the shirt—it hung past her thighs—and smiled.

She had been harboring a secret crush on him for what felt like forever. Her heart skipped every time she saw him. She always found a reason to be near him—just like tonight.

She hated seeing him with other girls. Any other girl—except Marianna. But she kept her feelings locked up, too afraid of rejection.

What if he didn’t feel the same? What if he thought she was just a silly little girl?

She wished she could tell him. But for now, it remained a secret.

She wandered into the kitchen and opened the fridge. Beers. Bottled water. That was it.

“Does he even eat?” she scoffed. “No wonder he’s so skinny.”

Just then, Caspian’s phone began to ring. Curious, she picked it up. An unknown number. Without thinking, she tapped the green icon.

“Hello, babe. Damn, I missed you. Not even a call since morning.”

A woman’s voice. Sweet. Familiar.

Jenny’s breath hitched. Her eyes welled.

“Babe? Baby?” The voice kept calling.

Caspian emerged from the bathroom, towel around his neck. His eyes went wide when he saw the phone in her hand. He rushed over, snatching it from her.

Jenny turned her back immediately, wiping her tears before he could see.

“Yeah... hello?” Caspian said into the phone.

Jenny bit her lip, heart pounding, listening to the brief call.

“Alright. Goodnight. Take care,” he said, hanging up.

He looked at Jenny, who had composed her face.

“Sorry,” she said quietly. “I didn’t mean to... I just thought—”

“It’s fine,” he cut in flatly. “I’m going to bed. You need anything?”

She shook her head.

“Wanna sleep together?” he asked casually.

It had become a habit—sharing a bed, talking until they fell asleep.

But tonight...

“No. I’ll sleep in the guest room,” she said, turning away quickly.

Caspian blinked, confused as he watched her disappear down the hall.

“Is she on her period?” he muttered with a chuckle, walking into his room.

---

The breeze parted the curtains, and a ray of sunlight kissed Anna’s cheek.

She groaned softly and rolled to her side. Her eyes fluttered open—and the scent hit her first. Musky, sharp, unmistakably Alessandro.

She sat up abruptly, heart pounding.

The room screamed of him—artwork, scent, and expensive furniture. She was in his room. And she was wearing his shirt.

Face flushed, she buried her face in her hands.

Did he…? Did I…?

A soft knock on the door interrupted her spiraling thoughts.

A young woman stepped in—someone she didn’t recognize.

“Good morning, ma’am. Sir requests you join him for breakfast,” the maid said politely.

Anna hesitated.

“He’s alone,” the maid added gently. “You don’t have to worry about being seen. I’ll escort you.”

They walked silently to the dining hall. The maid opened the door and gestured for her to enter.

Anna stepped inside. Her eyes were still adjusting when she saw him.

Alessandro.

Seated like royalty, cigarette in hand, scrolling through his phone. His presence was magnetic. Intimidating.

Why is he smoking this early? Doesn’t he care about his lungs?

“Sit,” he commanded, not even glancing at her.

Anna sat across from him, trembling. She rubbed her palms together beneath the table, trying to steady her breath.

“Eat,” he ordered coldly.

Her eyes flicked to the lavish breakfast spread. Her stomach churned. She recognized her favorite—spaghetti.

But her hands trembled too much to serve herself properly.

He noticed.

Without a word, he slid the plate of spaghetti toward her, then stubbed out his cigarette and finally looked at her.

“You always tremble like this? Even with your little toy?” he asked, voice low.

“I—”

“What’s your problem?” he snapped, voice rising. “Do you even know the trouble you’ve caused me?”

Her breath caught.

He slid his phone toward her. On the screen: a photograph.

She and Leonardo in the rain.

Another, of her getting into a cab.

The headline burned:

“CAUGHT IN THE ACT. ALESSANDRO ESPOSITO’S BRIDE BUSTED WITH A MYSTERY MAN.”

Her face drained of color.

“Do you know how powerful the Esposito family is?” he said quietly, voice laced with warning. “There’s always someone watching. Always. If we hadn’t taken this down quickly... you’d never be able to show your face again.”

She wanted to disappear.

“I didn’t punish the guards because they lost you,” he continued. “I punished them because they failed to stop this from happening.”

She was sweating, though the room was cold.

Alessandro’s gaze pinned her to her seat. “I don’t take kindly to disobedience.”

Tears filled Anna’s eyes. Guilt clawed at her throat.

She had been selfish. Reckless.

This man—he wasn’t just a brute. He saved her father. He protected her. Gave her everything she never thought she’d have.

And she kept hurting him.

He stood, slow and deliberate, then came to stand behind her. He bent close, his breath warm on her neck.

“I said it before, kitten... and I’ll say it again.”

“This marriage will never work.”

She swallowed hard. His hand pressed lightly on her shoulder before he walked away.

He poured himself a glass of wine and sipped, eyes still locked on her.

“Let’s enjoy breakfast,” he said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Eat.”

Anna’s hand shook as she forced a bite into her mouth. It tasted like ash.

“I’ll fix this,” she whispered suddenly, placing her fork down. “I... I’ll break up with him.”

---

Anna stepped inside quietly. The door was ajar.

Leonardo didn’t see her. He had his back turned, smoking—something he never did.

He was on the phone, on speaker.

“You’re out of your mind,” a man’s voice said. “You think she’ll still love you if she finds out? You weren’t the one who saved her from that fire. Wake up, son.”

Anna froze. Her knees nearly buckled.

What...?

“Dad, I don’t care about any of that,” Leonardo snapped. “I love her. She’s mine. If I can’t have her... then no one will.”

Anna stared at him, heart breaking.

He lied to me. He said he had no one. Said I was all he had.

Leo turned—and went pale.

“A-Anna...” His voice cracked.

His cigarette slipped from his fingers.

She stood frozen in the doorway, red-rimmed eyes fixed on him, her heart breaking all over again.