Chapter 4

But I couldn't believe it was all an act when I saw Cassian's jaw tighten in annoyance. I couldn't meet his angry gaze.

"Did you plan to embarrass me in front of everyone like I did to you?" he whispered in my ear.

I hadn't expected Cassian to try to humiliate me in front of the guests. That's why he had been late. I felt humiliated.

"That's not what I was trying to do, believe me," I replied. His gaze felt like daggers, ready to cut me down.

"Why did my father agree to this marriage? What did you do?" he demanded, his anger palpable.

I tried to act normal in front of the guests, until Cassian and I got into the black limousine. I was filled with dread. His anger was clear.

"Darn it!" he cursed.

I stayed silent. I was scared of him. He was so angry. I stared out the window of the limousine, my heart pounding with anxiety.

After a few hours of driving, we arrived at our destination. I was in awe of the massive house.

"Is this your house?" I asked, unable to believe my eyes.

Cassian didn't answer. I felt a twinge of annoyance at his silence.

I decided to stay quiet. We were greeted by a number of staff. They welcomed us with smiles, which felt nice after the tiring journey.

"Hello, Mrs. Smith, I'm Celestina, the butler."

I smiled back at her. "Nice to meet you, Celestina."

"The pleasure is mine, ma'am."

"Celestina, please show her to her private room," Cassian ordered, his voice authoritative.

Looking around, I could see the fear in the eyes of the household staff. It was clear that they were afraid of upsetting Cassian, whose temper was infamous.

Celestina led me to my room, and I was grateful for her company. The day had been long and tiring, and I needed some rest. As we walked down the hall, I couldn't help but notice the grandeur of the surroundings. The detailed tapestries on the walls, the plush carpets under our feet, and the ornate chandeliers overhead all spoke of a life of luxury.

When we reached my room, Celestina opened the door and ushered me in. The room was as lavish as the rest of the house, with a large four-poster bed and a grand fireplace. As I sank into the soft mattress, I felt a sense of gratitude. Despite Cassian's temper, I knew I was fortunate to be living in such comfort.

"Thank you," I said to Celestina.

"My pleasure, madam," she replied with a smile.

I decided to lie down on the king-sized bed. I closed my eyes and before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.

When I woke up, I felt refreshed and ready to face whatever the day had in store. I stretched, feeling the tension in my muscles ease. Looking around the room, I was struck by its luxury. The walls were painted a soft blue, the curtains had intricate designs, and the furniture was made of polished wood.

I got out of bed and walked over to the window. Pulling back the curtains, I let in the sunlight. The view was of a beautiful garden full of vibrant flowers. It was a breathtaking sight that left me in awe.

Just as I was about to leave the room, Celestina came in with a tray of breakfast. She set it down on a table by the window and asked if I needed anything else. Her kindness was touching.

I thanked her and sat down to eat, appreciating this moment of calm amidst the recent chaos.

I found myself wondering if Cassian was awake yet. I wasn't sure what my life would be like with him, but I knew I had to do whatever it took for my sick mother. I decided to talk to Cassian later, hoping he would agree to let my mom stay here.

After breakfast, I left my room to wash the dishes. But before I could reach the kitchen, I heard Cassian's raised voice. Curious, I decided to see what was happening.

In the living room, I found him talking to one of his employees, who was bowing and apologizing.

"Cassian, he's apologized. Can't you forgive him?" I asked gently.

"Who are you to interfere? You have no right to question my decisions. Understand?" His words were harsh, and I felt a wave of fear and embarrassment.

"Do you think you can help me?" he snapped, his eyes full of anger.

The tension was palpable, and I struggled to keep my composure. Despite his intimidating demeanor, I knew I needed to try to help him.

"I'll do my best," I said, trying to sound confident.

"Your best? That's not good enough. If you want to help me, you need to be better than your best," he retorted.

"Okay," I responded, swallowing hard. "I'll be better than my best."

Cassian studied me for a moment, his gaze intense. I met his eyes, refusing to back down.

After a few tense seconds, he finally broke the silence. "Well, I should probably get going," he said, turning to leave.

As he walked away, I let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding. His presence was intense, and it left me feeling a little shaken. But I was determined not to let him see that.

"Is everything alright, ma'am?" Celestina asked, appearing by my side.

I gave her a small smile. "Yes, everything's fine. Thank you, Celestina."

She nodded, looking relieved, and went back to her duties. I took a moment to gather my thoughts before heading back to my room. I needed to prepare myself for the conversation I was going to have with Cassian about my mother.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I thought about how to approach the subject. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but it was necessary. After a while, I decided it was best to be direct and honest.

With a newfound resolve, I got up and made my way towards Cassian's office. I knocked lightly on the door and waited for his response.

"Come in," he said, his voice sounding less harsh than before.

I took a deep breath and opened the door. "Cassian, we need to talk," I said, stepping into the room.

He looked up from his paperwork, his expression unreadable. "About what?" he asked, leaning back in his chair.

"About my mother," I replied, meeting his gaze. "I think she should come to live here with us."

His eyebrows furrowed slightly, but he didn't say anything. I took that as a sign to continue.

"She's sick, Cassian. And she needs to be in a place where she can be properly taken care of. I believe this house, with all its facilities, would be the best place for her."

There was a long silence as Cassian considered my words. I waited, hoping he would understand and agree to my request.