LOGINHailey stepped out and headed toward the parking lot, her gaze scanning the area. She noticed the guards were different from usual, causing her to frown. Pulling out her phone, she quickly dialed Cassian.
“You changed the guards?” she asked her tone a mix of surprise and frustration.
“Yep,” Cassian replied casually.
Hailey sighed, realizing why he’d made the change. “I was the one who went out; it wasn’t their fault,” she sa
"So, shall we celebrate your wedding?" Caleb asked with a pouty face. "I know our family isn't here, but at least I can get to eat some cake."Cassian smiled and turned to Hailey. "Want to go out and celebrate?"Hailey shook her head gently. "No, not today. Should we order something or should I make it?"Before Cassian could answer, Alex chimed in, "No way, today we're ordering. You cook every day, Sweetie. Let someone else do the work.""Okie," Hailey chuckled and grabbed her phone to place the order. "Food and cake will be here in an hour," she said after finishing the call. She stood up. "I'll head to the kitchen to grab a few things."As she left, Caleb turned to Cassian. "By the way, Mom was asking how Hailey reacted when she woke up. I told her everything. She said we should go with the flow and keep things light. If getting her to a therapist isn't possible yet, she suggested starting some physical training soon to help her stabilize."
Cassian met her gaze for a moment, then sighed deeply, as if collecting his thoughts. He slowly moved off from above her, and Hailey sat up on the bed, waiting for his answer."To be honest," he began, his tone soft but reflective, "I was blank. Everything happened so fast, it felt overwhelming. But in the end, I realized that this was bound to happen one day. And when I saw your happy, twinkling eyes... it hit me that your happiness matters more to me than anything else." His words were sincere, carrying a weight of care and understanding.Hailey bit her lip and lowered her head slightly. "And what about you?" she asked in a quiet voice, unsure of what he truly felt about the sudden marriage.Cassian leaned closer, tilting her chin up gently so their eyes met again. "I have everything, Rose," he whispered. "And the most important thing? I have you. Now, I can proudly tell the world that this beautiful Rose is mine, and only mine." He cupped her face tenderly, h
"She's finally asleep," Caleb whispered dramatically, leaning back into the couch with a relieved sigh. The family call had ended, and the trio sat in the hall, now enveloped in a peaceful silence. Hailey had unknowingly fallen asleep with her head on Cassian's shoulder, exhaustion finally taking over.Cassian sat quietly, carefully supporting her, not wanting to move and risk waking her. For a moment, the room was calm.Then Caleb, biting his lip as if struggling to contain something, glanced at Alex. His eyes twinkled mischievously, and after a second, he couldn't hold it in any longer. "I know it was all serious and everything, but let's be real here," Caleb said, his voice low but full of mischief. "The Great Cassian Holt feared Mafia ruler, forced into marriage by love. Man, this will go down in history... written in Golden Words!"He burst into laughter, completely losing his composure. Alex joined him almost immediately, trying to stifle his snickers but
Inside the room:-Hailey blinked, groggy but already on edge, her breathing quickening as she sat up in the bed. Her eyes darted around, searching for something—or someone."Cassian?" she called, her voice laced with panic. Her hands clenched the sheets as if she was bracing herself for the worst.Cassian, Caleb, and Alex moved swiftly back into the room after hearing her voice. Cassian quickly stepped forward, kneeling beside the bed. "I'm right here, Rose," he said softly, reaching for her hand. But her panic didn't subside."You... you left me," Hailey stammered, tears welling up in her eyes. "I knew it. You left. I saw it—I saw you walk away.""No, I didn't leave you, Rose. I'm right here," Cassian said urgently, pulling her into his arms as she trembled. "I'm not going anywhere. You need to believe that."Hailey's body was tense, her thoughts spiraling. "But the marriage... you didn't marry me. I'm not safe.
Cassian, Caleb, and Alex quietly exited the room after ensuring Hailey had fallen back asleep. As they reached the hall, their tension was palpable."What just happened?" Caleb asked, still reeling from the shock of the scene they had witnessed.Cassian, who had been silently contemplating the situation, turned to Caleb and said, "Call Aunt Sophia."Caleb frowned, confused for a moment. "Mom?" he asked. Sophia Grant, Caleb's mother, was a renowned psychiatrist, and though she often helped his father, Henry, with their business, she had an extensive background in mental health.Cassian nodded firmly, and Caleb, realizing the urgency, immediately dialed his mother's number, putting the call on speaker. After a few rings, a familiar sarcastic voice filled the room."How come my brat decided to call me today at this hour of night?" Sophia quipped on the other end of the line.Caleb sheepishly responded, "Mom, uh, I'll come soon. For now, I'm cal
The room was dimly lit, filled with an ethereal ambiance as soft music played in the background. Hailey and Cassian stood facing each other, both wearing elegant masks that obscured their identities yet enhanced the mystique of the evening. The moment was charged with sensual energy, their bodies swaying in perfect harmony as they danced together, lost in their world.Hailey felt the warmth radiating from Cassian as he drew her closer, their bodies brushing against one another. He moved with a confident grace, leading her effortlessly across the floor. The mask over his eyes gave him an enigmatic allure, and Hailey couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement coursing through her veins.As the music swelled, Cassian leaned in, his lips just grazing her ear. "You're beautiful tonight," he whispered, his breath sending a shiver down her spine. In response, Hailey leaned into him, losing herself in the moment, her heart racing in time with the music.In a slow, into
"Rose," Cassian called her softly. Hailey, brushing her hair, turned around to look at him. They had just come upstairs after spending some time with Alex."So, what were you saying downstairs regarding our engagement?" Cassian asked with a raised eyebrow, his voice curious yet firm.
Without warning, Cassian's lips crashed onto hers with a rough, aggressive force. The kiss was wild, driven by a mix of possessiveness and desperation. He held her face in his hands, his grip firm but not painful, as if he were trying to imprint his claim on her with every touch. His tongue explo
"Alex, we're leaving," Cassian said into the phone before hanging up and dragging Hailey out of the café. Hailey stayed silent, noticing his tense expression.Cassian's mind was flooded with Evan's taunting words, and then Zuri's voice echoed in his head: "Do you think she'll stay with you forever?
They stepped out of the skating rink, their faces flushed from the excitement and laughter. Hailey, still giggling from her last tumble, held onto Cassian's arm for support. They walked over to the counter to return their skates."You both looked amazing," came Lucas's voice. Hailey and Ca







