All Chapters of FATED to SIN, BOUND by TIME: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Evelyn’s POVI opened the door and stepped inside, my head spinning slightly from the drinks I’d had earlier. My heels clicked against the floor as I paused in the entryway. I held my breath and silently began counting numbers in my head—one… two… three—waiting for Cassian to come downstairs like he always did whenever I came home late.But minutes passed. The house stayed quiet.I sighed, disappointment settling in my chest. He wasn’t around. That was unusual—Cassian was rarely out this late.I shook my head and started toward the stairs, ready to collapse into bed when the sound of laughter floated down the hall. Arielle’s laughter. Light, free, and loud enough that it startled me. I froze.That girl hardly ever laughed like that anymore. My curiosity piqued, I followed the sound to my office. Slowly, I pushed the door open.The sight made me pause.Cassian sat behind his desk, relaxed in his chair, and Arielle stood close beside him. On the table lay one of her books. She was smili

Arielle’s POV“What's wrong with you?” Raya asked, snapping me out of my daze as I turned to her, my eyes widened in awe. The sea breeze brushed against my skin, warm and crisp, carrying with it the sound of soft waves hitting the yacht’s gleaming hull. I was walking on the deck—an actual yacht deck—and for a moment, I couldn’t believe this was real.When Cassian said we’d be going on a weekend trip, I expected a simple getaway—maybe a lodge or a quiet cabin by the lake. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he meant a yacht.“Wow, this is really a—”“Private yacht,” Raya interrupted me, rolling her eyes and sounding far too unimpressed.“No,” I said quickly, shaking my head, “I was going to say it’s huge and amazing!”And it was. The yacht gleamed under the afternoon sun like something out of a movie—sleek, white, and perfectly polished. The deck was spacious, with lounge chairs arranged near a glass bar filled with fine liquor. A jacuzzi bubbled softly near the back, and upstairs,

Cassian’s POVI could see the doubt flicker in her eyes, and damn, it hurt more than I wanted to admit. The kind of hurt that crawled beneath my skin, burning slow and sharp.It wasn’t the first time someone had tried to drug me. I’d been there before—women who smiled too sweetly, laughed too loudly, then slipped something into my drink, hoping I’d lose control and fuck them stupid just so they could call themselves my fiancée. Pathetic.Luckily for me, my father’s paranoia came in handy. He had bodyguards tail me everywhere; sometimes even my best friend Slash stepped in before things went too far. So, I wasn’t exactly new to the game of deceit. But this time, it was different. This time, it was Evelyn.“I can see the doubt in your eyes, my love,” I said quietly, trying not to sound defensive, even though my chest was tight. “But I swear, I’m not lying. I’m certain Evelyn drugged me.”I meant it. Or at least, part of it. She was the only one who touched that meal. The chef had worked

Soraya’s POVMom sat at the edge of the pool, her feet swaying gently in the water as she stared in the direction Arielle had stormed off. The sun was just right—warm and nice—but the mood between us had cooled the moment she told me how Arielle was upset.“Should I go in and talk to her?” Mom asked, worry creeping into her voice. She never liked it when Arielle was upset, even though half the time she pretended she didn't care.I shook my head, leaning back on my palms. “No. Let her breathe. You know how she is. When she’s upset, she needs space. By tomorrow, she’ll be laughing with us again like nothing happened.”Mom looked genuinely surprised. “Did you upset her by any chance?”I shrugged. “Maybe a little. But only because I told her something she didn’t agree with.”And honestly, I didn’t regret saying it. Arielle was sweet, but she could be too naive sometimes.I stood up and wandered to the rail of the yacht, watching the dolphins dance in and out of the waves. They always got

Cassian’s POVThe champagne had left her breath sweet and alluring as I gathered her into my arms, lifting her effortlessly, her body molding against my chest. Her breath hit my neck softly, sending a shiver straight through me. The warmth of the room wrapped around us, the heavy drapes drawn tight; the only sound was the soft rustle of fabric as I walked with her toward the bed. My heart pounded rapidly, not from nervousness, but from the anticipation of what was to come. Tonight, I wouldn’t rush like I did back then. Tonight, I was going to love and worship her body.When I laid her down, she looked up at me, her back sinking into the plush mattress. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast golden streaks across her skin, highlighting the flush in her cheeks and the way her chest rose and fell with quick, shallow breaths. It made me smile. I brushed a strand of hair from her face, my thumb lingering at her jaw.“Cassian,” she whispered, barely audible.My gaze traced the curve of her w