All Chapters of Separate Roads I Fought For: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

My father watched me write Demi Vale’s name on the marriage contract.He froze for half a second, then snatched the papers back, folding them gently, like he was terrified I might change my mind.“From childhood to now, you spent five million on that mistress’s daughter,” I said flatly. “And less than fifty bucks on me. Guess your investment finally paid off.”He chuckled a little too happily. “Oh, don’t say it like that, Aria. Demi is a proper society lady. She and Cassian are a perfect match.”His face darkened. “And stop calling her ‘the mistress’s daughter.’ She’s your sister.”“She’s not.” I lifted my eyes to him, cold and steady.“She’s one year younger than me. You were married to my mother for ten years, but cheated for nine.”He choked on his own breath, then abruptly changed the subject.“Fine. Since you insist on giving up the alliance spot, I’ll go to the Vercetti estate right now and renegotiate.”“Wait,” I said.He spun back around, anxious as hell.“You’re regretting it?

Cassian’s eyes were filled with disappointment.“Both daughters of the Vale family, and you still can’t learn the discipline and manners your sister has?”He let out a slow, exhausted breath.“Forget it. I won’t hold today’s behavior against you. Go change into an evening gown, we’re attending a business gala tonight.”“I’m not going,” I said instantly. “Take Demi. She fits your checklist better than I ever will.”Cassian’s brows drew together.“Aria, have some sense of responsibility. You are the fiancée I’ve chosen.”That line hit me like a needle, sharp, sudden, humiliating.Of course.He wasn’t marrying me because he wanted me.He was marrying me because the contract said so, because the Vercetti family never breaks an agreement.Love had nothing to do with it.If he could choose freely, he would’ve picked Demi long ago.Fine.This lifetime, I’ll give him exactly what he wants.Demi stepped in with perfect softness.“Sis might not be very used to such formal events… Maybe I can acc

Half-conscious, I felt myself being lifted into Cassian’s arms.“Put me down.” My voice was weak, but unwavering.Cassian’s tone allowed no argument. “Don’t be difficult.”He didn’t give me a chance to resist, and he simply shoved me into the car.Warm air blasted through the heater, slowly chasing the cold from my body.Cassian took a dry towel, briskly wiping my hair and soaked clothes, then drove off.When we got out again, I realized he’d brought me to an apartment downtown.I had no strength left to fight him. I let him change my clothes, clean my wounds, apply medicine.I never imagined that in this lifetime, Cassian and I would share even a single hour of peace.Watching me, dazed and barely awake, he gently covered my hand with his.And then, the doorbell rang.Cassian stood and went to open the door.Outside stood Demi, her face pale, wrapped in layers of gauze.“Don…” The moment she saw him, her eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling in just the right way.“My sister suf

The moment my assistant hurried forward, breathless.“Don, our men saw Miss Aria boarding at the airport. They even took a photo!”Cassian snatched the phone, glanced at the screen once, and then smashed it hard against the marble floor.Cassian’s eyes were bloodshot, feral. When he spoke, every syllable scraped against bone:“Lock down every exit route immediately. Air, land, sea...everything. I want every flight manifest, every border record, every security tape pulled now. I don’t care if you have to sweep the entire planet. Bring her back to me.”Demi’s face went ghost-white.Her father froze like prey under a predator’s shadow.“D-Don p-please,” he stammered. “It...it wasn’t our fault. Aria refused to marry you...she insisted on signing the contract under Demi’s name. We had no choice. Demi is obedient, gentle… a perfect lady. She’s a far better match for you!”Cassian turned his head slowly, a cold smile on his face.“No choice? You think I, Cassian Vercetti, am something you can

After the music festival, I made my way to the Casino.Night stretched like ink across the sky, and the casino shimmered with a golden glow, a labyrinth woven from money, desire, and ambition. Dice clattered, the air around the blackjack tables sucked in breaths like it could swallow souls, and the clash of chips echoed like a faint, omnipresent death drum.At one massive baccarat table, the crowd pressed in tighter than anywhere else.I wore a black velvet gown, slit up to my waist, the lights tracing every curve, drawing eyes like moths to flame.Another round of cards. I rested my chin on my palm, tapping the table lazily with my fingers, half-asleep, not even bothering to glance at the bottom cards.The dealer swallowed hard, voice trembling: “Player wins.”A mountain of chips was pushed toward me.Murmurs ran through the crowd.“She’s won seven hands in a row.”“This… isn’t an ordinary player.”I lifted my champagne glass, the bubbles popping softly against my lips. My father had