All Chapters of THE DON'S MISSING PIECE : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Morning light filtered through the curtains, pale and gray.Cassandra lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. She hadn't slept. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the cameras flashing, heard the whispers, felt Dante's lips on hers.And then she saw the text message.Congratulations on the engagement. Too bad it won't last.She sat up slowly, her body heavy with exhaustion. Her eyes landed on the dress hanging on the door—the beautiful blue gown she'd worn to the gala. It shimmered in the morning light, elegant and expensive.She hadn't chosen it. Dante had. Just like everything else in her life now.Her clothes. Her safety. Her future.All chosen by someone else.Cassandra swung her legs over the side of the bed. She was tired of being a puppet. Tired of pretending she was fine when she was falling apart inside.She dressed quickly in jeans and a simple sweater. No makeup. No pretense. Just her.She needed air.---The garden was quiet, the morning mist still clinging to the flowers.

Isabella's smile was a knife.Cassandra felt it cutting through her, sharp and precise. The woman was beautiful—flawless skin, ice-blonde hair, eyes that glittered like diamonds. But there was nothing warm about her. Everything about Isabella Moore was calculated. Cold. Dangerous."Dante." Isabella's voice was a purr. "You look well. Marriage agrees with you.""We're not married yet," Dante said flatly."Ah, yes. The engagement." Isabella's eyes flicked to Cassandra. "How... unexpected."Cassandra's grip tightened on her glass. She wouldn't let this woman intimidate her. "Is there something you want?"Isabella's smile widened. "Straight to the point. I like that." She leaned closer. "I just wanted to welcome you to the family. I know how... overwhelming it can be.""I'm not overwhelmed.""No?" Isabella's voice dropped. "You should be. This world eats girls like you for breakfast."Cassandra met her gaze. "Then I'll be the exception."Isabella's smile faltered. For a moment, something

The evening had settled over the mansion like a velvet shroud.Cassandra stood in the doorway of Dante's study, watching him work. His head was bent over papers, his pen moving steadily. He'd told her he would handle Isabella personally. He'd excused her, sending her to rest.But she couldn't stay away.She crossed the room silently, her bare feet soundless against the marble. She appeared behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. Her cheek pressed against his broad back.Dante stilled. His hands covered hers, warm and strong. He turned in his chair, pulling her around to face him."What are you doing?" she asked, her voice soft."Work." He gestured to the papers on his desk. "I do some office work at home. That's why I don't go to the office sometimes."Cassandra frowned. "I miss my school. I really want to write my final exams."His eyes softened. "I'll make that happen. I promise."He released her and turned back to his work. Cassandra sat opposite him, watching. His focus wa

The mansion was quiet when Dante returned.His footsteps echoed off the marble floors, hollow and lonely. He'd spent the day in meetings, his mind elsewhere. Cassandra. Always Cassandra.He went straight to her room, needing to see her. Needing to feel her presence.The door was slightly open. He pushed it.Empty.His heart lurched. For a moment, panic gripped him—sharp, suffocating. She was gone. She'd left. Like everyone else.He stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room. Her clothes were still in the closet. Her book was on the nightstand. Her scent lingered in the air.He exhaled slowly. She hadn't left. She was just... somewhere else.But the unease lingered. He forced himself to settle in, stripping off his jacket and heading to the bathroom. A hot bath. That's what he needed. Something to clear his mind.The water was steaming, soothing. Dante leaned back, closing his eyes. But Cassandra's face kept appearing behind his lids. Her smile. Her laugh. The way she'd looked at him.

The bar was dimly lit, thick with smoke and the smell of cheap perfume.Dante sat alone at the counter, his third glass of whiskey in his hand. The amber liquid swirled as he stared at it. He'd lost count of how many he'd had. He didn't care.Cassandra's face haunted him. Her tears. Her voice. I love you.And he'd walked away.He downed the whiskey in one gulp, signaling for another.A woman appeared beside him. She was beautiful, bold, dressed in a dress that left little to the imagination. Her hand landed on his chest."Buy me a drink?" she purred.Dante didn't respond.She took his silence as encouragement. Before he could react, she climbed onto his lap, her legs straddling him. Her hands roamed his chest, her lips brushing his ear."I've been watching you all night," she whispered. "You look like you need someone to take care of you."Dante's jaw tightened. "Get off.""Come on, baby. Don't be shy—"He grabbed her wrists, shoving her off him roughly. "I said no."The woman stumble