Chapter 5 Married!!

Cassandra's POV

"The engagement is off." The flames raged beside me. Mum shrieked, ordering the maids to put on the fire. The room was plunged into chaos.

Amidst the chaos, I slipped out of the dressing room to my bedroom. I don't even know if they could save the dress.

I slumped on the bed and picked up my phone to text my best friend, Becky. There were several messages in my DM from her worried after I disappeared last night.

Drained, I tossed my phone. I never knew a day like this could come. My entire life revolved around marrying Sinclair. We have known each other since secondary school and got engaged in our freshman year. This wedding had been planned for years, even the dress I burned was personally customised for me.

"Don't cry Cassie, it isn't worth it," I muttered. The door was unceremoniously opened, and I didn't even glance at who it was.

"Enough of this Cassie. I can't put up with all this." Sinclair's annoying voice sneered as he tossed what was left of my burnt dress.

I refused to look at him. "You don't have to. Marry your Aurelia and you won't have to force yourself to fuck a woman you aren't sexually attracted to." I shrugged hoping he would leave.

The bastard didn't leave, he marched towards the bed. He tried to hold my hand, but I evaded him, moving far away. My glare was sharp. His gaze flickered with pain.

"Why are you doing this?!" He blurted.

I snorted, crossing my hand under my bosom. "I am not as spineless as you thought. The wedding is off from today, we are strangers." I repeated in case he didn't hear me earlier.

"CASSANDRA!!!" How untimely I heard Dad screaming my name from down the hallway. Sinclair's fist clenched, his eyes burned. "If that's how you want this to be. One day you will regret it." He said, then stormed away, unable to bear the humiliation.

At the door, he ran into Dad. "What do you think you are doing? Are you on drugs?" Father threw accusations at me.

"Maybe ask your perfect daughter, Aurelia, who was hooking up with Sinclair." I retorted and then picked up my phone. Pretending to scroll on it. I was scared of my father's fury.

Like a storm, he got to the edge of my bed. "Aurelia would never do such a thing." He declared. Even I wouldn't have believed the same thing if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

"Believe what you want. I am done with Sinclair." We had a face-off, and no one was ready to give up.

"Fine, just know if you break up this engagement, there is no place in the Sterling family for you..." My very own father said, instead of probing why, I suddenly changed my mind.

To say I was heartbroken was an understatement. "Daddy..." I blurted. He gritted his teeth. "We have a lot of investment with the Von Duvall family and we can't afford to get on their bad side."

He was choosing business over his daughter. What did I expect? "Fine. I guess this family has no place for me." He was dumbfounded.

Under his gaze I packed my bag, anything I could put my hand on. He didn't stop me. "Goodbye, father." We stared intently at each other. I swallowed a lump then stormed off.

"Cassandra, where are you going?" I heard mum's startled voice from down the hallway. I didn't give her a reply and continued leaving.

Maybe it was best I took a break from everyone. That day, I ignored my mother's cries and pleas. I hailed a taxi and left home. Dad didn't even beg me once. The entire ride I cried out my heart.

********

The doorbell rang, and I stood at the door sniffing, trying to fight the tears. The door was pushed open and Rebecca stepped out dressed in her bridesmaid's dress.

"Cassie," she gasped, surprised at my appearance. Her eyes fell on the luggage. I swallowed a lump. The dress made my heart burn. "Rebecca," I whimpered and she immediately pulled me into her hands

"Everything will be fine." She assured me. Her words broke me. "There isn't going to be a wedding. I hate that bastard." I cried into her arms. She just held me

It's been weeks and I haven't stepped out of Rebecca's apartment. She was nice enough to give me a roof when my life was falling apart. Until now, I haven't told her exactly what happened that night.

I didn't want to relive it again. Rebecca understood not to pry too much. She tried her best to cheer me up while I was wallowing in depression.

For the first time in weeks, I was starting to breathe again, so I decided to check my old emails that I had checked in weeks. Bundled under an old blanket, the TV was playing in the background. There wasn't anything particularly important at first.

My hands stopped. My eyes narrowed on the screen. "Marriage registration." I read out an old email sent a few days after the wedding was called off.

Curious, I clicked it open, and my fragile world collapsed. "What!!!!" I screamed my lungs out, unable to believe my eyes. Who the hell was Alaric Von Duvall? Why was that gigolo's surname similar to Sinclair's!!

I thought my life could get some normalcy after the failed wedding, but fate has another one coming at me.

I walked through the door of a five-star hotel, a bit confused whether this was indeed the location. Why did he bring me here? My face scrunched up remembering the man I was married to was a gigolo.

But it was still a mystery as the event of that day was a haze in my mind. I pulled out my phone to send a text to Alaric informing him that I have arrived. The email contained his contact, and I contacted him on WhatsApp to meet in person.

He agreed and directed me to come here. My phone rang with a notification.

Alaric: Someone will be with you in a minute.

It was a simple reply, and right on cue, a strange voice called out. "Mrs Von Duvall." My brows furrowed, "pardon!!" I found it weird remembering that Sinclair has a similar surname. It gave me a bad memory.

A man dressed in a tailor suit approached, "Pardon me for the address. Ma'am Cassandra. Sir Alaric is expecting." He politely said. It still felt weird but I politely accepted. "Please lead the way."

Under his lead, we headed to the elevator. The man kept on giving curious glances, but averted his whenever I caught him. He selected the floor and soon we arrived with the elevator dinging open.

Loud classical music drifted to my ears. Was there a party going on? I glanced at the escort to question him. He didn't give me the chance when he marched out of the elevator.

I was left with no choice but to follow after him. We arrived at a pair of large doors which were pushed open. The blinding lights and loud music welcomed me

Still dazzled, the escort excused himself. "Sir Alaric will be with you shortly. " He walked off immediately. I was left breathless staring at the lavish hall filled with people. Some I recognised from high society.

How did Alaric get into this crowd? Was my ' husband.' dating a big shot? I wondered.

Growing up in wealth should've made me immune to grandeur, but the hall still managed to steal my breath. Every detail was intricate and screamed wealth.

I was still admiring the delicate chandelier which hung in the middle of the room from the spot I stood, when a familiar voice I didn't wish to hear sneered, drawing my attention.

"Guess who finally crawled out of her hole. If it isn't my dear sister Cassandra." My eyes snapped to Aurelia, who was dressed glamorously, fitting the occasion, a far cry from my simple dress. Alaric didn't tell me the nature of the event

After the engagement was called off, the trending videos were all taken down to protect the Von Duvalls' reputation, leaving the past a mystery that still plagued me.

"Aurelia," I blurted. My hands clutched my purse trying to hold myself together. She stood holding her wine glass with a disdainful gaze just when I thought this couldn't get any worse. I heard that voice which still plagued me.

.

"Cassandra, what are you doing here?" Sinclair asked slowly, approaching me. His gaze was still carrying that hurt look which always left me puzzled.

"Please, can we talk things over?"He pleaded, but Aurelia's face turned rather ugly. Sinclair left me baffled, looking broken like the break-up had affected me. He wanted to hug me.

But before he could get close an arm appeared before him blocking his way. "You should avoid carelessly touching a married woman, especially one who is my wife." A dried-out voice heavy with tension slowly said.

My head bobbed up to meet his dark gaze, those abysses I remembered. It was him. "Alaric," I whispered. Was he always this charming?

"Hi, Cassandra. It's been a while." He gave me a soft smile and I felt my face heating up. His hand curled around my waist protectively, pulling me closer.

Sinclair just watched us unable to move. He wasn't the only one stunned. Alaric guided me to the middle of the room and then raised his glass.

The entire hall went silent.

"Thanks for coming tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the reason for our celebration tonight." He chimed then gazed down at me with the sweetest smile.

"Meet my wife, Cassandra Von Duvall, the newest member of the Von Duvall family "My heart started to thud. Everyone's eyes were on me. What was going on?

A sharp voice cut through the tension. Sinclair rushed towards me, then grabbed my arm. "What do you mean by your wife? You can't marry my fiancé, uncle. Cassandra is mine."

Wait, they were truly related!!!