Chapter 1 The two villains

Kassandra's POV

Kassandra... It means light that should give warmth to the people around them. But I grew up differently. I was a spoiled brat and loved stealing things that other people owned.

Especially since I'm the Madonna of the school, and I'll never let other girls ruin my name or steal my fame. I graduated as Summa Comlaude and remained the most beautiful girl in my class, but I lost the man I love because of that woman.

"It's been three months since that newspaper was published. Why are you keeping that? Also, you always look at that iconic couple. Don't tell me you want to be Cinderella in that story. Come on, wake up from your dream."

Her words made me laugh. A dream? My situation is a dream for me. No... it became a nightmare. I threw the newspaper into my tent.

The first snowfall happened last night, and as usual, we had to find some scraps to sell and hope that we could have a dinner to share. It's been three months since I left that place, and yet... everything feels like it happened yesterday.

"I'll go this way, and you'll be on that route. Make sure to walk on the other side of that church. I heard there's a grand wedding ceremony for certain wealthy families there."

"Okay, don't worry about me. Even if I get into trouble, I already have nothing to lose. Take it easy as well," I remark.

She only smiled and waved her hand as she walked away. I pushed my cart and started finding trash bins. Because of the things that happen to me and how the world turns its back on me, I committed another sin.

Yes, I tried to kill myself by jumping on a river. But that 40-year-old woman saved me. She is living under that bridge, and she never stops giving me words that serve as hopes for me.

I saw a trash bin, and I was happy when I saw some valuable items. I hope we can have a proper meal tonight. As soon as I put those things in the cart, I left and continued to look around.

I stopped in a parking lot in front of that church and decided to put back the trash bin that fell to the ground. It will ruin the beauty of the church, which is decorated beautifully. When I finished, I saw a public restroom.

I get inside and clean my hands. I even washed my face when I saw that they have soap here. I'm lucky. I didn't stink, but this soap reminds me of my lavish life when I was still a part of the Tyler family.

"From an heiress to a garbage collector? What a painful déjàvu..." I murmured to myself.

I left the bathroom when I accidentally noticed a familiar face. I think I heard about or met those two somewhere. I shrug my shoulders and pass over them. I close my left eye when a light hits my eyes because of that. I stop walking and hide in a certain corner.

"That man has a knife and a gun? What kind of people are those two!?"

I peek in and saw them standing on the 2nd door of the church. I look at that man's beautiful face. I knew I'd seen him before!

"Wait a minute, that's Gabriel Cassano." I whispered.

"Sir, the wedding is almost done. I think this serves as a sign for you. Please listen to me. You shouldn't waste your youth because of that woman. Accept the fact that she will never choose you," his assistant says.

I almost laugh bitterly. That was what my best friend said, but I didn't listen. I may be free, but I am now nothing more than garbage. No one will look at me or even care if I die in the middle of nowhere.

"NO! She is mine. No one will have her! How can she forget that promise she made? Why did she choose that bastard!?"

I gasped when I saw the hatred and rage in his eyes. I think I had the same look at the time I pulled the trigger and shot Kayla. No! I must stop this man! For once, I want to save another person who walks on the same path as mine.

"You know me, Markus. I hate when people grasp the things that I want to have," he remarked, and it looks scary to me.

"Yes, I know that. But you have done everything and tried anything just to win her heart, but nothing works. You have to let her go. You saw how beautiful she is, and those smiles on her lips are different. She never smiles like that when she looks at you. What I'm seeing is..." he stops talking.

I saw how his eyes looked furious and fierce. He didn't like what his assistant told him. I close my eyes and bite my lower lip. It brings back memories of the foolish decisions that I made three months ago.

Flashback

"You will never be happy, Harvey! I already told you before. It's either me or this woman in a coffin. But you didn't listen to me. I already warned you," I remark.

I pulled the trigger, and her eyes were begging me. She can't speak because of the duct tape that I put on her lips. I abducted her by acting as the driver of her wedding car. They didn't take my threat seriously, and now I'll prove them how crazy I can be! He runs toward us.

"NO!" he roared.

But to my surprise, the gun didn't release any bullets. How did it happen? Bullshit! Harvey punches me in the stomach before I can check it. I passed out right away.

The flashback ended

I run as well, entering through the same door. I stood at that door first and looked around. The guests started to buzz when they saw them. It looks like they knew who he was, and everyone looks worried and terrified.

The groom shields himself, but the bride changes her position. I think they are exchanging rings because the man is holding his bride's wedding ring.

He grabs something behind him, and I was alarmed. That's the small knife that blinds me. I have to save them. I don't care anymore.

"Why can't you accept it?! No matter how many times you abduct me and force yourself on me, I will never love you! Don't think that what's written in books will happen to us both. What I feel towards you is nothing but hatred!"

He did that? Wait, is he thinking that, like in movies, mafia bosses can make women fall for them after abducting them? He had some twisted ideas. Dark love stories are indeed scary.

"You will come with me or else," he says.

He raises the knife and points at her. The bride looks at him with no fear in her eyes. She became strong after all the things she'd been through.

"Stop it, Gabriel. Accept it already. No matter how many times you tear us apart, we will never leave each other's side. Stay away from my woman!" he says, raising his hand and holding a gun! Oh no! This is getting worse than I thought!

"Then you two should die together!" he roared. I run as fast as I can and hope that I'll make it on time. I have to stop them!

"No!" the bride roared. Everyone was screaming like shitheads.

A gunshot was heard, and blood started to be visible on one's clothes. I gasped and breathed heavily. I hope I finally atone for my sins with this sacrifice that I made. I remember Trinidad, and I just wish I could repay her kindness more than just helping her out.

"Who the hell are you?!" he roared.

I gathered my strength and pushed him. He releases his grip on the knife. That's when I fall to the floor and my vision starts to get blurry. I made it.

"Why did you do that?!" the bride roared. I can't see her face, but I decided to ask a favor in exchange for what happened.

The bullet that his husband releases pierces my right shoulder, while the knife that Gabriel uses stabs my abdomen on my left side. I wonder if someone will claim my body and give me a proper burial. Tears stream down my cheeks.

"Don't... file a case against him. Promise me that you won't."

"Someone call 911, please!" the groom shouts. I tried to turn my face and find Gabriel's face. When our eyes met, I spoke.

"Don't do it again. Accept it. Don't be like me. If you continued to walk down that path, you would live in the coldest corner of the world. Listen to me, please." I mumbled.

I close my eyes because my vision is getting blurry and dark. My body starts to feel numb and cold. This is the end for me.