CHAPTER FIVE

*Bound By Lies*

© Parchments and Quills

Cassian's POV

The study smelled like old leather and cigar smoke, Hugo sat behind his desk like he always did —like a king on a throne who'd already counted the crowns , the room so quiet that it made my teeth ache.

He didn't look up at me when he said,“ You’ll marry the Sandler girl in two days .”

For a second my brain didn't want to believe the words. Two days. I felt the chair under me tilt like the floor had moved.

“What did you just say?” I kept my voice calm, but it was a lie.

Hugo finally met my eyes. Those same cold, deadly eyes that never gave anything away. “Two days, not a joke”

I laughed, “So you decided when to marry me off, without asking?” My fingers curled until the wood of the arm rest squealed.

“This isn't about asking, Cassian” he said.

“Its about the family. The Sandlers are a useful piece.”

I stood up so fast the chair knocked back.

“A piece you say, Dad marriage is not a joke. Okay I get it, you want to sell me like a damn trade good?”

Hugo's face didn't change.

“We don't marry for love boy—we marry for power. Then love comes after, she would eventually fall for you. If not, then you can pull out from the contract in 2 years.”

Something in me broke —not a violent hit but a cold splitting.“Dad how do I make her grateful for being sold”

“Don't be a fool”, he said.“You will do that when necessary. The wedding is in two days, prepare.”

Prepare—The word tasted like orders and chains. I walked out of that study with my heart like a drum in my ears– Two days until my life changed.

I should have been angry at my father and the council's rotten rules that tied men like me to contracts written in ink and greed. I was, But under that anger there was a strange , sharp thing —the memory of her lips, the way she slapped me in the club, how she looked at me like she wanted to fight and run and probably bite.

That girl had guts, I thought to myself. The image kept coming back whether I wanted it to or not.

By the time I reached the balcony,the city lights below were a scatter of restless stars. Tristan was there pretending not to watch, like he could read me.

“You look like hell,” he said. He always says that first.

“You always say too much,” I told him and lit a cigarette. Smoke coiled out of it and the night seemed to swallow it whole.

“She’s got you mixed up,” Tristan teased. “Never seen you cared about a girl this much”

I didn't answer. I hated the softness in his voice when he said it. Hate and want never stay comfortably on the same chest, but I felt both.

“Two days,” I muttered instead.

Two days—Two days to plan all the ways to make her mine–or to decide I'd rather burn the world than hand her a ring.

 Either way, I would not be told how to feel.

*****

The hospital smelled like disinfectant and fear. Maria held Mandy's hand like it was the only thing keeping her from falling apart. Maria's face was pale, a cut on her temple wrapped, eyes closed for too long.I watched them from the doorway like a thief watching what he wants but can't touch.

Mandy’s lids fluttered. Maria’s shoulder hitched and she nearly cried out. When Mandy opened her eyes she smiled weakly.

“Ria?” She said, “You look wrecked.”

“You scared me,” Maria said, squeezing her hand. “If I hadn't dragged you out –” Her voice broke. She kept blaming herself for everything.She always did.

Mandy reached up and brushed Maria's cheek with the back of her hand. “Stop that .You didn't ask for this.But promise me one thing –be careful with Cassian Romano.”

Maria pulled back like the name burned. “I'm not marrying him.” She said “They are lucky that dad stopped me from going there, if not I would have...” she screamed aggressively “I reserve my comments.”

“You've got two days,” Mandy whispered.“You can try to run, but this man—he wouldn't just let go, you know.”

Maria's face turned hard. I saw anger flicker across it, and then something else–the same look at the night at the club.

“Let him try,” She said. “I’ll find a way.”

She didn't see me move closer, didn't see my shadow cross the floor and fold itself against the wall. I stood there, listening to them,and for a moment all the noise in my head stopped. Maria's promise to herself was a small crack in the armor I didn't know I had.

When the doctor came in and said Mandy could be discharged the next day, Maria stood, shoulders squared like she could fight the world. Dominic was there was there too, tired and haggard, trying to be steady but failing

“You should rest,” he told Maria softly.“The Romano family will be here for the pre-wedding dinner tomorrow.”

Maria's laugh had nothing kind in it.“I’m not going,”she snapped

“You will”, Dominic said. “Do this for me, please.”

She stared at him like she wanted to unload everything and then decided better of it. There was a weariness in Dominic’s eyes that softened her edges for a second. She nodded, not because she agreed, but because arguing wouldn't stop what was coming.

***

SANDLER'S MANSION

Veronica smiled at her reflection and the smile was poison. She tapped a text to her father and then tossed it aside like it wasn't heavy. “Two days,”she said to herself. “Two days until they think they are safe.”

Chief Ricardo picked up the call from his office, his voice calm like a blade. “Make sure it's done before the vows,” he said

Veronica’s fingers tightened.“I will. He won't have the chance to say I do.” She didn't care how messy it got. She only cared that Maria paid for being born to the wrong mother— and for herself–Veronica– never getting what she wanted.

Cassian's POV

I walked the halls that night with every muscle wired. Hugo’s decision wasn't just my problem –it was a strike—It was a promise that someone else thought they could place me where they wanted, stamp my hands with someone else's name and call it duty.

Duty was a cheap word for stealing.

 I wanted to punch something.

I wanted to rip open space.

Instead, I found my phone buzzing with an unknown number. I opened it because some voice inside of me wanted to know if anyone else hated the idea as much as I did.

The message made the blood in my face run cold: She'll never make it to the alter.—V

My mouth went dry .V—Veronica.

The name tasted like a warning. I crushed the phone in my palm until the edges bit my skin and said low, hard, “Try me.”

Two days.

Two days to set traps or to step into one.

Two days to decide whether I'd protect her—or break her.

TBC

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