Chapter 3

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 accompany her. If she doesn’t understand the etiquette, I can remind her.”

My eyes lit up.

“Perfect. Come on. I’ll help you pick a dress.”

The moment we entered my room, Demi dropped the act, shaking my hand off.

“Why did you give the Don to me?”

I smiled slightly.

“Because you two love going to church to repent.”

Her expression froze, then turned icy.

“Don’t push your luck. Once the Don finds out the bride is me, he’ll be relieved, ecstatic, actually. You, with your lack of manners, don’t deserve him.”

“Then why didn’t you tell him just now?” I asked calmly. “Not confident? Afraid he’ll reject you once he knows?”

“You shut up!” she snapped like a startled cat. “He’ll be grateful! I just want to surprise him on the wedding day. So keep your mouth shut.”

“Relax. Whatever romantic games you two play, I’m not interested.”

This lifetime, I only care about being myself.

At the gala.

Lights, elegance, champagne.

When the opening dance began, Cassian walked toward us.

His eyes swept over my flamboyant black backless dress… then tightened in a frown.

A beat later, he extended his hand...not to me, but to Demi, glowing innocently in her soft white gown.

Whispers rippled across the hall.

“Isn’t Aria the fiancée? Why is the Don inviting the sister?”

“Isn’t it obvious? He prefers the second daughter.”

“Well, of course. The younger one is graceful, educated. The elder… gorgeous, but wild. Not fit to be a Don’s wife.”

Cassian didn’t react to any of it.

“You don’t know how to dance formal waltzes anyway,” he said to me, voice bland, almost bored.

“This time, you can learn from Demi.”

And with that, he took her hand and led her to the center of the ballroom.

Classical music swelled.

They moved together, elegant, poised, harmonious, a picture-perfect couple stepped straight out of an old European oil painting.

I lasted a whole minute before my eyes glazed over.

They looked like two palace mannequins locked in a century-old waltz.

Do they even know FB, IG, TikTok exists?

I slipped out onto the terrace.

Snow fell thick and silent in front of me.

Alone, I moved body catching an invisible bassline only I could hear, dancing wild, hot, alive.

This rhythm… this freedom… belonged to no one but me.

To the life I was about to reclaim.

But the moment didn’t last.

A familiar shadow approached behind me.