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On my way to my room, I run into Sofia. She eyes me for a second.

“What happened there?” she gestures towards the small bruise forming on my jaw. “Cassie,” I reply with a smirk. She sighs, “Marital spat?” “Training,” I correct. “We were at the fighting grounds.”

Her nose wrinkles, “Why did you take her there? All that fighting is abhorrent.”

“She liked it,” I argue. “Now if you’ll excuse me.”

“Wait,” Sofia says, her eyes meeting mine, her expression almost imploring. “You’re getting married in two days. Are you sure you’re making the right decision? Not just for yourself. But for Cassie as well.”

I don’t even have to think about the answer to that question.

“This is exactly how it’s meant to be,mia cara.”

I walk into my room and find Luca already waiting. He’s been busy these past couple of days. Taking care of the wedding preparations. Especially security.

“How’s it going?” I ask him, reaching for a towel.

“We’re prepared,” he assures me. The wedding should go by without a hitch.”

“It had better.”

Everything’s going to change after the wedding. And maybe I’ll finally get an answer to a burning question in my mind.

CHAPTER TWELVE

CASSIE

My hair is curled to perfection. My makeup is soft and glowing. And I’m in a wedding dress.

This entire situation almost feels like a dream. But I know better. I could never conjure something as insane as this in a dream. It could only be reality. A reality in which my entire life changed in two weeks. And now I’m about to walk down the aisle to marry a man I barely know. And yet sometimes it feels like I know him acutely.

My head is completely scrambled. But at least I look amazing.

“You’re freakishly calm, Cassie,” Chloe says, tilting her head as she adjusts one of the pearl pins in my hair. “Like.. concerningly calm.”

“She’s definitely disassociating,” Maxine mutters, arms crossed, eyeing me like I might crack any second.

I give them a small smile and a shrug, “Maybe I’ve accepted my fate.”

“Bullshit,” Maxine swears. “I know you’re planning something but I say we just ditch this freak show and get the hell out of here.”

“That’s not going to happen, Maxy. I’m marrying him,” I say gently.

A part of me is desperate to accept her offer though. Just run away, from everything. All my problems. But I can’t do that. Not today. Not when the entire Luciano family is likely watching every breath I take. One misstep and things could get ugly fast.

So I smile. I sit still in my perfect gown and let my friends hover me with pins and perfume ad last minute touch ups. I let them worry while I act like I’m not on the verge of unraveling.

So much has happened in such little time. And I feel like there’s an internal battle going on inside me right now. the side that doesn’t mind this outcome. That actually wants to be with Damien. Due to morbid curiosity and even morbid feelings.

And then there’s the side that wants to pack it all up and return to her normal life.

But the truth is, I can probably never go back to a normal life. Not after everything that’s happened.

“Cassie,” Maxine softens, stepping closer. “You don’t have to do this.”

I meet her eyes in the mirror, “Yeah I do. Don’t worry so much. I promise I’ll be fine. Plus, Damien isn’t so bad.”

Her eyes narrow at my use of his name. Even Chloe catches on to the soft undercurrent with which I said it. They both share a look communicating silently and I roll my eyes.