Chapter 33
Arla’s POV
The warmth beside me is the first thing I notice when I stir awake.
The second is the rough, steady feeling of a calloused thumb brushing over my knuckles.
I blink, my room slowly coming into focus. The chair beside my bed creaks as Enzo shifts, straightering from his slouched position. His hand lingers near mine, as if he never fully let go.
My chest tightens at the sight of him still here.
He stayed.
I swallow, my throat dry. “You’re still here.”
His dark eyes meet mine, a little tired, a little unreadable. “Told you I wouldn’t leave.”
The moment stretches between us, something unspoken resting in the quiet. I almost forget how to breathe. Almost.
Then, a voice–bright and artificial–cuts through the stillness.
“Well, well, am I interrupting something?”
My stomach twists.
I’d recognize that voice anywhere.
Cassandra.
Enzo tenses, his sharp gaze flicking toward my door, He sighs, rubbing his jaw. “Stay here.”
I sit up, already swinging my legs over the bed. “Not a chance.”
By the time I reach the living room, Cassandra is already making herself at home, perched on the couch like she belongs
here.
Dante leans against the wall, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Matteo lounges in an armchair, watching my sister with open amusement, as if waiting for her next move.
Cassandra’s gaze flicks toward me, her lips curving. “Finally, you’re up. I was starting to think you’d sleep all day.”
I fold my arms. “What are you doing here?”
She gasps, pressing a hand to her chest like I just wounded her. “Aria, really? No hello? No wow, Cassandra, it’s so nice to see you?” She pouts. “You wound me.”
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Matteo smirks, Funny, Pretty sure no one Invited you.”
Cassandra waves him off with a soft laugh. “Oh, Matteo, always so blunt.” Then, the tilts her head, eyes sharp but in false sweetness. “I just thought I’d check on my big sister. I mean, I was so worried when i heard you’d run off. You always had this… habit of getting into things you shouldn’t.”
Huh? “Run off? I work here”
Cassandra replies “Well, I didn’t think you would leave your house and decide to actually start living here, but I guess you jumped on that opportunity” she chuckled.
Typical Cassandra and her passive aggressive comments. Guess that’s normal when you have parents that treat you let you get away with anything.
My fingers clench. “I can take care of myself.”
She sighs, giving me a pitying look. “Of course, you can.” Then, as if remembering the others are still in the room, she brightens and turns toward them. “But I have to say, I didn’t expect this from you, Aria.” She gestures around. “Keeping such interesting company.”
Dante watches her, his expression neutral, but I can feel the tension rolling off him.
Enzo is less patient. “And what exactly are you expecting?”
Cassandra smiles, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Oh, nothing bad, of course. You’re all just so… intense.” Her gaze flicks to Matteo, and she tilts her head, considering him. “But I suppose that’s part of the charm, isn’t it?”
Matteo chuckles. “Is that your way of saying you’re interested?”
Cassandra doesn’t miss a beat. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Of course, she’s already trying to insert herself into their lives.
Matteo grins, clearly entertained. “Careful, gattina. Keep looking at me like that, and you might not like what happens.”
She giggles, playing with a loose strand of hair. “Oh, I don’t know, Matteo. I think I might.”
I clench my jaw.
Dante must sense my frustration because his gaze shifts to me. “You look tired,” he says simply. “Have you eaten?”
Before I can answer, Cassandra gasps, cutting in. “Oh, she never eats properly! Honestly, it’s a wonder she hasn’t passed out yet.” She tilts her head toward Dante, her expression one of fake concern. “She’s always been like this, you know. So
stubborn.”
I glare at her. “I can handle myself.”
Cassandra sighs. “Of course, you can. Then, to Dante, “She’s just so independent. It’s almost sad, really.”
Dante doesn’t even look at her. “She’s fine.” His voice leaves no room for argument.
Cassandra’s lips twitch slightly, as if she was hoping for a different reaction.
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I escape to the ranch later, hoping Cassandra will get bored and leave.
But of course, she follows.
“You didn’t think I’d just sit in that house all day, did you?” she asks breezily, walking beside me.
I shoot her a look. “You don’t have to be here.”
She hums. “Oh, but I do.” Then she links her arm through mine, forcing me to stop. “Besides, I thought it would be nice to… bond.”
I tug my arm free. “Since when do you care about bonding?”
She gasps dramatically. “Aria! You make it sound like I don’t care about you.”
I grit my teeth. “Because you don’t.”
She just laughs. “Oh, you’re so dramatic.” Then, as we reach the stables, she sighs. “I must say, though… it is interesting, you being around the triplets.” She glances sideways at me. “Do you really think that’s a good idea?”
I stiffen. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
She shrugs. “Oh, nothing. Just… you always were a little too naïve for your own good.”
Before I can respond, a voice cuts in.
“Need some help?”
Matteo strides toward us, his gaze flicking between me and Cassandra.
Cassandra lights up immediately. “Oh, Matteo! You’re just in time. I was just telling Aria how fascinating I find this whole place.”
Matteo smirks. “That so?”
Cassandra nods, stepping closer. “Mmhmm. I mean, I never really saw the appeal of working on a ranch, but I suppose it does have its… benefits.” She places a hand on Matteo’s arm, her fingers lingering. “You must be so strong to handle all
this work.”
Matteo raises an eyebrow. “Are you flirting with me?”
Cassandra giggles, but before she can answer, she suddenly stumbles–right into Dante, who had just walked up.
She gasps, her hands pressing against his chest, lingering far too long. “Oops,” she breathes, flashing a small smile. “Guess I got a little distracted.”
I clench my fists.
Cassandra turns to me, her eyes gleaming with something victorious. “Oh, Aria,” she purrs, “I hope you don’t mind me borrowing our stepuncles.”
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I grit my teeth, heat rising in my chest.
Matteo watches me, amusement dancing in his eyes. Enzo, standing nearby, tilts his head slightly, observing. Dante simply lets Cassandra go, stepping away without a word.
But the damage is done.
Cassandra isn’t just here to visit.
She’s here to play.
And I’m starting to think she plays to win.
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