Chapter 35
Aria’s POV
Silence stretches in the room after Cassandra’s suggestion, the weight
of
her words hanging in the air.
I feel my stomach knot, my throat dry. She’s done this on purpose, backed me into a corner where saying no would make me the villain.
The triplets exchange looks.
Then, Matteo speaks first, slow and deliberate. “That’s a bad idea.”
Dante doesn’t even glance at her. “No.”
Enzo, who had been leaning against the counter, shifts just enough to fold his arms. His expression is blank, but his voice is cutting. “You’re not staying.”
Cassandra pouts, her wide eyes flickering between them. “Wow. Not even going to consider it? That’s cold.” She sighs, dramatically placing a hand on her chest. “I just thought, you know, since Aria’s living here now, it’d be nice to spend
some time with her. Sister bonding and all that.”
Matteo scoffs. “That’s funny.”
Cassandra blinks. “What?”
Matteo leans forward, bracing his forearms against the counter. The late afternoon light catches in his dark hair, making it
appear a richer shade of brown, and the navy blue Henley he’s wearing does nothing to hide the way his muscles flex
beneath the fabric.
“You don’t seem the type to be interested in… bonding,” he says, his tone casual, almost lazy. But the sharp glint in his dark eyes gives him away.
Cassandra lets out a breathy laugh. “Oh, Matteo, you don’t even know me.”
“I know enough,” he replies smoothly. “Like how you’ve been throwing yourself at me and my brothers all day.”
Cassandra stiffens slightly. “Excuse me?”
Enzo lets out a low chuckle. “That’s another thing–we’re not interested.”
Cassandra’s cheeks flush. “I wasn’t-”
Dante cuts in, his tone dry. “You were.”
Matteo tilts his head. “First it was me in the stables, then you practically fell onto Dante, and don’t think I didn’t see you batting your lashes at Enzo earlier.” His smirk deepens. “It’s a little desperate, don’t you think?”
Cassandra’s mouth opens, then closes. For the first time since she walked in, she’s speechless.
I almost gape at them. They aren’t even being cruel about it–just brutally honest, in a way Cassandra isn’t used to being spoken to.
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Chapter 35
Enzo pushes off the counter. “If you really wanted to stay, maybe try acting like you care about your sister instead of adde her as an excuse to get closer to us.”
Cassandra exhales sharply, her nails digging into her palms. Then, she laughs–forced, tight. “Wow. You’re all so fall of yourselves.”
Dante raises a brow. “And you’re still standing here.”
Her smile falters.
She flicks her hair over her shoulder, tilts her chin up, and turns to me. “Well, I can see I’m not wanted.” Her voice is light, but I can tell she’s embarrassed. “Aria, I’ll see you later.”
I don’t respond.
She waits a second longer, then huffs and storms out, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.
The door slams behind her.
A tense silence follows before Matteo sighs, shaking his head. “That was exhausting.”
Enzo chuckles. “She’s persistent. I’ll give
Dante doesn’t say anything, just looks at me. I force a nod, not trusting myself to speak.
Because as much as I wanted Cassandra to leave, I know this won’t be the last I hear of it.
And I’m right.
I sit on the edge of my bed, the room dimly lit by the soft glow of my lamp. The house is quiet, the earlier tension still lingering in my chest.
Then, my phone rings.
I already know who it is before I check.
I hesitate, then answer. “Hello?”
“Aria.” My mother’s voice is calm, but there’s a weight behind it. “Why didn’t you stand up for your sister?”
My fingers tighten around the phone.
“I heard what happened,” she continues. “She called me crying. Said those boys humiliated her.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. Of course, Cassandra would twist things.
“She only wanted to spend time with you,” Mom says. “And you let them throw her out like she was nothing?”
Guilt knots in my stomach, even though I know I shouldn’t feel it.
“You should have spoken up,” she presses. “You could have convinced them.”
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Chapter 35
I swallow hard. My throat burns.
But I don’t say anything.
Because what’s the point?–
I already know how this conversation will end.
She’ll defend Cassandra. I’ll be the disappointment.
So, I just listen.
Nod even though she can’t see me.
Absorb the weight of her words like I always do.
By the time she hangs up, my chest feels heavy.
I need air.
The night air is crisp as I step outside, wrapping my arms around myself. The ranch is peaceful at this hour, the stars above stretching endlessly.
I let my feet carry me, the silence offering a strange sort of comfort.
Because right now, it’s the only thing that doesn’t make me feel like I’m drowning.
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