Page 69

“Well,” Ilaria sat back, crossing her legs. “If that’s the case, your only other option is to tuck tail and leave. Disassociate from this life and our family altogether.”

“It shouldn’t be like this, though, Ria,” Aella sighed heavily as the truth of her sister’s words sank in. “If nothing else, I just want to be normal.”

“Normal was never in the cards for us. And it’s crazy that I’ve accepted that before you, when you’ve had more time to come to terms with it. The life you want isn’t possible without sacrifice, sis. You just have to determine what you’re willing to sacrifice.”

Aella rolled her eyes. “When did you become so wise?”

“My big sister sets a great example for me when she isn’t off her rocker,” Ilaria grinned. “Now come on. You obviously aren’t getting any work done today, so let me take you to dinner. We have to run home and grab my wallet first, though. I realized I left it when I was halfway here.”

“Ah, there’s the irresponsible little sister I know and love.” Standing, Aella smiled. “Come on, let’s go.”

As they left her office, Aella felt considerably lighter than she had for most of the day. Her issues with Cassius were still very present, but that was a task she could handle another day. For the moment, she’d enjoy spending time with Ria and attempting to forget about her troubles. When they returned to the estate, she and Ilaria briefly parted ways. Ilaria headed wherever to find her wallet while Aella went to her bedroom to change. Nothing could have prepared her for what waited on the other side of the door.

Her mouth fell open as she stared at the bare room that once housed almost all her belongings. And by once, she meant just that morning when she’d left it. Everything she owned was missing. The only thing left standing was a slip of paper resting on the floor. Squatting, she took the paper between her fingers, opening it to read the semi-familiar handwriting.

If you want your stuff, it’s in our home—where you belong.

“What the hell!” she shrieked, standing to her full height.

“Yeahhhh,” Ilaria sang, appearing in her doorway. “I may have forgotten to mention that your future husband came by earlier and cleared out your stuff. I came to the office as a distraction to keep you from coming home too early. Sorry, love you.”

Blowing Aella a kiss, Ilaria left her sister to stew in her anger.

“Well played, Mr. Farina,” she muttered. “I just hope you’re ready for what you started.”

When his phone chirped, alerting him that someone had arrived on his property, Cassius smirked upon seeing the sleek, silver car he knew belonged to Aella turn into his winding driveway and approach the gate. He’d been anticipating her arrival since he left her home with all her belongings, giving her no choice but to come to him.

An alternative would have been for her to replace her things without bothering to confront him, but Cassius knew her fiery spirit wouldn’t allow it. She would travel to the ends of the earth for the opportunity to argue her point, which afforded him the one shot he needed to finally make her understand what he’d already come to accept.

They were inevitable.

He’d purposely left the gate and door unlocked, anticipating her storming in like a bat out of hell. Aella didn’t disappoint. Pushing the door open so roughly that Cassius heard it bounce off the wall, she stalked inside and found him on the couch, perfectly relaxed.

“Have you lost your goddamn mind?” she shrieked, stopping in front of him with her hands on her hips.

“Damn, did you at least make sure you closed my door since you damn near tore it off the hinges?”

“I’m not in the fucking mood, Cassius,” Aella growled, narrowing her eyes.

Finishing off the drink he’d been nursing while anticipating her arrival, Cassius stood, reaching around her to set the glass on the coffee table. Without a word, he left her where she was to check that the door was closed and locked it before returning.

“Look,” Aella started as soon as he bent the corner. “I have no idea what you’re used to, but you can’t just break into my home and hijack my shit because⁠—”

“I warned you that if you walked out of this house, you wouldn’t like what followed. Did I not?” he raised an eyebrow, remaining calm despite the anger radiating from her.

Or was it another emotion? Cassius couldn’t quite tell. Aella’s words were full of venom, but her body language didn’t quite read as angry.

“What is your role in this? Are you part of the investigation?”

“You think I would have made it inside and gotten your stuff out alive if your father wasn’t already aware of what was happening?”

A gasp tumbled from her lips. “He wouldn’t.”

“The only one making this situation difficult is you, Aella. Everyone else is⁠—”

“Where’s my stuff?” she interrupted, refusing to allow him to finish his sentence.

“Your clothes and toiletries are in one of the guest rooms and adjoining bathrooms. Your furniture is in storage since you don’t need it anymore.”