Betrayal

Ivy's POV

“That's final, Ivy,” Dad announced.

He was serious. Dead serious.

My lips parted in disbelief. “Dad…..you are really getting me engaged to Cassian?”

Cassian Wolfe had been a good Uncle so far, or so I thought—The man had been planning with my Dad to get me engaged to him.

Cassian. Years older than me, old enough to be my father.

“There’s no way you are supporting this, Mom” My eyes flickered to her, searching for solace, but her silence told me there was no way out.

It was either I marry Cassian Wolfe or I marry Cassian Wolfe.

No options. No choice. Just a life planned out for me.

My knees buckled as I fell to the floor. Right in front of me, my future was dictated.

Dad stormed upstairs, leaving me in despair.

Suddenly, I would be getting engaged. I wanted to think of it as a joke, or a dream I'd end up waking up from, but no, it was real.

Cassian moved to my side, crouching down in front of me.

“You heard your Dad, sweetheart” he said, my eyes moving to face him.

His gaze darkened, hands lifting my chin up, so roughly that I glared. “I don't care what you do, Ivy, but I just hope you don't disgrace my name once we get married”

My heart raced. Already, he was talking about marriage.

His gaze took me in one last time, before he walked towards the door.

“Tell your parents I said goodbye” With that, he was gone.

I swallowed hard, running my hands through my hair as I tried to keep my sanity in check.

Forcing myself up from the floor, I turned only to see the stranger's eyes on me.

Damn, I forgot about him.

“Crazy how this family welcomed me with lots of drama, crazier how my sister doesn't realize the trouble she's getting in” His gaze was locked on me, unflinching.

My stomach dropped.

Adrian.

My brother?

The man I had wanted more of?

God, no.

My jaws tightened as I stared at him. “Shut it, stranger! I'm not doing that engagement!!”

He smirked. “Imagine the look your soon-to-be fiance’s face if he gets to know what we did tonight”

My eyes shot up in terror as my gaze roamed everywhere, making sure no one heard him.

“Are you crazy? Nothing happened between us,” My voice shook slightly. “We never met, never saw each other in that club” I added.

Forbidden. We had done something forbidden.

I hated how relaxed he was, how unhinged he felt about all these.

He said nothing, just stood.

He leaned in closer, and for a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me, and the damned me would have been so glad.

Get a grip, Ivy! You're family!!

I gulped, seeing his intent gaze on me while I stared back.

I gasped when he pulled me closer into himself by grabbing my waist.

My eyes widened, hands trying to get him off me.

“What the hell are you doing?” I yelled, voice in a whisper.

I feared this scene being seen. I imagined the terror on my parents face if they caught us like this.

He wasn't scared, didn't look like he gives a fuck about getting caught.

“I don't plan on telling anyone about us” his voice was low, dangerous. “You’re the one who should make sure you don't slip” he said, letting go of me, then ascended the stairs without glancing back.

In my room, I couldn't think about anything else than the engagement. I knew I wouldn't be able to stop my Dad, but I had to try.

The next morning, I got out of bed early, heading to Cassian's home after I took a bath.

“I'm here to see Cassian,” I told the guard at the gate.

His gaze narrowed as his eyes darted from me to his wristwatch.

“He didn't tell you I would be here?” I asked, making it sound like we had an appointment.

“No ma'am. I'll inform him about your presence quickly” he said.

I smiled, giving a response. “No, I'll just see him inside. Thank you” before he could object, I was already walking towards the door.

I walked into Cassian's sitting room, my gaze narrowing.

Clothes sprawled on the floor, undies laying recklessly on the ground.

I laughed bitterly.

No way.

I walked up the stairs, standing in front of the room I remembered to be Cassian's.

Voices came from inside, giggles, laughters and moans.

“Morning sex is the best thing ever,” A feminine voice laughed.

“I know, right?” Cassian groaned.

That feminine voice….oddly familiar.

My heart raced as my hands landed on the doorknob, the door creaking open.

Cassian was towering over a lady, both of them tangled in the sheets.

Their faces snapped, and then I saw her.

The lady beneath.

My eyes widened, my lips trembling as I blinked. “E…Erica?”

She was shocked, both of them were.

My best friend.  It was unbelievable, but stark clear.

Cassian's jaw tightened, running his hands through his hair as his face twisted in anger.

“Damn. I thought I told you to lock the fucking door last night” Cassian gritted to Erica in a low voice.

No remorse. Just regretting that he got caught.

“You went back out after you came back from her place, remember?” Erica said, gaze fixed on Cassian.

Then I realized, getting invited to the club yesterday wasn't a coincidence. Erica, along with Cassian had set me up!

“You both are despicable” I spat, storming out.

I rushed down the stairs, the betrayal hitting harder than I had thought.

I liked her, trusted her, and told her everything. But she? She did this.

I walked towards the door when Cassian appeared behind me, calling my name.

I didn't respond, just kept walking. When my hand reached for the doorknob, he spun me around.

My eyes flared, anger surging through me.

“Don't touch me!!”

My hands moved faster than my words as I landed a slap on his cheeks.

Smack!

He held his cheeks, eyes widening.

But I didn't care.

Instead, I just bolted out.