Chapter 37: Is that a threat?!.

Her expression hardens.

"Whether you care or not doesn’t change anything, Nerissa."

I raise an eyebrow as she takes a step closer.

"Get out."

I stare at her.

"Excuse me?"

"You need to leave the room. Now."

Her voice is sharp enough to wake Olivia fully.

I glance at my sister.

She is sitting quietly on the bed, looking between the two of us.

The woman folds her arms.

"We have to prepare Olivia for today. There are things that need to be done, and you cannot be here."

I almost argue.

Almost.

But then I look at Olivia and she gives me a small, tired smile.

I sigh.

"Fine."

I stand from the bed and straighten my clothes.

Before leaving, I walk over to Olivia and gently tap her shoulder.

"See you later sis."

She nods.

"See you later, Rissa."

I give her one last look before turning toward the door.

As I walk out, I can’t help wondering what exactly they need to prepare my sister for and why the hell I wasn’t supposed to be there in the first place.

I barely make it halfway down the hallway before I hear footsteps behind me.

I turn around to see one of the household maids is carrying a suitcase.

Then another follows her and another.

I frown.

Where are they taking all those bags?

I step aside to let them pass, but my eyes remain fixed on the luggage.

One of the suitcases looks familiar.....it belongs to Olivia.

My stomach drops.

I turn around and hurry down the stairs. The moment I reach the lower floor, I realize something is happening.

There are men everywhere, guards are positioned near the doors, cars are parked outside. A few men are carrying luggage toward them while others stand around, speaking quietly into their phones.

My eyes scan the room then I spot Cassian.

He’s standing near one of the windows, talking to two men.

I walk straight toward him.

"What is going on?"

He turns toward me.

His eyes briefly move over my shoulder before coming back to me.

"Good morning to you too."

"Cass."

He sighs.

"What?"

"Why are there cars outside?"

He doesn’t answer immediately, that alone makes my stomach tighten.

"Cassian."

"Olivia is leaving."

I stare at him.

"What?"

"She’s going back with Lysander."

For a second, I genuinely think I heard him wrong.

"Going where?"

He gives me a look.

"With her husband."

My mouth falls open.

"She’s leaving today?"

"Yes."

"When did that become a thing?"

"Since she married him?."

I glare at him.

"Don’t be smart with me."

"I’m not tryin to be."

I look toward the front and Everything suddenly makes sense.

They’re actually taking her, she’s leaving with Lysander, she’s leaving this house.

She’s leaving us.

I feel something twist painfully in my chest, I knew this was coming.

Of course I knew.

Olivia married Lysander last night. She couldn’t possibly stay here forever while her husband returned to his own home. But knowing something is going to happen doesn’t make it easier when it actually does.

"When is he coming?"

Cassian checks his watch.

"Soon."

I fold my arms.

"And you’re just okay with this?"

He gives me a tired look.

"Rissa..."

"No. Don’t Rissa me."

My voice rises.

"She’s my...our sister."

"I know."

"Then why are you standing here like this is completely normal?"

"Because it is normal."

I scoff.

"Normal?"

"She’s married."

"To Lysander."

"Yes."

"The same Lysander who is practically responsible for half the reasons we’ve spent our lives lookin over our shoulders."

The fact that he wasn’t Don until recently don’t matter.

Cassian’s jaw tightens.

"I know who she married."

"Then you should be worried."

"I am."

He pauses.

"But there isn’t much we can do."

I hate that answer. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

I hate it because it’s the same answer everyone keeps giving me.

There isn’t much we can do.

It’s tradition, It’s for peace, It’s for the families.

Always something.

And somehow, Olivia is the one who has to pay the price for all of it.

I glance toward the staircase.

"Where is she?"

"They’re getting her ready."

"Again?"

Cassian shrugs.

"I guess there are things the Sanchez family expects her to do before she leaves."

My stomach turns. I don’t even want to imagine what those things are.

I look toward the entrance again.

"How long until he gets here?"

"Not long."

As if summoned by his words, the sound of approaching vehicles reaches us.

My body stiffens as the gates outside open and several black cars roll onto the property.

My heart begins pounding, I don’t know why.

I’ve seen Lysander plenty of times, I’ve stood in front of him, threatened him yet today feels different.

Because today he’s not coming to negotiate.

He’s coming to take my sister.

The first car stops and two men step out.

Then the second and finally, the last car comes to a stop.

The rear door opens and Lysander steps out.

Of course he looks completely composed in a dark suit, perfectly arranged collar. Not a single sign that he spent the previous night in the middle of a ridiculous wedding celebration.

He looks around the property before his eyes eventually land on me.

His expression doesn’t change but mine does.

I glare at him.

He starts walking toward the entrance.

I don’t move.

He gets closer, when he reaches me, his eyes briefly move over my shoulder.

"Where’s Olivia?"

"Getting ready."

He nods like that’s all he needed to know.

I step in front of him.

"You’re taking her now?"

His eyes settle on mine.

"She’s my wife so yes."

My jaw tightens.

"She’s my sister."

"Both can be true."

I hate how calm he is, i hate that nothing seems to rattle him.

"Look after her."

"Is that a threat?"

"It’s a warning."

He looks at me for another second then he says quietly,

"I know."

I don’t know what to make of that.

Before I can say anything else, I hear footsteps behind me.

I turn to see Olivia is coming down the stairs.

She’s dressed beautifully with her hair neatly arranged, her clothes elegant, everything about her screaming that she belongs beside a Don.