Chapter 3 Silent Sobs & Stolen Hugs: A Sister's Love Wins Again

• The delicate clink of porcelain echoed in the quiet café as Luxia stared into her untouched tea, her reflection wavering in the glass. Outside, people passed by, carefree, oblivious, while her own thoughts tangled in knots.
• "Luxia, what seems to be the problem?"
• Cassian’s voice, smooth as honey, pulled her back. She blinked up at him, cheeks warming under his attentive gaze. He noticed everything about her, the way her fingers trembled, the hesitation in her voice, yet his own expression remained an unreadable mask.
• "O-oh, n-nothing..." she stammered, flustered.
• But that was a lie.
• His eyes, dark and dull even when he smiled, unsettled her. And yet,
• "Sigh..." Her hand pressed against her chest, as if trying to still her traitorous heartbeat. 'I couldn’t keep doing this.' she thought.
• "I... I have something to tell you." Her voice was barely a whisper. "I think we should stop seeing each other."
• A beat of silence.
• Cassian took a slow sip of his tea, unfazed. Then, without a word, he stood, and left.
• "E-eh?"
• Luxia sat frozen, stunned. That wasn’t the reaction she expected. No pleading, no anger, just cold acceptance.
• By the time she jolted to her feet and rushed outside, his car was already pulling away.
• "Cassian, wait—!"
• But he was gone.
• Her shoulders slumped. "I'm the worst..." she muttered, guilt twisting inside her. First Belle, now Cassian, she kept hurting the people she cared about without meaning to.
• Inside the sleek black car, Cassian chuckled, his lips curling into a smirk.
• "What a fine reaction."
• He hadn’t expected her to chase after him, "How adorable."
• Leaning back, he imagined the look on her face when they met again, when she finally learned the truth.
• That the man she had pushed away was none other than Cassian Ashborn, the Don of the Ashborn famiglia.
• Her fiancé.
• His fingers drummed against the leather seat, anticipation humming in his veins.
• "This is going to be fun."
• The grand halls of the Castelos mansion echoed with silence as Luxia stepped inside, her chest still aching from the day’s events. Then, she saw her twin, Belle, clad in workout shorts and a black tank top, sweat glistening on her skin as she toweled off her neck. The usual fire in her twin’s eyes was replaced by icy indifference.
• "Belle," Luxia called softly, forcing a smile.
• Belle barely glanced at her before turning away with a sharp "Hmph."
• The dismissal cut deeper than any blade. Luxia’s breath hitched, her heart pounding in her ears. Before she could think, her feet moved on their own, she rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Belle from behind, clinging desperately.
• "Belle, please!" Her voice trembled, raw with emotion.
• Belle stiffened, irritation flaring. "I don't want to talk to—!" She spun around, ready to shove her off—but froze.
• Luxia was crying.
• Not just tears, she was broken, silent sobs, the kind that shook her entire frame.
• Belle’s anger faltered.
• The last time she’d seen Luxia cry like this was when they were children, when Belle had fallen from a tree, her arm sprained, blood trickling down her forehead. Luxia had been the one to sob hysterically, her small hands clutching Belle’s uninjured one like she might disappear.
• "You’re hurt! You’re hurt, Belle! Don’t leave me!"
• The memory struck like a knife in the chest.
• Now, standing in the present, Belle felt her fury crumble.
• Guilt rushed in to take its place.
• Her hands, which had been ready to push Luxia away, hovered awkwardly before settling on her twin’s shoulders.
• "…Luxia," she muttered, voice rough but softer now. "Stop crying. You look ridiculous." but there was no bite in her words.
• Luxia sniffled, her crimson eyes glistening. "I-I’m sorry… I don’t know what I did, but I’m sorry…"
• Belle exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair.
• "Damn it."
• She couldn’t stay mad at her. Not when Luxia looked at her like that.
• "Tsk. Just… shut up," Belle grumbled, pulling Luxia into a rough hug. "And wipe your face. You’re a mess."
• Luxia buried her face in Belle’s shoulder, her tears soaking into the fabric of her sando. But for the first time in days, the weight in her chest eased.
• The day had arrived.
• Luxia and Belle, dressed in elegant yet somber attire, were escorted into a lavish black carriage, an archaic mode of transport that clashed with the modern world outside.
• Belle scowled, arms crossed as she slumped against the velvet seat.
• "I don’t understand. Why are we riding a damn carriage?" she grumbled, shooting a glare at their older brother, Luxer, who sat across from them with his usual composed demeanor.
• Luxer sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You are annoying and an idiot as always. This is precisely why you shouldn’t have neglected your studies."
• Belle’s face flushed red. "Wha—?! Hey! I resent that, you stuck-in-the-mud bastard!"
• Luxia couldn’t help but giggle at their bickering.
• Belle whipped her head toward her twin, scandalized. "Hey! Shouldn’t you be on my side, Luxia?!"
• Luxer smirked, shaking his head. "Well, I’m just glad you two already made up."
• Belle clicked her tongue, turning away to stare out the window, her cheeks still tinged pink. "Tsk! …It’s not like I could stay angry at Luxia forever."
• A pause.
• Then, softer, and almost reluctant, "Who would protect or comfort her if I’m gone? No way you could do that, stupid older brother."
• Luxer’s expression softened, but he said nothing.
• Luxia smiled, warmth blooming in her chest.
• For now, despite the uncertainty ahead, they were still them, siblings bound by love, even in the face of the storm to come.