RETURN OF THE LEGENDARY CASSIAN MARKAVELLI

3 - regrets

Soon, he stood before a huge mansion, his mouth slightly open as he tilted his head back to take it all in.

The mansion before him was huge and beautiful.

It had towering white pillars, glass windows that seems to mirror the dark sky and a wide, neatly trimmed lawn.

He looked down at the weathered card in his hand to be sure the address matched.

And it did.

His heart thumped hard as he approached the massive iron gate and gave it a gentle knock.

For a moment, there was silence. Then the gate creaked and opened slightly, revealing a tall, broad-shouldered man in a uniform. The guard’s eyes were sharp and his frown came quickly.

“What do you want?” the man asked.

Cassian opened his mouth, but the words tangled.

“I… I-I… Ver-ver… Veroni—”

The man scowled, already impatient. “Are you here to beg?”

Cassian flinched at the word.

He quickly shook his head and showed the guard the card “V-Veronica… a-a-asked me… to c-come.”

The guard’s eyes dropped to the card and his face softened.

He paused.

“ She asked you to come?” the man asked, almost uncertainly.

Cassian gave a small, hesitant nod.

The guard looked him over again, scanning the worn clothes, the rough skin, the limp.

“Go on in,” the man said gruffly, stepping back to allow Cassian through the gate.

Cassian stepped through slowly, his breath catching in his throat as the gate shut quietly behind him.

When he entered the mansion, he stopped for a moment in the grand living room, admiring the sculptures

The place was even more beautiful than he’d imagined. Marble floors gleamed beneath his worn shoes, a grand chandelier sparkled overhead, and the air smelled faintly of roses and something expensive he couldn’t name.

He stood still, soaking it in.

He couldn't believe this is where she stayed.

A place that was far too big for someone like him. And yet, she had invited him.

He slowly took a seat on one of the couch, his crutch resting beside him.

His fingers brushed the rose as he stared around.

It was the first surprise gift he had ever given her.

He smiled faintly, imagining how she'd look walking down the stairs, seeing him waiting with a flower.

He wondered how she'll react.

He imagined her smile, the shock in her eyes, the playful laugh she always gave when flustered.

She may even give him a hug, infecting him with the scent of her skin as she pulled in close which he knew was never going to happen.

Or maybe even touch his arm lightly and say something like, “You’re full of surprises, Cassian".

He didn't expect much.

But just as he was reveling in his thoughts, a faint sound drifted from upstairs.

Cassian paused.

It was a low thump, followed by another. A muffled scream.

He frowned.

At first, he thought it was the hum of a TV or the wind brushing through the windows. But then, it came again.

Voices.

Than movement.

It was clearly the voice of a female

His breath hitched. Veronica?

Could something be wrong?

Could she be in pain? danger

He hesitated. Just for a second.

His instincts instantly kicked in.

He grabbed his crutch and took the stairs to find her while holding the rose in the other hand.

His limp made the climb slow, but his heartbeat pushed him forward. He had to check. He had to make sure she was okay.

But when he got to her door, something felt off.

It was slightly ajar.

Strange.

He paused outside, suddenly uncertain.

But then another sound escaped, it sounded more of pleasure.

His chest tightened.

He pushed the door open gently and walked in to get the shock of his life

And there she was.

In bed.

With another man.

They were so caught up in pleasure to notice him.

For a moment, he couldn't breathe,

Couldn't speak, not even if he wanted to as his throat felt like it was on fire.

He just stood there, staring, his feet glued to the floor.

The flower dropped from his hand before he could stop it.

The sound was almost too loud in the silence.

“What the hell—?”The man sat up, startled and confused. Veronica gasped, her hand flying to cover her mouth.

Guilt, and panic flashed across her face in an instant but it was too late.

Cassian stared at the woman he adored painfully and tears slipped down his cheeks before he could stop them.

He wiped them away roughly, angrily, not wanting her to see his pain.

Cassian’s lips parted, trembling as he stared at the woman who had once made him feel seen... wanted.

He tried to speak, to say her name, to demand an explanation, to scream or cry or something but the words wouldn’t come out clean.

His mouth moved helplessly, his voice breaking under the weight of disbelief.

“V-V-Ve…”

He swallowed hard.

“V-V-Verr…V-Verron—”

But the stutter tightened his chest making it hard for him to complete his words.

Veronica blinked, stunned, her hand slowly reaching for the sheets as if covering herself could undo the damage.

“Cassian…” she whispered.

He could hear the guilt in her voice. But it meant nothing now.

Cassian shut his eyes, trying to fight back the tears that were threatening to fall.

His hand dropped from the wall where he’d braced himself while he relied on his crutch.

He stared at her. Pain hollowed him out from the inside, his heart twisting so violently it hurt to breathe.

“W-why?”

Veronica covered her mouth, eyes filling with tears she had no right to shed. “ Cassian, I—I didn’t know you were coming. I thought—”

" Who the hell is this?" the man said, clearly annoyed.

Veronica sat straighter, tightening the sheets around her waist.

" You have to calm down, Derick. Please" she said softly to the man.