The broken Princess Reborn to be His Duchess

Destiny

Catalina POV:

"Set up the bridal suite," I said as Jocelyn unfastened my cloak. "Your highness, the Duke, he said—" I cut her off, "I am the duchess," I said coldly. "Prepare my room and move my belongings from the shared suite." In thirty minutes Lottie brought me a cup of herbal tea as Anthea removed the last pin. "Your highness, should you not wait until the Duke returns." I blew on the tea. "No need, I expect he will be spending his night away from..." I pursed my lips, "here." Anthea and Jocelyn glanced at each other before looking back down. "Good night ladies," with that, they bowed and left. I stood up and locked the door before walking to the bed and climbing in.

I pushed my hair to the side, and closed my eyes. Willing myself to fall asleep; however, all I could see was Mira's foot under the table rubbing against Cassian's leg, and Cassian thoroughly enjoying it. The love I had felt for Spider/Cassian, it was no more.

A single tear rolled down my cheek and I hastily rubbed it away. The silence was comforting. "Your highness!" That was Lottie, the sounds were muffled and unclear but I could swear she was shouting. I threw the blankets off my pale legs; my bare feet landing softly on cold wood. As I padded to the door, someone tried to open the door, and then started jerking the handle frantically. I froze. "Catalina!" Shouted Cassian, he sounded stressed, but my voice was caught in my throat. "Catalina!" He shouted, "what do you want!?" I shouted back, "open the door!" I shook my head and then remembered he couldn't see me. "No!" I shouted back.

"Catalina!" He shouted again, "go back to the princess, it would be rude of you to leave her bed so early." The door handle stopped moving, and I turned to get back into bed. "Catalina, please," he begged and the rawness in his voice pulled at my heart strings, I padded closer to the door. "Go away Cassian," I said softly, "I want to sleep." His head hit the door, "please, just speak to me," he begged. "We are speaking, and I said what I needed to."

"If you don't open this door, I will break it down!" He roared, "don't you dare Cassian!" I screamed back, "then open this door or I will! I swear upon the Gods I will!" And I knew it in my heart that he would. I walked back to the door and unlocked it. Instantly his arms wrapped around me, before I could take in his disheveled appearance. "It's not what you think, I—" I put my hand off silencing him, the servants had gathered behind him, "I do not care who you share your bed with," I said into the stunned silence, "as long as it is not mine."

He stepped back, "you believe I would hurt you like that?" He asked, "I am not hurt, do not assume that you have that power over me." He stepped closer, and I snapped, "Cassian leave me alone or I swear upon the Gods I will ask for an annulment!" He staggered back at my words and the hurt that was on his face hardened into a mask. "I will leave you be then," he said and turned on his heels, and I turned on mine. "Close the door please," I said and the servants scurried to close the door as I returned to bed.

To hell with Cassian and to hell with a second life. What was the point coming back if I was just going to be stuck in the same loop as before. New husband and yet I had the same outcome. Was this my destiny?