Second Chance: An Heiress Reborn

Alessia sighed as she entered her bedroom. Finally, this day had come to an end. She plopped down on her bed, kicking off her shoes, while rolling her neck.

Who knew that Caterina would begin to unravel so early in the game? Alessia smiled bitterly because to her, this just proved how muddle headed she was in her past life. One had to be truly stupid to not see through Caterina and her schemes.

By the time, she was all set for bed, she could barely keep her eyes open. The events of the day had truly taken a toll on her and she was ready to pass out. But the second her head hit the pillow, a message started coming through on her phone. With as groan, Alessia mustered the strength to check her phone. The moment her eyes fell on the name the popped up, the sleepiness disappeared and was replaced by coldness.

The man she gave everything up for. The man who destroyed her life and betrayed her love.

Nicholas.

She sat up, disdain in her eyes, and hate radiating off her body, before reading the text.

[Hey babe! Would you be able to sneak out and meet me tonight? I miss you, my love.]

She stared at the text for what felt like hours. Her heart squeezed, and her vision began to blur in tears.

"How could I forget?"

In her past life, she had gone to meet him. She snuck out of the Cargona mansionand met him at a hotel, where he coaxed her into doing things that she wasn't ready for. But she did them because she loved him, and she believed that he loved her. Somehow, paparazzi found out where she was and was able to get into the room. Pictures of her n.a.k.e.d body was splattered online and she lost all reputation that she had. Tears streamed down her face, remembering the disappointment in her father's eyes and the heart attack that Grandfather suffered.

This was the beginning of the end for the Cargona family.

Not this time!

Alessia wiped her tears away, leaving behind only pure una.d.u.l.terated hatred. Then a smile slowly made its way across her face, as an idea popped up.

She picked up her phone, and went downstairs, to the living area. There sat Caterina eating snacks and watching television.

Alessia smirked inwardly. Just like in the past life, she was caught by Caterina trying to sneak out. Caterina helped her at the time, only to be the one who told the paparazzi where to go to find her. But not this time!

Judging Caterina's personality, her going out with Nicolas right now, after the humiliation she suffered, would be unacceptable.

She fixed her face and put on a conflicted appearance, as she approached the couch.

When Caterina saw Alessia descending the stair, she did all she could to hide the grimace on her face. Still burning from what had transpired earlier that evening. But when Alessia approached her, she sat up and smiled brightly.

"Alessia, you're still awake. Wanna watch tv together?"

Caterina reached to change the channel, when she noticed the mixed emotions on Alessia's face.

"Cousin, are you okay? Whats wrong?"

Alessia looked down hesitating before sitting by her cousin and grabbing her arm

"I really need some advice! Nicolas texted me to go out and meet him. You know how good he is to me, and how he treats me so well. And we love each other, but...as you know, it would cause even more damage to the Cargona name if I am caught outside with a boy doing.....stuff"

Alessia blushed towards the end of her sentence, making it abundantly clear to Caterina what "stuff"was. Caterina's face turned black, then red, then white, as she tried to put a lid on her emotions.

Stuff?!!

In the past, Nicolas would only text Alessia when prompted by her. Now he is off doing it on his own?!

After taking such a loss, from Alessia earlier, she refused to take another one.

Trying to keep the jealousy out of her voice, she warned her against leaving the compound.

"With everything that has already happened today, I don't think its a good idea for you to go out right now. I would hate if your reputation was ruined!"

Alessia pretended to consider her cousin's words before nodded her head innocently. She pulled out her phone and typed out a kind refusal of his offer, before turning to her cousin.

"Thanks, cousin! You are totally right. I can always depend on you!"

With that she bid her cousin a goodnight, and skipped back up the stairs. Caterina's gentle smile turned into a sneer, as she pulled out her phone.

[Hey Nicolas, I'm bored at home! Can we hang out tonight?]

She then leaped off the couch, and rushed to her room to get dolled up. She was in such a hurry, that she didn't see Alessia standing at the top of the stairs with a smirk on her face.

Fool!

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[Sorry, today is not a good day. Maybe tmmrw?]

A man sat in a hotel room sneering down at his phone. His blue eyes, brown hair, and boyish features made him appear every bit like the handsome boy next door that he so desperately wanted to be seen as. But here in this hotel room, away from the public eye, he could be himself.

Nicholas DeCarlo was the the firstborn son and heir of DeCarlo Industries, a textile company that was slowly but surely going under, despite the family's efforts to make it seem like they were still on top of their game. That's why his father asked him to seduce and marry the Cargona princess, Alessia

With her family's power, he could finally have all that he wanted, including her cousin, Caterina. His eyes softened thinking about her.

Caterina had everything that Alessia didn't. She was gorgeous with an amazing body, and a pretty face. She was soft spoken, and business minded, and everything he needed in a wife that would rule beside him. Unlike Alessia, who was stupid and silent at all times, with no sense of fashion and a plain face. How could a girl like her be his wife, let alone help build a fashion empire? Because of a stupid thing like birth order, the qualified beauty was tossed aside will a bum like Alessia was viewed as some kind of princess, who could bully others. He hated girls like her the most!

But, for the sake of his family and of his true love, he would string this girl along until he could finally ditch her.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. A soft smile spread across his face as her opened up the door for his love. She was breathtaking.

She wore a beautiful white body fitting dress that accentuated her curves, and made her a goddess in his eyes. But was he looked into her face, he could see that all was not well.

Caterina hugged her own body, while looking sad and forlorn. She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his waist, before speaking softly,

"I'm happy that I get to see you. I had to go out with Alessia today and it was...hard."

The last statement was said sadly, as Caterina looked up at Nicholas with glistening eyes. He felt an overwhelming urge to protect the pretty woman in his arms. Just based off that statement alone, he immediately came to the conclusion that Alessia had bullied his woman.

His eyes became gentle, and he comforted his love.

"Just endure a little bit longer, my love. Once the power is in my hand, I will make her pay for all the suffering she made you endure."

A soft smile grew on Caterina's face as she looked up at Nicholas.

"I would suffer all this and more to be with you."

With those words, Nicholas' heart grew soft and he whisked her away in his arms to the bedroom to ...ahem...reaffirm their love. She buried her face in his c.h.e.s.t acting shy. Really, she was hiding a smirk.

He loves you?

Don't be so naive!