Second Chance: An Heiress Reborn

The words flowed from Nicolas' lips, venom staining each and every letter.

Leonardo slammed his glass down in anger, the sound reverberating through the room. The room regained the tension it had lost earlier and the silence was palpable. Nicolas was forced back to his knees by guards, and almost instantly regretted his words.

Amara scoffed, glaring at the man who betrayed her daughter.

"Empathy? Where was your empathy when you decided to rip my daughter's heart apart? Shut your mouth!"

Victoria stood up quickly, sick of staying silent.

"You are the one who needs to shut your mouth! While you all dilly dally, my poor daughter's reputation is being torn to shreds."

With that she turned to Leonardo, pleading.

" Father, this doesn't only affect Caterina, but our family name,our company! We need a decision made now!"

As much as he didn't want to admit it, Leonardo knew she was right. As they spoke, the Cargona name was at risk. He turned, almost apologetically towards his now silent granddaughter.

Alessia silently put down her fork, and took a deep breath. Standing from her seat, she made her way around the table to where Nicolas was kneeling. She gestured at the guards holding him back to let him go.

Alessia looked up at him without saying a word. Her eyes did all the talking.

Nicolas was taken aback at the pure hatred in the eyes that used to carry blind devotion.

Gone was the docile naive girl ready and willing to do anything asked of her, and in her place stood a woman with nothing but contempt and disgust in her eyes.

He told himself that he didn't care, that she was just a means to an end. He reminded himself that he loved Caterina, and that everything was falling into place, albeit a little early. But he couldn't help but feel as though he had lost something that may have been precious.

Nicolas opened his mouth, taking a half step towards Alessia. No one knew what would come out of his mouth, not even Nicolas himself. What could he possibly have to say? Well, he would never have the chance.

Slap!

Nicolas' head snapped to the right, his hand coming up to his cheek before he could even process what had occurred. The room stayed silent, almost as if in shock at Alessia's actions. It was almost as if she was a completely different person. He couldn't even bring himself to be angry, feeling only disbelief. He could only stand there, cheek in hand, staring at the women that he could no longer recognize.

Alessia shook the hand that she had used to slap Nicolas with all of her strength, feeling the slight burn in her reddened palm. She lifted her chin arrogantly, lips curled up into a little smirk. Although she was more than a head shorter than Nicolas, that didn't stop him from feeling as though she was some kind of giant looking down on him, a mere mortal. She leaned forward, her voice low.

"Today is the last day I cry over a man like you."

"Cousin, I wish you all the best in your new engagement. You were made for each other!"

The words were biting enough to cause Caterina to flinch, and take a step back behind Nicolas. Satisfied with their reaction, Alessia straightened herself up, readjusting her expression to a more calm and respectful one. She turned to her grandfather, who seemed as confused and shocked as everyone else in the room.

"Grandfather, forgive me for my tone. I agree with Aunt, we should straighten out their engagement as soon as possible to save as much face as possible. I'll let the ȧduŀts discuss."

With those words, Alessia spun around on her heels and left the dining room.

The dining room stayed silent, each person lost in their own thoughts. After a few minutes of prolonged silence, Amara cleared her throat. She was surprised by her daughter's actions but wholeheartedly supported them. Looking at the red handprint on Nicolas' face and the frightened expression of Caterina's caused a great deal of satisfaction in Amara.

"Well, I think I'll be turning in for the night. Like Alessia said, I wish you all the best."

With that dismissive statement, she stood up from the dinner table and walked out, followed out by her husband and son.

Forcing a smile back onto her face, Victoria started to congratulate the 'happy' couple, and blabber on about their upcoming engagement. Caterina blushed, peeking up shyly at her fiance to be. Nicolas smiled back with a slightly unnatural smile, as his parents tried to join in on the 'joy'. But the atmosphere was still heavy, holding the harsh words the Alessia spat out in the air.

Leonardo sighed, wearily rubbing his brow. He couldn't help but feel guilt towards Alessia and wanted almost nothing to do with this charade. Calling over his ȧssistant, he ordered a statement to be put out as soon as possible, and a press conference to be scheduled for the following day. He turned to the young couple, disappointment laying deep within his eyes.

"There is no need to have a grand engagement party. We will just announce the engagement at the press conference tomorrow, and celebrate the engagement at my upcoming birthday celebration. The DeCarlos can go home now. You will be picked up before the press conference tomorrow morning."

After his little speech, Leonardo stood up with the help of his ȧssistant, and slowly made his way out of the dining room, no longer interested in the conversation.

Sebastien finally stood up after his father left. His cold eyes scanned the family that would soon be joined with his, his lips curling up in scorn. His wife began to approach him happily, but he brushed past her, leaving no face for his wife and daughter. Victoria stood silently, watching her husband retreat further and further into the family home, before chasing after him, her voice decreasing in volume.. Caterina could only stand there and smile stiffly, embarrassed by her parents actions.