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When he returned from his walk with Nova, Aella had pulled herself out of bed, gotten herself together, and was downstairs waiting for them.

“Hey girl,” she chuckled as Nova promptly leapt onto the couch and plopped in her lap.

“You know what’s crazy?” Cassius said, kissing her forehead before sinking into an armchair.

“What?”

“She’s never that loving with anyone. Not even me.”

“Well, what can I say?” Aella smiled, scratching Nova’s ears. “I have a way of bringing the best out of everyone.”

“Can’t argue with you when you’re right,” Cassius shrugged. “But there’s something I need to talk to you about, and it can’t really wait.”

“What is it?”

“I have an idea about how we can figure out this whole kidnapping contract situation. But the solution involves you.”

“Okay,” she cleared her throat. “What do I need to do?”

“I met up with someone your father and I feel we can trust and asked him if he would take the job to try to help us get to the bottom of it. He agreed, but also pointed out that he’d have to send proof of having you.”

“Meaning that I would technically have to be kidnapped?” Aella guessed.

“Fictionally. Think of it more as a photo shoot. And I’ll be there the entire time. I know it sounds off the wall, and if you’re against it then⁠—”

“Let’s do it,” she agreed without hesitation.

“Damn,” Cassius said, caught off guard. “I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t expecting that. I came up with a whole list of alternatives.”

Chuckling, Aella wrapped her arms around Nova. “Cassius, I trust you. And I haven’t been able to sleep without having nightmares ever since that night in the park. So if this is what we have to do to get to the bottom of things, then okay. As long as you’re with me every step of the way.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” he promised. “Then let’s set it up. The sooner, the better. I’m ready to put this behind us.”

“Alright,” he stood, fishing his phone out of his pocket. “I’ll handle it. But first, breakfast.”

Aella smiled, but deep down, the thought of solving the puzzle of who had it out for her sent a new fear through her. If there was no longer a danger, there was no longer a reason for her and Cassius to get married. And without a reason, would he still choose her?

“Oh, this is so exciting,” Victoria gushed as she and Aella strolled arm-in-arm out of one of the most expensive bakeries Aella had ever stepped foot in. She had to admit that spending the afternoon with her mother was the reprieve she needed from life's craziness, but wedding planning was not her cup of tea. She was beginning to wonder if it would be easier for her and Cassius to make an appointment at the courthouse.

“Exciting isn’t exactly the word I’d use,” she tittered. “But I’m glad you’re having fun.”

“I’ll never understand how you’ll plan a launch to a tea but trying to plan anything else makes you break out in hives,” her mother chuckled.

“Well, I live, sleep, and breathe whiskey,” she smiled. “As far as the wedding goes, as long as it ends with Cassius and me saying our vows, I don’t care where or when it happens. Anything else is just extra.”

“I wouldn’t be a good mother if I didn’t point out how far you’ve come since our first conversation about this young man. In the beginning, it was ‘ew Mom, gross Mom, I hate him Mom,’ to nothing in the world matters as long as you make it down the aisle to him. Now I don’t want to bring this up and say I was right about you changing your mind, but….”

“Oh?” Aella raised an eyebrow. “Because it sounds to my ears that that’s exactly what you’re doing,” she snickered.

“I’m just happy for you, honey. It’s so rare that arranged marriages turn out to be an actual love connection, but I was hoping it would be the case for you. I can rest easier knowing that you’re happy.”

“Damn, Ma. You make it sound like I’m never going to see or talk to you again. I’m just a drive away.”

“I know, but you’ll be a wife with a household to run and a husband to manage, not to mention you’re the head of a multi-million dollar brand. Things will change whether we like them or not, and I want to soak in all the moments with my firstborn baby while I can.”

Victoria’s words made Aella beam. They’d always had an amazing relationship, but she knew Victoria was right. Whether Aella wanted to admit it or not, the dynamic would change once she shifted from Aella Torrisi to Aella Farina. It was inevitable.

“Oh, let’s pop into this boutique,” Victoria suggested. “I need to find an outfit for your reception.”