"I Mentioned Them, Didn't I?", Katrina Questioned, Trying Her Best Not To Make Eye Contact With Don.

"I mentioned them, didn't I?", Katrina questioned, trying her best not to make eye contact with Don. She was sure that she had, but she didn't think she had mentioned their ages. There had been a point to that. Having teenage daughters was often a death sentence to any man being interested in her. And yet, for whatever reason, Don seemed intrigued by the idea.

"You did. I just thought they were....younger.". he replied, as he continued to stare off into the distance at the two girls arguing.

"Of course. They're both seniors in high school. About to graduate and go off to university in the fall.", Katrina explained, hoping that the idea that the girls were about to leave the home would allow any anxiety that he might be feeling to disappear.

She hated feeling that way. She knew that her daughters would always come first, but she found herself feeling very selfish. For once, she wanted to be known as a woman and not a mother. She had raised her girls. It was time for her to have fun again.

"Oh really? Then maybe I will see them around campus." Don continued, as he turned his attention back to Katrina as she sat down four plates of eggs and toast on kitchen island behind her.

"We should eat, girls. It will be time for school soon, and I can introduce you to my....friend.", she hesitated, meeting Don's gaze as she felt his fingertips brush hers. It gave her a renewed strength to push forward.

Things were going to work out for her this time. They had to.

Dina wasn't really sure why she was getting so emotional about all of this. It wasn't like her to get this angry. Nina was usually the one with the temper. But, she supposed that Don's mere presence in their lives was touching on a nerve that she hadn't had a chance to heal from.

And she didn't like it.

She didn't like that he was making her process all of this that she had always managed so successfully to push away.

"Are you talking about your mother or yourself, senorita?", Don asked coyly, and Dina noticed the smirk on his lips. He was enjoying this whole exchange, and Dina wondered if it was even worth correcting him. He had seen her in a moment of weakness, but she wouldn't let it happen again. She couldn't afford to show this side of herself.

"Is everything okay?" Nina asked as she finally approached them, a raised eyebrow and her arms crossed.

"We're fine.", Dina said curtly, looking away from Don as she tried to calm the storm brewing inside. "He was just telling me about his painting. weren't you, Don?"

Don seemed to entertain her little charade, the very thing that she had just been accusing him of. "Yes. Like I was telling your sister, I am taking a class in school to learn how to paint. My father was artistic, but I'm afraid I didn't pick up the talent myself."

Dina could hear Don and Nina conversing about school and art. She heard her sister's giggle and noticed the way she was twirling her hair around her fingertips. Dina looked at them both with disgust because Don just seemed to be eating it up, and that's when she realized that Nina might just be the key to getting rid of him once and for all.

"Cassie? Are you two already buddy-buddy? Doesn't it usually take you some time to sink your teeth into somebody?", Sofia chuckled at her own joke, confused when Dina didn't sass her back.

She knew that Sofia wasn't being serious, but sometimes, Dina listened to all of the things that people said about her. Most of them were her own doing, and she had to make peace with that. She had spent years crafting this reputation of being cutthroat and conniving to protect herself; but on days like today -she didn't feel like living up to her own reputation. She just felt like being left alone.

"I'm just worried about her. That's all." Dina said, as she reached into her purse to pull out her phone. It wasn't like Cassie to miss school, and everything had seemed fine the night before. Did Malcolm say, or do, something to her to convince her to stay home?

She didn't have Cassie's number, but she did have her added on the Social Bunny app. She quickly typed up a message and hit send in the middle of Mrs. Coombs lecture.

The response came after lunch as she was sitting at the table with all of her friends, and her sister.

"I'm fine. Had a bunch of appointments today. Meet me after school at the Space Museum. I'll explain everything."

For once, Dina believed her. She didn't think that Cassandra had a manipulative bone in her body; and that was probably what Dina liked about her. She was simply trying to be herself, and that wasn't something that Dina had ever found the courage to do.

"Nina, tell Mom I will be home late. Drama club is running long today and I have to help with the costumes and the set design."

It was a lie - but not that farfetched. Her mom wouldn't think twice.

The school day went on pretty much as normal for Oasis Springs High. Dina was happy, as it gave her a chance to not think about her mother or the situation. She wanted to be happy for her mother, but she just didn't trust this man. Something about him was off, and she couldn't quite put a finger on it. Still, she knew that it wasn't her place to dictate her mother's love life. She deserved to be happy after being alone for so long.

In her final class of the day, her teacher drew all their attention to a girl standing in the doorway.

'Ah, Miss Goth. Would you like to come inside?", Mrs. Coombs asked as a slender girl with dark hair walked into the classroom.

The girl didn't say anything, instead starring down at the floor.

Dina was intrigued, as it was a little late in the year to be getting a new student.

"Class, this is Cassandra Goth. She is a transfer from Willow Creek.", the teacher explained casually, as though she was reading from a script. "She will be finishing out the year here with us and graduating with your class at the end of the month."

Dina's eyes flickered over to her sister, who was sitting in the front row. Everyone knew who the Goth's were. They were as famous as the Landgraabs in Oasis Springs. She also knew that Cassandra was only fifteen years old, and should be a freshman - not a senior. She had heard that the girl was a genius, but that was a bit much.

Dina was curious as to why she would be transferred here, considering as far as she knew, she still lived in Willow Creek. But, she had heard from a very reliable source that young Malcolm Landgraab had been spending quite a lot of time at the Goth Manor as of late. Is it possible that could have something to do with it?

Nevertheless, Dina was sure that things were about to get very interesting for her.

Dina tried not to show how offended she was that Cassandra did not know who she was. It was curious, considering Dina's massive online presence as a fashion icon. Was this girl not online? It must have been that way, considering all the rumors she had heard about Cassandra Goth and her disdain for people.

"Why did you transfer? Did a certain Landgraab have anything to do with it?", Dina asked, smirking as she watched Cassandra grow very red in the face. She wasn't sure if she was blushing or if she was angry, but her reaction made it obvious that was true.

"Papa and Mama thought that I should spend some time with my Uncle before going away to University.", Cassandra explained, trying to avoid eye contact with Dina.

It was obvious something was going on. There had been rumors for years about an arranged marriage between the Landgraab's son and the Goth's daughter. It would have made sense from a business standpoint. Old Money had a tendency to stick together. It would also explain why Malcom had refused her advances for the past three years despite her persistence.

"Are you going next year? Perhaps, we will be going together. That would be fun, don't you think?" Dina chimed, ignoring the look on Evie Copur's face as she rolled her eyes in the background.

Dina knew that she needed to get in good with Cassandra Goth, and while she wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea, it had to be done. Dina had dreams and ambitions of her own; marrying into a rich family was just one of her schemes. If she became Cassandra's bestie, perhaps, if the Landgraab boy was taken she would at least know of someone else that was looking for a wife.

"If you want, Cassie, I can show you around the school after class. I would love to get to know you better and I think we're going to be the best of friends!", Dina said, watching as the girl exhaled slowly, rubbing at her temples. "You know what....That would actually be great. Thank you...Dina."

I'm like hey, what's up, hello

We're baaaaaack!✨

In honor of the new pack, hellohopesims and fruitysimsy present: the Struck By Love Legacy💞

ETA 25.JUL.2024: GEN 10 IS HERE! We had a few requests for a version of generation 10 that doesn't include new items from the pack, and while we usually would just say "Use your best judgement," ...We did it for you anyway ;) We hope you guys enjoy!

The general rules are the same as always, (find them here, and the Fruity Legacy here) and don't forget to have fun!

use the tag #struckbylovelegacy to #showusyoursims!

We're around if you have any questions/concerns/comments!! If you need help swapping a trait you don't have out for one you do, feel free to reach out, too!

I hope you have as much fun with this one as you did the fruity legacy <3 xx, Hay + Hope

my playthrough // hope's playthrough