Chapter 1368: Can’t let it go

With Cassandra in the warehouse, Kiara had to excuse herself from Stephen. He said a few words before leaving—likely to go bother someone else, she guessed. Taking Cassandra to her small, industrial-style office, Kiara placed a glass of water in front of her before sitting across from her.

"What is it this time? What’s wrong?" Kiara asked, studying Cassandra’s pale face. "Cassy...?"

Cassandra kept her eyes down, her breathing heavy. She didn’t respond, even though she had heard Kiara’s question loud and clear.

"Cassy." With a heavy sigh, Kiara stood from her seat and moved beside her only friend. She reached out, holding Cassandra’s hand, worry flickering in her eyes. "What is it? You’re starting to worry me. Tell me what happened?"

"..." Cassandra swallowed the building lump in her throat before slowly lifting her gaze. "I... I don’t want to get married."

Kiara’s brows lifted — not in surprise, but in confirmation. She and Cassandra had known each other for years, watching each other’s lives unfold from childhood to now. Therefore, Kiara had always guessed that Cassandra was rushing her relationship with Jonathan. Besides, if one person truly loved someone, they wouldn’t get swayed just because their first love had finally shown interest in them.

Kiara might not have the experience, but she knew at least that much.

"You don’t love him, after all?" Kiara asked, having long suspected Cassandra was making a mistake. "Is it because of Dean Pierson?"

Not long ago, Cassandra had been torn up about her longtime crush. Dean had always been someone she admired, and when he finally showed interest, she had gone into full fangirl mode. Kiara hadn’t approved—especially since Cassandra was already with someone else. Even so, all she could do at that time was say a few honest words.

"No," Cassandra whispered, lowering her gaze. "Or... maybe he’s part of it, but not in that way. I don’t like him anymore."

"Huh?" Kiara frowned. "How do you just stop liking someone you’ve had a huge crush on for years—in a snap?"

Cassandra didn’t answer. Kiara had a point—it wasn’t that easy. If anything, Cassandra still felt a lingering attraction toward Dean. But the bitter truth was that he had only approached her as part of the power struggle within the Pierson family.

Everything had been a lie.

And it wasn’t just Dean. Cassandra wasn’t blind or foolish—she could see the ulterior motives lingering in Jonathan’s eyes, too. How she wished she could have just been blindly in love. At least then, even if she wasn’t truly loved, she wouldn’t have known the difference.

"I’m angry, Kiara," Cassandra whispered, staring at her trembling hands. "And I can’t stop asking myself... why?"

Why was Finn happier after they broke off their engagement?

Why did it seem like he was better without her?

And why did every person she met only approach her because they needed something?

Unlike Nina, Cassandra hadn’t tried to kill someone as a child and frame a friend for it. If anything, she had always been a loyal friend—never betraying those she cared about. She had done her best to be a good person, to help others, to protect herself.

But ever since returning to Anteca, it felt like she was walking among snakes.

And before she knew it, she was becoming one of them—slithering through the shadows, ready to strike at any moment.

Jonathan. Dean. The Piersons. Her family. Finn.

The mere thought of them made her hands curl into fists, her nails digging into her palms.

[You don’t need to explain. Just stay out of my life.]

Her breath hitched as tears burned in her eyes. Before she could stop them, they spilled over, streaking down her face.

"Why..." she choked out, her voice breaking. "Why is it that when others ask for forgiveness, they receive it... but when I ask for it, I don’t deserve it?"

She slowly lifted her tear-filled gaze, meeting Kiara’s. "I’ve done a hundred good things... but I’m judged for one mistake. How can I not be angry, Kiara? Tell me."

Kiara pressed her lips into a thin line, studying Cassandra’s face. Without a word, she leaned in and pulled her into an embrace.

"Let it go," she whispered, rubbing Cassandra’s back. "Let it go, Cassy."

After all these years of friendship, Kiara understood Cassandra well. She knew that beneath her soft exterior, Cassandra could be ruthless when she wanted to be. But this—this was different. This was the first time Kiara had seen her friend on the verge of being consumed by the darkness surrounding them. The darkness of this mad world filled with mad people.

And that terrified her.

"Let it go," she repeated, tightening her hold. "If you think no one is on your side, I am. Don’t let them—whoever they are—get to you. Don’t let this anger eat you alive."

Just as Cassandra had stood by Kiara through everything—through her decision to sever ties with her family, to carve out a life on her own terms—Kiara would stand by Cassandra now.

"I will always be here for you, Cassy," Kiara whispered. "Always. I’m on your side, and I will never betray you like everyone else has."

Cassandra’s eyes softened as she rested her chin on Kiara’s shoulder, biting her bottom lip. Tears continued to fall, and she clutched the back of Kiara’s shirt.

But in the depths of her heart... Kiara’s words didn’t reach her anymore.

Cassandra had come here hoping—hoping that Kiara would say something to stop her. That she would give her a reason to hesitate.

But now...

Nothing.

The rage in her heart, the pain, the humiliation—they were too overwhelming. Too deep.

"Kiara," Cassandra whispered, loosening her grip. "I’m... sorry." — I can’t let it go.

Kiara stiffened as Cassandra pulled away. The latter gave her a weak smile before rising to her feet. Without another word, she turned toward the door, wiping away her tears as she walked away.

"Cassy." As Cassandra reached the exit, Kiara stood abruptly. "What does that mean? Why are you apologizing?"

Cassandra forced a smile—but it never reached her eyes. And then, without looking back, she walked away.

Kiara remained rooted in place, staring at the slightly ajar door.

"Cassy..." she whispered, her heart tightening. "What... are you planning to do?"