Chapter 1617: This is now exploitation, Hugo.

The first step toward freedom felt surreal, and to think Cassandra had been in prison not so long ago. Yet, it felt as though she had spent far more time there than anywhere else.

Therefore, Cassandra almost didn’t want to believe it.

Even with the bubbling joy creeping into her heart at the thought of freedom, she tried to squash it down with every step. She kept her eyes fixed on Grace’s back, making sure the latter wouldn’t just disappear.

What if I wake up?

Her thoughts, which should have been filled with relief, slowly grew negative. The what-ifs and doubts filled her head, replacing the emotions in her heart with nothing but dread.

Please... don’t let this be a dream.

Just as she whispered that prayer in her heart, she heard another shrill of metal as the gates to the premises opened. Cassandra froze, her breath hitching.

Please... please... don’t wake me up.

Slowly, Cassandra lifted her head, and her breath instantly hitched. There, standing a step outside, were Kiara and Hugo Bennet.

Kiara stood there, her hand clasped close to her chest. The second she locked eyes with Cassandra, she froze. Her eyes, however, shone with tears, as if she were trying to process the situation herself.

"Cassy..." she called, her voice breaking.

The call was quiet, but the chill of the night breeze carried it to Cassandra’s ears. The second it caressed her ears, her vision blurred with tears.

"I’m out," she whispered in relief, almost breaking down right then and there.

As tears escaped Kiara’s eyes, she ran toward Cassandra. Without a second hesitation, she jumped into her arms, embracing her as tightly as she could.

"Cassy!" Kiara sobbed, clasping Cassandra’s clothes, holding onto her with all her strength.

Cassandra also clutched the back of Kiara’s shirt, sobbing her heart out. "I’m... I’m out... Ki! I’m... out!"

"Yes..." Kiara nodded, tears and snot mixing on her face. "Yes, you... are."

A lingering thought still haunted her: What if this was all still a dream?

If so, Cassandra didn’t want to wake up anymore, even if it meant not waking up to reality was death.

But with these tears so hot, Kiara’s warm and tight embrace so strong, and her breathing almost suspended in her throat as she choked while crying—this was like an embrace of reality. So, she embraced Kiara even tighter, until their bodies almost fused together.

This was real, not just a dream she would wake up from, not a fantasy while staring into nothingness.

Cassandra was finally out. Just in time.

As the two ladies sobbed without letting go of each other, Hugo walked closer to Grace. Standing beside her, he mildly grazed his shoulder against hers.

Casting him a look, Grace smirked. "Told you," she said, shifting her eyes back to the two ladies.

"Thanks," Hugo remarked quietly, but she didn’t answer.

The two of them watched as Kiara and Cassandra hugged each other, still crying. They could interrupt them and tell them they could continue this somewhere else, but neither Hugo nor Grace had the heart to ruin the reunion.

Hugo had seen Kiara work hard just to get help for her friend. Even when Kiara didn’t have to, considering Cassandra came from a respectable family. Yet, she still did. Seeing all that effort bear fruit pleased him.

As for Grace, she might not like Cassandra that much, but she knew Cassandra had been imprisoned for the wrong reasons. And as someone who had fought against the law and the system long before she had the power to do so, she understood what it was like not to have it on her side.

After a good amount of sobbing, Kiara finally pulled away. She cupped Cassandra’s face, forcing a smile as she nodded at her. Her thumb wiped the tears from Cassandra’s cheek, even though it was clear she needed to wipe her own face as well.

Cassandra bit her quivering bottom lip, unable to stop her tears from falling. She clasped the hand cupping her face, nodding back at her.

"You did it," Cassandra forced out her first words. "... You... helped me."

Kiara pressed her lips together, swallowing the lump in her throat. "It’s not all me," she whispered, slowly turning her head to where Hugo and Grace stood.

Her mouth parted, but all that came out was a voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you."

To the two of you.

For Hugo, who had led her to Grace, and for Grace, who had believed in her.

If only there were more meaningful words than "thank you," Kiara would’ve said them. After all, those words didn’t seem to fit how deeply grateful she was to both of them.

At the same time, Cassandra turned to Grace and Hugo. Her neck tensed as more tears overflowed from her eyes.

Still, she forced herself to express, "Thank you," even though it cracked midway, as she choked. "Thank you."

Grace offered them a short nod. "You guys must be hungry. Let’s get out of here first and eat something."

"Your treat?" Hugo’s eyes lit up, making her smile disappear in an instant.

"I’m already taking this case Pro Bono," she deadpanned. "This is now exploitation, Hugo. Not a charity case anymore."

Hugo almost choked as her words felt like a hand strangling him.

"Well, good thing I just got my salary!" he beamed, shifting his focus to the ladies. "My treat!"

"It’s alright," Kiara shook her head, smiling as she wiped her eyes. "Dinner’s on me."

"Good!" Hugo shamelessly answered while Grace couldn’t help but glare at him.

However, Kiara didn’t mind. This might be a small win, but it was huge for them already. Having Cassandra out of prison wasn’t just a step, but a leap. She turned to Cassandra, nodding at her, while the latter clasped her hand tighter.

"No need to bother," Grace sighed as she waved, turning to leave. "It’s my birthday today, and since I thought I wouldn’t make it tonight, I told my guests not to bother."

"Yes!" Hugo cheered, skipping to follow her while playing with the keys.

The two ladies, Kiara and Cassandra, exchanged looks, unsure whether to squeal or cry some more. However, they just ended up smiling at each other before following the other two, with Cassandra holding her friend’s hand as tightly as she could.

They didn’t look back—Cassandra didn’t even dared.

All she knew was that she would not go back in there. No matter what.