Chapter 1632: You are both going to die

Meanwhile...

"Uh..." Cassandra took small steps toward the kitchen where Kiara was. She squeezed in beside her, gently holding Kiara’s arm to get her attention.

"Yes?" Kiara turned to her.

Hesitation swirled in Cassandra’s eyes as she shifted her gaze toward the living room.

"What’s he doing here?" she asked, looking back at Kiara. "Ki, are you two...?"

"No!" Kiara gasped quietly, glancing toward the living room where Hugo sat watching television. She shook her head and turned back to Cassandra. "Cassy, whatever you’re thinking—it’s not that. No, we’re not together."

"Then why is he still here?"

Kiara paused, pondering the question. Hugo had offered to live with her not long ago, but hadn’t pressed the issue when she refused. Even though living alone in a somewhat dangerous neighborhood was a bit scary, the last thing she wanted was a man living in her place.

Even so, since Hugo had been around since Cassandra’s release and through Grace’s birthday celebration, she’d thought it would be nice to invite him over. After all, it had been days since Hugo started following her around like a quiet shadow, and she’d started to get a feel for his routine.

"He’s not staying over for the night," Kiara whispered. "But honestly? Even if he asked... I might just let him."

"Why?" Cassandra furrowed her brows. "Are you into him?"

"What? No!" Kiara gasped, her voice still low.

Cassandra sighed. "Ki, don’t get me wrong. I mean, I’m staying at your place too, so I’m not one to talk. I’m just asking if you are, you know... into him? It hasn’t even been that long since I was arrested, but it already feels like so much has changed."

"It’s not like that," Kiara sighed. "I’m just... grateful to him. He even drove us home."

Kiara pursed her lips, thinking back to the days before all of this. She couldn’t help but smile as she met Cassandra’s eyes again.

"Knowing you were in there, and there was so little I could do... it wasn’t easy, Cass." Kiara placed a hand gently over Cassandra’s. "I thought I was going to lose my mind. But in a way... thanks to him—and his uncle, who directed him to me—I held it together."

Cassandra’s eyes softened, her smile trembling a little. She placed her other hand over Kiara’s and nodded in understanding.

Maybe she’d underestimated her friend’s struggles while she was in prison. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized Kiara had shared the same desperation she did. Although Kiara wasn’t behind bars, the lack of hope and help had become her own kind of prison.

"Anyway, help me out a bit," Kiara whispered, changing the subject. "We might’ve eaten a lot, but that guy over there has a reserve slot in his stomach for when food gets scarce."

Cassandra chuckled and nodded. "I’ll grab the plates."

With that, the two women served up the takeout they had brought home from the restaurant. Initially, Kiara had only planned to buy takeout for the next day. But the restaurant told them they could take anything from the buffet since it was already paid for and meant for the guests.

In the end, they’d managed to haul home enough food for an entire week. Then again, Kiara didn’t plan to keep it all. She intended to bring the rest to the warehouse and share it with everyone.

Meanwhile, Hugo watched the TV with disinterest. His eyes were on the screen, but his mind was elsewhere.

Just then, he noticed Cassandra and Kiara approaching with food.

"Wow," he blurted out. "Are you two gluttons?"

Both women froze, staring at him in disbelief. They were clearly serving the food out of formality and gratitude, not to eat themselves—but apparently, Hugo didn’t get the memo.

"It’s just some bread and desserts," Kiara said, placing the tray on the low coffee table. "If you want, you can have some..."

She trailed off while Cassandra’s brows lifted at the sight of the cupcakes. One was already missing. Neither of them had seen how it disappeared.

Slowly, their gazes shifted toward Hugo, who was now nodding in approval while licking the frosting like some sort of food critic.

"This is nice," Hugo hummed. "You guys should try it."

"Heh..." Cassandra let out a defeated laugh, casting Kiara a knowing look. Kiara simply shook her head, as if this wasn’t the first time Hugo had pulled something like this.

"Anyway—" Cassandra cleared her throat, glancing between Kiara and Hugo. "I’m going to take a shower. Hugo, thanks again for everything."

But before she could stand, Hugo raised a hand to stop her.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Don’t go yet," he said, clearing his throat as he reached for a glass of water. "I actually need to talk to you about something."

Both women furrowed their brows, exchanging puzzled looks. Kiara shrugged before turning back to Hugo.

"What is it?" Kiara asked.

"Remember when I told you that you can’t live without me?" he asked, making Kiara’s face twitch in embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Cassandra raised her brows, shooting Kiara a sharp look. Kiara immediately shook her head, frantically denying whatever was forming in her friend’s mind.

"Hugo, can you please not say things like that?" Kiara laughed awkwardly. "People might get the wrong idea."

"But it’s true!" Hugo insisted, making Kiara wince. Completely oblivious to the implications of his words, he continued—this time, his expression turned serious.

"If you’re not going to let me live with you, then you two need to live somewhere else," he said plainly. "Somewhere safer. Somewhere that isn’t so easy to break into with a single kick."

He glanced at the apartment entrance and shook his head. "Even I could break in with one good kick," he muttered before looking back at them.

"Someone’s going to kill one of you—or both of you," he added bluntly. "I tried to keep this subtle so you wouldn’t panic, but this is the only way to make you understand the danger lurking just around the corner."

Slowly, he leaned forward, his arms resting on his knees as he held the half-bitten cupcake.

"You’re both going to die."