Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

Chapter 1308: Love isn't selfish

Some changes had proven to have a good effect, but others simply led to different outcomes. Even with good intentions, the effects of change could be

unpredictable.

In Finn and Cassandra's first life, they had been bound in a loveless marriage. Though they maintained a strong friendship, romance had never been part of the equation. It was a miserable union, one that remained unchanged until Cassandra was caught up in the treacherous waters Finn had ventured into-leading to her untimely death.

So, when Finn was reborn, he made it his goal to break off their engagement.

He didn't love Cassandra as anything more than a friend, but she was family to him. Finn wanted to give her the freedom to choose whom she would marry. He didn't want them to be trapped in another arranged marriage, only to endure yet another miserable life due to a forced union.

But alas... no matter how good his intentions were in this life, there was one thing Finn hadn't realized.

A miserable marriage wasn't miserable simply because it was arranged. It was miserable because of the lack of emotion in it-the lack of willingness to love, to even try. Initially, both of them had agreed to break the engagement because Cassandra had always known Finn was not the type to fall in love.

Finn could never love anything-not even himself.

So, when she agreed to end their engagement, Cassandra hadn't been hopeful. But then... Finn changed. He showed that he could love, that he could feel deeply and express his emotions.

Just not to her.

It felt like a slap to the face.

"I shouldn't have agreed to end it," Cassandra whispered, her eyelids drooping.

Deep lines formed between Max's brows as he grasped the weight of her words. "Cassandra, don't tell me..."

you think would've happened if I hadn't agreed to break off the engagement, Max?" she asked bluntly, turning to face him. "Do you

ha..." A nervous laugh escaped him. "Honestly, I don't

were once his best friend," she countered with a nonchalant shrug. "So

wanted to be poetic and give you an

heart broken too?" she mused.

Max remained silent.

there were a few what-ifs floating in his

invited Hugo? What if I had been the one sitting

face before the corner of her lips curled up. "At least you understand what's been weighing on my heart lately," she muttered, peeling her gaze away. "Not too long ago, I was secretly flattered that after waking from a long coma, the first person he

was an apology... and a

Max furrowed his brows.

Cassandra continued, voice

is being sincere with me. It's driving me

her grew

Max out of

his spine as he looked at her. He had always known Cassandra had this side to her. Behind her meek and cute exterior, she was capable

it felt like Cassandra's demons had grown bigger. More

make her go crazy?' Max wondered before

"Hey, Cassy."

a brow

sighed. "So what if you think breaking off the engagement was a mistake? You and Finn were engaged for years. You grew up together. And still-you didn't fall in

a hand, realizing he was about to ramble about the old Finn he remembered. "What I'm saying is... sometimes, no matter how much we like someone, if that person loves someone

selfish. If we truly love someone, we want them to be happy-even if it's not because of us. Even if we're

fingers curled

isn't supposed to hurt others," he added. "If it does... then