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

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.

Cassandra whispered, staring at her trembling hands. "And I

after they broke

like he was

every person she met

and frame a friend for it. If anything, she had always been a loyal friend-never

since returning to Anteca, it felt like she was walking among

was becoming one of them-slithering through the shadows, ready to

Dean. The Piersons. Her

hands curl into fists, her nails digging

don't need to explain. Just stay out

burned in her eyes. Before she

ask for forgiveness, they receive it... but when I

a hundred good things... but I'm judged

pressed her lips into a thin line, studying Cassandra's face. Without a word, she leaned

she whispered, rubbing Cassandra's back. "Let

Cassandra well. She knew that beneath her soft exterior, Cassandra could

vel

was

wanted

was the

time Kiara had seen her friend on the verge of being consumed by the darkness

And that terrified her.

on your side, I am. Don't let them-whoever they are-get to you. Don't let

alive."

to sever ties with her family, to carve out a life on her own terms-Kiara would

you, Cassy," Kiara whispered. "Always. I'm on your side,