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

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.

sobbing

Kiara nodded, tears and snot mixing on her

lingering thought still haunted her: What if

want to wake up anymore, even if it meant not waking up to reality

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.

dream she would wake

was finally out.

walked closer to Grace. Standing beside her, he mildly grazed his shoulder against

Grace smirked. "Told you," she said, shifting her eyes back

quietly, but

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

seen Kiara work hard just to get help for her friend. Even when Kiara didn't have to, considering Cassandra came from a

that much, but she knew Cassandra had been imprisoned the wrong reasons. And as someone who had fought against the law and had the power to do so, she

the system long before

like not to have it on

side.

amount of sobbing, Kiara finally pulled

cupped Cassandra's face,

Ja

forcing

even though it was clear

her quivering bottom lip, unable to stop her tears from falling. She clasped the

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

pressed her lips together, swallowing the lump in her throat.

slowly turning her head to where Hugo

came out was a voice barely above a whisper. "Thank

two of

Grace, and