Chapter 1848: A new beginning II
Chapter 1848: A new beginning II
Not everyone knew how to start, though. There were so many uncertain things to consider.
Just like Cassandra.
Later in the evening…
Cassandra drew a deep breath and stood in front of a gate. Like many others, she, too, had so many uncertainties at the moment. And with each breath, she felt fear gnawing at her. Still, regardless of the uncertainties, her willingness to start overpowered all.
“Hello,” Cassandra perked up when the guard walked out since she had been standing outside. “My name’s Cassandra Smith. I’m…”
She trailed off, biting her tongue as fear and shame bubbled in her heart.
“Miss, what?” The bodyguard raised his brows. “What do you need here?”
Cassandra swallowed the lump forming in her throat and clenched her hands into tight fists. She forced a smile.
“Is Nina inside?” she asked. “Can you please tell her that we can talk? I know it’s late, but… please?”
The guard eyed her up and down, unsure about this. But seeing the desperate look in her eyes, he sighed.
“Miss, I’m sorry, but I can’t—”
“Just let her know Cassandra is here,” Cassandra panicked, reaching out to the guard’s arm. “I know I’m not important, but I’m really just… just…”
The rest of her words died in her throat as a bitter smile turned up on her face. Slowly, she let him go and took a step back.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
With that, Cassandra took a step back and lowered her head to the guard. Just then, she realized how late it was and that her request to meet Nina sounded a little too demanding. Surely, she didn’t know what she was doing or how it would appear to others.
But just as Cassandra turned on her heel, a car’s headlights flashed on her. She squeezed her eyes shut and shielded them with her hand. When the light lowered, she dropped her hand.
There, she saw Finn and Nina, standing behind the driver’s and front passenger’s rows, eyes on her.
Cassandra’s brows raised as she finally met their gaze. Her heart clenched the second she saw the distant and cold look in Finn’s eyes, then the intrigue in Nina’s eyes.
Her lips quivered as they parted, but before any words could escape her mouth, Finn spoke.
“What are you doing here?” His voice was cold and firm, clearly not pleased to see her.
“I—I…” Cassandra swallowed hard, her eyes on Finn.
’I just want to apologize,’ she thought. ’Or maybe, at least talk to both of you.’
But none of those words escaped her mouth for reasons unknown. Cassandra hid her hands behind her and forced a smile.
“Finn,” Nina called, looking at her fiancé over the roof of the car. She shook her head and, without a word, walked away from where she stood to Cassandra.
Once she stopped a step away from her, Nina looked her in the eye. “I’m sorry if they didn’t let you in. They’re a bit strict. Have you been here long?”
Seeing the look on her face and her casual question, Cassandra bit her inner bottom lip.
“I’m…” Her voice cracked as the corners of her eyes reddened. “…I’m sorry.”
“I know you are,” Nina smiled as she tilted her head, offering her hand to Cassandra. “I’ve been on the road all day, but a night walk is nice. Should we take a walk and maybe talk about things we should?”
“…” Cassandra’s brows knitted at the kindness Nina was extending to her, and before she knew it, she blurted out, “Why?”
Why wasn’t Nina angry at her? Cassandra would understand if Nina slapped her or just chased her away. But no. Nina was not only offering her a kind smile, but also her warm hand.
“Why?” Nina hummed, thinking about everything she had gone through. “Well… who am I not to give others a second chance? When I should be the one who understands you the most.”
Because even if Nina changed, she would never forget that she was the way she was today because she was given a chance. If not for everyone giving her a chance to redeem herself, Nina didn’t think she would be at this point in her life — this point where she was the happiest.
Sure, what Cassandra did was wicked. But didn’t Nina try to kill Penny?
So, in a way, Nina understood what it felt like to desperately fight for something they thought they had to do by any means necessary.
Tears welled up in Cassandra’s eyes, which she tried to hold back but failed miserably. She quietly reached out to Nina’s hand and squeezed it.
As the two of them walked away, headed toward the residence, Finn shook his head.
“Nina,” he whispered, leaning against the car’s door before a smile tugged at his lips. He hadn’t forgiven Cassandra, and even if he would, he didn’t plan to let her into his life. However, just watching Nina extend the grace she received from Penny made him remember the Nina he knew in his first life.
Instead of chasing people away like she did with Atlas, Nina would offer her warm hands with a smile.
Finn chuckled faintly as he shook his head. “I guess I am the hypocrite here.”
After all, he, too, earned a second chance. Who was he to judge and not give others a second chance?
With that, he got in his car and followed the two to the residence, driving slowly like a snail. His relationship with Cassandra might never recover from how it used to be, but he didn’t mind whatever his future wife’s decision was.
—
And speaking of new beginnings, meanwhile…
“You’re really good at this.”
“Haha.” Mildred laughed, and seated next to her was Miss Sandford.
Currently, the two of them were making rice balls at Miss Sandford’s home. Over time, the two of them had become great friends, always together, and almost inseparable. They were like sisters, which Mildred didn’t like to call them.
“I’ve always tried doing this, but somehow, I can’t quite perfect them,” Miss Sandford humored. “Funny since even at this age, I keep failing.”
Mildred chuckled, just staring at her side profile. A shallow breath slipped past her lips, and she looked away, refocusing on making the rice balls. She had heard about Haines’ plans regarding his relationship with Grace.
And yet, here she was, still… hiding.
Noticing Mildred’s sudden silence, Miss Sandford raised her brows. “Mildred, are you okay?”
“Huh?” Mildred snapped out of her thoughts, looking back at her. “Uh, of course.”
“You just went quiet. Is there anything wrong?”
“No…” Mildred sighed and looked away, eyeing the rice in her hands. “Well, there’s nothing wrong. It’s just that I’m thinking about Haines.”
Miss Sandford tilted her head a little, looking at her with intrigue. “What about him?”
“He told me he’s ready to introduce her to his family,” Mildred smiled bitterly. “And it makes me think of the bet we did.”
She paused and slowly faced Miss Sandford. “I dared him to open his heart to the young lady, and he dared me to…”
“He dared you to?” Miss Sandford furrowed her brows, but Mildred didn’t answer.
Mildred just stared at her before a defeated smile took over her face. One of the things she didn’t want to say because she was afraid that Miss Sandford would change her treatment of her. Although Miss Sandford wasn’t like that, there was so much fear of uncertainty in Mildred’s heart.
“He dared me to come out of the closet,” Mildred blurted out, almost regretting it as soon as she did. “I’m… I’m gay, Vivian.”
Miss Sandford blinked before she stifled a laugh. Her reaction made Mildred furrow her brows.
“Why are you laughing?” Mildred frowned. “I’m not joking.”
“I know you’re not,” Miss Sandford snapped her eyes at her, smiling. “And I know you like women.”
“What?”
Miss Sandford smirked a bit, and without a word, leaned in and planted a soft peck on Mildred’s cheek. Drawing her head back, her beautiful smile stretched.
“No friends would look at their friend the way you do to me,” she said. “And no man has ever looked at me the way you do. You’re really bad at hiding your preferences.”
She chuckled as she rested her head on Mildred’s shoulder. “I like you too, Mildred, and I’m glad you finally mustered the courage.” She hummed, then added,
“Do we call this our official date of being together?”
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