Grace didn't linger long—she had left half her steak untouched. She told them she had another appointment today, leaving Hugo, Cassandra, and Kiara to enjoy the rest of the meal. After all, Grace had booked the place for her birthday celebration; they might as well eat to their heart's content.
"I should've listened to you earlier," Cassandra said, looking at Kiara while holding her hand. "I really should've…"
"But you did in the end," Kiara nodded, offering an encouraging smile. "That's what matters."
Cassandra's eyes softened as she imagined how things could've gone worse had she hesitated even a day longer. Just before she was escorted out today, some inmates had already marked her as a target. It wasn't just paranoia—her life would've been hell.
"Thank you," she whispered, gently squeezing Kiara's hand. "Thank you."
"I've got your back," Kiara replied, her smile widening. "And I mean that."
