Chapter 387

• Cassandra’s POV
• Violet leaned into me, her shoulders trembling as quiet tears slipped down her cheeks. Her usual polished confidence had cracked, just for a moment, and I let her lean in. No judgment. Just presence.
• “What was I thinking?” she whispered. “I used to hope he would disappoint her. That the man she ran off with would treat her badly, make her question everything. I wanted them to hate each other. Resent each other. Break apart.”