So changes had proven to have a good effect, but others simply led to different outcos. Even with good intentions, the effects of change could be unpredictable.
In Finn and Cassandra’s first life, they had been bound in a loveless marriage. Though they maintained a strong friendship, romance had never been part of the equation. It was a miserable union, one that remained unchanged until Cassandra was caught up in the treacherous waters Finn had ventured into—leading to her untily death.
So, when Finn was reborn, he made it his goal to break off their engagent.
He didn’t love Cassandra as anything more than a friend, but she was family to him. Finn wanted to give her the freedom to choose whom she would marry. He didn’t want them to be trapped in another arranged marriage, only to endure yet another miserable life due to a forced union.
But alas... no matter how good his intentions were in this life, there was one thing Finn hadn’t realized.
A miserable marriage wasn’t miserable simply because it was arranged. It was miserable because of the lack of emotion in it—the lack of willingness to love, to even try. Initially, both of them had agreed to break the engagent because Cassandra had always known Finn was not the type to fall in love.
Finn could never love anything—not even himself.
So, when she agreed to end their engagent, Cassandra hadn’t been hopeful. But then... Finn changed. He showed that he could love, that he could feel deeply and express his emotions.
Just not to her.
It felt like a slap to the face.
"I shouldn’t have agreed to end it," Cassandra whispered, her eyelids drooping.
Deep lines ford between Max’s brows as he grasped the weight of her words. "Cassandra, don’t tell ..."
"What do you think would’ve happened if I hadn’t agreed to break off the engagent, Max?" she asked bluntly, turning to face him. "Do you think he would’ve treated right?"
"Ha... ha..." A nervous laugh escaped him. "Honestly, I don’t think I’m the person you should be asking that, Cassy."
"You were once his best friend," she countered with a nonchalant shrug. "So why not?"
"Damn... this is exactly why I look like I don’t want to be bothered," he muttered, wincing. "I don’t know, Cassy. Even if I wanted to be poetic and give you an answer, I don’t even know what to feel right now. I’m already a ss, as you can see."
"Why? Was your heart broken too?" she mused. "Is it also filled with regrets and what-ifs?"
Max remained silent.
Because, truthfully, there were a few what-ifs floating in his mind.
What if I hadn’t invited Hugo? What if I had been the one sitting across from Ginnie? Would she have smiled the sa?
Cassandra studied the look on Max’s face before the corner of her lips curled up. "At least you understand what’s been weighing on my heart lately," she muttered, peeling her gaze away. "Not too long ago, I was secretly flattered that after waking from a long coma, the first person he called was —not anyone else. It made feel important, special. But then..." She exhaled sharply.
"What I got was an apology... and a favor."
Max furrowed his brows.
"So he could leave the hospital," Cassandra continued, voice laced with bitterness, "just to see another woman."
A dry, humorless chuckle escaped her lips. "And now? Now, I don’t even know if my fiancé is being sincere with . It’s driving crazy... it’s making angry. At least with Finn, I would never have to wonder if he was being sincere."
The air around her grew heavy, dark, suffocating.
It snapped Max out of his own thoughts.
A strange, ominous feeling crept up his spine as he looked at her. He had always known Cassandra had this side to her. Behind her ek and cute exterior, she was capable of cruelty. The total opposite of Kiara, who carried a cold front but had an incredibly soft heart beneath.
But now... now it felt like Cassandra’s demons had grown bigger. More powerful.
’Did studying people make her go crazy?’ Max wondered before shaking his head. Focus.
"Hey, Cassy."
Cassandra arched a brow and glanced at him.
"I don’t know what’s going on in that twisted little mind of yours, but let it go, dude," he sighed. "So what if you think breaking off the engagent was a mistake? You and Finn were engaged for years. You grew up together. And still—you didn’t fall in love."
He waved a hand, realizing he was about to ramble about the old Finn he rembered. "What I’m saying is... sotis, no matter how much we like soone, if that person loves soone else—then that’s it."
His voice lowered slightly, taking on a more knowing tone. "Because real love... real love isn’t selfish. If we truly love soone, we want them to be happy—even if it’s not because of us. Even if we’re not in the picture."
His fingers curled around his glass.
"Because love isn’t supposed to hurt others," he added. "If it does... then that’s not love at all. It’s greed."
As the words left his mouth, Max felt the weight of them.
Because that was exactly what he was doing.
Love wasn’t selfish.
And if his love for Ginnie would only bring her pain, then maybe... he didn’t want this love anymore.
Cassandra studied him for a mont before tilting her head. "Are you saying I should just give up ownership because I couldn’t take care of it before?"
Max let out a short laugh. "Ownership? What do you think Finn is? A thing?" He shook his head. "Damn, sotis you are kind of twisted. All I’m saying is—"
The words rolled back into his throat, choking him.
Because suddenly, Cassandra’s face was replaced by soone else’s.
Out of nowhere, Lily appeared—hopping onto the stool between them, effectively blocking Cassandra while facing Max.
"Hello there, Max," Lily giggled before looking back at Cassandra. "Hi. Sorry, but he’s taken."
Then, without hesitation, Lily hooked an arm around Max’s shoulder, pulling him down.
"He’s actually very obsessed with , so whatever sweet nothings he was whispering to you? Don’t believe him. He’s lying."
And just like that, Lily turned to face Max, her smile curling into sothing diabolical.
"I finally found you."
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