Seventy

CHAPTER 70

The next morning, Cassandra woke up with mixed emotions. The sunlight streaming through the curtains of Jessica's room felt warmer, but inside her, a storm still raged. Jessica was already up, humming softly in the kitchen while making coffee.

“Morning, Cass,” Jessica greeted cheerfully as Cassandra entered the kitchen. “I made some herbal tea for you. You need this more than coffee.” She placed a cup of tea on the table and looked at Cassandra with concern.

“Thank you, Jess,” Cassandra replied softly, sitting down slowly on a chair. “I need energy for today.”

Jessica stirred her coffee, then sat across from Cassandra. “So, what’s your plan now? I mean, with Antonio, the baby, and all the chaos between you two?”

Cassandra held the tea cup with both hands, feeling its warmth on her skin. “I don’t know, Jess. I want to be angry, to scream at him for what he did to my family. But at the same time, I... I can’t ignore what I feel now. He’s shown a side of himself I never expected.”

Jessica nodded, listening intently. “I understand, Cass. But you have to remember that right now, your priority is your health and this baby. Too much emotion will only stress you out, and that’s not good for either of you.”

Cassandra let out a long sigh. “You’re right. But how can I navigate all of this? At the police station, I haven’t even told anyone that I’m married to Antonio. They still see me as a kidnapping victim who strangely chose to stay with her captor.”

Jessica leaned back in her chair, looking at Cassandra with compassion. “Cass, you need to be honest with yourself first. If you want to move forward with Antonio, then you have to face the consequences. But if you feel you can’t forgive him, you also need to make a clear decision.”

Cassandra nodded slowly, though her heart still felt a persistent confusion.

That afternoon, Cassandra returned home with Antonio. During the drive, they barely spoke, accompanied only by the hum of the car engine. Antonio seemed focused on driving, but occasionally, his eyes flicked to Cassandra through the rearview mirror.

“What did you talk about with Jessica?” Antonio asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

Cassandra turned to him, meeting his calm expression. “Personal things. Nothing you need to worry about.”

Antonio gave a short nod but said nothing more. When they arrived home, Antonio opened the car door for Cassandra, a habit he had recently adopted. Cassandra found this change puzzling but didn’t comment.

As they entered the house, Cassandra noticed a difference in the atmosphere. The house felt warmer and more welcoming, unlike the cold and tense environment it usually had. Antonio seemed to have made a few small changes — fresh flowers on the table, new curtains in the living room, even a faint lavender scent in the air.

“Did you do this?” Cassandra asked, slightly surprised.

Antonio nodded as he placed the car keys on the table. “I wanted this place to feel more comfortable. For you. For us.”

The words left Cassandra speechless. She didn’t know what to say, but something in her heart softened. She decided not to overthink it and headed to her room to rest.

That evening, as Cassandra was reading a book in the living room, Antonio came in with a cup of tea in his hands. He placed it on the table in front of Cassandra and sat down on a nearby chair.

“There’s something I want to talk about,” he said seriously.

Cassandra closed her book and looked at Antonio. “What is it?”

Antonio took a deep breath, as if preparing himself. “I know I’ve made many mistakes, Cassandra. And I know I can’t change the past. But I want to try. For you, for our baby. I want us to have a better future.”

Cassandra was silent, Antonio’s words hitting her heart hard. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, but the wounds she carried hadn’t fully healed.

“I need time,” Cassandra finally said. “I can’t just forget what happened, Antonio. But I also can’t ignore what I feel now. We need time to figure everything out.”

Antonio nodded, accepting her answer calmly. “I’ll wait for you, Cassandra. As long as it takes.”

That night, Cassandra felt a glimmer of hope amid the darkness. Their journey might be long and filled with challenges, but at least there was a willingness to try. And for now, that was enough.

The following days were filled with a routine that began to feel normal. Cassandra rested more, while Antonio ensured all her needs were met. Yet within Cassandra’s heart, the battle between love and hatred continued.

One afternoon, while Cassandra was sitting in the backyard garden, Antonio came over with a small box. He sat beside Cassandra and handed her the box.

“What’s this?” Cassandra asked, curious.

“Just open it,” Antonio replied with a slight smile.

Cassandra slowly opened the box. Inside was a simple necklace with a heart-shaped pendant. Inside the pendant was a small photo of Cassandra and Antonio, taken secretly while they were smiling together.

“I know this doesn’t change anything,” Antonio said. “But I want you to know that I truly care about you.”

Tears rolled down Cassandra’s cheeks without her realizing it. She didn’t know if they were from happiness or sadness, but her heart felt lighter. She looked at Antonio and nodded slowly. “Thank you,” she said, her voice trembling.

Even though their journey was still long, Cassandra felt that this was a good first step. She still had many questions, but for now, she decided to cherish this small moment with Antonio. They might not be perfect, but they had something worth fighting for.