Chapter 9: I Will Protect You

Cassandra was silent for a moment; her eyes glazed over again, but this time not only with sadness, but also with suppressed anger. She shook her head slowly, a few strands of blonde hair falling across her face. 

“What I owe you is not Alaric,” she whispered, the sound barely audible between her labored breaths. “What I owe are the memories — the memories I've built with him and all the time I've spent with him over the past three years. It's like it's all meaningless.” Cassandra's voice began to break mid-sentence, pouring out all the frustration and pain she had been holding in. 

She clenched her hands in her lap, trying to stop her body from shaking. “I didn't do anything wrong. I never hurt anyone. But why did the man I once loved and the best friend I trusted with all my heart betray me?”

Her cries erupted again, louder than before. The pain she had been holding in finally exploded, filling the room with a sound that hurt the hearts of everyone who heard it.

“All the time I spent with them was wasted.” Cassandra wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, but the tears wouldn't stop flowing. “If only I had listened to my brother's advice back then, maybe I wouldn't have gotten into a relationship with Alaric. I never would have befriended Selene.”

Caspian took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil of his emotions that had begun to burn. He ran his handkerchief over Cassandra's cheek again, softer this time, as if his touch could ease the pain she was feeling. 

“Let the past go. Your cries will only satisfy them,” he said softly but firmly.

Cassandra stared at him, her lips trembling, speechless. Her puffy hazel eyes looked dull, but there was a faint glimmer of hope in them, as if she wanted to believe Caspian's words even though her heart was still full of doubt.

“Then what am I supposed to do?” Cassandra whispered, her tone almost desperate. She was like a lost child, not knowing where to go. 

Caspian gently lifted Cassandra's chin, forcing her to look directly into his eyes. Their gazes met, creating a spark that words could not describe. There was something unspoken between them, something deeper than mere sympathy.

“Forget,” Caspian whispered, his voice like a mantra. “Forget all the memories you shared with them. You are not so weak, Cassandra. You are stronger than you think. Show them that you will never fall under the weight of those bad memories. And remember…” He paused for a moment, his thumbs wiping away the remaining tears that ran down Cassandra's cheeks. “You have me. Use me as a weapon against them.”

Cassandra was silent, staring at him with slightly widened eyes. Caspian's words were like a bolt of lightning in the midst of a storm, waking her from the despair that had shackled her. She bit her lower lip, trying to contain the emotional turmoil that was spilling out. 

“You're right,” she finally said in a calmer voice. “I'm not that weak.”

“That's what I wanted to hear.” A faint smile formed at the corners of Caspian's lips, a smile full of warmth. He lifted Cassandra's hand and gripped it tightly, as if to assure her that he would never let go.

“I will come to their engagement. But not as Alaric's ex-fiancée. I'm coming as your partner. To hell with morality. I choose to continue this vendetta. And I'm going to use you.” Cassandra smiled faintly, a smile that was more of a grin.

Caspian raised an eyebrow in slight surprise at Cassandra's change in attitude. His dark eyes met Cassandra's and there was a fierce intensity in his gaze that quickened her heartbeat. Instead of arguing, he smiled meaningfully. “The day will not belong to them; it will be your stage. As it should be.”

Cassandra smiled, but the smile did not reach her eyes. There was pain behind her calm expression. “I will turn Alaric and Selene's happy day into hell. I will be the center of attention, not them.”

Caspian looked at her intensely, as if to convince himself that the woman before him was really ready to do this. “Are you sure about your decision?”

Cassandra took a long breath, trying to dispel any lingering doubts. “Yes.”

There was silence for a few seconds before Cassandra finally broke it. “Do you have much work to do?”

Caspian furrowed his brow, curious about Cassandra's sudden question. “I have a few things to finish,” he replied carefully. “So what?”

Cassandra looked down, biting her lower lip before daring to look at Caspian again. “Can I stay with you tonight?” She asked quietly, like a child asking for protection. “I don't want to go home like this. I would rather not add to Maxian's burden. If he sees me in a bad state, it will worry him.”

Caspian looked at Cassandra, the affection he tried to hide so clearly visible in his eyes. Without hesitation, he took Cassandra's hand, clasping it gently but firmly. 

“I have to go back to the office to finalize a few things. But I can take you to my house first,” he said, his deep voice sounding soothing. “You can stay there as long as you need to.”

Cassandra looked down at their clasped hands. Caspian's long, strong fingers were warm.

“Thank you,” she whispered softly, almost a murmur, but Caspian heard her clearly.

Without another word, Caspian took Cassandra's bag and slung it over his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around Cassandra's waist, pulling her closer as they walked towards the back door of the boutique. Their steps were hurried, yet cautious. They knew that any prying eyes could be a threat.

The wind blew into their faces as the back door opened. The area around the boutique was deserted, lit only by the sunlight that slipped between the tall buildings and cast long shadows on the sidewalk.

Caspian took a brief look around to make sure there were no reporters lurking around before pulling Cassandra into a small jog toward the car parked at the end of the narrow street.

He opened the door for her. It was a simple gesture. Caspian wanted to show her that he was there to protect her. Cassandra stared at him for a moment before she got into the car, sitting in the passenger seat, her breath still coming in.

Caspian got into the driver's side and closed the door with a *click* that was clearly heard in the silence. He started the engine, the sound of the car humming softly, then steered the car off the small road at a controlled speed.

It was quiet inside the car. There was only the sound of the engine and the subtle clanking of the occasional traffic light. Cassandra sat with her hands folded in her lap, her eyes gazing out the window at the people busy with their activities.

“Uncle Caspian,” she called suddenly, her voice almost drowned out by the sound of the engine.

“Yes?” Caspian gave a quick glance, but his focus returned to the road in front of him.

“Aren't you afraid?” asked Cassandra quietly, her voice full of doubt. “Playing with fire like that with me?”

Caspian smiled wryly, as if the question was a joke to him. “I've lived with fire a long time, Cass. You just add a little spice to the game.” His brief but penetrating look sent a shiver through Cassandra that she could not ignore.

Cassandra smiled faintly, this time with a more genuine smile, though still cloaked in sadness. She felt Caspian's warm hand suddenly grasp hers again, giving her strength she didn't realize she needed. In that grip, she felt protected, even though they were heading into a storm that might destroy them both.

“Tonight,” Cassandra whispered as she closed her eyes. “I just want to feel safe.”

Caspian tightened his grip, channeling unspoken warmth and strength through the touch. “I promise you will be safe with me.”