Chapter 1495: Proud of you

"Joe, I’m sorry. Please let me go."

Another moment of silence settled over them. Even Cassandra, who had come specifically to ask for this favor, knew this would be a tough conversation. After all, she and Jonathan had been seeing each other for almost a year.

They had good days — days they wished would never end. Days when everything was peaceful, full of love, and when, in their eyes, nothing mattered but each other’s existence.

Even though Cassandra had to admit she hadn’t fully committed, and even if she suspected that Jonathan simply needed her family’s support, she wanted to believe that, at one point, they had genuinely loved each other. Or at least, they thought they had.

Jonathan stared at her before lowering his gaze. "Is that what you want?"

"..." She didn’t answer, but her silence said enough.

"Why did it have to be me?" he asked again, lifting his eyes to meet hers. Still, she didn’t answer, and once again, her silence was enough. "Your family wouldn’t let you?"

Jonathan let out a bitter laugh, pulling his hand from her grip. "You do understand what you’re asking of me, right, Cassy?"

"..." Cassandra pursed her quivering lips. "I’m sorry."

"I..." Jonathan exhaled heavily, his eyes beginning to tear up. "How do I even respond to that? Just okay? I understand? Let’s break up?"

His breathing grew jagged as he looked back at her. "I love you, Cassy. Why?"

Cassandra tried to answer, but nothing came. What could she say in return? All she could do was look at him, catching the pain in his eyes, a mix of confusion and hurt.

Was she wrong?

Did he really love her?

"Oh, Joe," Cassandra breathed, moving closer to him, wrapping her arms around him. "I’m sorry. I’m really, really sorry."

Yet despite her apologies, nothing she said told him to forget the conversation. All she repeated was, "I’m sorry." Nothing else.

Jonathan rested his forehead on her shoulder, his back trembling. For a while, the two of them sat in silence, their tears speaking for them.

Parting had always been the hardest Chapter. The heaviness, the thought of losing someone in your life, the memories. Goodbyes were never easy — but sometimes, they were necessary.

For her, this was necessary.

"Tell me one thing." Jonathan slowly lifted his head, looking her in the eyes. Before he spoke, another tear rolled down his cheek. "Can’t we make this work anymore?"

Her lips quivered as she answered, "We can’t."

"Cassy."

"I’m sorry, Joe." Tears dropped onto her arm as she reached out to hold his hand. "I’m sorry."

But Jonathan just hung his head low, weeping quietly.

*****

Moments later...

"What?" Kiara almost choked on her bun, staring wide-eyed at Cassandra. Moments ago, Cassandra had knocked on her apartment door.

After some idle conversation, Cassandra finally explained why she was there — and it was the last thing Kiara expected.

Kiara jumped from the corner of the couch, closer to her. "You asked him to break off your engagement?"

"Mhm." Cassandra nodded, reaching for the open can of beer Kiara had been drinking. She took a swig, wincing at the bitter taste. When she faced Kiara again, she added, "I asked him to call off the engagement and that we break up too."

"Holy... What did he say?" Kiara gasped, eyes even wider now, her intrigue practically glowing. "Did he get angry?"

"No," Cassandra sighed, her heart heavy. "He was... sad. Very sad. I didn’t expect him to cry."

"Duh? You guys were together, and he’s a good guy!" Kiara clicked her tongue, but her expression was gentle. "So? What do you feel now?"

"I feel a little heavy, especially knowing I broke his heart," Cassandra said with a shrug. "But I don’t regret it. I’m surprised by how much he cared for me — to the point he bawled his eyes out — but this is for me. And if he truly cared, this is what’s best for him too. He doesn’t deserve to marry a woman who couldn’t be fully honest with him."

Kiara listened and nodded, forcing a smile as she reached out to hold Cassandra’s hand, her gaze soft with understanding.

"You’re doing good, Cassy. I know it wasn’t easy, but I’m really proud of you."

Cassandra’s eyes softened as she held Kiara’s hand back. "Thank you... for being my friend, Ki."

"No, thank you." Kiara smacked her lips. "When I was at my lowest, you were there for me. If you hadn’t believed in me, I don’t think I’d be able to believe in anyone either."

The two smiled at each other. They might not share blood, but in their hearts, they were more than best friends. They were sisters — each other’s greatest support. A kind of support neither had ever received from their own families.

"So? What else? Did he agree? I assume he did, since you’re here and not crying," Kiara added.

"Mhm," Cassandra sighed. "He told me that if it’s what I really want, and if it will make me happier, then he’ll let me go."

As soon as those words left her mouth, Kiara bumped her shoulder against Cassandra’s.

"You let go of a good man," Kiara teased, making Cassandra smile bitterly.

"I’ll regret this someday, I know that. It’s going to be a lesson learned, for sure."

"A huge lesson," Kiara said with a raised brow. "So, what now? What are your plans?"

Cassandra hummed, leaning her arm on the couch’s armrest. "Since my license is suspended, I can’t go back to the clinic. I do have other plans, but..."

She trailed off, glancing at Kiara with hesitation. "...they involve leaving the country."

"Oh."

"You’re okay with that, right?"

"Why wouldn’t I be?" Kiara said with a playful smile, hugging Cassandra. "If it’s for your peace of mind, I’m always in full support. Although... I will miss you."

Cassandra smiled, resting her head on Kiara’s shoulder. "I’ll call you every night and check on you always."

"Mhm." Kiara pressed her lips together, a little sad at the thought. But she knew — if Cassandra wanted to protect her peace, she had to leave.

"When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow."

"So soon?" She pulled away, surprised. "Do you really have to go that soon?"

"Mhm." Cassandra nodded, clasping her friend’s hand. "My flight is tomorrow, so... how about we have a party?"

"Just the two of us?"

"Is that something new?"

Kiara didn’t answer immediately. Her mouth curled up into a smile. "Goodness. I’m going to miss you!" She sighed. "I still have a few beers in the fridge."

"I don’t—"

"You’ll drink them tonight!"

And just like that, Kiara leapt from the couch and dashed to the kitchen. They didn’t talk about how long Cassandra would be away, but they both knew it would be a while. Even so, Kiara didn’t want to send off her friend in tears.

Little did they know, things were about to change more than either of them expected.