Chapter 486

The years of longing had led to this moment—he was marrying someone else. Cassandra Winslow couldn't bear it. The world around her seemed to shatter.

Tears blurred her vision as she drove aimlessly through the streets of Veridian City. Before she knew it, she found herself outside the gates of the Prescott estate. She hadn’t driven all the way to Garnet Springs—the Prescotts owned multiple properties in the city.

"Adrienne..."

Cassandra sat in her car, clutching her phone, her voice trembling. The moment Adrienne Prescott heard the muffled sobs on the other end, her breath hitched. "Cass? What’s wrong? Talk to me."

"Are you... home?" Cassandra sniffled, realizing belatedly that she hadn’t even checked before showing up.

"Yes, of course. Where are you?"

"I’m—I’m at your gate." Her words were thick with tears.

Adrienne didn’t hesitate. The line went dead, and moments later, the heavy iron gates creaked open. Adrienne rushed out, her dark hair whipping in the wind as she scanned the driveway. Spotting Cassandra’s car, she hurried over.

The sight of her friend’s tear-streaked face made her chest tighten. "Cassandra..."

A broken sob escaped Cassandra as she stumbled out of the car and into Adrienne’s arms. "What do I do? Tell me what to do."

"Come inside first," Adrienne murmured, guiding her toward the warmth of the mansion.

The grand foyer was bathed in soft golden light, the faint scent of lavender and vanilla lingering in the air. It was a stark contrast to the storm raging inside Cassandra.

Adrienne motioned for the staff to bring tea and pastries before dismissing them with a wave. She settled beside Cassandra on the plush velvet sofa, taking her cold hands in hers. "Now, tell me everything."

Cassandra lifted her gaze, her lashes damp. The moment Adrienne saw the raw pain in her eyes, she knew.

"Let me guess," Adrienne said softly, brushing a tear from Cassandra’s cheek. "The only person who could wreck you like this... is Alexander Kensington."

The name alone made Cassandra flinch. Fresh tears spilled over, her silence more telling than any words.

Adrienne exhaled sharply, handing her a tissue. "Oh, darling. Who did this to you? Who made my fierce Cass crumble?"

But Cassandra couldn’t answer. The weight of her heartbreak was too heavy to put into words.