Chapter 15 - The Last Dance
The ballroom doors slammed shut.
Cassandra pointed the gun at Julian.
Agents raised their weapons.
“No one moves.”
Julian stood still.
Cassandra’s hands shook.
“You think this ends with prison?”
She laughed.
“You don't understand.”
Julian looked at her.
“I understand perfectly.”
“You lost Claire once.”
Cassandra’s voice hardened.
“I can make you lose her again.”
A voice came from the balcony.
“No.”
Claire stepped into view.
Cassandra froze.
Julian turned.
Claire wore a simple dark dress.
She looked stronger than she had four years ago.
Cassandra stared.
“You.”
Claire descended the staircase.
“You should have killed me when you had the chance.”
Cassandra’s eyes filled with fury.
“You stole everything.”
“I survived.”
“That is not the same thing.”
“It is.”
Cassandra raised the gun.
Claire stopped.
Julian moved between them.
“Shoot me.”
Cassandra blinked.
“You?”
“You want revenge against my family.”
“Yes.”
“Then take me.”
Cassandra’s gun trembled.
Suddenly Lily appeared behind Claire.
Nora grabbed her.
But Lily had already seen Cassandra.
She looked at the gun.
Then at Cassandra.
“The shiny lady is sad.”
Cassandra’s face twisted.
“Stay away from me.”
Lily held up her stuffed rabbit.
“He doesn't like guns.”
For one strange second, Cassandra laughed.
Then she cried.
The gun lowered.
Agents rushed forward.
Cassandra was arrested without another shot.
As they took her away, she looked at Lily.
“I hated you.”
Lily stared.
“Why?”
Cassandra answered honestly.
May you like
“Because you were loved without having to earn it.”
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