Page 56 of Trapped By the Wicked Highlander
"I can tell somethin’ is different with ye, lass," Holly said, folding her arms. "Did somethin’ happen at McDougal Castle?"
Cassandra forced a smile, shaking her head. "Nay, I’m just tired is all."
Holly narrowed her eyes and stepped closer, her hands coming up to grip Cassandra’s shoulders. "Daenae lie to me, Cassandra. I ken ye better than that."
Cassandra swallowed hard, but before she could say another word, Holly pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Come here, lass," Holly murmured, her voice filled with understanding.
The moment Cassandra felt Holly’s arms around her, the walls she had so carefully built crumbled. A sob tore from her throat, her body trembling as she clung to her friend.
"Shh, lass, let it out," Holly soothed, running a hand over Cassandra’s back.
Cassandra buried her face against Holly’s shoulder, the weight of everything crashing down on her. "I—I dinnae want to leave," she admitted between broken breaths.
Holly pulled back slightly, studying her with knowing eyes. "Ye miss it?"
Cassandra bit her lip, nodding as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. "Aye… more than I ever thought possible."
Cassandra sat on the edge of her bed, wringing her hands together as Holly sat beside her. The weight of her emotions pressed down on her chest, making it difficult to breathe. She had tried to ignore the ache in her heart, but now, with Holly's comforting presence, she could no longer hold back.
She took a deep breath, bracing herself for the truth that had been gnawing at her since she left McDougal Castle.
"I made a terrible mistake, Holly," Cassandra whispered, her voice shaking.
Holly turned to face her, concern etched across her face. "What kind of mistake, lass?"
Cassandra swallowed hard, forcing the words past the lump in her throat. "I fell in love with the Laird of clan McDougal."
Holly’s eyes widened for only a moment. "Och, is that all? That’s nay mistake, Cassandra. Hunter is a good, strong man."
Cassandra shook her head violently, fresh tears brimming in her eyes. "Nay, ye daenae understand. It is a mistake because his wife returned."
Holly’s mouth fell open, her brows knitting together in shock. "His wife? I thought Margaret was dead!"
"Aye, so did all," Cassandra said, her voice breaking. "But it turns out she was alive all these years. It’s a long story, butnone of it matters—she has returned, and Hunter welcomed her back."
Holly exhaled sharply, rubbing Cassandra’s back in soothing circles. "Och, lass, I’m so sorry. That must have been awful for ye."
Cassandra let out a trembling breath, her hands gripping the fabric of her gown. "It was worse than I ever imagined. I thought I was just fond of him, but when I left, it felt as if I left a piece of me heart behind."
Holly gave her a sad smile, squeezing her shoulder. "Ye truly care for him, daenae ye?"
Cassandra nodded, wiping at her tears. "Aye, I do. But it doesnae matter now. He has a family, and I was never meant to be part of it."
Holly tilted her head, studying Cassandra with sympathy. "But what if he cares for ye too? What if he let Margaret back only because of his daughter?"
Cassandra shook her head. "Even if that were true, what kind of woman would I be to stand between him and his wife? I cannae do that, Holly. I willnae be the reason his daughter loses her maither again."
Holly sighed, leaning back on the bed with a thoughtful expression. "Ye always put others before yerself, Cassandra. Butlove doesnae always follow the rules. If Hunter’s heart belongs to ye, then Margaret’s return changes naught."
Cassandra gave her a weak smile, though her heart still felt heavy. "It changes everythin’, Holly. He made his choice, and I must live with it."
Holly pulled her into another hug, holding her close. "Then I’ll be here for ye, lass. Nay matter what."
Cassandra pulled away from Holly’s embrace, wiping at her damp cheeks with the sleeve of her gown.
"I daenae ken how to move forward, Holly. I thought I’d found a place where I belonged, and now it’s all gone."
