Alexander’s expression tightened with worry.

Evelyn was his main concern. A persistent unease gnawed at him, telling him her mood had darkened.

Had Cassandra’s arrival caused this shift?

He glanced at Cassandra. Her eyes shone with hopeful expectation.

Despite his preoccupation with Evelyn, he couldn’t simply disregard Cassandra. They shared a past, a connection built over years.

After a brief internal debate, he decided a sudden dismissal would be rude. "Very well, Cassandra. What did you wish to discuss?"

A surge of victory coursed through Cassandra.

Her intuition was correct. She still occupied a unique space in Alexander’s heart. Evelyn was no threat.

She seized the opportunity. "I’ve just returned, and Crestwood feels so foreign now. Would you mind showing me around? I’d love to see our old spots again."

Alexander paused, then nodded. "Alright."

He reasoned that by the time they returned, Evelyn would likely be finished working. Then they could talk properly.

Alexander and Cassandra left Serenity Oaks together. They were unaware that Evelyn stood on the second-floor study balcony, watching them go.

Cassandra, with her model’s figure and striking looks, seemed a perfect match for Alexander.

From her high vantage point, a sharp sting of insecurity pierced Evelyn. They looked like a couple destined for each other.

They were childhood sweethearts, their bond strengthened by a lifetime of shared memories.

And what was she? A stranger. An unworthy wife who barely knew her own husband.

Evelyn’s thoughts spiraled downward. She pressed a hand to her forehead, trying to regain her composure and focus.

She took a deep breath and returned to the study, forcing her attention onto the design drafts.

Meanwhile, Alexander and Cassandra arrived at a DVD store with a simple, timeless facade.

"It feels like stepping into the past," Cassandra mused aloud, a wistful smile touching her lips. "Do you remember, Alexander? This is where we first met, all those years ago."

Alexander’s face remained neutral. "I remember," he stated simply.

Cassandra bent and picked up a classic film DVD, a nostalgic glint in her eyes. "Back then," she confessed softly, "I was so sure we would marry. But then…"

Alexander’s expression didn’t change. His voice was flat. "The past is the past, Cassandra."

Tears welled in Cassandra’s eyes as she turned to him, her voice trembling. "We were supposed to get married, Alexander. But then… your terrible accident happened."

Her gaze flickered towards his legs, a silent reminder of the tragedy. "When my parents found out… they forced me to break the engagement. They took me away. Alexander, do you still blame me for leaving?"

Her face and voice were filled with remorse as she tried to explain. "I never wanted to go. I felt so guilty. So heartbroken."

She took a shaky breath. "I often wonder… if the accident never happened, would we be married now? Would we have a family?"

"Cassandra," Alexander interrupted, his tone firm yet gentle, "I have never blamed you for any of it."

Cassandra lowered her eyes. "Alexander, I know that without your support, I wouldn't have achieved any of my success."

Tears glistened as she looked at him, her voice filled with admiration and pity. "Everyone in this city dismisses you, Alexander. They call you the Blackwood family's failure. But I know the truth. I know how capable you are. It breaks my heart to see how they've misjudged you."