Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69

“Cassidy.”

The frail but dignified voice reached her the instant she stepped through the massive wooden doors of

the Pierce mansion.

Cassie lifted her gaze–and there she was.

Carina Pierce, seated in a wheelchair, waiting for her.

“Madame Pierce,” she greeted softly, a genuine smile curving her lips even as unshed tears stung her

eyes.

“Welcome back to Bay City,” the old lady said warmly. She reached out, her hand trembling slightly with age, and enclosed Cassie’s fingers in her own.

The simple gesture almost undid her.

“Thank you, Madame,” Cassie replied, allowing herself to be held there as Carina studied her face- carefully, intently–as if committing every line and change to memory.

Six years‘ worth of distance lay between them.

“You look different,” Carina finally said, her voice gentle but perceptive. “Tell me… how has life been treating you?”

Though her body was frail, her presence remained unmistakably imposing. There was an elegance to her bearing, a quiet authority sharpened by years of experience. Her gaze was kind–but it missed nothing.

Cassie swallowed, meeting those wise eyes.

Different, yes.

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Not just in appearance–but in the weight she carried, the resilience etched beneath her composure.

“Better than six years ago, Madame,” Cassie replied with a wistful smile.

As the words left her lips, realization settled quietly in her chest. She had left Bay City broken–shattered in ways she hadn’t even understood back then. And now she had returned feeling… different. Not whole, perhaps but stronger. Sharper. No longer the girl she used to be.

“Leaving Bay City was the greatest decision you ever made,” Carina said, drawing in a proud, measured breath as she looked at Cassie with unmistakable affirmation.

“Yes, Madame,” Cassie nodded, accepting the truth of it.

Carina studied her for a moment longer before asking gently, “Now that you’re back… will you stay for good?”

Cassie paused.

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The question lingered, heavier than she expected. She hadn’t allowed herself to think that far ahead. She had come back for business–for unfinished matters, for the investigation surrounding her mother’s death. And though she was inching closer to the answers she sought, everything beyond that remained

undefined.

There was also Kai.

She wasn’t ready to bring him to Bay City. Not yet. Not into a place tangled with too many ghosts. Yet she knew–deep down–that she couldn’t keep him hidden forever. Not from Ashton.

“I’m only here for business,” Cassie said carefully.

“Once everything is settled–after all the legalities are done–I’ll be leaving.”

A faint sigh escaped Carina’s lips.

“Oh… that’s quite sad.”

The old lady’s gaze shifted, almost unconsciously, toward Ashton–who had remained unusually silent the entire time. There was concern there. Worry.

As if she already sensed who would be hurt the most when Cassie eventually walked away again.

“But we could visit you this time, couldn’t we?” Carina asked softly, her voice carrying a fragile hope.” You’ll tell us where to find you… where we can visit?”

As she spoke, her gaze flicked toward Ashton–once, twice–before returning to Cassie, as if silently asking her to be kind to him.

“Yes, Madame. Of course,” Cassie replied, managing a small, nervous smile.

Even as she said it, a quiet unease curled in her chest.

It seemed she couldn’t truly escape the Pierces anymore–not now that she had stepped back into their world. Ashton would trace her path, piece by piece. He would look into everyone around her, pull on every loose thread until it led straight back to her.

And when that happened, the secret she had guarded for so long…would no longer be safe.

“I like the Cassidy I’m seeing now,” Carina Pierce said, her wise eyes fixed on her, seeing far more than what lay on the surface.

“Knowing your worth gives you a kind of strength no one can take from you,” she continued, her voice gentle yet unyielding.

“Never lower your head to anyone again.” Her words settled deep, firm and affirming, as only Carina’s

could be.

Their gazes met–and in that silent exchange, understanding passed between them. Cassie’s eyes stung, tears threatening to spill, not from pain this time, but from being truly seen.

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