44.

Cassandra sipped her coffee as her mind replayed the conversation she had with Henry the previous day.

Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. Henry's name flashed on the screen. Surprised, she answered.

"Cassie, I wanted to apologize for walking out on you yesterday. I shouldn't have done that. It's just... seeing you defend him was upsetting. I am sorry, I walked out." Henry apologized as soon as she picked.

Cassandra sighed, her father had always been a sensitive topic between them, a wound that time had yet to heal.

"I understand, Henry. It's okay to be upset. This situation with Dad... it's complicated for all of us."

A heavy silence settled between them, filled with unspoken emotions and memories.

"I miss how things were, Cas. You know, before all this mess." Cassandra's eyes watered when he called her Cas.

"Me too. I wish we could go back to how it was two years ago." Cassandra replied in a shaky voice.