On Thursday, R&B singer Cassie had to read some messages she sent to her ex-boyfriend, Sean “Diddy” Combs, in court. These messages talked about things she wanted to do during parties with drugs and sex, even though she had said before that these parties made her feel very bad.

Combs' lawyers tried to show the jury that Cassie wanted to be part of his life and the things he liked to do. Combs says he is not guilty of the sex and crime charges. He says he could be violent, but he did not do anything illegal.

The police say he used his important job in music to make Cassie and other women have sex with people for a long time. These events were called "freak-offs" and sometimes lasted for days. Combs says everyone agreed to the sex. He is also accused of using his friends and workers to help with illegal things, like taking people to prostitutes and making them do things they didn't want to do. This is a big part of the charges against him.

On the fourth day in court in Manhattan, the focus was on messages between Combs and Cassie, some romantic and some shocking. The lawyer for Combs, Anna Estevao, read what Combs wrote. Cassie read her own messages about what she wanted to do. Cassie will continue her testimony on Friday.

Combs, who is 55 years old, has been in jail since September. If he is found guilty, he could be in prison for 15 years or more.

Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, said she felt she had to join in the sexual acts to please Combs. But Estevao showed messages where Cassie seemed happy about the sexual acts and even wanted to do one herself.

In August 2009, Combs asked when she wanted to meet again, and she said she was always ready. Two days later, Cassie sent a private message and he replied that he was excited. She replied that she also wanted it and wanted to lose control.

Later that year, she also told Combs she was not happy with their relationship and wanted more than just sex.

Estevao mentioned that in July 2013, Cassie sent a text to Combs saying, "I wish we could have fooled around before you left."

In a text message from 2017, Cassie told Combs: “I love when we are friends with benefits and we both want it.” On Thursday, Cassie said that “loving friends with benefits” were just words she used.

Cassie said that the jury wasn't understanding the messages completely because they were missing some parts. She said, "We left out a lot."

Cassie's lawyer showed her some messages she sent before she met Combs in Los Angeles in 2016. There's a video of Combs kicking and pulling her in a hotel hallway. Cassie said she wanted to finish the meeting to keep Combs happy and avoid problems before a film premiere she was going to soon.

Estevao said that Cassie was angry because of Combs, and that she felt jealous when he paid attention to other women. Cassie said Combs didn't want her to see other people, but he could do what he wanted.

Cassie said that after being with Combs for some years, she wanted to be more important in his life, but he didn't allow it. They were together from 2007 until 2018.

The questioning wasn't like a typical harsh lawyer questioning someone. Estevao spoke kindly, and sometimes she and Cassie seemed like friends talking.

Cassie, who is 38 years old and pregnant with her third child, seemed strong while giving her testimony. She cried a few times during the last two days when the lawyers asked her questions. But mostly, she stayed calm and spoke clearly about difficult topics.

While the messages were read, Combs seemed calm. He sat back with his hands together and legs crossed. The room was full of his family, friends, reporters, and people who supported Cassie, including her husband.

During a pause, Combs stood at the table with his lawyers. He had Post-It notes in one hand and a pen in the other. He looked at some reporters and said, “How are you doing?” Combs’ daughters were not in the room on Thursday.

The people in the jury watched the messages on the screens in front of them. One woman shook her head when she saw a very clear message. A man looked closely at the screen and touched his chin with his thumb. Other people on the jury looked interested or confused. Some looked at Cassie or wrote things down.

The police have looked at how Mr. Combs wanted Cassie to have sex with other people. But Cassie said that sometimes she watched Mr. Combs have sex with other women. She said he called it a "swingers lifestyle".

Estevao asked Cassie if she thought strange parties had something to do with that way of living.

Cassie said, "In a way about love and sex." Then she added, "They are very different."

Cassie said on Tuesday that Combs really wanted to watch people in a way where "he was in charge of everything." These private moments happened in dark hotel rooms, not like Combs' famous parties with lots of stars.

She said that after the meetings, she sometimes needed medicine through a drip to feel better. Later, she started using strong painkillers because they made her feel nothing, and she became addicted to them.

Cassie's story changed when she was asked more questions. Before, she talked about the bad things that happened when she and Combs were together, like the violence and how ashamed she felt about the many times they had sex.

Cassie said in court on Wednesday that Combs hurt her badly when she ended their relationship in 2018. She said he controlled her by saying he would share private videos of her.

In 2023, she said Combs hurt her physically and sexually for years and took him to court. They quickly agreed that he would pay her $20 million. Cassie said this amount on Wednesday for the first time. After that, many other women made similar claims. The police started looking into Combs, and this has now led to a trial this month.