Liam Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy felt like she was being taken “hostage” before leaving Argentina: mate

Liam Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy felt like she was being held “hostage” with the One Direction alum in the days before his tragic death as she debated whether or not to leave Argentina.

A friend of Cassidy told the New York Post on Wednesday that the 25-year-old influencer thought about her decision before ultimately flying back to Miami.

Cassidy allegedly told her friend she was worried Payne would take drugs if she left, but had no choice after spending over two weeks in the South American country.

“She can’t leave, otherwise who knows what will happen? “And if she leaves, what will he do?” the friend said of Cassidy's thought process.

“But she has other responsibilities, other things she’s supposed to do. So she finally had to make a decision.”

The couple had originally planned to stay in Buenos Aires for a few days to attend Niall Horan's concert. However, the quick journey became longer and longer – even though Cassidy wanted to go.

“You’re in Argentina and it’s like a hostage situation,” the friend said.

“So she tells him she wants to leave, which is a week later. He asks her to stay,” they continued. “She keeps extending her trip, one day, two days. And he just wants her to stay, stay, stay.”

Although some people have blamed Cassidy for the departure, the pal insisted it wasn't an easy decision.

“I understand what people are saying, that she should just stay with her rich, famous boyfriend,” they continued, “but she wanted to be home in her own bed with her dog.” She wanted to come home. So she finally says she’s going home.”

Payne died after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony a few days after Cassidy flew home. According to a police report, the “Strip That Down” singer had a mixture of drugs in his system at the time of his death, including crack cocaine and “pink cocaine” – a mixture of ketamine and other drugs.

He also reportedly drank alcohol in the hours before his death. Authorities believe the beloved singer may have been “in a state of semi- or total unconsciousness” at the time of his fall.

He was 31.

Cassidy has kept a low profile in the week since Payne's death. However, on Wednesday, the influencer posted a detailed tribute to her late friend.

In the social media upload, Cassidy told her followers that her “heart is broken in a way she can't put into words.”

Cassidy called Payne her “best friend” and the “love of her life” and revealed that the couple had discussed marriage before his death.

“A few weeks ago we sat outside on a beautiful evening and manifested our life together,” the 25-year-old influencer shared on Instagram on Wednesday.

“I'm keeping your note with me, even though you told me not to look at it. It said: 'Me and Kate will be married/engaged within a year and stay together forever 444.'”

In the carousel, she included an image of the handwritten note Payne gave her, as well as several selfies of the couple, who have been together since 2022.

“Liam, I know we will be together forever, but not in the way we planned,” she wrote. “You will always be with me. I gained a guardian angel.”

“I will love you for the rest of my life and beyond and carry our dreams and memories with me wherever I go.”