Catherine's POV
It was early the next morning. When I woke up, I saw Noah and Hedwig on my bed. They lay on the bed, blinking and watching me sleep. "Mommy, did we wake you up?" Hedwig asked. I sat up from the bed. "Why are you two up so early?" "Mommy, have you and daddy made up?" Hedwig asked without answering my question. Noah, who was lying beside her, sighed like an adult, " Looks like they haven't. Didn't my plan work yesterday? No way! Daddy should have been jealous by now." Noah's words left me a little speechless. I knew it. Of course, Noah didn't want me to be with Harley. What Noah said yesterday was just to piss Blake off. "Noah, Hedwig, drop this, OK? Don't make your daddy mad." Blake looked so tired and painful last night. How could I go on to hurt him? Hedwig's eyes widened. "Really? Will daddy leave us?" Noah patted Hedwig on the head. "You are so stupid! Daddy is so much better than that! He will beCatherine's POV I followed Leo to a separate room. Leo suddenly turned and stared at me fiercely. "Are you really Halsey's daughter?" I nodded. "Yes. I am Halsey's daughter. Do you hate me?" Leo walked to the sofa and sat down. He said, "Are you sad that your wedding is off?" "Yes, I am!" I did not attempt to conceal my emotions. "But there's nothing we can do. There's no way we're getting married..." I was in so much pain that I could not speak. Leo looked away and said sarcastically, "How was this possible? You are his mate!" "But my father hurt you and Blake. I'm sorry," I apologized. "Why should you be apologizing to me? It's not your fault. Halsey should make up for the mistake he made," Leo snarled. "I know. But I'm still his daughter!" I was so sad. "What does Blake think? Does he hate you?" Leo asked as he looked at me. I shook my head. "No. He's in pain, too. He's sick now. Maybe you should go check on him." "Loo
Third person's POV Soon, Catherine returned to the lakeside villa. She knew Blake was in the study, yet she did not go over to see him. Catherine walked into the bedroom and began to sort her things out. The pain in her heart was killing her as she packed her suitcases. She wanted to see Blake. Catherine suddenly did not want to pack up. She did not want to leave... The bedroom door was pushed open, and Noah and Hedwig stood at the door. "Mommy, are you really moving out?" Hedwig cried. She ran over and snatched the clothes in Catherine's hands. "Don't go. Stay here. Daddy won't let you go." Noah turned and ran out. He could not bear to separate from his mother. Catherine crouched and hugged Hedwig. She said gently, "Hedwig, I'm not going far away. I'll still live in this city. If you miss me, you can ask Dowen to take you to see me." "No! I want mommy and daddy to be together. I don't want you to be separated!" Hedwig sobbed.
Third person's POV Patricia crouched and said, "Noah, Hedwig, I don't know if you can understand what I'm saying here. Your mommy and daddy are now siblings. Do you get it?" Catherine was angry and said to Patricia, "Patricia, how can you tell them that? This is too much for them." Patricia looked at Catherine and said, "If I didn't tell them, they would think that we bullied you." Noah looked at Catherine in confusion and asked, "Mommy, how can you and Daddy be siblings?" Catherine didn't know how to answer Noah's question. Patricia said to Noah, "Because your mommy's father married your daddy's mother." Noah and Hedwig looked at Catherine. "Mommy, that's messed up!" Noah said to Catherine. Hedwig looked up and asked Catherine, "Mommy, I can't understand!" Patricia said sarcastically, "Catherine, you should explain it to them." Catherine crouched and said gently to Noah and Hedwig, "It will take time for you to understand it.
Catherine's POV I went downstairs and walked to Dowen's car. I knocked on the car window, and Dowen opened the trunk. I pushed the suitcase in and sat in the back seat. "Dowen, let's go now. Thanks!" I said politely. The man in the driver's seat did not speak. The car made a U-turn and drove off. The car was getting farther and farther from the villa, and I could not help looking over my shoulder, my eyes welling with tears. I said goodbye to the kids. Why did I still feel sad? I knew. It was because I didn't say goodbye to Blake. Eva let out a sad sob. "It's still early. What's the rush? After the car drove out of the lakeside villa, I heard Blake's voice from the driver's seat. I was stunned when I heard his voice. Soon after, he pulled over. "Move to the front." Blake gently reminded me. I came back to my senses. It wasn't Dowen. It was Blake. Why was Blake here? I thought that Dowen was driving. "W
Catherine's POV After I boarded the plane, I texted Blake. Soon, he replied to me: "Take care of yourself. Call me if you need anything." I kept staring at the message and it made me happy. "Your hearts are together," Eva said to me. The plane took off and hurtled into the night sky. I looked out the window, feeling a little sad. It was the first time we had been so far apart since we had met. After flying for more than ten hours, I finally arrived at the city where my father was. I got Halsey's address from Blake. After I left the airport, I checked in at a hotel. The weather was gloomy the next morning, which made me gloomy as well. After more than an hour's ride, I finally arrived at a villa in a wealthy neighborhood. I looked around for a long time before I finally found the door to the Fox's villa. For some reason, I was a bit scared. I reached out and rang the doorbell. A servant opened the door.
Catherine's POV I looked at Halsey in disbelief, his face full of pain. Abigail said in a low voice, "Catherine, now you know why your father did this. He loves you as much as any father in the world." "Is this true?" I couldn't believe it. Why? Why did this happen to me? Halsey nodded in pain. "Yes. That's why I lost you. Cathy, I have been suffering from it. I've been looking for you for years." "Why? How could she be so cruel? I am your daughter!" I roared. Why? Why didn't my family like me? They even wanted to sacrifice me for my brother. Halsey closed his eyes in pain and said, "You are my daughter. You and your brother are equally important to me. Your brother's illness was destined, and I could only accept it. However, I couldn't watch you die as well!" I lost my strength and slumped on the sofa. My tears ran down my cheeks uncontrollably. Abigail comforted me, "Catherine, don't be sad. Now that you are back, you should spend som
Catherine's POV "Aren't you on a business trip? When are you going to do your work?" "I whispered. "You are my work. Didn't I just work hard enough?" Blake said teasingly. I raised my head to look at him. "Aren't you afraid that Patricia will find out?" "I am, of course, but I kept it under wraps. I don't think she'll know," Blake said complacently. "So, are we sneaking out now?" I smiled. Blake turned over and pressed me down. "Yes. So, let's not waste time!" He kissed me so passionately that I could hardly breathe. I kept calling out his name. By the time I woke up, Blake had already come out of the bathroom, and then he got dressed. "Get up. Let's go out!" "Where to?" I didn't want to get up yet. "Anywhere, as long as you are with me!" Blake looked at me. "Alright." I got up unwillingly and ran into the bathroom carrying my clothes. We walked on the street hand in hand, and I felt relaxed. Suddenly, I spotted
Catherine's POV Just as I reached the door, it opened. Blake looked at me. I threw myself into his arms. All I wanted was to hold him now. We held each other quietly for a long time. "What did your mother say to you?" I said while rubbing my eyes. Blake said in a low voice, "I think they told us the same thing. They are getting divorced for us." "What do you think of it?" I trembled. It was cruel for two people who loved each other to be separated. Blake said coldly, "I don't think they should be together in the first place. My mother betrayed my father." I whispered, "Sorry. My father also did the wrong thing." Blake said angrily, "Why are you apologizing to me? It's not your fault. They were being selfish." I knew Blake couldn't get over the past, and I didn't intend to make him. I sat on the sofa, looked up at Blake, and said, "I don't want them to divorce because of us. What about you? "We can't do this. They sho
Third Person's POV"Staring at me?" Blake suddenly turned his head, his sapphire eyes sweeping over her flushed cheeks, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips."N-no!" Catherine hastily lowered her head, her fingers crumpling the book pages, yet not a word entered her mind.Blake let out a low chuckle and strode to her side, his long leg bracing against the sofa back, trapping her in the soft confines."Is it nervous to stare at your fiancé?" He deliberately emphasized the word "fiancé," his warm breath grazing her reddening earlobe. "Or have you already decided I'm your 'husband'?"Catherine's heartbeat skipped. They were engaged, but the word "husband" still sent a blush to her cheeks."Don't jump the gun, we're not married yet," she whispered, her gaze involuntarily sliding downward as he began unbuttoning his shirt—his defined chest faintly visible beneath the white fabric, each button like a droplet being undone by
Third Person's POVNow, none of them dared to return home after midnight. They all felt as if going home was like admitting to a mistake, so they prepared mental scripts, thinking about how to deal with the questioning.This was the subtle difference between being unmarried and married in their minds."Blake, you and Catherine are already engaged. When do you plan to get married? How about having the wedding on the same day as ours? It might become a beautiful story," Benjamin asked with a smile, thinking that getting married on the same day could be quite a tale."Forget it. I don't want to run to two wedding venues in one day." Howard was the first to object, already looking forward to attending two wedding feasts.The corners of Blake's mouth twitched into a smile. "I might actually get married before you. My grandmother has already set the date for us.""Ah?" The other two were filled with shock. So sudden?Blake nodded. "I've alr
Olivia promised not to run and cooperated fully.That night, she detailed how Richard had found and bribed her to lure Mark.After settling Olivia in Blake's vacant villa, Leo left past eleven.Hungry and tired, he recalled cooking with Sunny—her average but heartwarming home cooking.On impulse, he drove to Sunny's building, seeing the light in her apartment.Regretting his harsh words, he hesitated but finally, masked and hat-clad, knocked on her door.Sunny opened it, red-eyed from crying.They stood in silence."Why are you here again?" Sunny asked hoarsely."Olivia came to me," Leo said, pushing the door open.Sunny's face stiffened. "Did you send her to the police?""Not yet. I have other plans. Don't ask," Leo said.The air grew tense. Leo stepped closer, tucking her hair behind her ear. "My words this afternoon—did they hurt you?"Sunny widened her eyes. "Of course not. I d
"I'm sorry." Sunny bowed her head, covered her face with her hands, and shook it violently. "Sorry, I really don't know what to do."Leo looked at her like a frightened child, muttering this sentence over and over.But he didn't want to hear her apologies."Maybe I loved the wrong person. Since you never tell me the truth, fine, let's stop torturing each other. Breaking up is the wisest choice," Leo steeled himself again, slammed the things he was carrying onto the table, and turned to leave.Sunny heard the door close heavily again, as if it had slammed right into her heart.She trembled all over.They must had been enemies in their past life.Sunny sneered at herself. That was why this life was full of torment.Leo went downstairs, got into his car. His mind went blank.He didn't know why he was so heartless, but he was just really angry, especially since he placed Sunny in the most important position, yet had to endur
"I had someone call Tasha, and she said your mom was home for dinner, so I came over." Leo had been particularly clingy with Sunny lately. Not having her even for lunch felt off, so he packed some food, deciding to eat with her.He didn't expect to see Olivia.Worse still, Sunny actually stood in front of Olivia, as if shielding her.Sunny's mind was blank. She underestimated her importance to Leo.Olivia, seeing Leo's dark expression and the flicker of anger in his eyes, panicked too.She pushed Sunny aside, stepped forward, and said humbly, "Leo, I was planning to apologize to you anyway.""Really?" Leo's voice was icy cold. Though addressing Olivia, his gaze pinned Sunny, as if trying to see through her pale face to her true thoughts.Olivia nodded earnestly. "Yes, I was going to seek your forgiveness. We were just discussing having Sunny call you later...""Enough! I don't want to hear your lies. Keep running if you will."
"Is your hand better?" Olivia nervously checked Olivia's left hand."Did you go to Leo's neighborhood last night?""Yes, I've been waiting at the entrance for days and came here specially to corner you today."Sunny took her home. Olivia collapsed on the sofa and said, "Life on the run is exhausting."Sunny poured a glass of water and asked, "Want something to eat?""Is there any food? I'm starving."After Sunny bought food and returned, she found Olivia already fast asleep on the sofa. An hour later, a phone call woke Olivia up—it was Leo calling to urge her."Leo, I need to have lunch with my mom today. Is it okay if I come back to the company in the afternoon?"Leo agreed readily.Sunny lied to Leo. She was worried that Leo might ask questions or suggest coming with her.Fortunately, Leo didn't say much and just asked her to come back early.After hanging up, Sunny saw Olivia, who had been woken up
After dinner, Richard and Nick didn't linger. They greeted Emerson upstairs and left.Back in the bedroom, Blake's handsome face was clouded with gloom.Catherine sat beside him and gently comforted, "They're gone. Don't let them get to you. It's not worth it!""I know, but I can't help it. This feeling is killing me," Blake said, rubbing his temples.Catherine leaned on his shoulder. "Don't think about it. Emerson's not doing well. Let's focus on taking care of him."Blake nodded. "I'll try to hold on. Once this period's over, I'll make them pay double."Catherine felt helpless seeing his pain but couldn't do anything to ease it.***Late at night, Sunny and Leo were heading home after dinner, both tired.As their car approached Leo's apartment, Sunny glanced out the window and froze.She thought she'd seen Olivia.She sat up straight and looked again.Sure enough, a figure scrambled into a car and
"If the kid were yours, you'd love him!" Richard frowned."But I'm your son too, and I don't feel particularly liked by you."Richard's face turned livid with anger.Seeing Richard speechless, Nick coldly said, "So, I'll only like a son born to a woman I love. Just like you. If that woman had a son for you, you definitely wouldn't treat me as dispensable. I feel like a neglected child.""Enough! I gave you whatever I can already!" Richard interrupted.Nick's words had struck a chord.The reason he didn't value Nick was because he disliked his mother.Richard had always been unwilling to admit it, but now that his son had pointed it out, he became angry out of shame.With a stern face, Nick opened the door and left.Emerson's health was deteriorating. The cold weather made him increasingly uncomfortable.Most of Patricia's energy was devoted to caring for him.Fortunately, the two children were with Abigail,
Catherine and Blake spent two days in Paris before Halsey urged them to return home.The next morning, Halsey found Blake strolling in the garden."Blake, can we talk?" Halsey asked gently."Of course," Blake replied, his expression cool but manner amicable."I want to transfer my company to your name. Consider it a peace offering to my future son-in-law, hoping you'll take good care of Catherine. I'm at ease leaving the company in your hands," Halsey said after a moment of hesitation.Blake frowned. "Why me?""You're capable. The Royal Group has flourished under you. Catherine is still young, and I'm worried she might buckle under the pressure," Halsey explained."Do you trust me that much?" Blake asked with a touch of mockery."You're more reliable than I imagined," Halsey admitted."I can't accept it," Blake refused firmly.Halsey was taken aback. "Why? Is it too small?""A profitable company is valuable