Catherine’s POV The soft chime of the bookstore’s bell barely registered over the murmur of the few customers browsing the shelves. Since losing the baby, the scent of new paper and polished wood in the bookstore was my new comfort—and I had grown to cherish it in the weeks since opening. I was arranging a display of newly arrived novels when I heard the snap of high heels on the hardwood floor. My heart sank as I turned to see her standing in the doorway, her presence like a cold draft sweeping through the store. Her eyes swept over the space, lingering on the sleek, modern shelves and the carefully curated selection of books. “Wow,” she said, her voice dripping with mock admiration. “So this is what Alexander has been up to?” I stiffened, trying to maintain my composure. “What are you doing here Olivia?” I asked, forcing the words through clenched teeth. She strolled further into the store, her gaze scanning the shelves with a disdainful curiosity. “I couldn’t resist seeing th
Catherine’s POV All day long, I had been longing to do only one thing—confront Alexander. I had left the store earlier than usual and he had arrived home a few hours after I did. He was in the shower and my nerves could not sit still until I had unburdened every single load in my chest. And by load, I meant, Olivia Clarke. The sound of the shower turning off and the subsequent silence made my heart race. I knew he would be coming out soon, and the conversation I had been dreading was about to begin. When he stepped into the bedroom, still dripping wet, his facelooked relaxed but also wary. He looked at me, his eyes immediately locking onto mine, sensing something was off. The sight of him, tall and rugged, his body glistening from the shower, was both familiar and frustrating. I caught his eye, and he seemed to sense the tension, as if it hung between us like an invisible thread. “Who is Sarah?” I asked, my voice trembling despite my efforts to keep it steady. His brow furrowed i
Olivia’s POVI sat in the leather seat of my sleek, black car. The sanctuary of my luxury Cliff 450 felt cold and sterile. Catherine Kent was proving to be more stubborn than I bargained. A thorn in my flesh, a stone in my boot, a bone in my throat and I could not bear her any longer. I had scarified too much for Alexander and no one was just going to show up and take him from me. I heard the snap of his footsteps approaching before he appeared at the driver’s side window. I checked my watch, he was punctual, as always. His face partially obscured by the brim of his hat and the shadows of his dark suit. I unlocked the car and he slipped into the passenger seat. Without a word, I reached into the Pigeon hole of my car and pulled out an envelope, its edges crisp and clean. I handed it to him. Alexander had kept to his word and sent in my allowance and some more so I was able to call on Harry’s killer. His fingers brushed against mine as he took it, the a devilish smirk played on his
Simon’s POV The heavy rain pattered against the car windows, relentlessly, dripping tension into my veins. I slid into the passenger seat of Richard’s car, my heart pounding with the rage that had been simmering within me. Fucking Alexander Clifford was refusing to back down and every second that he remained president, I was losing my ground and losing her too. I was losing Catherine Kent, the only woman I had ever come to love this way. “Richard,” I greeted him with a curt nod. His eyes were sharp and unyielding, as they met mine with a look of frustration. He had been waiting for this discussion, and so had I. Richard, leaned back in the driver’s seat, his face was a picture of frustration and irritation. “ It seems we would have to re-strategize, Alexander is proving more stubborn than we thought. Can you believe he signed the Al-Nasir’s?” He went straight to the point, the tension in his voice was tangible. “Yes, I heard. The Al-Nasir’s are quite rebels like himself. He was sm
Catherine’s POV I was done at the store and was locking up for the night. I had just secured the doors to the store when suddenly, a strong hand grabbed me from behind, my heart skipped a beat, and a shiver ran down my spine. My breath caught in my throat as I wrestled and struggled off him but his grip was too formidable around me. “Stay put.” His voice was cold and menacing in my ear. I was terrified even though I hadn't even made the face yet. Trapped in his arms, he was bundling me towards a black van, I screamed, but the sound was swallowed by the streets emptiness. I fought back with all my strength, kicking and flailing, but he was relentless. My mind was spiraling out of control. Why did I have to let the driver off early today? Why did I insist on taking myself home today? Why did I choose to be stubborn today?! Just as his grip tightened around my arm, another figure burst out into the street, and I confirmed it was Simon. At first, I was even more terrified until he mad
Simon’s POV I barged into Olivia’s apartment, my was anger bubbling over. “What the hell were you thinking, making a move on Catherine’s life?” I demanded, storming toward her. She was lounging on the couch, flipping through a magazine as if my intrusion was a mere inconvenience. She slapped her magazine down. “I knew it was you; once Dexter told me some idiot came and intruded, I knew it was you.” she said, her tone dripping with disdain. “I do all the work and you just go and spoil everything.” I clenched my fists, fighting to control the fury burning in my chest. “How could you do that Olivia? You know I love her.” Her eyes narrowed, her lips sliced with a crude smirk. “You are so delusional brother. You think there can be anything between you and Catherine after what you did to her.” I felt my blood pressure spike. “Yes, in fact I do. What we shared was special and I believe in it.” “I knew you were stupid but this stupid,” she replied, her voice cold. She charged up from w
Catherine’s POV “And whose that giant blob over there?” Adoldpho asked, casting an awkward glance at Pedro, the new body guard slash driver stationed by my car. “My new hip attachment.” I said in a bitter tone, shooting a glance at Pedro. His figure static like a terrifying statue. “What’s going on Catherine?” He asked, his voice was tainted with concern. My fingers grazed the spines of the books on the shelves, a small ritual to steady myself. The store was nearly empty except for a few customers browsing, lost in their literary worlds. I approached Aldolpho, taking the lounger adjacent to his. “I was attacked few nights ago and apparently he is here for my safety. “Attacked?” Adolpho cried, eyes widening with worry. “By who?” “I think it was Alexander’s mistress.”I said wryly. His brows quirked with shock. “He keeps a mistress?” “Yes. Her name is Olivia Clarke, his stepmother.” I sighed, my hands momentarily trembling. It was hard to mask the strain in my voice as
Simon’s POVI gripped the steering wheel, straining my knuckles as I watched Adolpho, her supposed ex, leave the bookstore. The way they talked, the closeness, the way she looked so relaxed twisted something inside me. I banged my hand hard on the wheel, frustration and anger boiling over, seeing them together was a punch to the gut. I wished, more than anything, that I still had her trust. That I could be the one who stood beside her. I waited until Adolpho drove off, then saw her slip back inside the store. My heart pounded as I climbed out of the car and headed toward the entrance. I had to talk to her. I needed to explain, to make her understand, even though the restraining order was a cold barrier between us.The bell above the door jingled as I stepped in. She looked up, her eyes widening in shock before narrowing into a glare. Her voice was sharp, cutting through the silence. “What are you doing here Simon?”I took a deep breath, fighting the wave of panic rising inside me. I