CHAPTER HUNDRED-THIRTEEN: THE LAUNCH

Catherine’s POV

As I stood in the grand hall, sipping a glass of the newly launched wine, I couldn't help but feel a strange breeze of emotions. The gown I wore, a glowing red that flowed elegantly to the floor, made me feel powerful, yet I was anything but. I was speaking with Adolpho, who had a way of making the worst situations seem manageable. We were chatting about nothing in particular, my laughter was forced, my eyes occasionally drifting over the room.

And then I saw him—Alexander. It had been three whole weeks since I left Sussex and him, determined to never return and there he was—characteristically cool. He had the audacity to fly all the way to Wales after everything he'd done. My heart skipped a beat, but not out of love or longing. It was rage, pure and unfiltered, coursing through me the moment our eyes met. His presence was a hard reminder of all that had gone wrong, all that he had ruined.

He started walking toward me, with that domineering, consuming stare in his