CHAPTER FIVECatherine's life had been irrevocably transformed since her fateful encounter with Mr. Devan. It was as if she had stepped out of the pages of a rags-to-riches fairy tale. The threadbare clothing she once wore had been replaced by a wardrobe filled with luxurious attire, accompanied by bags and shoes that whispered of opulence. Her palate had transitioned from the blandness of stale foods to the exquisite flavors of mouth-watering delicacies. She was no longer the invisible soul navigating the crowded streets; she was treated with a level of reverence that exceeded her wildest dreams. It was as though the wheels of fortune had shifted in her favor, casting her into a realm of unimaginable splendor.During the car ride with Mr. Devan, an unexpected sense of serenity enveloped Catherine. To her astonishment, the presence of this powerful and enigmatic man did not overwhelm her as she had initially feared. Instead, it was as if he had assumed the role of the father figure sh
CHAPTER SIX"You have to make it."Tears streamed down her cheeks as she locked eyes with the person before her, their hazel eyes pleading desperately. Her own eyes mirrored that plea. She didn't want to leave."I..."The heavy footsteps drew closer, and she glanced anxiously over her shoulder."Let's go; we can make it," she pleaded through her tears."Run," came the voice in a whisper.And then, the sound of a gunshot.She jolted awake, sweat coating her forehead, and her breaths coming in ragged gasps. Her wide eyes frantically scanned her surroundings until they landed on a crouched figure beside her. Relief washed over her, and her eyes slowly returned to their normal size. The frantic fear in her gaze was replaced by confusion.Her brows furrowed. "What are you doing?"Hayden chuckled guiltily as she stood upright. "I'm usually not this clumsy, and I don't know what happened. It just happ
CHAPTER SEVENAfter leaving Zephyr, they headed to the hospital, with Catherine stealing occasional glances at Mr. Devan to check on his well-being. Despite the fact that they had left the source of his worry behind, she could still see the troubled expression etched on his face. As they drove along, she found herself growing increasingly concerned about what might be troubling him so deeply. She had always known him to be a strong and capable person, but seeing him like this made her wonder what could be causing him such distress."What's wrong?" She asked getting his attention. "Ronnie and Theo is coming back, shouldn't you be happy?"He held my gaze for a while before averting it. "Yeah, I suppose." He looked out of the window before continuing, "But Theo and Ronnie's return might ruin everything we've planned.""How?" She asked getting confused."Ronald, Dario, and Theodore had been inseparable since birth. Growing up together as cous
CHAPTER EIGHT Catherine's thoughts drifted back to the hospital encounter with Ron. She couldn't shake off the sensation of electricity that coursed through her body when their fingers brushed against each other. It was an unfamiliar feeling, but one that left her mesmerized. She couldn't help but wonder if Ron had felt the same spark that she did.Despite their brief exchange of words, Catherine found Ron's presence calming. She couldn't quite put her finger on why she felt so relaxed and comfortable in his company. As she sat next to him, she had to resist the urge to steal glances in his direction, not wanting to be caught staring.Catherine couldn't help but notice the charming and authoritative aura that surrounded Ron, making him a truly beautiful man. Her heartbeat quickened at the thought of him, realizing that no one had ever had that kind of impact on her before, not even Matt.But as soon as the thought of Matt crossed her mind, Catherine felt her stomach twist in disgust.
CHAPTER NINE Catherine's racing thoughts were a chaotic whirlwind, a tempestuous storm of emotions colliding within her. In an astonishing twist, Ron had revealed himself as Ronnie! She couldn't fathom how she had overlooked such an unmistakable clue. The implications of this revelation were staggering, and Catherine grappled with the surreal notion that the person she had grown fond of was, in fact, the brother of her sham fiancé.As she sat there, her eyes locked on Ronnie with a bewildered expression that mirrored his own, a palpable tension hung in the air. His departure, punctuated by the terse declaration, "I'll be back," left Catherine in a state of suspended uncertainty. She bit her trembling lip, her gaze still fixated on the empty space he had occupied, her mind swirling with a torrent of unanswered questions.Amidst the bewildering silence, Grandma's curious voice broke the spell, "What happened to Ronnie?" Her inquiry lingered, a beacon of opportunity in the sea of confus
CHAPTER TENAfter what had happened at the hospital, Catherine and Ronnie went days without speaking to each other, even during breakfast and dinner. Ronnie moved into the mansion, and unfortunately, his room was directly across from Catherine's. She found it difficult to avoid him, but she still managed to do so. Hopefully, no one had noticed the tension between them.Catherine realized that her feelings for Ronnie almost blew her cover as Caitlin Smoak. She had enjoyed the kiss, but she knew she needed to control her emotions. She glanced at her phone and decided to browse the internet for information on Ronnie. She needed to know what the tabloids were saying about him.Ronald Devan: son of Jacob Devan. Born December 18th 1990. The next in line to the Devaninro company. Catherine was surprised to discover that Jacob had his own company. She wondered if it was still a subsidiary of the Simpson enterprise, but she continued to read the tabloid.He's also known around the world as H
CHAPTER ELEVEN The room was bathed in streams of sunlight as the morning sun peeked through the window. The green curtains were illuminated, revealing hints of red and gold that made them appear to glow. Suddenly, a jarring noise echoed through the room, growing louder with each passing moment. She groaned and clung to her pillow, recognizing the sound as her alarm clock.Catherine quickly got up and went to the bathroom to do her morning things. Catherine found herself drawn to Ronnie's charm and wit. Despite her best efforts to keep her guard up, she found herself opening up to him more and more. They would spend hours talking about their dreams, their fears, and their pasts, mostly his past. She usually just maneuvered her way through it. Ronnie had a way of making her feel seen and heard in a way that no one else ever had.As they grew closer, Catherine began to see a side of Ronnie that few people ever saw. He was fiercely loyal to his family and would do anything to protect th
CHAPTER TWELVE Late into the night, under a moonlit sky, Catherine and Ronnie finally arrived home, their footsteps echoing through the tranquil darkness. Ronnie had spent the evening at the office, leaving Catherine feeling not just sleepy, but utterly drained as they crossed the threshold of the mansion.With the tenderness that had defined their relationship, Ronnie gallantly offered to carry Catherine to bed, his strong arms poised for the task. However, a sweet and gentle smile crept across Catherine's face as she lovingly declined his chivalrous gesture. She knew that her drowsy mind might concoct delightful dreams if left to its own devices.In the dimly lit foyer, Ronnie suddenly patted his pockets, his expression shifting to one of mild concern and apology. "I forgot my phone," he admitted with a hint of self-chastisement.Catherine, despite her fatigue, responded with unwavering affection, her eyes filled with understanding. She yawned delicately and waved a languid hand in
Chapter thirty three Morning light filtered through the curtains as Ronnie and Catherine caught their breath after a wild night. They had barely finished round two—one in the bedroom and another in the bathroom—when Ronnie, still feeling the aftermath, decided it was time to call for breakfast. Just as he reached for her phone, a knock echoed through the room. "Room service!" came the cheerful call. Before Ronnie could respond, the door swung open, revealing Dario and Theo, grinning ear to ear as they wheeled in a lavish breakfast spread, the aroma of fresh pancakes and sizzling bacon filling the air. "Wow!!!" Theo exclaimed, his eyes wide as he took in the scene, glancing between the two of them. Catherine instinctively tugged down her t-shirt, trying to shield herself from their amused gazes. "It’s not like I haven’t seen it before," Dario quipped, dodging a pillow thrown at him by Ronnie. "Relax, just joking!" "What are you two doing here?" Ronnie asked, feigning annoyance bu
Chapter thirty two Catherine opened her eyes to find Ronnie gazing at her, a mix of emotions swirling in his eyes. He hadn’t said the “L” word back yet, but at that moment, she didn’t care. "Good morning. How long have you been awake?" she yawned, stretching. His fingers tangled gently in her hair as he replied with a breathtaking smile. "I don’t know... long enough." Her eyes widened. "Seriously? You’ve just been staring at me?" He nodded, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. She felt a rush of embarrassment and covered her eyes with her hands. "What if I drooled while sleeping?" she pouted, half-laughing. "You’d look cute doing it, just like you do now." He leaned in and stole a kiss, leaving her momentarily speechless. Wait—what? She hadn’t even brushed her teeth! Last night had been unforgettable; it was her first time, and they’d made love more than five times after she confessed her feelings. She could still feel the aftershocks of those intense moments. "I love
Chapter thirty one Catherine sighed, sinking deeper into the bed, covering her face with her hands. "I know... I was so stupid. I told him everything, thinking he couldn’t hear me. But he wasn’t fully unconscious—he could hear every word." Hayden’s eyes widened as she sat down beside Catherine. "Catherine, how could you let that slip?" She looked utterly shocked, her voice laced with concern. "What are you going to do now?" "I don’t know," Catherine muttered, her voice muffled by the pillow. "Dario doesn’t seem angry, but... I feel like I’ve made everything more complicated. And then there’s Ronnie..." Hayden raised an eyebrow, leaning closer. "Ronnie? What about him?" Catherine let out a frustrated sigh. "Dario and Theo think he’s in love with me. They said he’s been jealous this whole time, that he doesn’t even care about Lucy." Her voice wavered with uncertainty. "But he’s engaged, Hayden. And I don’t know if they’re just trying to make me feel better or if I should even belie
Chapter thirty Mason arrived to pick Catherine up after breakfast with her parents. The entire experience still felt surreal. She had a family—a mother, a father, and a sister. Not just any sister, but a twin. The thought twisted uncomfortably in her chest. Was Caitlin the reason she’d been missing all these years? It felt wrong to place all the blame on her. The memories Catherine had unlocked revealed she hadn’t been the easiest child—she was a brat back then, angry and reckless. But still, Caitlin could have told someone the moment she pushed her overboard. She could’ve alerted an adult, instead of waiting until morning to start pretending to look for her. By then, Catherine had likely drifted miles away from the ship, lost in the storm. Maybe even dead—or so they all thought. Catherine sighed. They were adults now, and she had no intention of holding on to the past. But still, Caitlin’s absence lingered in her mind. Where was she? Why hadn’t she returned? "Hey, you look so wor
Chapter twenty nine "What are you doing?" The voice was faint, like an echo from a long-forgotten past. She froze, her breath catching in her throat. She stood aboard a ship she had never set foot on before, yet it felt eerily familiar. In the distance, two figures—a pair of young girls—argued in the heart of a raging storm. The one facing her, drenched and defiant, was unmistakably herself, younger and more reckless. Slowly, she approached, the wind whipping her hair, saltwater stinging her skin. From a safe distance, she finally saw the face of the second girl, the one with her back turned. Her heart stilled. It was like staring into a mirror—another version of her younger self. "Why do you always do that?" the other girl spat, her voice sharp with frustration, cutting through the roar of the storm. "What do you care?" Young Catherine shot back, her chin lifting defiantly. "I take what I want. If I can't have it, I'll guilt them into giving it to me. And if I still can't have it
Chapter twenty eight Arriving at the imposing Smoak mansion, Catherine's thoughts swirled with a potent mix of apprehension and uncertainty. Helen's unexpected invitation for her to spend the night with her and Christian only added to the whirlwind of emotions. Despite Rosita's initial reluctance, she relented after some persuasion from Jacob, leaving Catherine to grapple with her own inner turmoil.Her mind still reeling from Ronnie and Lucy's bombshell announcement, Catherine felt as though the ground had shifted beneath her feet, leaving her adrift in a sea of uncertainty. Catherine's thoughts drifted to Theo's cryptic message, his urgent plea for a conversation when she returns weighing heavily on her mind. The memory of his embrace, tinged with a sense of foreboding, lingered like an ominous shadow.Pushing aside the turmoil, Catherine resolved to lose herself in the grandeur of the Smoak mansion. The sight of the sprawling estate, adorned with a majestic fountain and meticulou
Chapter twenty sevenDario nudged her forward, urging her towards the couple who stood before her, Caitlin's parents. Catherine hesitated, feeling an unfamiliar shyness wash over her as she approached."Hey, Dad," Catherine greeted tentatively, her voice sounding foreign as she waved hesitantly. It felt strange to utter the word "dad," a term she hadn't used since her days in foster care."Aw, come here, sweetheart, don't be shy," her father coaxed, enveloping her in a warm embrace. "I love you, shortcake," he murmured, planting a tender kiss atop her head.Tears threatened to well up as Catherine soaked in the overwhelming flood of emotions. This was what it felt like to be truly loved and cared for—a sensation she had only dreamed of experiencing within the confines of a real family.As her father released her, Catherine turned to face his wife, Helen. Tentatively, she wrapped her arms around Helen, feeling a slight stiffness in return. But amidst the whirlwind of emotions, Catherine
Chapter twenty sixAs the resonant knock echoed through their room, Catherine shot Dario a quizzical look, confusion etched into her features. "Expecting someone?" she inquired, her tone laced with curiosity.Dario's solemn shake of the head only deepened Catherine's perplexity as she rose to confront the mysterious visitor. With a hesitant twist of the knob, she swung the door open to reveal Mia, Rosita's personal maid."Mia?" Catherine called out, her brow furrowing with bewilderment. She couldn't recall ever exchanging more than passing pleasantries with the elusive servant, making her early appearance all the more intriguing.With a graceful bow, Mia delivered her enigmatic message, her voice soft yet laden with unspoken secrets. "Ma'am Rosita requests your presence," she intoned, her head bowed in deference."Why?" Catherine probed, her gaze searching for any hint of explanation in Mia's lowered stance."She didn't disclose her intentions, miss," Mia replied, her eyes never meeti
Chapter twenty five"No, no, no, please, don't," Catherine pleaded, her voice a desperate whisper echoing through the confines of her nightmare. With each thrash and turn, she battled against the unseen adversary lurking within her dreams."Cait, Cait," Dario's voice broke through the darkness, his hands reaching out to steady her thrashing form. "C'mon, Cait," he urged, his tone a mixture of urgency and reassurance. "Snap out of it!"His words pierced the veil of her dreams, pulling her back to consciousness with a jolt. Gasping for air, Catherine's eyes darted around the room, searching for signs of the unseen danger that had haunted her sleep. Yet, it was Dario's presence beside her that anchored her in reality, his steady gaze a lifeline in the tumult of her subconscious.Their eyes met, a silent exchange of emotions passing between them. In Dario's gaze, Catherine found concern and relief intertwined, a reflection of his unwavering support in her darkest moments. And as the echoes