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 THIRTEEN As Ronnie walked to his car, the weight of his forgetfulness bore down on him like an anchor. How could he possibly forget his phone, he wondered, chiding himself inwardly for this momentary lapse of memory? His frustration grew as he realized he would have to retrace his steps which might eventually lead to returning to the office to retrieve it.With a heavy sigh, he turned the ignition and started up the engine, intending to head back to the office. But just as he was about to shift into reverse, the melodic chime of his phone's ringtone filled the car's interior. Ronnie's ears perked up, and he followed the sound to its source, discovering his phone lying innocently on the back seat.He retrieved the device, and as he glanced at the caller ID, the name "Lucy" lit up the screen. Confusion washed over him; he was almost certain that Lucy was out of town. Ronnie hesitated for a moment, torn between answering the call and letting it go un
CHAPTER FOURTEEN*MATURED SCENE AHEAD*The heavy iron door swung open, revealing a sliver of pale light that sliced through the oppressive darkness of Caitlin's wretched prison. Her trembling form shrank back as she glimpsed him descending the twisted staircase, his malevolent smirk sending shivers down her spine. Desperation welled within her, yearning for the very walls to become her savior, to swallow her whole and protect her from this remorseless monster."Close the door behind me," his command hung in the air, the intensity in his eyes unwavering as they bore into her cowering figure.Caitlin jerked in terror as the door slammed shut with a deafening crash. She made a feeble attempt to retreat to the farthest reaches of the room, but the unforgiving chain, coiled like a serpent around her legs.Her heart raced as his predatory gaze devoured her, inch by inch. It was a sickening, objectifying scrutiny that made her feel like not
CHAPTER FIFTEEN Catherine descended the grand staircase, dressed in a mini sleeveless nightgown, her intention being to grab a quick breakfast before her morning shower. As she entered the spacious dining room, her eyebrows knitted together in confusion. The room was unusually empty."Hayden?" she called out, her voice tinged with curiosity, as she approached her personal maid who happened to be the sole occupant at the moment.Hayden, ever composed, simply shrugged in response to Catherine's inquiry. Just as Catherine was beginning to wonder about the whereabouts of the rest of the household, she noticed her grandmother and her personal maid making their way downstairs.Quickly moving to assist her elderly grandmother, Catherine gently guided her to her designated seat at the dining table. A warm smile graced the matriarch's face as she acknowledged Catherine’s thoughtfulness."I'm not that old, Caitlin," her grandmother chided playfully, waving off Catherine's assistance with a tw
CHAPTER SIXTEEN Catherine reclined on her bed, the room cloaked in the hush of secrets too long kept. The weight of her untold truths was an invisible burden, pressing on her like an insistent hand. The bond she'd cultivated with Hayden was a lifeline in this sea of concealed emotions. It was a revelation that dawned on her like a spark in the night – she needed someone beyond the confines of Mr. Devan's realm. And so, with a sense of both trepidation and liberation, she turned to her confidant.As Catherine turned toward her friend, it was as though the universe conspired in that moment, conspiring to unfurl a tapestry of trust and vulnerability. The dim glow of the room painted a halo around Hayden, her eyes a canvas of concern, framed by the curtains of an unwavering friendship.She leaned in, and with a voice that trembled like a fragile leaf on the brink of falling, Catherine whispered, "I'm really confused, Hayden."With a gesture of support, Hayden edged closer, her chin restin