All Chapters of Loving Him With Pain : Chapter 11 - Chapter 18

The faint light of dawn crept through the thin curtains of Katie’s room, stirring her awake. For a moment, she lay still, staring at the cracked ceiling above her. The events of the previous day weighed heavily on her mind—Jerome’s words, Rihanna's scornful remarks, and the suffocating whispers that followed her like shadows. But as the sun began to rise, so did a determination within her, fierce and unyielding. She sat up abruptly, her jaw tightening. She was done feeling helpless. If the pack saw her as weak sinner, she would prove them wrong. She wouldn’t wait for anyone to rescue her again. Not Jerome. Not anyone. Throwing off the thin blanket, Katie dressed quickly, pulling on a worn pair of leggings and a fitted shirt. The clothes weren’t new, but they were flexible enough for what she had in mind. She tied her hair into a messy bun, her fingers trembling slightly as adrenaline coursed through her. The pack warriors trained early—always at dawn, far beyond the pack

Katie’s hand still throbbed, the sensation from the slap lingering like a sting in her own chest. She hadn’t expected the sudden surge of adrenaline or the burst of clarity when she raised her hand against Jerome. The moment felt surreal. She had spoken her mind, said everything she had held back for far too long, and had struck him the man who controlled her life, the man who saw her as nothing more than an object to be used. But now, standing there in the aftermath, Katie could feel her breath growing shallow, a mixture of fear and exhilaration building up inside her. She hadn't anticipated how quickly the regret would settle in. But still, the thought of her own boldness lingered in her veins, the fear of what was coming next only adding to the heat of her pulse. Jerome didn’t move for a long moment. He stood perfectly still, his face unreadable, his eyes dark and cold. His gaze fixed on her, and Katie couldn’t help but tremble, knowing that whatever was coming would

Katie had spent the last five days locked in her room, drowning in the weight of her grief. The walls felt like they were closing in, suffocating her with memories of everything she had lost. She had barely eaten, her body weak and frail, but her soul bore the heaviest burden. Tonight, however, thirst drove her to action. Her throat was dry, and the thought of water gave her the courage to leave her self-imposed prison. Her hand trembled as she twisted the doorknob. Slowly, she pushed the door open, peeking out into the dimly lit hallway. Her eyes darted nervously from one end of the corridor to the other. She couldn’t bear to see anyone, especially not Jerome. The thought of encountering someone who would pity her or, worse, speak to her, made her heart pound with anxiety. When she was certain the coast was clear, she stepped out, her bare feet padding softly against the wooden floor. She reached the kitchen, pausing at the door to listen. It seemed quiet, and relief

The air in the pack house kitchen was thick with the scent of spices as Katie stirred a pot of stew. Her hands moved on autopilot, but her mind was elsewhere — trapped in the dark thoughts of her recent loss. Her child, the one she never even knew about was gone And the crushing silence that followed had become unbearable. The door creaked open, and Katie’s grip on the spoon tightened when she heard the familiar voice she least wanted to hear. “Well, look at you, hard at work,” Rihanna said, her tone light, almost too sweet. Katie didn’t turn. She focused on the stew, refusing to let Rihanna’s presence throw her off. “What do you want?” Rihanna walked further in, her heels clicking softly against the floor. “Nothing, really. Just checking in.” Katie scoffed, finally glancing over her shoulder. “Checking in? That’s rich, coming from you.” Rihanna smiled faintly. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Katie put down the spoon and turned fully to face her. “Yesterday, you m