"Koen..." I uttered when my brother opened the door."Katalina?" Koen was shocked to see me. But he immediately ushered me inside his house. "What happened?""I uhm..." I bit my bottom lip because it kept quivering. "Can I stay here tonight?"I wasn't sure what I was feeling. Love left me scarred, so I don't know if I want anything to do with it again. I can't let it turn me into someone vulnerable and fragile once more. Whenever I hear the word love, Cadmus always comes to mind. I've come to hate everything that reminded me of him.However, what I had with Percy was different from what I had before. I presumed the lack of romance allowed us to be comfortable with each other. I thought it kept us from hurting each other despite being deeply attached. But it turns out, he had always been in love with me, and I... I might've been forgetting how love ruined me.At some point, I also began to imagine 'the us' that would exist after Cadmus' downfall. I forgot that I was once too confident
Another sigh escaped my lips as I put my phone away. Cadmus apologized for what happened earlier, but I knew he wasn't sorry. He just wanted an excuse to contact me.I felt awful for Percy, but I couldn't change my goals for him.My head was killing me, so I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes. I drifted to sleep with Percy in my head.Just as planned, I went home early in the morning. I didn't want to, but my son was there, and I couldn't avoid Percival for so long.Walking into the kitchen, I found Percival cooking breakfast. Marcus was standing near him. They seem happy together, and I would've smiled if not for what happened last night.Percival froze when he noticed me. He gripped the spatula that he almost dropped before looking away.My son's head turned to me, and I could see his eyes light up."How is he?" I asked Percival.Percival briefly looked at me and swallowed hard before answering, "his fever's gone. You don't have to worry anymore."I nodded and brought my attenti
I walked towards Percival until I could hear their conversation. I wasn't planning to eavesdrop. I wanted my presence to be known. "How many times do I have to ask you to leave?" Percival said with a sigh of irritation. "I'm only concerned for you, Percy," Helena insisted. "If you ever need someone to talk to about this, just let me know." "He already told you to leave," I interrupted. My hand reached for Percy's arm. Helena seemed surprised at first, but her expression quickly changed. She lifted her chin and raised an eyebrow as she stared at me. "Your ex-husband is visiting you quite often," Helena said. "I'm only concerned for Percy." I laughed as I tightened my grip on Percy's arms. "Perhaps you haven't heard that my agency has a small project with Mr. Salazar's company. Those visits were solely business." Helena grinned. Unlike Minty, she kept herself composed. It was harder to read her too. My eyes briefly scanned her body, and my eyebrows shot up. She was wearing a body
I hadn't expected him to show up. Sitting in the car with him after what had happened between us seemed odd. But I ended up joining him. I guess I didn't want people to start talking about our relationship. People would question us if I didn't go with him. "Miss Kat!" Raya called out to me while we were standing beside Percival's car. "Medicine for your headaches, Ma'am. Just in case." I smiled at her and took the small pouch from her hand. "Thank you," I said. "Anytime, Ma'am. There are also pads in there," she whispered. I chuckled, "Thank you. Get home safe with everyone." Raya nodded and left us. When I looked back at Percy, he was only standing behind me. He glanced at me and the pouch before opening the car door. "Thank you," I said as I hopped in. "Do you wanna get some sleep?" he asked, probably because he heard what Raya said. "I'm planning to. It's been a long day." "Let me recline your seat." He was still standing outside. So, he had to bend to recline my seat. "
The beach house meant so much to the old me. I had some of my happiest memories there. But that one night tainted all those memories. The house lost all its meaning, yet it still stood where it always had been. Why should it?In a phone call, I told Cadmus to meet me there. The place where we spent our first night as a married couple. It wouldn't be good for the both of us to be seen having dinner in a fancy restaurant, so I suggested we have the dinner away from the public's eyes. I could hear the excitement in his voice when he agreed, so I should make it worth his while.I started arranging everything. From my schedule--so it wouldn't look suspicious to Percival or anyone who would look into it, down to what I will cook for Cadmus. Yes, I would be cooking. No, there wouldn't be poison in it.Cadmus, like the egoistic bastard that he was, seemed so confident that I would still be wrapped around his finger like I used to be. He knew I adored him since we were little, but being stupid
If I'm being honest, I'd say, 'I'm not sure,' or maybe.' It was a good life, and I loved the husband I thought I knew and would always have by my side. So, of course, though I hate to admit it, there was a time I thought about the good times.I knew they were all lies, and I was the only one who thought it was real. But I was genuinely happy before I found out Cadmus wasn't."Sometimes," I said.Cadmus smirked. He leaned in and rested his hand on my hips. I had almost pushed him away, and he noticed me step back. So, I quickly composed myself and smiled at him. I held his arm and moved past him to free myself from his grasp."I think we both need something stronger," I said as an excuse.My hands were trembling. I was enraged, disgusted, and, most of all, guilty. But this was it. I'll be satisfied after this. Cadmus will finally get what he deserves. After all those years of anger and grief, I could finally give it back to him.I took two bottles of liquor from a cabinet. I knew they'
I held his hand steady before dragging it away from my cheek. Then I drew back and sat on the bed. I stared at the floor, trying to appear as hurt and confused as possible. Cadmus knelt in front of me carefully, trying to get a good look at my face. He looked like he was prepared to console me. Cadmus said cheating on me was a mistake, but here he was, ready to do it again. I wonder if Minty was the only girl he cheated on me with. Or perhaps Minty was the only mistress he got pregnant."I loved having you as my wife, Katalina. If only you told me all this before. That would've melted my anger and frustrations. We would've still been together." He held my elbows and caressed my skin. "Your skin is as soft as ever," he said, smiling.Minty's thoughts must be killing her right now. Why wasn't her husband answering her calls? Where was he? That's what she got for desiring my seat. "But you loved Minty more. . ." I said and pretended to be hurt. "Maybe I should leave. She's the one you
I was fully prepared to take another slap, though I can't promise I won't hit him back. I did think I deserved to be slapped, but not by him. I haven't felt like myself lately. I hoped for something to bring me back and make me feel in control. The door of the room busted open. I knew Cadmus wouldn't get to lay another finger on me. But I would like to see him try and prove just how horrible a person he was. My driver, who was also my bodyguard, immediately stood between me and Cadmus. I never planned on staying the whole night, and I had him wait for me nearby. The bracelet I wore would send an alarm to his phone when I pressed the button on the pendant. I knew I wasn't safe with Cadmus. I wasn't stupid enough to put myself in danger. "Seriously, Katalina? You had this all planned out? I can't fvcking believe you." "Cadmus, I do not trust you. Not one bit," I told him. "I should've dated the men who threw themselves at my feet while you were still my husband. Didn't you know that