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Novel Catalog
Chapter 14
Catherine’s heart raced as she heard the voice, feeling a strange mixture of hope and disbelief. She didn’t dare turn around, thinking she might be imagining things, but then the grip on her arms loosened. She was yanked back to her feet, and the servers reluctantly stepped aside.
“Mr. Hill?” Catherine murmured under her breath.
The voice had indeed belonged to Shaun, who stood a few feet away, his gaze sharp and piercing as he looked at the scene before him. His expression was unreadable, but there was no mistaking the underlying tension in his posture.
Freya glanced up at him with suspicion. “What’s going on here?”
Shaun’s eyes narrowed as he surveyed the chaotic scene. “Let them go,” he ordered coldly.
The servers hesitated but complied, unsure of who this man was, but sensing that his authority was not to be questioned.
Catherine slowly rose to her feet, her knees aching. She couldn’t quite meet his gaze as she stood there, trying to gather her bearings. She had been humiliated—dragged out of the restaurant like an unwanted guest—and now, standing face-to-face with the man she had married, she didn’t know what to say.
Shaun’s attention shifted to the manager, his eyes icy and unforgiving. “You can expect a call from my lawyer. Don’t test me again.”
The manager quickly stammered his apologies, eager to avoid any further trouble. He muttered something about ensuring this would never happen again before retreating into the background, letting the tension hang thick in the air.
Shaun turned back to Catherine, his features softening just a touch, but not enough for her to feel entirely comfortable. “Let’s go.” His voice was firm.
Freya stepped in front of Catherine, her expression filled with concern but also a trace of defiance. “What is this? First you chase her out of your house, and now you’re playing the hero? Are you trying to make up for it with this grand gesture?”
Shaun’s gaze hardened, but he didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he turned to Catherine, waiting for her to make a move. She glanced between them, the weight of the moment sinking in. The restaurant was no longer a place she wanted to be. She felt small, insignificant in the eyes of everyone around her, especially when she looked at Cindy, who stood there smugly.
Without another word, Catherine followed Shaun out of the restaurant, the cool night air hitting her face as they walked in silence. Freya trailed behind them, clearly still fuming from the encounter.
Once they reached the car, Shaun didn’t wait for her to speak first. “Are you alright?” he asked, his tone more subdued.
Catherine nodded slowly, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she kept her gaze forward. She wasn’t sure how to respond to him, especially after everything that had just happened. “I’m fine. Thanks for… helping me.”
“Helping?” Shaun repeated, his voice hard. “Is that what you think this is? I’m not doing this for you, Catherine. You made your bed, and now you’re lying in it.”
Catherine bit her lip, not sure whether she should argue or stay quiet. The frustration building in her chest felt suffocating, but she held it in. Shaun was right, in a way—this mess was her fault. It was her choice to marry him, her choice to stay in a relationship that seemed destined to break.
Shaun started the car, his jaw clenched. “I’ll take you home,” he said, his tone offering no further explanation.
Freya, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. “Do you even care what she’s going through, Shaun? Or is this all just about you?”
Shaun didn’t answer immediately, the engine hum filling the silence between them. Catherine could feel Freya’s eyes on her, as if waiting for her to make a decision.
As they drove in silence, Catherine knew one thing for sure: everything was changing, but she wasn’t sure whether it was for the better.