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Novel Catalog
Chapter 16
Catherine’s face flushed crimson as she tried to ignore the teasing remark. The air in the room felt suddenly too warm, and the weight of her discomfort grew heavier with every passing second. She couldn’t meet Shaun’s eyes, knowing he had heard what Chase said.
Freya, not missing the awkward silence, chuckled and nudged her best friend playfully. “You two are really something. The way you both act around each other—so stiff, but with an undeniable connection.”
Catherine could feel her heart racing. It wasn’t that she didn’t feel something for Shaun—deep down, there was a part of her that couldn’t ignore the attraction she felt. But their situation was complicated, and the last thing she wanted was to appear vulnerable, especially in front of people like Chase who seemed to know everything about their lives.
“Freya, please,” Catherine muttered, trying to brush it off. “Stop embarrassing me.”
Shaun remained stoic, his eyes never leaving the table. He didn’t say anything, but his presence was undeniable. Even though his expression was unreadable, there was something in his posture that made Catherine feel the tension in the room.
Chase, ever the provocateur, leaned back in his chair with a grin. “I’ve got to admit, this whole dynamic between the two of you is fascinating. I’ve never seen a married couple this… tense. You’ve got to let your guard down, Sister-in-law.”
Catherine’s grip tightened around her cup, and she shot Chase a glare, but it was Shaun’s voice that finally broke through the banter.
“Enough, Chase,” Shaun said, his tone as cold as ever. “Let’s focus on the meal.”
Catherine felt a strange mix of relief and frustration. Shaun had spoken, but it wasn’t exactly to defend her or ease her discomfort. He simply didn’t want to engage in the conversation any longer.
As the dishes started arriving, Catherine couldn’t help but notice how impeccable everything seemed—from the presentation of the food to the elegance of the room. It felt surreal, almost like she didn’t belong here. Yet, in some strange way, she also found herself slightly drawn to the grandeur of it all.
Freya, sensing the change in Catherine’s mood, leaned in closer and whispered, “Are you okay?”
Catherine nodded, though she wasn’t entirely sure. She glanced over at Shaun, who seemed distant, his eyes now scanning the room as if he were unaffected by everything happening around him.
“I’m fine,” Catherine said, trying to sound more confident than she felt.
Shaun finally looked up, his eyes meeting hers for a brief moment before he returned to the conversation with Chase. The brief exchange was enough to leave Catherine feeling like she was standing on the edge of something she couldn’t quite understand.
As the meal went on, the tension between them remained palpable, but Catherine couldn’t ignore the small sparks of curiosity that flickered in her chest. Despite the coldness he projected, Shaun’s presence lingered—complicated, powerful, and undeniably captivating.
Freya’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “By the way, Catherine, have you thought about what you’re going to do with Fudge? I know you’ve been worried about him.”
Catherine’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of her cat. She had been so distracted by everything else that she had nearly forgotten about the little creature waiting for her at home.
“I need to go check on him,” Catherine said quickly, pushing her seat back. “I’ve left him alone for too long already.”
Shaun didn’t stop her, but his gaze followed her movements with an intensity that made her hesitate for a moment.
Freya raised an eyebrow. “You’re not planning on leaving just yet, are you?”
“I’ll be right back,” Catherine reassured her, her voice steady despite the rush of emotions swirling inside her. “I just need to make sure he’s alright.”
As Catherine stood up and made her way to the door, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more going on than she was willing to admit—both with Shaun and with herself. But for now, all she could focus on was getting home to check on Fudge, hoping that, for once, things would go smoothly.