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Novel Catalog
Chapter 21
Catherine’s emotions were running high as she found herself in a moment of vulnerability, sitting on the hot pavement with scattered leaflets around her. It was clear that the confrontation with Ethan and Rebecca had taken its toll. The pain she felt was raw, and it was as if everything she had once valued was slipping further out of her reach. Ethan’s unrelenting support for Rebecca, coupled with his dismissal of Catherine’s feelings, left her questioning everything — especially her place in their world. The sharp sting of betrayal hit hard, and Catherine’s confidence cracked under the weight of it all.
Yet, just as she was about to crumble completely, Shaun’s unexpected appearance shifted the atmosphere. His sudden intervention at the traffic light and his approach to help her pick up the leaflets was a rare glimpse of care from him, albeit in his usual detached manner. The man who often seemed aloof and sharp now stood before her, and his concern — though unspoken — was evident in the way he noticed her tear-streaked face. Despite her usual sass and defiance around him, Catherine now found herself caught off guard by his attention, especially when he questioned what had caused her distress.
Her initial instinct was to insult him, to lash out, to place the blame on the mess that was her life. But instead, she simply responded with a lie, hiding the full extent of her pain behind a thin excuse. She wasn’t ready to let Shaun in, not yet. And though she harbored resentment toward Ethan, part of her found herself feeling weak and lost in that moment. Shaun, who knew the woman who had always been so bold, seemed slightly disoriented by this version of her — vulnerable, emotional, and far from the usual feisty Catherine he had encountered.
His response, questioning her decision to work in such a humble way, stung. Shaun was perceptive, and he could see through the layers she’d tried to hide behind. The fact that he saw her as someone who came from privilege only deepened the divide between them. Yet, Catherine couldn’t help but feel conflicted. She resented being judged by her background but also recognized the truth in his observation. This was not the life she had imagined, but it was the reality she had to face.
The dynamic between them was shifting, and Catherine couldn’t help but wonder if Shaun’s presence would play a role in the next chapter of her life. Would he remain the distant, mocking figure, or was there more beneath the surface? And how much longer could she keep pretending that she had it all under control when, inside, she was unraveling?