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Novel Catalog
Chapter 45
Shaun’s expression remained stern, his gaze unreadable as he silently surveyed Catherine from the doorway. The weight of everything he had done for her, the strain of the past few days, lingered in his eyes.
Chase, sensing the tension, offered a warm smile as he placed the fruit basket on the table. “Sister-in-law, are you feeling better?” His cheerful tone was a contrast to the cold, heavy silence that seemed to hang around Shaun.
Catherine gave him a small nod, though her eyes kept flicking to Shaun, unable to keep her gaze away from him for long. “Much better.” Her voice was soft, but it carried a quiet sincerity.
She lowered her eyes, feeling guilty about how much trouble she had caused, especially to him. The moment felt heavy, and her heart ached as she thought of everything Shaun had done for her.
“I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble again,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Shaun stood still for a moment, his gaze never wavering from her, but he said nothing in response. His silence was more powerful than any words could be, and Catherine felt the weight of it deep in her chest. He had done so much for her, yet she couldn’t help but feel that, despite everything, there was an unspoken distance between them.
Freya, sensing the unease, cleared her throat and gave Shaun a pointed look. “Catherine’s been through a lot. Let’s not make her feel worse, okay?”
Shaun didn’t acknowledge Freya’s comment. His gaze softened slightly as he turned his attention back to Catherine, his eyes lingering on her face as if he wanted to say something but didn’t know how. The room felt too small, too tense.
Catherine could hardly stand the quiet, her heart pounding in her chest. She met his gaze again, but this time, she didn’t look away. The emotions she had been suppressing bubbled to the surface—gratitude, confusion, and an overwhelming sense of connection that she couldn’t deny anymore.
Chase, ever the observant one, picked up on the undercurrent of tension and tried to lighten the mood. “Well, since you’re doing better, I guess it’s safe to say we can go home soon, huh?” He smiled brightly at Catherine, his easy-going nature offering a brief respite from the weight of the situation.
Catherine nodded, her lips curving into a faint smile. “I think so. I’ll be fine soon.”
As Chase and Freya chatted, Shaun remained silent, watching Catherine from the corner of his eye. There was something unresolved in the air—something neither of them could quite put into words. Catherine wasn’t sure what to make of the quiet understanding between them, but one thing was clear: no matter the distance, Shaun had always been there when she needed him the most.
And somewhere deep inside, Catherine knew that she could no longer ignore the emotions stirring within her, feelings that she hadn’t known how to confront until now.