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Novel Catalog
Chapter 51
Catherine chuckled at Shaun’s response. She had been anticipating something like that. It wasn’t the first time he’d sounded irritated or dismissive when she called to inform him of her plans. Despite his cold tone, she could practically feel the edge of concern in his voice.
“Don’t worry, I’m not in trouble,” she replied lightheartedly. “I’m just going out for dinner with an old friend. I’ll be fine.”
“Old friend?” Shaun’s tone shifted slightly, now tinged with curiosity. “Who?”
“Just someone from my time abroad. I’ll explain later. I’m really not calling for your rescue this time,” she said, emphasizing the last part to irritate him a little.
“Fine, whatever. Just don’t do anything stupid,” he muttered before hanging up abruptly.
Catherine couldn’t help but smile at the way he tried to act unaffected, yet she knew deep down he was likely brooding over the thought of her being out with another man. Joseph had always been a good friend, someone she respected and trusted from their time studying together. But she also couldn’t deny the small spark of amusement she felt every time Shaun acted like he was bothered by her interactions with other men.
As she set her phone down, she glanced out the window, feeling a little lighter. It wasn’t that she expected a grand change overnight, but this unexpected offer from Joseph felt like a glimmer of hope in the otherwise bleak situation she found herself in. Maybe things weren’t so hopeless after all.
When she arrived at the restaurant, Joseph was already waiting. His warm smile and easygoing demeanor put her at ease immediately. “I’m glad you came,” he said as he stood to greet her. “You’ve been through a lot, but I know you’ll bounce back. This is just the beginning.”
The conversation flowed effortlessly, with both of them catching up on the years they had spent apart. Catherine was genuinely touched by Joseph’s kindness and how he didn’t seem to be swayed by the rumors surrounding her. The night was a welcome escape from her usual stress, and for the first time in a while, she could relax and laugh freely.
Meanwhile, Shaun was back at home, still stewing over the day’s events. The attention on his cheek marks had started to feel like an unbearable joke, and he hated the thought of people whispering about him behind his back. It wasn’t even the pain from the bite that irritated him—it was the embarrassment.
And yet, deep down, he couldn’t quite shake the image of Catherine’s smirk from that morning. The way she had acted so carefree, even with the situation between them still unresolved, made him realize just how unpredictable and frustrating she could be. But oddly enough, it was that very unpredictability that kept him coming back for more.
Shaking his head, he sighed. Maybe he needed a break from all of this—both from the case and from Catherine’s teasing.
His phone buzzed with a message from Hadley, pulling him out of his thoughts.
“Everything’s set for tomorrow’s hearing, but I know you’re probably not in the mood for small talk. Let’s catch up when you’re ready.”
Shaun let out another frustrated breath and responded, “I’ll be fine. Just handle things for now.”
But even as he sent the message, his mind inevitably wandered back to Catherine. It wasn’t just about the bite anymore, nor was it about the weirdness between them—it was the growing realization that he might actually care more than he was willing to admit.