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Novel Catalog
Chapter 55
Wesley’s eyes narrowed slightly as Ethan tried to persuade him, his voice smooth and persuasive. But Wesley wasn’t easily swayed. He had his own vision for his home, and after years abroad, his tastes had evolved far beyond what Summit could offer.
“I’m not concerned about Summit’s reputation, Ethan,” Wesley said, cutting his nephew off before he could go further. “I’m concerned about my own preferences. I appreciate Rebecca’s skills, but she’s not the right fit for this project. I need someone who can create exactly what I want—not just follow trends.”
Ethan opened his mouth to argue, but Wesley held up a hand, silencing him.
“Don’t take it personally. I’m sure Rebecca will have plenty of other opportunities, but this one doesn’t suit her expertise. I’ve already made my choice,” he said firmly.
Ethan’s face tightened. He had been hoping to secure the job for Rebecca, but Wesley wasn’t going to budge. He could tell his uncle was resolute, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t find another way to get what he wanted.
“Well, if you’re certain…” Ethan muttered, his tone far less sincere than before. “Just know that I’m here to help however I can.”
“I know, I know,” Wesley replied, his voice softer now. “But for this project, it’s going to be Catherine. She’s got the right skill set for it, and I trust Joseph’s judgment.”
Ethan didn’t say anything else, but his frustration was evident. He turned and walked back toward the car, his mind already working on his next move. If he couldn’t secure the job for Rebecca through Wesley, perhaps he could find another way to make her the center of attention. He wasn’t about to give up so easily.
Meanwhile, Catherine was fuming as she drove home, her mind replaying Ethan’s words over and over. The engagement. The reminder of the destruction Summit had gone through. Her family. Her past with Ethan. Everything felt so tangled up, so full of unresolved emotions.
But there was something else eating at her—a nagging feeling that she couldn’t shake. The more she thought about Shaun’s villa in Green Mountain, the more confused she became. Why was he here? Why hadn’t he told her about this? It wasn’t like Shaun to make such a big decision without discussing it.
Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. It was a message from Joseph.
“Catherine, we need to make sure everything is ready for the Green Mountain project. Please send me the revised designs by tomorrow morning. Also, don’t forget to meet me at the office later for a quick meeting. I have some updates on the client’s requests.”
She sighed, grateful for the distraction. At least here, things were clearer. Work was something she could focus on, something she could control.
As she pulled into her parking spot, she took a deep breath, trying to shake off the anger and confusion swirling inside her. But the moment she stepped out of the car and walked toward her apartment, she felt it again—the all-too-familiar tension in the air. Shaun was home, and she could sense his presence before she even saw him.
When she opened the door, there he was, sitting on the couch, flipping through something on his phone. He looked up when he heard the door, his eyes cool and unreadable.
“You’re back early,” he remarked, his voice low.
Catherine didn’t respond right away. Instead, she dropped her purse on the table and walked past him, heading to the kitchen.
“I’m making dinner,” she said curtly. “If you want anything, help yourself.”
Shaun didn’t move. He simply watched her, his gaze lingering for a moment too long. “You’re quiet tonight. Everything okay?”
Catherine froze, her hand hovering over the fridge handle. Everything is fine, she wanted to say. But her chest tightened at the thought of him asking her that.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the villa?” she asked, her voice steady, though she felt a heat rising in her cheeks. “The one in Green Mountain?”
For a moment, there was silence, and then he set his phone down on the coffee table and stood. “You’re asking about that now?”
She turned to face him, her frustration bubbling over. “Why didn’t you tell me? You’re buying a villa in one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Melbourne, and you didn’t think I should know? Are you planning on hiding things from me forever?”
Shaun’s expression didn’t change, but his jaw tightened. “It’s not a big deal. I’m handling it. It’s just a property investment.”
“A property investment?” Catherine scoffed, incredulous. “You’re not even acknowledging we’re married! How can you just… hide things like this from me? You’re treating me like a stranger!”
His eyes flickered briefly, almost imperceptibly. “Catherine, don’t make this into something it’s not. It’s just a house. Nothing else.”
She shook her head, unable to shake the feeling that something was off. “It’s never just a house with you. I don’t even know what this marriage is anymore. I can’t keep pretending things are normal when they’re clearly not.”
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Shaun stood still, his expression unreadable. Catherine felt her heart pounding in her chest.
Finally, Shaun spoke again, his tone colder than before. “I never promised you normal. I don’t owe you any explanations.”
The words stung, but Catherine refused to let them show. She grabbed a pan from the cupboard and started preparing dinner, determined not to let him get under her skin again. But deep down, she knew that their fragile arrangement was growing more complicated by the day.
And she wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep playing the role of the obedient wife in this marriage.