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Novel Catalog
Chapter 60
Catherine couldn’t shake the feeling of unease even as they left the store. Her head buzzed with a mixture of guilt and embarrassment. What had she just done? She had acted impulsively, trying to prove a point, but now she was left with the consequences of her actions. The last thing she wanted was to anger Shaun with her reckless spending. She barely knew how to handle her own finances, let alone someone else’s.
Freya, ever the supportive friend, nudged her again. “Hey, I’m sure it’s fine. Shaun has money to spare, right?”
Catherine sighed, running a hand through her hair. “You don’t understand. He’s different. He doesn’t show off his wealth. It’s not just about the money—it’s the principle. He lives modestly, and I can’t just splurge like that without feeling guilty.”
Freya gave her a sympathetic look. “Okay, okay. But just don’t stress too much about it. If he’s annoyed, he’ll let you know. And if he’s not, then it’s all good.”
“I guess,” Catherine muttered, still feeling uncertain. “But I don’t want him to think I’m being wasteful or materialistic. I don’t want him to see me as someone who’s just after his money.”
Freya shrugged. “You know him better than anyone. If he’s really that frugal, then he’ll probably appreciate the fact that you didn’t return the clothes. Plus, you’ve got the receipts, so it’s all legit. He’s not going to fault you for a little shopping.”
Despite her friend’s reassuring words, Catherine remained silent as they continued walking out of the mall. The luxury of the shopping bags in her hands seemed to weigh her down even more than the bitter words of Janet and Cindy had. She was caught between the world she had entered and the person she had been before—the woman who had lived without the expectations of wealth and status.
As they reached the car, Freya gave her a final poke in the ribs. “Don’t let those two get to you. And don’t let your own insecurities make you second-guess everything.”
Catherine finally cracked a smile. “I’ll try.” She put the bags in the backseat of the car before getting in. “But I’m really not sure how I’m going to face him after this.”
“Don’t worry. Just be yourself,” Freya said, turning the ignition. “If Shaun’s half as decent as you say, he won’t care about the clothes. He’ll care about you.”
Catherine nodded absently, still turning over the events in her mind. But as the car drove off into the city, she couldn’t help but wonder if she was slowly losing herself in the process. How much longer could she keep pretending to be someone she wasn’t—someone who fit into a world of wealth, status, and expectations?
She wanted to be more than just Shaun’s wife. But was she losing herself in the attempt to be someone she thought he might want? And more importantly—did he even care?