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Novel Catalog
Chapter 70
Shaun’s words were full of bitterness as he lay back in the hospital bed, still feeling the effects of the night’s events. The IV drip had started to ease the discomfort, but his mind was anything but calm. His anger was still raw, and the fact that Catherine had used such a manipulative tactic against him gnawed at him.
Chase, ever the observer, couldn’t help but comment, “You’re still thinking about it, huh? I get it, Shaun. But you know, sometimes women can do crazy things when they’re desperate.”
Shaun’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Don’t make excuses for her. I can’t stand being treated like some… object to be manipulated.”
Chase raised an eyebrow, sensing the deeper layers of Shaun’s frustration. “I didn’t mean it like that. But you’ve got to admit, Catherine’s been acting strange lately. She’s not someone who thinks things through.”
“Do you think I don’t know that?” Shaun snapped, his temper flaring once more. “But it’s not just that. It’s the way she used my feelings like a tool. It feels… filthy.”
Hadley, who had been silently observing, finally spoke up. “Shaun, your father’s legacy and your past are clouding your judgment. You’ve been carrying a lot of baggage for years. You don’t want to see it, but it’s there.”
Shaun clenched his fists at his sides, his frustration mounting. He knew Hadley was right, but hearing it out loud made him feel vulnerable. “You’re one to talk,” Shaun muttered under his breath. “I don’t need therapy or advice right now. I need answers.”
“Yeah, well, you won’t get them by pushing people away,” Hadley said, his tone softer now. “The anger’s consuming you. Catherine’s actions were wrong, but it’s not too late to fix this.”
Shaun fell silent, his thoughts in a whirlwind. Chase, sensing an opportunity to lighten the mood, added with a grin, “If it helps, you should just forgive her. Maybe a little patience is what she needs.”
Shaun shot him a warning look. “Patience isn’t the issue. The issue is trust.”
At that moment, his mind flashed back to Catherine—her earnest eyes, her remorseful tone when she apologized, and the deep guilt she felt. As much as he wanted to remain angry, a part of him struggled with the idea of throwing it all away. Despite everything, she still cared for him. Or at least, that was what he hoped.
“She’s going to regret this,” Shaun muttered under his breath, though his tone lacked the venom it had held earlier. His frustration had shifted, but the question remained: Was this really the end of everything between them?
Chase leaned back in his chair. “You know, you’ve always been one to hold grudges. But maybe, just maybe, this is a chance for you to let go of the past—for both of you.”
Shaun didn’t answer, but he knew Chase was right. He had to decide whether to keep pushing away everyone who might hurt him, or to find a way to move forward, even if that meant confronting his own vulnerabilities.
“Alright,” Shaun finally said, his voice softer. “But if she tries anything like that again, it’s over. I won’t forgive her again.”
Hadley nodded. “Fair enough, but just think about it, Shaun. Sometimes, love’s messier than we want it to be.”
As the conversation died down, Shaun couldn’t shake the feeling that he was standing at a crossroads. Catherine’s actions had hurt him deeply, but it was clear that she wasn’t the only one carrying baggage. Would he be able to trust her again, or would this moment of betrayal be the final straw?
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