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Novel Catalog
Chapter 79
Catherine stood still in the office, staring at the phone screen where the money had been transferred. The notification blinked at her, and she couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of relief. I can do this, she thought. She had spent so much of her life trying to find validation in relationships, trying to meet the expectations of men who never truly cared for her, but now, with this money and the opportunity ahead of her, she realized that she could stand on her own.
She had always prided herself on being independent, even though life had a way of challenging that sense of self-reliance. But now, after everything with Shaun and Ethan, she knew one thing for sure: no one was going to rescue her. She had to rescue herself. And it was time she focused on that.
Joseph’s words were encouraging, and the gesture, though small in the grand scheme of things, made her feel seen. Keep up the good work. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to light a small spark of hope in her chest.
She could pay off the bills, settle the debts that had been accumulating, and maybe even get a fresh start. The idea of relying on herself, of making something out of her own efforts, was empowering.
Her thoughts turned back to the villa project. The commission from that would be substantial, and Catherine knew she had the skills to make it work. It was her chance to build something for herself, to prove to herself that she could succeed, no matter how hard the world tried to knock her down.
The door to the office opened, and Joseph’s voice broke her out of her thoughts. “I’ll leave you to your work. Let me know if you need anything else.”
Catherine smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Joseph.”
As he left, Catherine sat down at her desk, the faintest sense of calm washing over her. She had been through so much, but she was still standing. And that was something worth holding on to.
She wasn’t going to let Shaun, or anyone else, define her. It was time to build her future, one step at a time.