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Novel Catalog
Chapter 83
Catherine felt her pulse quicken at Jeffery’s words. It was as if he were placing a final, definitive barrier between her and the family she had once known. Her stomach churned with a mixture of disbelief and anger. “You really think I’ll comply with your demands just like that?” she muttered under her breath, struggling to keep her emotions in check.
Granny Jones, still lost in her own world, mumbled something incoherent, unaware of the tense exchange happening around her. Catherine’s gaze softened as she looked at the fragile woman in the wheelchair. This woman was the last person in the family who had ever shown her unconditional love, and now Jeffery wanted to use her as leverage, pushing Catherine further into isolation.
“You’ve crossed the line this time, Jeffery,” she said, her voice quiet but resolute. “I’m not your pawn, and I won’t be forced to play along with your games anymore.”
Her words hung in the air for a moment, but Jeffery’s expression remained unmoved. “You’re the one making things difficult. You could just come out with us, have a meal, and keep the peace. But no, you prefer to make a scene.”
Catherine stood up, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “You want peace? Then stop treating me like an outsider. Stop pretending you care about anything other than appearances.”
Jeffery’s cold eyes flickered for a moment, but he quickly masked his emotions. “Do as I say, or I’ll have to take further action.”
The harshness in his voice stung, but Catherine didn’t flinch. She had been pushed around for too long, and this time, she wasn’t going to back down. “You think you can just control me with threats? I’m done letting you control my life.”
Before the tension could escalate further, Aunty Helen stepped in, her voice soft but firm. “Mr. Jones, perhaps you should reconsider. Catherine has been under enough pressure. And we all know how delicate Granny’s situation is. Maybe a quieter, more considerate approach would be better.”
Catherine turned to Aunty Helen, grateful for her intervention, but the damage had already been done. Jeffery’s expression darkened, but he seemed to realize that pushing too hard might backfire.
“Fine,” he said, his voice clipped. “But don’t think this is over. We’ll discuss this later.”
With that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Catherine alone with her thoughts and her grandmother. Catherine sank back into the chair beside her, taking Granny Jones’s frail hand in hers once more.
“Grandma, I’m sorry you have to see this. You deserve so much better than all of this,” Catherine whispered, her voice cracking slightly.
Granny Jones didn’t respond, lost in her own confusion. Catherine, however, was not so easily lost. She had a deep resolve now, a determination that had been kindled by years of mistreatment, and she knew that she would fight for what was right.
There was still time to right the wrongs, to make her own path. And she wasn’t about to let Jeffery, Rebecca, or anyone else dictate her future any longer. As long as her grandmother could still smile at her, there was hope.
She looked at the door where Jeffery had exited, her mind racing with plans and possibilities. The fight had only just begun, and Catherine was ready to take it on.