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Novel Catalog
Chapter 98
Catherine’s heart skipped a beat as Shaun’s sudden appearance cut through the atmosphere like a sharp knife. She hadn’t noticed him approaching, but now that he was standing before her, everything seemed to freeze. Her pulse quickened, a rush of conflicting emotions sweeping over her.
Shaun’s piercing gaze locked onto her, and she couldn’t help but feel the weight of his stare. It was as if he were reading her very soul, seeing right through the facade she had so carefully put up. The room seemed to shrink, and even the elegant atmosphere of the restaurant seemed to pale in comparison to his presence.
He didn’t even spare a glance at Wesley, his attention fully focused on Catherine. The air between them was thick with tension, and Wesley, who had been talking to her just moments ago, seemed to shrink back under Shaun’s overwhelming energy.
Catherine quickly averted her gaze, her face flushed with the sudden pressure. She had hoped for a quiet lunch, for a moment of peace, but here was the man who had once been her husband, the man she had tried so hard to forget. And yet, seeing him now, with that familiar coldness in his eyes, she felt a strange mix of anger, regret, and something else she couldn’t name.
Wesley, ever the gentleman, stood up and nodded respectfully toward Shaun. “Mr. Hill,” he greeted, his voice polite but clearly strained. He knew who Shaun was, of course, but there was no need to escalate things. “I was just having lunch with Catherine. Is there something I can help you with?”
Shaun’s gaze flickered briefly to Wesley, then back to Catherine, before he spoke in his usual low, commanding tone. “No, but I believe we have unfinished business, don’t we, Catherine?”
His words were calm, but the undercurrent of his tone was unmistakable. It was as if he was staking his claim on her once again, reminding her that no matter where she went, he would always be there, watching.
Catherine couldn’t hold back the sharp breath that escaped her lips. “I didn’t expect you to be here,” she said, her voice tinged with frustration.
Shaun’s lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smirk. “You seem to be having a good time,” he observed, his eyes narrowing slightly as they flicked back to Wesley. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
Wesley, sensing the tension rising, quickly stepped in. “It’s no interruption,” he said with a forced smile. “We were just finishing up. If you need anything, I’ll be on my way.” He nodded at Catherine, giving her a quiet look of understanding before he turned to leave.
Catherine felt a pang of guilt as Wesley walked away, but she couldn’t focus on that now. She turned her full attention back to Shaun, her heart thudding in her chest.
“Why are you here, Shaun?” she asked, her voice quieter now, but no less tense.
Shaun took a slow, deliberate seat next to her, his presence too close for comfort. “I was in the area,” he replied coolly, “but I think we both know why I’m really here.”
Catherine clenched her fists under the table, trying to steady her breathing. “You don’t get to control my life anymore,” she said, her tone firm despite the chaos swirling inside her.
Shaun’s eyes softened, just for a moment, before he leaned in slightly, his voice low. “I never did, Catherine. But you know as well as I do that some things… they’re not so easy to let go of.”
The weight of his words hung heavily between them, and Catherine could feel the tension in her chest tighten. She had wanted to move on. She had tried so hard to rebuild her life, to take control. But here he was again, reminding her of the power he still had over her emotions.
“You don’t get to decide for me anymore,” she whispered, though doubt flickered in her eyes.
Shaun’s expression was unreadable, but there was a hint of something in his gaze that made her uneasy. “Maybe not,” he said, his voice almost too calm. “But I can’t let you go that easily.”
And just like that, Catherine felt the walls she’d built around herself begin to crumble once more.