CATHERINE ...
I stumbled upon my feet, looking back at Regina. "What are you doing? Let go of my hand!" I jerked her hand away. No time to waste on her, I need to find my husband!However, Regina once again pulled me back by my arm. It was forceful and I winced in pain."Stop pestering Edward! Don't you understand this simple phase?" Her furious eyes caged me with a warning.This is the real her... Regina Frost, who pretends to be a well-wisher to Edward whilst trying to subdue me. But, she is a vixen who acted for years to be good. The worst part was her eye-catching status both in business and family. Though she got it high because I stooped low, I am more focused on my Husband and he is not interested in her.I might be in pain, but not distressed yet. Jerking my hand from her grip, I glared at her. "He is my husband and you're no one to order me."I was about to leave when,"Is that why he filed a divorce?"I paused, frozen. How did she know? I turned to her again only to find her golden eyes on me. Mocking at me with a faint smile. She knew she won right there."What happened?" She tilted forward, closing the distance with a proud face, "Unbelievable right?" Her brow arched, and a smirk curved her lips, "Come on Catherine, stop pretending to be naive. He is always with me, every day." She leaned to my ear, "Even on some nights too."Her words sliced my heart once again and I lost count of how many times it happened. Still, there was a faint belief in me that did not fade away. I know my husband and this woman too. She's nothing but a barking dog.I decline to accept defeat. Holding her gaze, I sneered, "Perhaps you forgot, Regina. I am still his wife, no matter how long he is with you, he returns to me in the end."I sound like a desperate woman, which I am for my husband and now, for the sake of my baby. I also know she is lying. Trying to provoke me.And I was right when her eyes burned in fury."The wife he wanted to get rid of." She hissed like a serpent. "Don't forget the divorce agreement." Her tone turned harsher.Chuckling, I hold her gaze, "Not yet. I won't let this happen.""Oh?" She smiled at me, but her gaze couldn't hide her jealousy. "Aren't you too confident, Catherine? Just think about it, I knew his mind before you did. So..."Yes, it hurts. Still, she is his business associate and knows his moves as his childhood friend. She was simply Trying to take advantage of the situation which I wouldn't allow.I shrugged, "Who knows, you might eavesdrop?" I arched a brow at her which startled her a little, 50% confirming my thoughts. She masked her emotion again."Catherine, you're too delusional, aren't you?" She again leaned toward me, "Which part of it you don't understand that he is always surrounded by me? He would choose me today or tomorrow. Don't forget, if you hadn't meddled two years ago, I would have been in your place."My fists clenched tightly on my dress and I threw her a disdained smirk, "Me or not, this wouldn't happen either way and if you try for another twenty years, Edward will never look at you the way he did to me."Her expression gave me peace. Perhaps, it's bad to be happy seeing others miserable, in her case I don't fucking care what's wrong. This time I leaned toward her, "You're the third wheel at the moment, Regina. I am legally married to him. I really wonder if you know what they call a woman like you..." I arched a brow.Cold fury snapped in her eyes, breaking her discreet mask. "You...!" She tried to push me away but I dodged it holding the railing and hurting my abdomen in the process.A sharp pain blurred my eyes and knocked out a lung full of air. My baby! Immediately, my hand clutched my belly possessively. At the same time, the air pierced with an ached shriek, following some footsteps.I was baffled at the moment. But soon realised when looked down. Regina fell off the stairs! Her assistants and Servants gathered there. And to make it worse, I saw my husband rush in from the backyard."What happ... Regina!" He immediately bends beside her. "Regina, what happened?" He patted her cheeks and I watched him panicking from the stairs. "How did this happen?" He asked angrily as his eyes fell on her assistant.Nora cried, stretching her hand up to me, "S-she pushed her."What!? My eyes widened and soon my heart sunk into nervousness when Edward's eyes landed on me with a blaming gaze. The disbelief in his bronze-gold eyes sent chills to my bones as I quickly stepped forward but paused with a gasp, feeling my abdominal pain again."E-Edward, I did not..." My words fumbled under his blaming glare."This does not end here, we'll talk about it later." Throwing those words coldly at me, he picked up Regina and rushed out of the mansion while others followed him behind. Everyone was panicked for her and I was left alone once again.Weak on my knees, I slid against the staircase.I was so tired of this pretentious game of a good wife. Every time I ended up being blamed for no reason. Today was the worst of all. It was an accident but eventually, I would be blamed for this. God forbid if something happens to Regina, I am doomed. Edward wanted to divorce me and after this, he would hate me!Honestly, I don't really care about me now but my unborn infant.Slowly dragging myself up, I went to our bedroom, shaking under my knees and Feeling dizzy. I entered the bathroom. Standing before the wash basin, I splashed water on my face.In the mirror, a drear reflection of an exhausted woman reminded me of a desperate and timid woman I hated all my life. 'Love' she used to blame all her sufferings on that one word and I could see the same image in me.I couldn't find the true me who once left everything just to stand against all the powers and determine her happiness. What happened to her? How could she walk on the same road that her mother chose years ago?Am I being the same mother I hated my entire life?My hand raised to touch the mirror reflection only to pause, slowly bringing my hand back to me I stared at the faded tattoo on my wrist, engraved 'R.R' that I kept hidden for years under all the makeup. Something I hated yet never got rid of because it reminded me not to be like her. No, I can't be like her.I can't do this to my child. I can't pass the same fate to my child.Standing straight, I harshly wiped my tears, asking myself one question, 'Is it worth my situation?' And the answer echoed in my head unhesitatingly... 'NO, IT'S NOT.'CATHERINE... I pushed open the door of the study room. First time in two years I am here without Edward's permission. He might get mad, but then again, he is not here to be mad. In the huge mansion of Oakenhold, I was alone. A few Servants were downstairs though their existence could be considered uncountable. They are used to remaining this way because Edward despises the existing crowd around him. I am surprised Reinfords didn't rush here yet to bash me. Probably, with Regina now. She really succeeded huh? Wondering if they would show the same concern if I was in her place. Well, I was supposed to be there though. And the answer was very expected, A big NO. Maybe they would have sympathised but not care. I am glad I wasn't there. I need to protect my child at any cost... At this moment, I am missing Margaret and Sophia. Two people in Oakenhold, who actually care for me besides May and Grandpa. Sigh... They were out of town for a few days. Slowly, I walked toward his desk. The b
SEVEN MONTHS LATER... CATHERINE... Pain... That's what I could feel all over my body. Immense anguish which gives me a feel of... Death. Fluttering my eyes, I tried to open my heavy eyelids. They felt so tired and torpid as if for a long time they were not opened. My head hammered and the loud throbbing of heartbeat along with a beep~beep sound. It felt so familiar as if they accompanied me every day. Hardly, I opened my eyes. I am in a small room. Slightly dark and feels cold. Laying on a small bed and... Tilting my head I discovered the beeping sound. It's a machine that was attached with wires which were connected to my hand. Where am I? I sat up as an ache spread to my entire body and detached myself from those wires. Slowly, I stepped out of the bed and almost fell as if I had forgotten how to stand up, immediately feeling a different level of pain in my abdomen. I grabbed there... Wait! M-my babies! I sat on the bed and closed my eyes, trying to recall what happened as blur
FIVE YEARS LATER... EDWARD... My gaze penetrated my appearance in the mirror, as Addison held the black trench coat for me to wear. "Is she ready?" I asked. "Yes sir, She is waiting downstairs with Denise." He replied. "Hmm..." Glancing in the mirror one last time, I walked out of my room with Addison following behind." As soon as I reached downstairs, a pair of little arms hugged my legs. I looked down and couldn't help but break into a smile. Her cerulean eyes beamed, "You're late, Mr Reinford." She pouted with a huff. "Della was waiting sooo long!" She complained and I chuckled before picking her up. "Can Della forgive Papa?" I pretended to be sad. She furrowed her brows like an adult and tapped her chin, "Okay!" She giggled, hugging my neck before sliding down. She ran toward Denise, her nanny and took the huge bouquet of red roses that were almost her size. "See papa, I picked this up for her with Denise! Do you think she will love it?" I bend on one knee, holding the fl
ELAINE (CATHERINE) ... "Run! Run away! They won't let you live! They are devils! Save yourself! Run away!" ..... My eyes snapped open with a deep blow of breath. Drenched in sweat, I sat up on the bed. The same nightmare. A panicked tone begging me to run away. The fear in that tone trembles me every night and keeps me awake. I got out of bed and put on my silk robe before walking out to the veranda and pouring a glass of wine for myself. Drinking is injurious to health, I know the quote. But in the last few years, I cultivated a habit of Drinking due to stress. Nothing is new for me. Waking up in the middle of the night because of a nightmare, became a part of my life. It's always been the same one for the last four years. I turned into an insomniac. Went to a psychiatrist, did consultation, medication and whatnot? However, nothing worked for me and I learned to compromise with my situation. Perhaps... 'Knock~knock'... A knock on the door broke my thoughts as I watched a head s
ELAINE (CATHERINE) ... I looked around but there was no one except us. Turning to the little girl, I realised she belonged to a secure background judging her appearance, but where was her guardian?I bend beside the little girl, "Hey, umm- What's your name, pretty girl?" "I am Della, mommy. Don't you remember me?" Her words were smooth and clear, considering her age. "......" Also left me speechless and awkward. "Uh- I am not your mommy, little girl." Again looked around, "Where are your parents?" I asked. I don't know what offended her, but her lips wobbled, "No, you are my mommy." She said stubbornly. "......" What is she saying!? I was confused when Marco squatted beside me and smiled at her, "Hey little princess, I know this lady is gorgeous. But unfortunately, she is not your mommy. I promise you, I will find your mother, okay? Come here..." He tried to hold her hand but she dodged his touch expertly and pushed herself in my arms, hugging me tightly. "No! You're my mommy!
EDWARD... "Is she on the way?" I asked wiping Della's mouth."Yes, sir," Addison replied, walking out of the suit. Della didn't care what we were talking about, she was enjoying her blueberries. She loves eating them. And if I'm not wrong, Catherine loved blueberries too. After Catherine left me with her, I didn't know what to do. Gradually, I learned to take care of a child. I never let her part away from me. Even in meetings and trips, I took her with me. In a word, Della grew up in business, so she learned to not bother about business conversations. However, this was different. It's not a business but a surprise for her... "Edward?" Regina entered the room and her voice was enough for Della to climb on my lap and get busy in her blueberries again. Regina paused, "Well... I need you to come aside for a moment." She said, eyeing Della, who still did not bother. "It's alright, say it," I demanded. If my daughter wasn't comfortable, then I'm not gonna do it. "Edward..." Regina'
ELAINE (CATHERINE) .... I hastily entered the hospital ward and saw Marco Sitting beside his father. His eyes looked up at me with an assuring nod and I sighed inwardly. Flashing a smile on my face I walked toward Alberto's bed, "Old man, you've become rebellious now, huh? Giving unwanted surprises." I faked a grumble. Alberto turned to me and my heart convulsed in fear seeing his weak and pale face with a pipe attached to his nose. Unlike other days, he smiled, "Seems this old man has truly become old." He muttered and I couldn't hold my tears anymore. "Alberto..." He touched my hand with his shaky cold hand and patted slightly. Grabbing his hand I kissed them, "Nothing will happen to you..." He only smiled, "You're the best thing that happened in our lives..." He breathed hard. "Don't talk..." I tried to stop him but he didn't. Instead, he shook his head. "D-on't s-top me..." He breathed out, holding my hand firmly. Marco nodded, gesturing for me to let him speak. "Elaine..
EDWARD... Was my hallucination going out of control? I asked myself closing my eyes and slowly rubbing them in the hope of snapping myself to reality. I opened my eyes again... She's still standing right in front of me. Same old Cerulean eyes. Dark hair. Same features and that little mole on her chin. Even in my imagination, I love her company but not at the moment when I am on my way to fix something good for our daughter. Please, go away now... I closed my eyes. "Umm, are you... Okay?" I heard a soft tone which stiffened me again, engulfing me in the same features I always wanted in front of me. She blinked. The concern in her eyes was... Unknown. "Sir, are you... Agh!" Suddenly, she gasped and I was thrown back to my senses as the lift shook violently. Lights fluttered and she she gripped my arm tightly with a horrifying expression. Immediately my arm set around her firmly and my eyes never left her face... Slowly, my gaze fell on the place where our limbs had connected. My b