Novels by Cat Gean

The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the apartment. Selene stood by the window, Jonah playing quietly on the carpet with his building blocks. She felt a deep sense of calm, a rare and precious reprieve from the chaos that had defined so many years of her life.Her thoughts drifted to Eli. Their relationship had begun shortly after high school, a rebound from past heartbreaks and betrayal. At first, it had been easy, full of excitement and fleeting laughter. But over time, the cracks became impossible to ignore. Eli was distant, self-absorbed, and often dismissed her feelings. Arguments escalated, trust eroded, and Selene realized she could no longer compromise her well-being for someone who didn’t respect or support her.One evening, after another argument that left her in tears, she confronted him.“Eli, I can’t do this anymore,” Selene said, her voice trembling but resolute. “I’ve given everything I can, but yo

Selene woke to the soft cries of Jonah, sunlight slipping through the blinds of her apartment. She rubbed her eyes and carefully lifted him from the crib, feeling the familiar weight of responsibility settle across her shoulders. Motherhood had taught her patience, resilience, and an unyielding kind of love—but it also came with endless reminders of the fragility of life.She sat in the rocking chair, gently swaying Jonah as she spoke softly. “Good morning, little man. Mama’s here. We’re going to be okay today, I promise.” His tiny fingers grasped hers, and she felt a surge of determination.The day was already busy. Laundry, dishes, emails for school, and planning for her part-time job consumed her attention. Yet, in the middle of it all, her phone buzzed—a reminder of the world beyond her apartment. It was a message from Daniel. Her chest tightened. She hesitated before opening it, feeling a wave of anger and old hurt.“Want to see Jonah this weekend?”

Selene sat on the couch, Jonah cradled in her arms, and stared out the window at the late afternoon sun painting the sky in shades of gold and amber. For a moment, the world outside seemed peaceful, serene even, but inside her, a storm of thoughts swirled. The past year had been relentless—her grandfather’s death, the manipulative behavior of Daniel, the judgmental whispers from relatives who should have supported her. Yet, in the quiet, Selene felt a tiny spark of something new: independence.Jonah cooed softly and reached for her face with tiny hands, his touch grounding her. “Hey, little man,” she whispered, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. “Mama’s here. We’ll figure this out together.”Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. Mara. Her heart lifted at the sight of her friend’s name. She typed quickly:“Coffee in an hour? I need an escape.”The café was cozy, with sunlight streaming through large windows and the scent of fre

Selene sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the framed photo of her grandfather. The house was quiet, the usual chaos of her siblings subdued as they navigated their own grief. Her heart ached with the weight of recent months—the loss of her beloved grandfather, the constant exhaustion of motherhood, and the lingering scars of past traumas. She had never felt so small and yet so determined to survive.“Selene?” Her sister Nadia’s soft voice pulled her from her thoughts. “Are you okay?”Selene smiled faintly. “I’m… getting there,” she admitted, brushing a tear from her cheek. “It’s just hard. Everything feels like it’s happening all at once.”Nadia sat down beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “I know. Grandpa loved you more than anyone. It’s okay to feel lost. But remember, he’d want you to keep moving forward. To live, not just survive.”Selene nodded, holding back another wave of emotion. Her grandfather had been her anchor, her c

Even as Selene thrived in her new life, the past occasionally resurfaced, refusing to remain silent. Memories of her cousins’ assaults, the trauma of her father’s death, and the cruelty of high school gossip returned in quiet moments, like shadows lurking just beyond the edge of light. These reminders were painful, but Selene had learned not to run from them. Instead, she faced them with courage, acknowledging the pain while refusing to be imprisoned by it.She sought therapy for the first time during this period, finding comfort in a professional who helped her untangle the complicated web of grief and trauma she had carried for so long. Sessions were difficult, forcing her to confront feelings she had buried beneath layers of resilience and duty. Yet each session brought clarity, a renewed sense of control over her emotions, and a recognition that healing was possible.Selene also began to have honest conversations with her sisters about the abuse she had endured

Life had settled into a rhythm of responsibilities, growth, and cautious hope when Selene first met Eli. It was an ordinary autumn evening, the air crisp and tinged with the scent of falling leaves, when their paths crossed at a community volunteer event. Selene had always been drawn to giving back, finding purpose in helping others, and that evening she found herself assisting at a local youth literacy program. Eli, with a warm smile and a calm presence, was helping organize books and reading materials for children.Their first conversation was lighthearted, revolving around the children they were helping, the chaos of organizing volunteers, and shared humor over small mishaps. Yet, beneath the surface, there was an undeniable connection—a sense of ease and understanding that Selene hadn’t felt in years. Eli’s demeanor was gentle, respectful, and attentive, qualities that immediately set him apart from the relationships of her past.Over the following weeks, Selen