CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER FIVE

Katelyn didn’t know how much she needed a hug until her only friend pulled her into one. She melted into the warmth, her first comforting physical contact in over a year. The friend, Stella, hadn’t even waited to hear all that Katelyn had been through since the last time they saw each other. She just took one look at her and just…knew. 

But Katelyn still told her. About the loss, the will, the divorce and the baby. It was easy because Stella knew every single detail about Katelyn’s life, down to the real truth about her marriage to Damon. 

They sat across from each other in Stella’s living room, the joy of  seeing each other for the first time in a year now evaporated from their midst because of everything Katelyn told Stella. The story had obviously pushed Stella into a shocked state, where all she could do was stare at Katelyn, open-mouthed, like a fish out of water. 

“Please, say something.” Katelyn pleaded to her friend, her heart heavy because she couldn’t take one more disapproval, especially not from the only other person in the world who had her back. The only person left. 

“I only have one question for you.” Stella finally spoke and Katelyn drew in a shaky breath, waiting. 

“Are you crazy?” 

“Stella–” 

“No.” Stella rose, cutting Katelyn short. “I don’t want to hear it. Get away from that family now! Today, if you can.”  

Katelyn shook her head, “I can’t.” 

Stella flashed her a look that would have sent her six-feet under if it could kill. “What do you mean you can’t? You have no reason to stay anymore, Alana is dead, your so-called husband wants a divorce and your mother-in-law is a vulture. What else is left?” 

“But I already told you, I want a baby.” Katelyn's voice was shaky like it was the first time she would be admitting this to Stella. But it wasn’t. She had told Stella too many times to remember. 

The idea of wanting a family of her own didn’t just spawn out of desperation from Damon asking for a divorce. 

It had always been there, lurking at the back of her mind and rearing its head whenever she saw mothers and their children. Or whenever she taught at the elementary school. It even hit closer to home whenever she was around Stella’s twin daughters and her husband who worshipped the ground Stella walked on. 

Katelyn knew no man would ever want her, not to mention wanting her as fiercely as Stella’s husband wanted Stella, which was why she never imagined that for herself. She wasn’t dreaming big or aiming for the stars. How dare she? A baby was fine and it would fill the emptiness that her soul has carried for years. 

“You want a baby? Fine! We will get you one. But not from him.” Stella stated firmly. 

“But it has to be him.” Katelyn countered. 

“Why?” Stella’s voice was now slightly raised, “There are a dozen sperm banks in the city. Why does it have to be that family that humiliates you and disregards your existence?”

The way Stella voiced her concern made Katelyn seem pitiful for putting up with that family for so long and not getting far away from them now that the opportunity has presented itself. It was just like three years ago all over again, when Stella tried to convince her that signing the marriage contract was a terrible idea. 

Katelyn wanted to listen to her friend this time, she really wanted to. But she just couldn’t walk away. 

For her, there was no perfect father for her child other than a Winchester. They weren’t just wealthy, they were brilliant. Every single Winchester topped in the classroom and the real world. Not to mention how healthy and good-looking they all were. 

They were the best of the best. Her child deserved that instead of an average joe from a sperm bank whose medical files would be all she had to go by. She was average too and that was why she selfishly wanted better for her own child, the blood of a Winchester flowing through their veins. 

“I know you want the best for me. I know that more than anyone, but it has to be him.” Katelyn's eyes pleaded to her friend to understand like she has done for the past ten years of knowing each other. 

“So what happens after you have his baby?” 

“My baby, not ‘his’. And I have thought about it, Stella. I will leave that family, leave this city and never come back.” Katelyn voiced her conviction. 

“Why do you make it sound so easy, Katelyn? Alana gave you an estate worth a fortune. Just sell it, take the money and make a life for yourself.” 

“I will not sell the house I grew up in.” Katelyn responded firmly. The idea of selling that treasured place felt like a sin. Alana would never want that. “You know money is the least of my problems, Stella. Alana made sure of that. I do not need money, I only need a family.” 

It took a moment for Stella’s eyes to soften. She sighed, resignedly. She walked over to Katelyn and sank into the sofa beside her. She took Katelyn’s hands in hers, squeezing gently, pouring not only warmth into her, but also anxiety for the choice Katelyn has made. 

“I am also family, Kate. You are more than a best friend to me, you are my sister and my kids adore you, you know that. Is it…is it not enough?”  Stella asked, eyes glassy. 

Katelyn wished it was enough. 

God, how many nights had she gone to bed wishing it was? 

How many times had she spent the day with Stella’s kids and husband and had the time of her life, only for her to go back to a house void of that same love and warmth?

How many times had she felt like her happiness was so close and yet, out of reach? 

How many times had she cried herself to sleep because the loneliness and emptiness in her heart hurt like a deep physical wound? 

There were too many times to count and she wasn’t sure how much more her heart could take. So no, it wasn’t enough. It could never be. Because at the end of the day, Stella had a real family to go back to and Katelyn had no one.

Katelyn's eyes watered. She gave up trying to be strong because she knew Stella would accept her whichever way she came. And because she couldn’t tell her friend how much she envied her without seeming ungrateful, Katelyn just whispered, “I’m sorry.” 

“Oh, Katelyn.” Stella cried, pulling Katelyn against her. 

And for the first time since Alana’s death, Katelyn cried. Ugly loud tears that shook her body hard. It was the kind of tears caused by one thing and then you remember another thing worth crying about and you just can’t stop. And Katelyn had so much to cry about. She had enough tears to fill a river. 

Stella held her through it, patting her, reassuring her. “It’s okay. Let it out. I’m here. I will always be here.” 

Katelyn’s cries subsided after a few minutes. Stella rose to get her a glass of water which she gulped down in a go like she had journeyed through the desert. Then came the silence. They sat side by side, offering comfort and warmth, saying nothing and everything at the same time.

“So, when are you going for the insemination?” Stella finally broke the silence. Katelyn stiffened. She barely registered her friend’s final acceptance of her choice because she only just remembered the part that she had conveniently skipped in her story. 

“About that…” She bit her lip, unable to bring herself to release the words that were right at the tip of her tongue, begging to be let out. The suspicious look in Stella’s eyes wasn’t helping either. 

“Hewantsustohavesex.” She rushed the words out. 

“Sorry, what was that?” Stella asked, confusion taking over her sharp features.

Katelyn sighed. There was no point hiding it. “He wants us to do it the natural way.” She said, clearing her throat. 

Stells gasped, “As in…Sex?” 

Katelyn was flustered, her entire face turning red from embarrassment. 

“But why does he want that? I thought you said there was another woman.” 

Kately nodded, “Genevieve, yes. I don’t know what he’s told her but he…um, he says he can’t go with me to a hospital and this is the only way he will do it.” 

Stella frowned. Katelyn could see the gears turning in her friend’s head. 

“I am all for you getting laid, Katelyn and even more so with a man like Damon.” Stella began and Katelyn flushed even more.

“Stella!” 

“No, hear me out. I consent to that. You deserve to get in bed with a man like that at least once in your life, but…it sounds suspicious. Like he is up to something. I just can’t figure out what.”  Stella’s face scrunched up like she was determined to find just what it was that Damon was planning. 

But Katelyn was more worried about how to go about it. She wasn’t a virgin, she was far from that. But the one memory she had of being with a man in her past wasn’t a good one, nor was it one she was eager to relive. 

And sleeping with Damon…it was something she had never dared to imagine. He was way out of her league and it felt like a sin to even imagine his body on hers. 

“Hey.”  Stella squeezed Katelyn’s hand tenderly, drawing Katelyn out of her thoughts. “I know what you’re thinking and trust me, I still don’t want you to be anywhere near that family when your heart is so fragile but do not for once think you don’t deserve to sleep with a man like Damon.” It was as if Stella could read her mind.

“Do not think so less of yourself. You are beautiful. So, enjoy the little time Katelyn, guard your heart, and leave with only good memories.”

*******

Anxiety set itself deep into Katelyn’s bones as the Uber dropped her off in front of Damon’s house. The few hours of peace she had enjoyed at Stella’s place were reduced to nothing now that she was back to her sad reality. 

As she walked into the large compound, she half-expected to be ambushed by thugs again because she knew her mother-in-law’s threats were not to be taken lightly. When that didn’t happen, relief flooded her and her heart stopped pounding in her chest. 

The relief didn’t last long once she walked into her room and saw who had been calmly waiting for her inside of it. The woman poised gracefully on her bed might not be Katelyn’s mother-in-law, but her presence commanded the same power, maybe even more. 

Genevieve. 

“You’re finally back.” Genevieve said, sweeping her gaze over Katelyn.  

“What are you doing in my room?” Katelyn asked, her hand still holding tightly to the doorknob. She didn’t get an answer immediately, and before she could ask again, five bundles of cash landed at her feet. 

Stunned, Katelyn stared down at the  money Genevieve had casually flung at her. All hundred dollar bills. 

“Take that, pack your things, and get your sorry self out of Damon’s life.”