LOGINKatherine’s POV.
Adrian led me onto the yacht, his hand warm and firm in mine. The deck was softly lit, with tiny lights twinkling around the railings. It felt magical, like stepping into a different world away from all the worries and questions that had been swirling around us all day. He guided me to a small, cozy seating area at the back of the yacht. There was a table set with candles and a bottle of wine chilling in a bucket of ice.Katherine’s POV. I shook my head firmly. “No, Adrian. I can't go this weekend. It's Charlotte's birthday, and we're just starting to get along again.” I continued. “It wouldn't feel right to abandon her and leave for days.” Adrian's eyes widened in surprise. “Wait, Charlotte's birthday is this weekend?” he asked. “She shares the same birthday as Mr. Sterling's twins?” I nodded slowly. “Yes, they do. It's this Saturday.” A big smile spread across his face. “Katherine, do you really think I'd let you miss Charlotte's birthday?” I blinked at him, confused. “What do you mean?” “Charlotte is coming with us,” Adrian said simply like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “We'll all go to Seattle together. What's wrong with having a three-in-one celebration?” “The project event, Mr. Sterling's twins' birthday, and
Katherine’s POV. Adrian spent the whole afternoon with us and it was time for him to go home. I walked him to his car, the cool breeze making me pull my sweater tighter around me. He leaned against the driver's door, hands in his pockets, a soft smile on his face. “Thank you,” I said, my voice quiet. “For today. For... everything. You really made her happy.” He shrugged casually, but I could see the satisfaction in his eyes. “It was my pleasure. She deserved it.” For a moment, we stood there in silence. I could tell he had something on his mind. He glanced at me, then away, as if unsure if he should say it. Finally, he spoke. “Why does she resent you so much, Katherine?” His voice was gentle, not prying, just concerned. “I mean, I know you guys have had a tough time, but... it feels like there's more to it.” I felt my c
Adrian’s POV. I looked at Charlotte, trying to understand all the anger she was carrying. It wasn’t just about the fight with Katherine. There was something more, something deeper that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. And then, she said it, just out of the blue. “It felt like... it felt like you were moving on and leaving Dad behind.” I blinked, glancing at Katherine, but she wasn’t meeting my eyes. This was the first I’d heard of it. Katherine had never mentioned anything about what went on with Charlotte's dad. My mind raced with questions, but I held them back. This wasn't the time to push for answers. Not yet. Charlotte turned to me, her expression softening. “I’m sorry you’re going through that phase with your family, Adrian,” she said quietly. Her words caught me off guard, but I smiled and nodded. “Thank you,” I replied
KATHERINE POV. It had been two days since I slapped Charlotte. Two days of her locking herself in her room and not speaking to me. Every time I tried to talk to her, she just turned her back or shut the door in my face. My heart ached. I knew what I did was wrong, but she wouldn't even let me apologize. I was fed up. I didn’t know what else to do. I wanted to make things right, but how could I if she refused to talk to me? I felt helpless, like I was losing my own daughter. Adrian noticed. He always noticed. He came over this evening, took one look at me, and knew something was off. “Katherine,” he said gently, sitting beside me on the couch. “What's going on? You look like you haven’t slept in days.” I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I didn’t want to burden him with this, but I couldn’t keep it in anymore. “It’s Charlotte,” I admitted. “She... she
ADRIAN’S POV. I leaned against the terrace railing, staring up at the stars. They were scattered across the sky, so quiet and out of reach. I took a deep breath, letting the cool night air fill my lungs. My mind drifted back to earlier that day, to Katherine's living room, to the moment she told Charlotte that I was her boyfriend. I felt a mix of emotions just thinking about it. Katherine had been so brave, standing there, telling her daughter the truth. She didn’t hide or hesitate. She was proud of us, of what we had. And me? I felt proud, too. But there was something else, something that made my stomach twist with guilt. How could I feel proud when I was still keeping her a secret from my own family? I denied her. And here I was, standing on this terrace, hiding from the truth like a coward. Footsteps behind me broke through my thoughts. I turned around and saw Mom s
Katherine’s POV. Adrian stood up, giving her a friendly smile. “Hey, Charlotte, I’m Adrian,” he said casually. Charlotte's eyes darted between Adrian and me, her face unreadable. I felt my heart pounding in my chest, wishing I could disappear. She folded her arms across her chest, her expression serious. “Mom, what's going on?” she asked, her voice calm but with a hint of suspicion. I swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. “We... we were just hanging out,” I said, forcing a smile. “You know, just relaxing and... talking.” “Talking?” Charlotte raised an eyebrow, glancing at the scattered pillows on the floor. “Looks like you were doing more than just talking.” Charlotte didn't seem convinced. Her eyes stayed fixed on me, sharp and questioning. “You didn't tell me you were having company,” she said quietly. “I... I didn’t
KATHERINE POV. For two days, I’d been waiting for Adrian to call or text. But my phone stayed silent. My worry was growing, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong. Charlotte was up to something, too. She spent the entire day packing her things. She
ADRIAN POV. The next day, which marked the so-called dating anniversary, I made a quick call to the decorator early in the morning instructing him to arrange something fitting the occasion. It was all for show, after all. If Vera wanted a display of romance, I would give her t
ADRIAN POV.Vera was unusually quiet after our talk, her eyes watching me, filled with suspicion. I didn’t care. I leaned back in my seat, pretending she wasn’t there.After a while, she spoke up. “Let’s have a banquet,” she said, her voice calm but with an edge to it.The servers qui
KATHERINE POV. As I sat in my living room, I was on the phone with Adrian when I heard Vera’s sharp tone as she questioned him. My heart ached at the sound of Adrian’s voice growing distant, he told me he was going to call me back and ended the call. I knew Adrian







