Chapter three

Catherine

“You are about to remarry, Catherine?” My aunt yelled over the phone.

“Yes, Aunt, I’m about to remarry. I can’t lose everything. Dean won’t get away with it, he can’t. So just trust me on this.”

It took a moment before I heard her voice again.

“Alright, Catherine. You better know what you’re doing. I love you, kiddo.”

She hung up. My aunt had always been supportive of my choices in life, but it still hurt that Dean had been my first choice.

A knock came at the door, and I opened it as the movers made their way in, carrying my stuff to their van.

With one final look at my house, I slid into my car and we zoomed off. Kaden had promised to retain the property for me.

After I settled into Kaden’s home— or should I say, our home now—I looked around. I knew we were not yet married, but that was part of the contract. I  dropped to the couch as tears stung my eyes. I had not expected to be here, but it was what it was. I wiped my face and  promised myself that I would never cry over this again.

The door beeped, and Kaden walked in.

“Hey, wife, how are you liking the new home? Hope it’s up to your standard,” he  said, yanking his tie.

“Well, not bad for a Mitchell. But can you keep up with seeing a woman’s hair in your bathroom every day?” I snarked.

He chuckled, shaking his head. “No problem, baby.” He  leaned in. “This marriage is happening, so you’d better stop with the smart mouth.” He walked away.

I rolled my eyes as I continued my tour.

****

Days passed as I settled into Kaden’s penthouse. As much as I liked the place, it didn’t feel like home to me yet. 

Murmurs and whispers followed me as I made my way to the boardroom. Kaden said this was an engagement gift to me—he  had bought the shares of Maximo, an ex- board member.

I opened the door to the meeting room, and conversation came to a halt.

“Continue with your meeting. Don't let me interrupt,” I said as I sat down.

Eyes darted my way as Dean bolted upright.

“What are you doing here, Catherine?”he growled.

“I’m part of the board now, Dean,” I said, smiling.

“If I recall correctly, Catherine, you have no shares here anymore. And_”

“Uh, uh, uh,” I cut him off. “If I recall correctly, I bought  Maximo’s shares  when he withdrew them.” I stood. “That  makes me a member of this board now. Now continue the meeting.”

He sat back down, fists clenched and jaw tight.

You made a mistake, Dean, to think you can easily put me down.

A hand yanked me into an empty room. I turned to meet an angry Dean.

“I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing here, Catherine, but I’m telling you now to back the fuck down before you get hurt again,” he spat.

“And what are you going to do, ex-husband?” I shot back. “You are threatened because you couldn’t put me down.”

He laughed sardonically. “You are nothing, Catherine. Don’t think I’m afraid of you one bit because you decided to whore yourself off Maximo because of his shares. I can make you disappear—poof.”  He  snapped his fingers.

“Just like that.”

 Now it was my turn to laugh. “I’d love to see you try. You ought to know by now that I love a good challenge.”

 With that, I left the company.

*******

“Cheers to you, baby girl,” Elena said, clinking her glass against mine. Apparently, rumors spread fast, she was here now  toasting what she called an achievement.

“Elena, I just bought half the shares. Nothing to celebrate,” I said.

“Are you kidding me, girl? The fact that you didn’t let that fucker put you down is everything to me,” she said.

I sighed. She didn’t know that all this was Kaden. She’d been surprised by the way I moved on. I never told her this was just a marriage deal. Elena was slightly shy—she was all bark but no bite.

“Whatever,” I said, dropping back onto my bed.

“Well, I’m leaving. Got work tomorrow. Bye, Cat.”

“Bye, El.”

Not even five minutes later, the intercom beeped, and I wondered if she had forgotten something. I checked the intercom to see a tall man standing at the door.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“Kaden’s brother,” the man said.

I opened the door, and he walked in.

“You must be Catherine, Kaden’s fiancée?”

“Yeah, I’m Catherine,” I answered, folding my arms.

He slightly cocked his head.

“I’ve heard about your story, Mrs. Rosawood. I don’t know why you chose Kaden, but I guarantee you—it won’t work.” He turned and left.

Open-mouthed, I just stood there, wondering what the hell had just happened.

“Great. Now I’ve got a brother’s disapproval,” I sighed.

And exactly what did he mean by my story?

I didn’t even know the guy until now. He was none of my business, I already had enough problems to add another to it.

Kaden had never mentioned any of his family members to me, and I hadn’t met any of them before now. He must be the half-brother, Kai. Kaden had mentioned him in one of our conversations.

Deciding not to think about it too much, I had just taken a step when my phone pinged.

Unknown: I’m watching you, Catherine.