That evening, the Ravenswood estate glowed magnificently, like a palace amidst the forest. The bright golden lights stretched across the vast garden, illuminating the path leading to the grand entrance. Classical music played softly, blending seamlessly with the luxurious and powerful atmosphere of the event. A crowd of noble guests gathered, their luxurious cars lining up at the gates, ready to enter the world of one of the most prestigious families in the world.
Catherine stood by the window of her room, her gaze directed toward the garden below. She could see the elegantly dressed guests walking, chatting, and laughing, creating a perfect picture of opulence. But behind the grandeur, Catherine could feel an invisible weight pressing down on her shoulders. This was her first official debut to high society as the wife of Lucius Ravenswood – the heir to the family.
Lucius’s heart raced as he crouched beside Catherine, his mind buzzing with adrenaline. The moment he had seen her fall, a cold, icy fear gripped him, but now, seeing her only slightly injured—a sprained ankle, nothing more serious—he allowed himself to exhale. The tightness in his chest slowly loosened. He straightened up, standing beside her, but his eyes remained fixed on her face, searching for any sign of pain beyond what she had admitted."Can you walk?" His voice was cool, almost detached, but there was an undertone, something beneath the surface—a subtle concern he hadn't meant to show.Catherine, catching her breath, nodded, though her face still held traces of discomfort. "Yes, it’s just a sprain. I’ll manage."Her voice was steady, but Lucius noticed the slight catch in her breath. Despite the casual response, her strength was clear. There was something about the way she bore the discomfort, the way she pushed through the pain, that stirred something in him. Something he di
Catherine struggled to her feet, wincing as a sharp pain shot through her ankle. She must have twisted it during the fall, and her hand instinctively went to the bruise forming on her leg. Every step felt heavier than the last as the cold stone floor beneath her seemed to pull her deeper into the silence. The air around her was damp and stale, carrying the faint metallic tang of something she couldn’t place. It made her uneasy, her breath quickening as she tried to steady herself.She reached out, her fingers brushing against the cold, rough stone of the walls. Desperation clawed at her chest as she ran her hands over the surface, searching for any sign of escape. The stone was uneven, the surface slick with grime. Each movement made her hands slip further, and she gritted her teeth, unwilling to give in to the fear gnawing at her.The darkness around her pressed in like a weight, suffocating her with its quiet menace. She forced herself to breathe, to stay calm, though the growing se
The vast hall loomed around them, its silence broken only by the soft, careful steps of Lucius and Catherine as they ventured deeper into the shadows. Faded tapestries adorned the walls, depicting scenes of battles and ancient ceremonies, their colors long drained by time. The air was thick with dust and the faint scent of old wood, giving the mansion an aura of forgotten secrets.Lucius moved with quiet authority, his posture rigid, his gaze fixed ahead. Catherine followed closely, her steps light and cautious, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, a reminder of the warning Lucius had given her: don’t touch anything.“Stay close,” he commanded, his voice low and sharp. “And keep your hands to yourself. I don’t want any accidents.”“Yes, Lucius,” she replied, her voice steady, though her heart felt a familiar pang at his cold tone. There was no warmth in his gaze, no concern—only a focused detachment. To him, she was nothing more than an obligation, a contract he had to uphold.A
The morning sunlight filtered through the trees, casting shimmering rays across the ground as Lucius stood before his parents, his voice steady but carrying an undertone of urgency. "Father, Mother, it’s been a while since we last visited the old mansion."Maximus, his father, sighed deeply and looked away for a moment. “There’s no time to waste, but we must go. Or you can take Catherine with you.”Lucius, always careful with his words, glanced at his mother before asking, "Is that alright?"But before Maximus could respond, his mother, Lily, interjected sharply, “No! I only have one son, and if anything happens to him—"“Quiet, Lily!” Maximus’s voice cut through, firm and commanding. “There’s nothing to w
After the lively party, the Ravenswood family organized an overnight camping trip in a lush forest near their estate. Catherine was excited, her heart light at the thought of experiencing the outdoors with Lucius's family for the first time.When they arrived, the cool and fresh air surrounded them, and the scent of pine trees filled the air. Lanterns were hung high, their shimmering light casting soft reflections on the towering trees. The sounds of rustling leaves and distant birdsong created a vivid, peaceful atmosphere that Catherine had rarely experienced."Relax, you don't have to act scared. I’m here," Lucius said, his voice low but reassuring as he noticed her hesitation.Catherine nodded, though a small sense of unease lingered. While his family seemed perfectly at ease with these activities, Catherine, the newcomer, couldn’t shake the feeling that she was still an outsider.As the family began setting up the tents, Catherine could feel the eyes of Lucius’s family members on
The party was in full swing, grand and glorious, but Catherine felt like she was trapped in a maze of scrutinizing gazes and fake smiles. After escorting her to greet the important guests, Lucius had left her in a corner while he mingled with the high-society businessmen. A small space opened between her and the crowd, but instead of offering her relief, it only made Catherine feel more isolated, more alone than ever.She stood quietly, her eyes drifting toward the garden outside the hall. She could hear the soft music echoing in the air, a gentle backdrop to the chaos of the event. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to find a shred of peace amidst the overwhelming clamor. Everything in the mansion was perfect, yet that very perfection felt suffocating, like a beautifully constructed facade hiding something darker beneath."Excuse me, are you Catherine?" A warm voice interrupted her thoughts.Catherine turned around, surprised to see a man standing there. He was tall, with thick
That evening, the Ravenswood estate glowed magnificently, like a palace amidst the forest. The bright golden lights stretched across the vast garden, illuminating the path leading to the grand entrance. Classical music played softly, blending seamlessly with the luxurious and powerful atmosphere of the event. A crowd of noble guests gathered, their luxurious cars lining up at the gates, ready to enter the world of one of the most prestigious families in the world.Catherine stood by the window of her room, her gaze directed toward the garden below. She could see the elegantly dressed guests walking, chatting, and laughing, creating a perfect picture of opulence. But behind the grandeur, Catherine could feel an invisible weight pressing down on her shoulders. This was her first official debut to high society as the wife of Lucius Ravenswood – the heir to the family.
The early morning light streamed through the window, and Lucius's voice cut through the stillness, “Catherine, are you awake? How are you feeling? Are you getting used to the atmosphere here?”Lucius had business to attend to, leaving and returning later, but in the meantime, he entered her room, maintaining the perfect facade of a “loving” husband before anyone could question their relationship.Catherine stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open to meet Lucius’s gaze. He was sitting at the edge of the bed, watching her with an expression she couldn't quite read. She smiled softly, but the expression didn't quite reach her eyes. "I’m getting used to it, Lucius. It’s more peaceful here than I thought."Lucius’s eyes softened, and a smile spread across his face, warm and reassuring. “I’m glad to hear that. We’ll have plenty of time to enjoy this tranquility. I want you to feel comfortable and safe here.”There was warmth in his voice, and for a fleeting moment, Catherine felt her hear
In front of the assembled press and media, Lucius stood tall, his posture unwavering as he addressed the crowd. With calm confidence, he began, “Catherine, my wife, has worked as an assistant to Claude for many years. While we were preparing for our marriage, it was Claude and Annie who spread malicious rumors aimed at destroying Catherine’s reputation and creating a rift between us.”His gaze never faltered as he locked eyes with the camera. “These rumors are completely baseless,” Lucius continued firmly. “My wife is a woman of great dignity, who has always worked diligently and honestly. The defamatory actions of Claude and Annie have not only tarnished Catherine’s reputation but have also eroded public trust.”The next day, the story dominated the headlines. In that moment, Lucius publicly acknowledged Catherine’s presence, leaving the press in shock. His co