In Lucius's presence, Catherine sat down and carefully reviewed the contract in front of her. Her hands trembled slightly as she read through the clauses. Despite everything that had happened, this moment felt surreal. The weight of what she was about to do settled in her chest, but there was no turning back now. She picked up the pen, her movements steady but deliberate, and signed her name.
As the ink dried, an indescribable sensation filled the room. Both Lucius and Catherine felt the air shift, the finality of the moment signaling that their lives were about to change forever. Naomi Catherine would no longer be the assistant to a musician but the wife of billionaire Lucius Ravenwood. She would no longer have to hide behind the shadows of her identity or shrink away in the presence of others. With this contract, her world—her identity—was shifting. And Lucius? He was bound by his word to protect her and
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