INICIAR SESIÓNKATHRYN’S POVThe kiss lingered for a second before I eased back. His hand was still warm against my cheek. His thumb brushed away a tear I hadn’t realized had escaped. His eyes searched mine with concentration instead of satisfaction. He smiled first.. The smile faded almost immediately.“What is it?" he asked softly. "Kathryn… what’s wrong?”I opened my mouth. Nothing came out. I had been ready to thank him. Instead, something inside me cracked.He frowned. Not in frustration. Concern.“Hey." His voice dropped. It became impossibly gentle. "Talk to me.”“I…" The word dissolved into a broken breath. Tears spilled over before I could stop them. I blinked rapidly. "No." I laughed once through my tears. "This is ridiculous." “It isn’t.”“I don’t even know why I’m crying. You don’t have to know." He reached for my hand. He didn’t pull me into another hug. He left me room to breathe. He reminded me I wasn’t standing there alone. "I’ve got you.”That simple sentence undid me more complete
KATHRYN’S POVThe drive back to the penthouse was pretty quiet. The city outside was moving as usual with traffic lights, horns, and people rushing to their lives, which weren't affected by what happened today. Inside the car, it felt really still. Kathryn sat next to me with one hand on her lap staring out at the city. I knew that feeling that comes after surviving something not after finding peace.We didn't turn on the radio.We didn't feel like talking.Some days you just need to talk.Days you just need a safe place to stop trying so hard.When we got to the penthouse Kathryn went out first. She unlocked the door slowly.The apartment was just like we left it that morning.The throw blanket was still on the sofa.Two coffee mugs were still in the sink.A book she was reading was still on the side table with a receipt marking the page.Nothing inside the apartment knew that the world had changed."I'll make tea."My voice was quieter than usual.She looked at me. Nodded a little.
KATHRYN’S POVMy gaze drifted away from him because I suddenly needed to find someoneMrs. Mayers.She just stood there. Watched.She did not try to talk to the officers.She did not run to Jacob.She did not scream that they had the person.She just watched as her son was taken away.My chest felt tight.That was not the face of someone who did not believe what was happening.It was the face of someone who had finally accepted what was happening. It was too late.Jacob saw her too."Mom!" he shouted.The sound of his voice filled the room."Mom tell them!" he said.She looked up.For one second he waited hopefully.Everyone in the room waited.Mrs. Mayers opened her mouth.Then she closed it again.More tears fell down her face."I am sorry..." she said. Her voice was barely loud enough to hear."I am so sorry " she said again.Jacob looked at her like she had hurt him."No " he said.He was breathing fast."No do not do this," he said.She did not move.The officers kept walking.Ja
IRIS’S POVThe ceremony was still going on, and the guests were watching the couple at the altar while a string quartet played softly in the background. My attention kept going to the mansion because Kathryn had been gone for more than five minutes. I stayed where I was because I did not want to draw attention to myself that would only make things more complicated.. I was getting more and more uneasy because my instinct was telling me something was not right.The person doing the ceremony smiled warmly."Love is about choosing someone every day " he said. "It is about choosing them when things change."Some of the guests nodded their heads.Others were smiling.Jacob was standing next to Anna looking very confident and from afar he looked just like the successful businessman, people thought he was.It all looked perfect.It was not.My phone was vibrating in my jacket.I already knew who was calling me.It was Daniel.I stepped away from the guests and answered the phone right away.
KATHRYN’S POVThe applause at the start of the ceremony filled the estate, warm and happy. It made my chest feel heavy. I sat next to Iris in the front row trying to look calm because many people were watching us. My thoughts kept wandering. To Jacob and Anna who were now standing under the flower arch and to a little girl who should have been happy somewhere instead of being another mystery.The person leading the ceremony. Everyone turned to face the altar.Everyone except me.I leaned over to Iris.“I need to check something.”He didn’t look away away but he found my hand under the chair.“Kathryn.”“I’ll be careful.”His jaw got a little tighter.“This isn’t, about what Anna said is it?”“No.”I looked at him.“It’s about Celine.”He studied my face. Knew he couldn’t change my mind.“You know this house better than I do.”“I do.”“If something feels off…”“I’ll come back.”“You’ll call me.”“I promise.”He let go of my hand slowly.“Five minutes.”I smiled a little.“Bossy.”“I’v
KATHRYN’S POVThe door opened a little before Anna's assistant came in holding a tablet and wearing a headset."Miss Carter they are ready for you," she said.Anna smiled at her."The guests are seated the officiant is in position and your father is waiting outside," the assistant told her.Anna nodded."I will be there in a minute," she said.The assistant did not move."We are already two minutes behind schedule," she said."I said a minute," Anna replied.The assistant said, "Of course.” Then left, closing the door quietly.Anna looked at her bouquet."So," she said, trying to smile."I suppose this is goodbye," she added.I looked at Anna for a time."No " I said.She frowned."Not yet," I told her.I took a step forward. Gently took Anna's hands."Kathryn," she said, looking surprised."Please," I said, my voice calm."Just listen for thirty seconds," I asked her.Annas fingers tensed in my hands."I did not come here to ruin your wedding," I said."I know " she replied."I did n
KATHRYN POVThe next morning I walked straight to Iris’s room.“Come in,” he said. “What brought you here this morning?” He asked.I could still feel the room affecting my thoughts like noise that would not go away."Yes, I'd like to have a word with you,” I said finally. My voice was quieter than
JACOB POVMy eyebrows pulled together a bit as I straightened up. I stared at her focusing on her face. The soft look on her face was gone.“What do you mean by that?" I asked. My voice wasn't calm anymore. There was something behind her words that didn't fit with this moment.She looked at me lik
KATHRYN POVThe silence in my car was not quiet at all. It was loud. It was pressing against my chest. I picked up my phone and dialed my lawyer's number again and when the phone rang once or twice and then went to that automated voice my stomach dropped."Switched off," I said quietly to myself ev
JACOB POVI glanced at the screen. When I saw Michael’s name on it something inside me didn't react like it usually would. Of feeling urgent or curious I felt a dull calculation in my chest. I let it ring till the vibration stopped.Mrs. Joyce. She always noticed things that mattered."Good," she s







