Chapter 4: A Night I Can’t Remember

KATHRYN POV

The shock hit me so hard that I sat up with a loud gasp. My sudden movement jerked his arm away from my waist.

I quickly moved backward on the bed like it was on fire holding the shirt I was wearing.

“What the hell?!" My voice cracked, and that woke him up immediately.

Iris groaned quietly and shifted a bit. Then his eyes slowly opened. For a moment he just stared at the ceiling like he was still asleep.

Then he looked at me. “Kathryn?" His voice was rough from sleep.

Something inside me just snapped. “You…!" I pointed at him with a shaking finger. "What did you do to me?!"

He blinked once. Then he pushed himself up on one elbow looking confused. “What?"

“What do you mean what?" My voice got louder. I was really scared. "I wake up half naked in a bed that's not mine with you lying all over me!"

His eyebrows came together. “I wasn’t lying all over you."

“That’s not what I’m talking about!” My heart was beating fast and hurting.

“Did you take advantage of me?" I demanded, my voice shaking with anger and embarrassment. "I was drunk last night, Iris! I don’t even remember how I got here!"

His face changed immediately, confusion all over his face. He looked firm and serious, with a loud laugh that came out of his mouth.

“No.” He said, “Why would you think I’ll do that to you? I would never touch someone without their consent."

I laughed bitterly. “Oh really? Then why am I wearing your shirt and nothing else?"

His jaw got a bit tight. He stayed calm. It was really annoying. “You threw up on your clothes."

My anger started to go “What?"

“You were really drunk,” he said calmly. "You got sick over yourself."

My face got really hot. “You’re lying!” I shouted.

“I cleaned you up, you were covered in vomit Kathryn. What did you think I was going to do?"

I opened my mouth, and closed it again. I was trying to think of something to say.

“Before you accuse me of anything else,” he added calmly, "you started shivering in the middle of the night." He looked briefly at the blankets between us. “So I stayed in bed to keep you warm."

The room got quiet.

My heart was still beating fast. I wasn’t as scared anymore. I felt really embarrassed instead.

Oh God.

I threw up on myself? My face felt like it was going to explode. I pulled the shirt tighter around me, avoiding eye contact with him.

“Where are my clothes?" I murmured awkwardly.

He leaned back against the headboard. “I threw them away."

My eyes looked back at him. “You what?!"

“They were ruined."

“That’s not your decision to make!”

“I wasn’t going to keep a bag of vomit-soaked clothes in my apartment."

Apartment. So this wasn’t a hotel. Even worse.

“Fine,” I snapped, swinging my legs off the bed. "Whatever. I’m leaving."

The floor felt cold under my feet as I stormed toward the door. I had my hand on the handle when suddenly… The door slammed shut.

My heart jumped, I turned around. Iris stood in front of the door staring deep inside my soul, barefoot, shirtless and way too close to me.

“Move,” I snapped.

“We need to talk." he whispered to my ear, and that gave me goosebumps instantly.

“I’m not interested!”

He suddenly held me tightly around my waist, breathing heavily close to my face. I tried to step past him but he moved with me.

Suddenly my back hit the wall. My breath caught.

“Move away from me,” I said sharply.

“Kathryn…"

“I said move!”

His voice got softer. “Calm down." And his eyes locked onto mine.

“You always run away when things get tough," he said softly.

My chest felt tight. “That’s none of your business.”

“Maybe it is though.”

My heart skipped a beat.

We were standing too close. Close enough for me to feel his body heat. Close enough for me to smell his scent.

My pulse started racing but this time it was exciting. That made me really mad. I hated this feeling. Hated how my body reacted to him. Hated how my heart felt like it was going to burst.

He looked at my lips for a second. For one moment… It seemed like he might kiss me.

I stopped breathing.

No way that is happening.

Anger rushed through me like a shield. I pushed him hard.

“Give me my clothes back!”

The moment was ruined.

He stepped back slowly, looked at me for a moment then walked to a chair. A neat pile of clothes was there. “I got these delivered this morning.”

I grabbed them from his hands. “I want my old clothes back.”

“They’re gone for good.”

“Unbelievable.” I stormed to the bathroom. Slammed the door shut.

A minute later I walked out wearing the new clothes. I didn’t look at him. Didn’t say thanks. Didn’t say goodbye.

I just walked to the door and shut it very hard.

Behind me, Iris’s voice echoed faintly. “Kathryn!”

I didn’t stop. Didn’t even look back. I choose to ignore and find my way back to the Mayers' hell.

_______

The mansion gates slowly opened as the car drove inside. The stone walls, tall windows and neatly cut hedges stood like judges waiting for me.

Five years.

Five years I lived in this place. For five years I pretended my life was normal. It was actually a prison that was carefully planned.

The car stopped. I got out and stood up straight. As I walked through the doors the quiet noise of the house surrounded me.

A maid was already coming towards me.

It was Angela. Her eyes showed a mix of worry and curiosity.

“Mrs. Mayers,” she said softly.

I nodded once. “Good morning.” My voice sounded calm. Inside I was all over the place.

Angela looked unsure. “Mr. Mayers wants to see you… in his study.”

That didn't surprise me. I felt a knot in my stomach. “When?" I asked.

“Now.”

I almost laughed. Jacob Mayers never wasted time when it came to controlling me.

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

Walking to his study felt longer than usual. Each step echoed in the hallway. Each step gave my thoughts time to spiral out of control.

Did he know where I had been?

Did Iris tell him?

Did someone see me leave?

By the time I reached the wooden doors I felt anxious, and didn't hesitate to open the doors.

Jacob sat behind his desk dressed perfectly with the bandages on his head, which made me a little satisfied that he’s in pain because of me. His eyes lifted slowly when I entered.

Cold and Sharp.

“Kathryn,” he said flatly.

The door clicked shut behind me. Silence filled the room.

His gaze dragged slowly over my face and my clothes. The unfamiliar clothes Iris had ordered.

“Where were you last night?” The question dropped into the room.

I said nothing.

Jacob leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping lightly against the desk. “I asked you a question.”

Still I stayed silent. My silence irritated him.

His jaw tightened. “Answer me.”

I crossed my arms slowly. “No.” The word came out calm. That was enough to snap whatever patience he had left.

Jacob stood up suddenly. “Were you with my brother?” The accusation cracked through the air.

I didn’t flinch.

His eyes burned into mine. “Did you spend the night in Iris’s bed?”

Still silent.

His mouth twisted. “Interesting,” he muttered. "Five years later. You’re still chasing him.”

My stomach twisted. I refused to give him the reaction he wanted. Instead I lifted my chin. “When are you signing the divorce papers?”

The words hung in the air.

For a moment Jacob just stared at me.

Then…

He laughed. A cold laugh.

“You walk into my house after disappearing all night,” he said, "The first thing you ask about… is divorce?”

“Yes.”

His laughter faded. “You think you can walk away that easily?”

“I’m not asking permission.”

His eyes hardened.

For a moment neither of us spoke.

Then Jacob slowly opened a drawer in his desk. “You know,” he said, pulling out a folder, "I’ve been cleaning lately.”

My stomach tightened.

He tossed the folder onto the desk. The papers spilled across the wood.

Medical records. Therapy reports. Rehabilitation documents.

My breath caught.

No.

Jacob watched my face. Waiting. Enjoying it.

“I thought you might want these back," he said.

My chest felt like someone had shoved a knife through it. The memories hit instantly.

Cold hospital rooms. The bitter taste of medication. The endless therapy sessions. The suffocating loneliness. Two years of darkness. The church was full, the music was playing, everyone was waiting, but Iris never showed up. No explanation. No goodbye.

Nothing.

That silence shattered something inside me. After Celine was born the depression swallowed me whole.

Alcohol. Pills. Anything to numb the pain. Until I finally hit rock bottom. Rehab. Therapy. Recovery.

Every step just so I could be the mother my daughter deserved.

Jacob tapped one of the papers. “These documents," he said, "are enough to prove you’re an addict.”

His eyes turned cold again.

My heart started pounding.

“You divorce me…" he said. Then he leaned forward. “I’ll take Celine.”

The words sucked the air out of the room. My entire body went still.

“I’ll file for custody,” he continued. "With your history…” He tapped the rehab documents again. “You’ll never see your daughter again.”

For a moment I couldn’t breathe.

Celine.

My little girl. The only reason I survived those years.