Chapter 3: I’m Catherine

“How dare you say that, you shameless woman!” Valentina snarled, violently shoving my hand away. “You will pack your bags and get the hell out of here right now!”

The commotion brought several servants rushing into the hallway. They hovered nervously, their eyes darting between us, clearly trying to figure out who was the real lady of the house.

Seeing Valentina dressed in the exact style I used to wear, they naturally assumed she was their madam.

“Madam, what’s wrong?” one of them asked cautiously.

Valentina flashed me a triumphant, mocking smile. “Get this imposter out of my house. Now!” She pointed a trembling, furious finger at me.

“I’m not doing this with you,” I said, letting out a lazy yawn and covering my mouth with my hand. “I’m going back to my room.”

The servants’ eyes widened in shock the second I spoke. They recognized my voice instantly. Two of the younger servants stepped around Valentina and rushed over to my side.

“Madam, we’re so sorry,” one whispered quickly. “Should we walk you to your room?”

“It’s fine, I can walk on my own,” I replied softly.

As I walked up the stairs, Valentina’s screeching voice echoed from downstairs. It was obvious she was throwing a full blown tantrum.

Early the next morning, a loud knock on my door dragged me out of a deep sleep.

“Who is it?” I muttered, rubbing my eyes.

“Master Kealan asked to see you in his study in ten minutes,” a servant called through the door.

That jolted me wide awake. I sat up quickly, stretching my sore muscles, and wiped my face with my palms. “Isn’t it too early for this?” I dragged my exhausted body out of bed and into the bathroom.

Once I finished showering, I searched through my wardrobe for something to wear, eventually settling for a plain white satin gown. ‘What could he possibly want to talk about this early?’ I thought, combing my hair in front of the vanity mirror.

My hair used to be naturally long and straight. But ever since I became Valentina, I had kept it short, curled, and cut to my upper back to match her look.

Leaving my room, I walked down the hall to Kealan’s study. I raised my hand to knock, but stopped halfway. My heart was pounding against my ribs. I pressed a hand to my chest, taking a few slow, deep breaths to steady myself before finally knocking and pushing the door open.

Kealan was sitting behind his heavy oak desk, flipping through a stack of documents. He didn't even bother to look up to acknowledge I had walked in.

“Kealan, you called for me?” I asked, trying to keep my voice from trembling.

He finally raised his head. I felt a sudden shift in his expression, but as always, his thoughts remained entirely unreadable to me.

He gestured with his chin toward a white shopping bag resting on the leather couch. “I have a business event today, a small gathering. You’re accompanying me.”

“Kealan... Valentina is back,” I said, frowning.“Shouldn't she be the one going with you to these things?” I couldn’t figure out what kind of game he was playing.

“Valentina knows nothing about these types of events,” he replied coldly, going right back to flipping through his files. “And I don’t want her to be bored or overwhelmed.”

His words hit me hard, my already broken heart broke into more pieces. ‘How dumb of me to think that he’s taking me there cause I’m in wife.’

Valentina was just someone he treated as delicate, then what was I?

“O...okay,” I managed to murmur. I picked up the bag from the couch and quietly walked out of the room.

By 11:40 AM, I was standing in front of the full length mirror, admiring the dress. It was a long, elegant white gown detailed with delicate pearls around the neckline. Simple, but stunning.

“I better head down. He’s probably waiting,” I muttered to myself.

Downstairs, Kealan was already sitting on the couch, dressed in a tailored black suit with subtle white embroidery along the dress shirt.

As I walked down the stairs, I overheard two servants whispering nearby. “Master and Madam make such a beautiful couple, don't they?”

A sudden flutter of butterflies bloomed in my stomach, though I tried to suppress it.

I looked over at Kealan, only to find him staring right back at me. A dangerous, intrusive thought flashed through my mind. ‘Why couldn't Valentina have just stayed dead?’

“You’re right on time. Let’s go,” Kealan’s deep voice brought me back from my train of thought.

“Let’s go, then.” I stepped past him, walking a pace ahead while he followed two steps behind.

We were just about to step into the sleek black sedan parked outside when Valentina came charging out of the front doors.

“Kealan! What is going on here?” She pointed a finger at me, pure disgust written all over her face. “Are you actually taking that filthy thing out with you?”

“Valentina, calm down. It’s just a business meeting,” Kealan said, his voice level as he tried to pacify her.

“So? Can’t I come?” She tried to push past him to get into the back seat, but Kealan reached out and caught her arm, holding her back.

“Whether you like it or not, I’m coming with you!”

“Valentina, look at me.” He took her hand, making her look up at him. “You stay here and wait for me. I know you don’t like places like that, that's the only reason I’m taking her with me.” I just stood there beside them, feeling pathetic.

“I’m supposed to be the one by your side, Kealan! I’m Valentina! I’m your wife! She’s just a cheap gold digger.” She pointed at me again.

“Valentina... Catherine is my wife.” I stood frozen by the open car door, my mouth falling slightly open in shock.

“You don’t get it,” he continued. “Places like that are filled with dangerous people, and I don’t want you getting hurt.”

Valentina recoiled as if she’d been slapped. “What do you mean by that? You love me!” She threw her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest.

They held each other for a long moment before he gently pulled her off him.

“Valentina, please calm down. We’ll talk when I get back,” he said in a soft tone, cupping her cheeks with his hands.

Tears stung my eyes, but I forced a smile anyway. I had never heard him speak so gently before. Maybe he did know how to be soft—just not to me.

She reached up, holding his hand against her face. “You promise to do what I said when you get back?”

“I promise. Can I go now?” She nodded, finally stepping back from the car.

I had never seen him act this way, or ask for permission to do anything.

He stepped into the car and shut the door. Silently, I slid into the seat beside him.

The ride to the venue was suffocatingly quiet. I kept stealing subtle glances at Kealan, trying to read the blank face he wore, but his expression remained completely unreadable.

When we arrived, the chauffeur stepped out to open my door, while Kealan got out on his side.

“Let’s go in,” he said.

I slipped my hand through the crook of his arm, and we walked through the grand entrance together.

The banquet hall was decorated lavishly in white and gold, lined with plush red carpet.

Groups of high profile executives were gathered around cocktail tables, with their partners at their sides.

Attending these events wasn't new to me. For the past three years, I had accompanied Kealan to every single gala, dinner, and meeting that required a spouse.

We walked over to a table reserved for his newest business partners. Kealan pulled out a chair for me first before taking the seat right beside mine.

“Mr. Blackwood, you arrived early,” a ginger haired man said, offering a warm smile.

The other executives at the table turned their attention to me, waiting for an introduction.

“And this must be Mrs. Blackwood?”

I smiled, opening my mouth out of habit. “I’m Vale— I mean, I’m Catherine.”

Panic surged through me at my near slip up, and I shot a desperate, pleading look sideways at Kealan.