Chapter 100

Erik suddenly pulled Katherine onto his lap, surprising her. She looked up at him, eyes wide with uncertainty and wonder. Her hand trembled slightly as she reached up, her fingertips brushing softly against his cheek. This time, Erik did not pull away from her touch.

Carefully, Erik drew her even closer, mindful of his claws so as not to harm her. Katherine’s fingers lingered on his face, exploring the faint scales along his jaw. To her surprise, the scales were soft beneath her touch, not sharp or dangerous. Everything about the moment felt both thrilling and unfamiliar, as if she were discovering something entirely new.

Katherine’s thumb traced gently over Erik’s lower lip. She hesitated, her heart racing in her chest, the urge to kiss him overwhelming. Before she could act, Erik’s tail curled gently around her waist, holding her close. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, mirroring the kiss she had shared with Christopher earlier. Katherine knew it was wrong, so she pulled away from Erik, breaking the kiss. She paused, her breath shallow, and looked into his eyes again, searching for answers in their depths. The quiet tension between them lingered, heavy with the reality of what had just transpired.

“I am sorry, I can’t do this,”

“I shouldn’t haven’t done that. It’s time for me to go,”

Erik gently uncurled his tail from around Katherine, allowing her to rise from his lap. She stood, putting her hands behind her back, while Erik got off the couch and came to stand beside her. Without a word, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, lingering just a moment. Then, turning away, he strode toward the balcony and, with a last glance over his shoulder, vanished into the night. Katherine turns around Erik was gone, she been kiss twice in one day, slowly walking back to bed and just waiting for Christopher to come back home. Katherine slipped beneath the blanket, curling her knee up to her chest, replaying the memory of Erik’s kiss over and over in her mind. Conflicting emotions kept her heart pounding, and she wondered where these feelings had come from—how they had taken root so quickly. Suddenly, her cellphone rang on the nightstand, its screen lighting up the dark room. Before she could answer, Christopher entered, causing her to reject the call hurriedly, not wanting him to see who it was. He has a tray of food in his hand.

“I see you are hungry. So, I had the cook to make you something to eat,”

“Um… thanks. I am not really hungry,” said Katherine, her voice soft as she sat up in bed and glanced away, still unsettled by the whirlwind of emotions inside her.

“You have to eat something; you didn’t eat all day. Plus, the cook make you sandwich and soup,”

Katherine hesitated for a moment before finally taking the tray from Christopher. He set it gently across her lap as he perched on the edge of the bed, watching her with quiet concern. With a reluctant sigh, Katherine bit into the sandwich and, to her surprise, realized just how hungry she truly was. Bite after bite, she finished the sandwich and sipped at the warm soup, the comforting flavors soothing her uneasy mind.

When she was finished, Christopher reached over and carefully took the empty tray from her lap, placing it on the nightstand. His presence was steady and reassuring, a silent reminder that she wasn’t alone, even as her thoughts raced with everything that had happened that night. Then her cellphone ring again the number from her ex keep showing on her cellphone as she was about to pick and answer it. Christopher grabs her phone and answers the call.

“Katherine, I haven't received the money your father owes me yet. You must marry me if I don't get that money back.” said Mark.

Christopher picked up the phone, his tone calm but unmistakably firm. “This is not Katherine, but her husband Christopher Miller,” said Christopher, his gaze never leaving Katherine’s anxious face as he spoke into the receiver.

On the other end of the line, the caller stammered, “Mr. Miller, I didn’t know Katherine married to you. You see, her father owes me money, and since he couldn’t pay, I was going to marry her.” His voice trembled with uncertainty, realizing the gravity of the situation now that Christopher had answered instead.

Christopher’s voice was firm and cold as he spoke into the receiver, “It sounds like you’re trying to force a marriage. Let me be clear—that debt is her father’s problem, not hers. If I catch you anywhere near Katherine, I’ll cancel every contract we have and make sure you’re blacklisted. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, sir,” said Mark, his voice barely more than a whisper as he conceded. The line went silent for a moment before Christopher hung up, setting Katherine’s phone back on the nightstand with deliberate care. Katherine let out a shaky breath, relief and anxiety mingling in her chest as she looked up at Christopher, grateful for his unwavering support.

Katherine couldn’t understand the sudden weakness that washed over her, as if every barrier she had carefully built was quietly falling apart. Meeting Erik just minutes ago had stirred up feelings she thought she’d buried, feelings she didn’t want to acknowledge. Memories of her ex-boyfriend Max surfaced—how he always made her believe he cared, only to betray her trust with other women and try to make amends with gifts she never liked or wore. She was determined not to let herself feel vulnerable again; that’s why she guarded her heart so fiercely, not willing to risk the pain of being hurt once more.

Christopher took her hands, met her gaze, and watched as a few tears slid down her cheek.

“I want to take care of you,” said Christopher

Katherine pulled her hand away from his, then she felt all her emotions just pour all out as the wall she’d built finally broke. Tears streamed down her face, each one releasing years of pent-up pain and heartache she’d tried so hard to hide. Christopher remained beside her, his expression gentle and understanding, offering silent comfort while she let herself unravel for the first time in ages.

“Sorry, I can’t. I don't want a repeat of that vulnerable feeling. For years, I shielded my emotions, even from Max, after he shattered them; he showed no regard for my feelings or affection. I made numerous sacrifices for him, including drinking with his friends, and was subsequently mocked by another woman with whom he had been intimate. Max didn’t come and protect me—he just stood there and watched while I was breaking down. I went days without eating or sleeping, barely functioning under the weight of it all. When he mentioned my father had asked him for money, it blindsided me, and soon after, Max started calling incessantly. That’s why I changed my number. But my father gave him my new one yet again, and once more, I found myself promising to pay him back,” said Katherine.

Christopher pulled her into his chest so she could just cry her heart out, all her emotions. The sobs wracked her body, each inhaling a shudder, each exhaling a shaky release. Tears streamed down her face, hot and wet against his shirt.