Chapter 63
Kathy and Anthony entered the dining room hand in hand, their steps perfectly synchronized. The light chatter faded as everyone turned to watch the couple approach. With a gentle smile, Anthony released Kathy’s hand and gracefully pulled out a chair for her, motioning for her to sit. She offered him a grateful look as she settled in, and he took the seat beside her, his presence quietly reassuring.
Seth, seated across the table, kept his gaze fixed on Kathy. There was a hopeful pause, as if he was waiting for her to acknowledge her mother. But Kathy remained silent, her eyes cast downward. The tension at the table grew palpable.
Unable to bear the uncomfortable silence, Grace stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the hardwood floor. Without a word, she left the dining room, her departure marked by the soft click of the door behind her. The unease in the room deepened.
Seth’s eyes flashed with anger, turning a vivid shade of red. His lips curled back, exposing his fangs in a silent threat directed at Kathy. The sight didn’t go unnoticed; Anthony immediately shifted in his seat, his posture stiffening. He reached for Kathy’s hand under the table, squeezing it protectively, his stance making it clear that he would not let anything happen to her.
Breaking the tense silence, Seth leaned forward, his tone firm yet imploring. “Kathy, go and talk to your mother,” he urged, his eyes locked on hers, searching for a flicker of agreement. The words lingered in the air, heavy with concern and expectation.
Kathy finally looked up, her voice barely above a whisper but tinged with defiance. “Why should I?” she asked, her eyes flickering with pain and uncertainty. The question hung between them, raw and vulnerable, challenging the expectation that she simply comply.
Seth’s voice softened, though his intensity did not waver. “You need to go and listen to what she has to say. So, she can explain everything to you instead of giving her the cold shoulder. There’s a reason why she didn’t come back for you. Yes, I know, you saw her body—just speak to her, Kathy. She’s hurting too,” he explained, his gaze pleading for understanding. The room remained silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air as Kathy struggled to meet his eyes, the turmoil clear on her face.
Kathy rose from her chair, the legs scraping quietly against the floor, and left the dining room with deliberate steps. She knew she had hurt her mother’s feelings, but the pull to seek her out was stronger than her reluctance. Moving toward the kitchen, Kathy paused in the doorway, spotting her mother seated on the porch chair, cupping a mug of something steaming between trembling hands.
Standing just inside the door, Kathy hesitated, uncertainty swirling in her chest. She couldn’t decide if she truly wanted to face her mother—a woman who, in her heart, she felt shouldn’t be here at all. Gathering up her courage, Kathy slid open the door, stepped out, and quietly closed it behind her. She walked over to the chair across from her mother, noticing how her mother quickly averted her gaze, hiding her eyes so Kathy wouldn’t see them. The air between them felt fragile, as if a single word might shatter it completely.
“I am sorry, I shouldn’t have made you upset. You could leave me some clues of all of your plans or turn into a bat to send me a signal on something,” said Kathy
“Well, I did. I left my journal, and even Seth sent one of his men to watch over you. Even when you were driving to that hotel you’ve been staying at, I knew you had the urn with you. Plus, while you were there, the guy at the desk was also keeping an eye on you. So, you weren’t alone. I heard about the accident you had—lucky Anthony found you on the ground and rushed you to the hospital,” said Grace.
Kathy starts to think of what her mother say was true that was her plan.