Catherine paused for a few seconds, then started down the hallway, aiming to slip out the hotel’s back exit.
She had just reached the lobby when someone blocked her path.
“Catherine, you’re here! Why didn’t you tell me?”
Adela, breathless from dashing out of the ballroom, rushed to intercept her, desperate to keep Catherine from slipping away.
“You got here just in time. Come on, let me take you inside. It’s a big day for the Lee family—double good news! Seeing them reunite, I can’t help but feel so envious.” She reached for Catherine’s hand as she spoke, her words tumbling out in a rush. “Why don’t you come back too?”
Catherine sidestepped the gesture, her eyes going instantly cold.
“Adela, please. Have some dignity.”
Adela bristled, gesturing toward the ballroom. “You know the woman inside, don’t you? You two grew up in the same orphanage. Why is she willing to reconcile with her parents, but you’re not? Is it because you’ve gotten close to the James family—you’ve moved up in the world, and now you think we don’t matter anymore? But have you thought about how I feel? What about me—what am I supposed to do?”
Her voice trembled, eyes brimming with tears. She was growing louder, and people near the ballroom started to glance over, curiosity piqued.
“If you have time to stand here crying, maybe you should spend it thinking about why I refuse,” Catherine shot back, unfazed. She flung the words over her shoulder and strode toward the door.
Adela’s voice rose behind her, desperate and cracking. “Catherine, tell me what I’ve done wrong, please! Just say it, I’ll do anything if you’ll just come home…”
Outside, Aaron had already pulled the car up to the entrance.
Catherine slid inside, and the engine started with a low growl as they pulled away.
Through the window, she saw Adela hurrying after her, only to stumble and twist her ankle. Adela fell hard to the ground but still cried out after the departing car, voice hoarse with longing. “Catherine, please! Your mother misses you, I really do…”
People gathered nearby rushed to help Adela up.
“Adela, what happened to you?”
VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Best Revenge It Wasn't Even Your Child